Megan Vazquez

The Board meeting included the approval of permanent appointments for the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, and the Chief Audit Executive. Reports and recommendations were presented from the Academic Affairs, Student Life, and Athletics Committee, the Audit and Compliance Committee, and the Executive and Governance Committee, which included topics such as tenure and promotion, policy revisions, institutional mission profiles, and tuition and fee structures. Additionally, the Board discussed the presidential search process following the announced retirement of the University President, and received reports on recruitment, enrollment, and SACSCOC accreditation.

This strategic plan outlines the university's direction to 2035, focusing on three key priorities: increasing its creative and research profile to be a top choice for students, strengthening the community to foster thriving learners and workers, and cultivating sustainable partnerships. These priorities are supported by strategies such as delivering impactful academic offerings, elevating the institutional research infrastructure, ensuring holistic academic and career supports, promoting wellness and engagement, enhancing faculty and staff support structures, strengthening community and industry collaborations, and improving institutional advocacy and communication.

The board discussed a proposal regarding a title change and a compensation adjustment for the University Counsel and Board Secretary, adhering to the established policy for executive compensation reporting and approvals.

The Finance and Personnel Committee meeting addressed several key actions. Compensation adjustments were approved, implementing an across-the-board increase of 1.8% or $750 (whichever is greater) funded by the state appropriation salary pool, supplemented by an additional $2.6 million commitment from the University for market salary increases effective January 1, 2026. An update on the Performance-Based Pay Plan highlighted challenges in modeling due to the uncommon nature of such structures in higher education and the qualitative nature of current evaluations. The committee also recommended approval for the 2025-2026 October Revised Operating Budget, which included adjustments for tuition and fee revenue, increased state appropriations for the Medical Education Program, and re-budgeting of prior year student fee balances.

The Audit and Compliance Committee meeting included the approval of prior meeting minutes. Key discussion items involved receiving the Quarterly Report for Audit Services, which noted the completion of the FY25 Audit of Inventories and the Audit of the President's Office Expenses, both with no recommendations. Additionally, the committee reviewed the Results of External Reviews, specifically the U.S. Small Business Administration's review, which also resulted in no findings requiring attention. The committee subsequently adjourned to a non-public executive session to discuss topics permissible by law.