Susan Ariew

The board meeting focused on the proposal to increase out-of-state (non-resident) fees by 15%, effective Fall 2026. This measure represents the second phase of a fee adjustment authorized by the Board of Governors, with the university noting that even with the increase, rates will remain among the lowest within the State University System and nationally. Discussions included the allocation of generated revenue to support academic programs and student services, as well as the impact on various student categories. One trustee disclosed a financial conflict of interest regarding the fee increase and subsequently abstained from the vote. The motion for the fee increase was approved.

The board meeting included a student presentation on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, followed by the President's report detailing research funding growth, accreditation reaffirmation, and strategic goal progress. The board approved consent agenda items covering various committee recommendations, including the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus Board membership, management corporation appointments, and parking system budgets. Additionally, the board approved the 10th performance-based funding metric related to licensure exam pass rates and passed a naming resolution to honor the outgoing President.

This strategic plan, titled 'In Pursuit of Excellence,' serves as a roadmap to advance the University of South Florida's mission over the next five years, positioning the university as an engine of prosperity. It identifies five key goals, core commitments, and strategic areas of focus, leveraging the distinctive qualities of its three campuses. The plan aims to guide the university in serving students and addressing critical community challenges, ultimately striving to become a top-25 public institution.

The Finance Committee agenda included several action items and informational items. Action items covered the approval of an amended Real Property Policy (Policy 09-001) to streamline structure and update thresholds, and the review of Expenditure Authorization Requests. Specific expenditure requests included an increased authorization for the MSL Reinvestment & Recovery project, approval for the FY27 SSC Facilities Services Agreement, and retroactive approval for the FY26 SSC agreement increase. Informational items addressed the Student Housing Update, focusing on occupancy rates and facility reinvestment, and the presentation of Mid-Year Forecasts for Direct Support Organizations and Health Services Support Organizations for FY 2026, including preliminary long-term projections.

The Governance Committee agenda included several action items. Key discussions involved the approval of the November 24, 2025, minutes, consideration of the Institute of Applied Engineering Board of Directors appointments, and the USF Foundation Inc. Board of Directors appointments. A significant item addressed the acceptance of the Performance-Based Funding (PBF) and Preeminence Data Integrity Audits and the subsequent required approval of the Data Integrity Certification, which must be submitted to the Board of Governors by March 1, 2026. Separate documentation provided details on the audit findings, noting that while controls were generally effective, moderate risks related to change management (PBF audit) and the utilization of a test dataset (Preeminence audit) were identified.