Paloma Z. Ahmadi

The Board of Regents meeting involved several administrative and policy-related decisions. The board approved committee assignments and authorized the negotiation and execution of a contract amendment for assets inventory and reconciliation. Additionally, an enterprise software solutions agreement was approved, which covers renewals for Zoom, Arctic Wolf, and Pantheon, as well as the acquisition of Fusia software to assist with Title II accessibility requirements. The committee on physical facilities and real estate secured approval for the design development of capital construction projects. Finally, the board approved resolutions to increase the project approval threshold for real estate and facility projects from $100,000 to $250,000, and similarly adjusted the dollar thresholds for contract approvals and competitive bidding.

The meeting involved several key administrative and governance actions. Key discussions included the Open Forum where topics such as Staff Council initiatives, concerns about the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences facilities, job title/salary discrepancies, and updates on the TSU Community Farm were raised. Student representatives addressed the need for a four-day academic schedule and a permanent Dean at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law. The Board conducted elections for officers, resulting in the selection of a new Chairman, Vice Chair, Second Vice Chair, and Secretary. Significant financial approvals involved negotiating insurance policies, amending the contract for shuttle bus services, executing contracts for payment gateway services and Microsoft products, renewing Cisco DNA Licensing, extending IT Staff Augmentation Services, extending security officer contracts, purchasing SUVs, and approving the issuance of Revenue Financing System (RFS) Bonds for student housing modernization. The Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget was also amended. Academic affairs items included renewing contracts for LexisNexis and BARBRI, renewing the affiliation with the Houston Academy of Medicine, and approving the tenure appointment for an Associate Provost. The Board approved naming the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Library for a three-year period following a $1 million commitment. Physical facility approvals covered executing contracts related to the Texas Facilities Commission study for the Law Center and contracts for the University Towers Renovation. The Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Internal Audit Plan was approved. The President reported on the expansion of the Aviation Program with 12 new aircraft, a new partnership with Sirius, and updates on the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Center development. Additionally, a $2 million grant funded the expansion of the campus food pantry and a new community outreach facility. The meeting concluded with Executive Session and subsequent action items, including approvals for the appointment of a Dean for the School of Public Affairs and a Vice President for Marketing & Communications.

The meeting commenced with a roll call and conflict of interest disclosure review. The Board entered an Executive Session to discuss matters outlined in the Texas Government Code, Sections 551.071 through 551.074. Upon reconvening, the Board unanimously approved the Board of Regents' Committee Assignments. A key discussion item involved the Audit Response Committee presenting the 100-Day "Tiger Reset" Operational Plan, which serves as a tactical action plan addressing six areas of concern identified by the State Auditor's Office in December 2025. The Board voted to approve this operational plan before adjourning the meeting.

The meeting covered several key agenda items requiring ratification and approval. The Board approved Virtual Standing Committee Meeting Dates. Administration sought and received approval for the ratification of amendments and extension of the contract with Higher Education Compliance Partners, LLC for compliance and regulatory services, following deliberation in executive session. The Board also approved the negotiation and execution of a Professional Services Agreement for Strategic Advisory Services to enhance Human Resources functions. Additionally, approval was granted to negotiate and execute a Professional Services Agreement for Strategic Advisory Services related to Internal Audit operations. Finally, the Board approved a resolution to amend Bylaws Section 5.11, renaming the Physical Facilities Committee to the Physical Facilities and Real Estate Committee and expanding its scope to include oversight of university real estate matters.

The primary discussion involved Board Business, specifically addressing a resolution to establish and appoint members to an Ad Hoc Board Committee tasked with reviewing the University's response to the State Audit Report received on December 29, 2025. The committee membership proposal was discussed and subsequently approved unanimously. The Board also entered Executive Session to discuss matters outlined in the Texas Government Code sections 551.071 through 551.074.