Nicole Meadows-Hale

The board discussed several items, including a report from the Institutional Advancement Committee regarding FY26 fundraising priorities and initiatives. The Evaluation and Compensation Committee reviewed options for the President's compensation package, while the Academic and Scientific Affairs Committee addressed faculty appointments, curricular approval processes, and honorary degrees. The Finance, Fiscal Policy and Investment Committee reviewed personnel appointments, student fees, and capital expenditures for library renovations. Additionally, the President provided updates on student academic milestones, upcoming events, the launch of an employee engagement initiative, and strategic growth. A strategic plan update was presented, highlighting achievements in enrollment, research participation, and institutional performance metrics.

The Board of Trustees discussed various institutional reports including progress on fiscal year goals, academic actions, and research programs. Key approvals included non-tenure track faculty appointments and promotions, curriculum ratifications, the campus completion plan, and an award for a distinguished university professor. Financial actions encompassed the approval of tuition and fees, the operating budget, capital expenditures for campus improvements, and updates to the investment policy statement. The board also addressed personnel actions and approved a resolution of appreciation for a departing member.

The meeting agenda includes the administration of the Oath of Office to new trustees, an executive session, and reports from the Institutional Advancement, Academic and Scientific Affairs, Finance, Fiscal Policy and Investment, and Trusteeship committees. Key action items involve approvals for academic personnel actions, non-tenure track faculty appointments, various university policies, hourly and administrative personnel actions, the Affordability and Efficiency Report, and support for construction and lease agreements. Additionally, the board will review financial, asset allocation, and cybersecurity reports, as well as proposals for revisions to the bylaws.

The Board of Trustees conducted an executive session to discuss legal matters. Committee reports were presented covering Institutional Advancement, Academic and Scientific Affairs, and Finance, Fiscal Policy and Investment. Key actions included the approval of several resolutions, the authorization of lease agreements for academic space in Cleveland, and the approval of revised Board Bylaws to comply with the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act. The President's report highlighted the University's strong financial position, expansion plans for the College of Nursing, new degree programs, and the 25th anniversary of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Center of Excellence.

The presentation details the mission and strategy of the Harrington Discovery Institute and Oxford Harrington Rare Disease Center to accelerate cures for rare diseases. The core approach involves a 'nonprofit pharma' model that identifies and supports breakthrough projects globally. Key focus areas include providing drug development expertise, fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and philanthropy, and leveraging genomic data and gene-targeted therapeutics. The vision aims to translate biomedical discoveries into new medicines, addressing significant unmet medical needs in various disease categories such as neurological, metabolic, and oncology disorders.