Michael Boland

The board received an administrative update on the university's presidential search process and legislative strategy. Construction updates were provided regarding a new engineering complex, alongside information on upcoming NDSU Ag Week events and faculty recognitions. The board discussed rural health transformation funding and received updates on ongoing board position searches. Additionally, the board finalized capital project budget requests, approved a budget reduction for the Carrington REC Greenspace project, and established the ranking order for various capital project priorities.

The board received administrative updates concerning the search for new agribusiness faculty, master planning for Shepperd Arena, budget preparations for the upcoming legislative session, and a new endowment for applied potato pathology. Discussions included the NDSU presidential search, a Civil Rights Compliance Review, and potential funding for the North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program. Additionally, the board reviewed construction timelines for the Bolley Laboratory, agricultural research partnerships, and the capital request from the Carrington Research Extension Center. The board also approved the SBARE Strategic Planning Playbook and established operating expenses as the top priority for the ND Agriculture Experiment Station and NDSU Extension.

The board discussed organizational changes at the university, including the planned merger of several colleges and the absorption of the 4-H Youth Development and Agricultural Education programs. Budget reductions and faculty line eliminations within the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources were addressed, along with updates on federal projects involving predictive crop modeling and precision agriculture. Additionally, the board received reports on ongoing legislative initiatives, specifically House Bills 1003 and 1020, and the status of various agricultural research and extension programs, including leadership transitions and committee searches for new board members.

The board received administrative updates from university leadership regarding budget constraints, student recruitment strategies, and ongoing institutional consolidation efforts. Key discussions included the economic impact of agriculture in the state, progress on legislative outreach and grant proposals such as the NSF Engine grant, and operational updates concerning federal funding and big data initiatives. Additionally, the board reviewed capital construction projects for research centers, examined the history and responsibilities of the Agricultural Research Fund, and discussed the potential displacement of research positions due to administrative restructuring.

The regular board meeting included administrative updates regarding the departure of President Cook and Dr. Katie Cook from NDSU, an update on a presentation to the Interim Higher Education Institutions Legislative Committee, and the announcement of a tentative ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bolley Laboratory. Updates were also provided on NDSU Extension programs, the upcoming USDA NIFA Civil Rights review, and recent impacts from the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The Chair announced the conclusion of Representative Alisa Mitskog's time on the board and the appointment of Representative Austin Foss. The board reviewed and discussed input received during the 2025 stakeholder prioritization process and received a presentation on Riverview Dairy Midwest operations.