Heather Elizabeth Sandlin

This document outlines Wayne State University's 2026 Strategic Plan Refresh, titled "Our Moment Is Now," designed to translate the university's momentum into sustained progress for its students, faculty, staff, and communities. The plan refines and consolidates priorities into 14 strategic goals across three primary focus areas: Advance Teaching and Learning, Drive Discovery and Innovation, and Engage Our Communities. These areas are supported by four cross-cutting themes, emphasizing student success, research, innovation, and partnerships that strengthen Detroit, Michigan, and beyond.

The Board of Governors discussed several key agenda items, including the establishment of new academic programs in AI-driven construction management and engineering leadership, as well as name changes for existing graduate programs. The meeting also addressed financial and operational matters such as contingency reserve transfers, campus housing room and board rates, construction authorization for the Law School building, and facility upgrades for the College of Education and athletic department. Personnel recommendations for tenure, promotion, and administrative appointments were reviewed, and faculty recognition awards were presented. Additionally, the board considered the establishment and dissolution of various endowment funds, proposed statute revisions, tuition and fee rates for the School of Medicine, and several research and outreach contracts. A presentation on the Division of Digital Strategy and Operational Excellence was also provided.

This 5-Year Capital Renewal Plan and Capital Outlay Project Request outlines Wayne State University's strategy for significant capital investments and addressing deferred maintenance from FY2026 to FY2030. Key priorities include extensive spending on Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, building envelopes and roofs, student experience/academic/athletics facilities, parking structure repair and restoration, and elevator maintenance and replacements. The plan aims to maximize institutional impact by prioritizing critical needs and ensuring modern facilities for student learning, with an estimated $121 million in total investment.

This document outlines the strategic direction for the Division of Digital Strategy and Operational Excellence (DSOE) to operationalize institutional effectiveness by unifying people, process, data, and technology. The plan focuses on five strategic priorities: strengthening partnership and governance, driving operational excellence, orchestrating seamless digital experiences, enabling data-informed decisions, and empowering people and culture. The overarching vision is to empower the collective community through transformative digital experiences, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and a connected campus.

The committee meeting agenda includes action items regarding the contingency reserve, FY 2026-2027 campus housing room and board rates, and tuition and fee rates for the School of Medicine MD program. Additionally, the committee will review construction authorizations and fund source revisions for several capital plan projects, including the Law School classroom building, College of Education HVAC cooling plant, and soccer facility. Informational reports are scheduled on audited financial statements, long-term investments, cash pool investments, debt programs, major capital projects, and purchasing exceptions.