Kurtis Armstrong

The board meeting agenda includes informational reports from leadership and faculty representatives, a consent agenda covering personnel, emeriti faculty status, transitional retirement, the board calendar, and committee appointments. Key topics for discussion and potential action include a state budget update, treasurer's report, housing and parking developments, university handbook updates, marketing initiatives, and enrollment and adult learner strategies. The meeting also features an executive session to discuss the purchase of real property.

The discussion centered on the decision not to raise tuition or room and board fees for the upcoming year, driven by a commitment to serving first-generation, low-income, and modest-income students from Colorado. This decision was made to recognize the financial impacts on students due to current circumstances and to maintain accessibility. Speakers emphasized that every institutional decision is based on what is best for the students, reinforcing the university's North Star of placing students first. The proposed budget, which avoids fee increases, was praised as a testament to strong institutional management over the past 15 years, allowing the university to navigate tough times while ensuring educational opportunity for the largest possible number of students through innovative and agile measures.

Key discussions included the Chair's update from the Housing Working Group and brief updates on the Broadway Series opening. The President presented the Human Scale University Champion Award for December 2025 to Verner Johnson, recognized for his fiftieth year of service, and shared updates on ongoing construction, including a new food hall. The Faculty Trustee reported on the Faculty Senate priority list. The Student Trustee provided updates on Homecoming events, "Mavs Giving," the Food Truck Initiative, and the Adopt-A-Family program. The Board discussed strategic direction, focusing on high-level strategy and long-term planning areas, particularly adult learners. The Governance Committee discussed the slate of officers for the January meeting and succession planning. Reports were also provided on the Treasurer's Report, information security initiatives, proposed Professional Personnel Employment Handbook changes, and a preview of the state budget and legislative strategy. The Marketing and Communications team presented a CMU Tech brand video and updates on Maverick Magazine.

This document outlines the institutional vision and mission of Colorado Mesa University. The vision emphasizes becoming a 'Human Scale University' that serves as a model embodying values such as love, dignity, courage, humility, resilience, and curiosity. The mission focuses on providing affordable, accessible education and forming meaningful partnerships to support community well-being and vibrancy, while fulfilling its legislative mandate as a general baccalaureate and graduate institution with a community college role and a regional education provider.

Colorado Mesa University's institutional vision is to be a "Human Scale University" that embodies values such as love, dignity, courage, humility, resilience, curiosity, and the positive use of power. Its mission focuses on providing affordable and accessible education, fostering meaningful community partnerships, and supporting the well-being and vibrancy of the community. The university also upholds its statutory role as a general baccalaureate and graduate institution with selective admission standards, offering liberal arts, sciences, professional, and technical degree programs, alongside a community college role for career and technical education.