Tara Bone

The Board of Trustees meeting covered a wide range of university business, including the presentation of the President's report, legislative audit updates, and reports from various committees such as Audit, Risk and Compliance, Research and Academic Approval, Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising, and Student Success. Key actions included the establishment of the Utah Earthquake Engineering Center, approval of policies related to the Faculty Senate, student aid fraud prevention, and residency for tuition purposes. Additionally, the Board reviewed and approved various academic program changes, name changes, and restructures, as well as the appointment of a board member to the Space Dynamics Laboratory. The meeting also addressed facility developments and institutional strategies for enrollment, advancement, and research.

The board meeting primarily focused on the formal review and approval of promotion and tenure for university faculty. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to the evaluation of David Fukuda, the incoming Department Head of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, to grant him tenure and appointment as a professor. The board reviewed documentation, professional accomplishments, research, teaching, and mentorship experience supporting these tenure decisions.

The meeting encompassed a strategic plan preview, a report on legislative and audit updates, and a comprehensive review and approval of the 2026-2027 tuition rates and student fee adjustments. Key discussions included the transition of various student fees to tuition, athletic department budget and revenue strategies in light of the move to the Pac-12 Conference, and various academic approvals concerning administrative units, name changes, restructuring, transfers, and new program emphases. Additionally, the Board addressed policies regarding student aid fraud and residency, approved a new earthquake engineering center, accepted external audit reports, and reviewed a lease agreement.

This Strategic Reinvestment Plan outlines Utah State University's approach to optimizing resource allocation in alignment with statutory guidance and its institutional mission. It details disinvestments in program eliminations, program effectiveness, cost-efficient instruction and programming, and administrative efficiency. Strategic reinvestments are concentrated in innovation in academics, research, and community; land-grant and statewide mission initiatives; and student support. The plan aims to enhance efficiency, support student success, and ensure the university's continued fulfillment of its land-grant R1 mission and state needs.

This Strategic Reinvestment Plan for Utah State University outlines a comprehensive strategy for optimizing resources following HB 265, focusing on a 10% instruction funding adjustment. The plan is guided by priorities to preserve a student-focused environment, prioritize job-ready skills, and enhance financial effectiveness. It details four areas of disinvestment: program elimination, improving program effectiveness, achieving cost-efficient instruction and programming, and administrative efficiency. Concurrently, it outlines reinvestment strategies aimed at expanding programs and student support, strengthening community well-being and statewide economies, advancing research, and building pipelines in high-demand areas such as health, engineering, technology, and human services.