Umb Community Meeting
The community meeting, recorded for YouTube and social media, included opening remarks acknowledging attendees. Key discussions involved an update on a burst water pipe incident at the Mley East residence hall, which caused significant water damage, and the university's response, including providing alternative housing, financial, academic, and emotional support to affected students. A relief fund was established with community support. Academic updates covered progress on the 10-year strategic plan, emphasizing holistic student success, impactful research, being a university of and for the city, enriching the human core, and reimagining campus space. Specific academic initiatives mentioned included enhancing experiential learning, integrating academic and career advising, expanding paid internships, introducing competency-based badges/micro-credentials, offering an "AI for All" course focusing on ethical uses, and initiatives like the Beacon Pledge and the Future Beacons program with Bunker Hill Community College. Research highlights included achieving Research 1 status and ranking number one nationally in access for low-income and minoritized students. The university's commitment to the city was stressed, with high retention rates for local graduates and deep involvement with local schools, such as supporting Ruth Batson Academy. Updates on campus administration and finance detailed a five-year capital projects budget of nearly $200 million, focusing on deferred maintenance and safety/compliance projects, further supported by state critical repair funds.