Erica Anga

The Audit and Compliance Committee meeting covered several key action items and discussions. The committee approved the Performance-based Funding Data Integrity Audit, which verified the accuracy and timeliness of required data submissions underpinning performance funding. The committee also reviewed and approved the annual revision of the Audit and Compliance Committee Charter, which included minor clarifications to reporting structures and independence descriptions. In discussion items, the Chief Audit Executive provided a quarterly update, highlighting completed audits for Enterprise Systems with Personally Identifiable Information and departmental audits for psychology and chemistry, while also detailing ongoing and upcoming work, including a Workday security audit and external State Auditor reviews. The Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer announced the hiring of a new Deputy Chief Compliance and Ethics Officer, reported on updates to the University Constitution and the launch of new online training for search committee members, and mentioned ongoing policy and regulation updates. The final item involved a presentation on the Independent Accountant's Report on Agreed Upon Procedures for Intercollegiate Athletics, confirming that the annual review resulted in a clean report with no findings or exceptions.

Key discussions included the Annual Review of the Governance Committee Charter, which resulted in its reaffirmation with no recommended changes. The committee also received an update on the biennial review of the Board of Trustees Bylaws and the Resolution of Presidential Authority, with redlined versions anticipated for approval in June. Furthermore, an update was provided on the institutional accreditation application process with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), noting that preliminary materials were submitted and approved without deficiencies, with an on-site evaluation visit scheduled for April 2026. The committee unanimously approved the Governance Committee Charter.

The meeting covered several key actions and discussions. Key action items included the unanimous approval of tenure upon hire for Dr. John (Jack) Shelley Tremblay as a full professor and Chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, which is intended to advance the university's R1 aspirations. Additionally, the committee unanimously approved a minor amendment to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee Charter to reduce the minimum required number of annual meetings from four to three. Discussion items focused significantly on student success metrics, including record-setting enrollment and retention rates for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 cohorts, and the narrowing of the gap between overall retention and retention with a 2.0 GPA or higher. The integration of experiential learning as a required, curriculum-embedded component across undergraduate academics was detailed, noting significant employer engagement. The committee also discussed potential future initiatives regarding student testimonials and state funding pilots to offset costs for unpaid internships.

The Finance & Facilities Committee addressed several significant items. Key approvals included the 2026 Finance and Facilities Committee Charter and the proposed purchase of a $4.7M warehouse for university storage needs, with closing costs covered by the seller. The committee also unanimously approved a $2M reallocation from the Radio Repeater Project; $1.5M was directed to the Student Success Center Project to fund pedestrian bridges, and $500,000 was allocated to Minor Projects for deferred maintenance. Furthermore, the committee approved a $5.5M Foundation Line of Credit for Athletics. Amendments to regulations concerning Traffic and Vehicle Use, Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance, and Waiver and Exemption of Tuition and Fees were also approved. Discussion topics covered the strong financial performance, including increased E&G and auxiliary revenues, status updates on 61 capital projects totaling $282M, and a review of SUS ratios. Updates were also provided regarding feasibility studies for Greek housing and an evaluation of auxiliary rates and potential housing/tuition rate changes for Fall 2026.

The Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting included two primary action items: the proposed tenure upon hire for Dr. Jack Shelley-Tremblay, who specializes in cognitive neuroscience and currently chairs the Psychology department at the University of South Alabama, and the proposed amendment to the committee's charter document. A discussion item focused on the Provost Quarterly report, specifically addressing student success metrics from enrollment through employment, which included retention, graduation data, Fall 2026 enrollment figures, and an update on experiential learning and internships.