Katie Gahagan

The strategic plan for Montana State University, titled "Choosing Promise," outlines the institution's mission to educate students, create knowledge, and serve communities by integrating learning, discovery, and engagement. Its vision is to be a welcoming, adventurous community dedicated to addressing global challenges through excellence in education, research, creativity, and civic responsibility, inspiring individuals to achieve their aspirations and improve the human prospect. The plan is guided by core values including respect, integrity, student success, and excellence, and its academic strategy encompasses learning, discovery, engagement, integration, access, and stewardship.

The meeting included university-wide announcements regarding the start of the semester, accolades for the Library, upcoming Founders Day events, a Strategic Plan announcement urging participation, and information on upcoming calls for interest in the interim Provost position. Public comments addressed personal transportation devices and concerns presented by the group Students Against Genocide. Old items addressed included the approval of policies regarding Reporting Suspected Legal, Regulatory, or Policy Violations (OneMSU), Personal Transportation Device, and Emergency Management Policy. Informational updates were provided on Conflict of Interest and Public Participation Policies. Further updates covered MSU Billings' enrollment goals and faculty awards, MOR's Frog exhibit opening, Great Falls MSU's enrollment increases and a significant donation from the Berkshire Hathaway Foundation, research updates including the Centers and Institutes Day, and the Crawford Donation for graduate scholarships.

The meeting commenced with general university announcements covering Homecoming week, the September Board of Regents meeting, budget/AI topics, and the recent visit from the Secretary of Education and Governor. The primary old item involved discussion and unanimous approval of friendly amendments to the Animals On Campus policy, concerning notification requirements involving department heads/directors and changes to the appeal timeline. A new item addressed the Research Misconduct Policy, which will be brought back for further review in 30 days. An informational item featured a presentation from the Dean of Great Falls College MSU regarding that institution.

The meeting included discussion and approval of the Indigenous Peoples' Day Resolution following a suspension of the rule requiring a second reading. Informational items presented covered the results of the City of Bozeman's 2015 National Citizen Survey, updates on the Strategic Plan's Engagement Goals, and information regarding MSU Great Falls College's 1+3 Engineering Transfer Programs. Updates section highlighted recognitions for council members and the announcement of upcoming events such as the Annual Powwow and the dedication of a wind generator.

The meeting was called to order by the President. Key informational items included a presentation on updates to the CHOICES benefit enrollment interface as part of a Service Excellence project, and an update on the Engagement section of MSU's Strategic Plan, which included new progress data. University Council members also provided brief updates regarding their respective departments.