Victoria Estes

The board meeting focused on the landscape and regulatory requirements concerning Title IX and the Clery Act. Discussions included the University's commitment to compliance, updates on sexual harassment definitions and investigation protocols, and the role of the campus advisory board in maintaining oversight. The meeting also addressed improvements in data collection, campus security authority training, and the ongoing collaboration with federal funding organizations regarding grant compliance and reporting requirements.

The board meeting included a review of COVID-19 campus protocols and updates on infection rates, demonstrating the institution's commitment to a residential experience. The discussion transitioned to enrollment trends, noting a decline in student numbers and plans to re-recruit students who did not attend. The board also addressed strategies for improving the first-year student experience, including participation in a self-survey process, hiring a director of retention, and developing new academic programs such as a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity to foster future growth.

The board meeting included announcements regarding a new professorship in veterinary science, recent student success in athletics, and community engagement initiatives such as the civil rights conference. New faculty and student representatives were appointed to the board. The board held an election for the position of chair for the upcoming term. Additionally, representatives presented a campus master plan, outlining the university's growth strategy and future development needs for the next ten years.

The board discussed the implementation of a strategic enrollment plan, which is a comprehensive 12-month process aimed at improving long-term enrollment, recruitment, and retention efforts. Key topics included utilizing data-driven decision-making for future academic programming, identifying new demographic markets such as adult learners, and establishing a stronger institutional culture for planning and budgeting. Additionally, the board reviewed the progress of various working groups and examined potential enrollment models to forecast revenue impacts and institutional growth over the next five years.

The board meeting included a welcome for reappointed members and updates on institutional achievements, specifically the success of the TVA Investment Challenge team. The discussion also addressed the appointment of new legal counsel for the campus. Furthermore, an economic forecast was presented, focusing on the impact of various economic disruptors—such as changing consumer behaviors, shifts in labor markets, and the rapid adoption of new technologies—on the future of higher education and the necessity for more flexible, entrepreneurial academic programming.