Florida Gulf Coast University

The primary focus of the session was the Terminal Rank Review (TRR) process within the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Discussions included defining whether Instructor III constitutes a terminal rank under Article 30 and clarifying pathways for reclassification. Edits were suggested for Article 8.5.D concerning language for instructor to professorial ranked positions and FPED updates. Furthermore, updates to Article 14 regarding the promotion procedure and the timeline for the Academic Year 2026-27 TRR process were reviewed. Tentative agreement was reached on verbiage concerning compensation for successful TRR applicants under Article 23. In the second agenda item, both teams presented their respective lists of proposed opportunities, challenges, and issues for the year, which were noted to be similar in scope. The UFF-FGCU Chapter team will consolidate these goals into a mutually agreed document for finalization at the subsequent meeting.

The Audit and Compliance Committee meeting addressed two main action items. The first was the approval of the Office of Internal Audit Annual Report for 2022-2023, which detailed audit standards adherence, organizational independence disclosures, and professional development of the audit staff. Discussions around the 2023-2024 Internal Audit Work Plan focused on specific audits planned, such as the Post-Tenure Faculty Review (despite the limited number of tenured faculty) and the Athletic Departmental Travel Audit. Committee members expressed interest in understanding the risk assessment methodology and suggested reviewing risk assessments and audit history from previous years for future planning sessions. The second action item approved was the Risk Assessment for the 2023-2024 Internal Audit Work Plan, which highlighted the critical risk related to funding limitations impacting staff and faculty retention, alongside salary adjustments. Additionally, the committee discussed the need to schedule an Executive Session to address cybersecurity matters and deferred discussion on new State laws regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion pending further guidance from the Board of Governors.

The meeting included welcoming remarks for new trustees and recognition of the former Chair. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to an executive session regarding campus security. Discussions on the State University Efficiency Study included reviewing metrics such as job placement, degree yield, and cost to produce a degree, with an emphasis on integrating financial and productivity metrics into performance-based funding. The Student Success Showcase highlighted the value of internships. The Board unanimously approved the Consent Agenda, which included minutes from the October 2025 meeting and 2027 meeting dates. The United Faculty of Florida provided a report noting the resolution of a long-standing issue regarding terminal rank review salary adjustments. The FGCU Financing Corporation reported on the successful sale of bonds for the employee housing project and outlined the process for determining the future direction of student housing. The FGCU Foundation reported on its updated vision, purpose, financial status, and fundraising progress. The Student Government provided an update on engagement, safety initiatives, advocacy efforts, and campus improvements such as Grubhub delivery robots and lawn enhancements. The President's Report covered the implementation of the FGCU Scorecard, alignment with the Florida Chamber of Commerce's high-demand careers study, upcoming construction groundbreakings, the reestablishment of the SWFL Alliance of Educational Leaders, accreditation reaffirmation, and receipt of the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. The Athletics report detailed academic achievements of student-athletes and updates on various sports teams. The Academic/Student/Faculty Affairs Committee agenda involved the notification of two new graduate programs, a nomenclature change for a master's degree, discussion of regulation revisions concerning honorary degrees, and approval for the Application for Higher Learning Commission Membership. A motion was unanimously passed to approve a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code Change to make a geology program a Program of Strategic Emphasis. The Committee also gained authority to finalize methodology for the revised Performance-Based Funding Metric #10, selecting the percentage of undergraduate completers with internships. The Finance, Facilities and Administration Committee agenda included approval for the Amendment of Fixed Capital Outlay Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, the Amendment of Carryforward Funds for the prior fiscal year, amendments to the regulation on Waivers of Tuition and Fees, and approval for an appointment to the FGCU Financing Corporation Board of Directors. The Audit and Compliance Committee presented for acceptance the Independent Auditor's Reports for the FGCU Foundation, Inc. and the FGCU Financing Corporation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025, both receiving clean opinions.

The Audit and Compliance Committee meeting included one consent agenda item: the approval of the Minutes of the August 21, 2025 Meeting. Key information items involved a presentation on the revised FGCU Employee Code of Ethical Conduct, confirming its applicability to employees and clarifying exceptions regarding gifts and board participation disclosures for trustees. Action items included the unanimous acceptance of the FGCU Foundation, Inc. Independent Auditor's Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025, which showed the Endowment Fund balance increased to $157 million. The committee also accepted the FGCU Financing Corporation Independent Auditor's Report for the same period, which covers student housing, parking, and workforce housing, and unanimously approved the Institutional Research Tableau Dashboards Audit, which was noted as exempt from standard disclosure.

The meeting commenced with a workshop on student success, focusing on FGCU's alignment with the State University System's (SUS) new strategic plan, SUS30: Extraordinary Impact, and the recalibration of the Performance-Based Funding (PBF) model to PBF Metric 2.0. Discussions covered FGCU's current student success outcomes, strategic tactics, and early predictions for the new PBF model. Key initiatives highlighted included a culture of care utilizing predictive analytics and AI, technology integration via the Tableau Dashboard and Wings Up platform for timely intervention, and the gateway course coordinator initiative aimed at standardizing foundational courses like math and writing. Trustees discussed the implications of an increasingly less-prepared incoming class, potentially influenced by COVID-19 instruction disruptions. A review of 2026 PBF Metrics performance showed progress, with FGCU projected to achieve a score of 73, moving onto the excellence scale for many metrics. The limited agenda meeting included the approval of the Minutes of the January 13, 2026 Meeting and the 2025 FGCU Student Success Plan Monitoring Report. Action was taken to approve the FGCU Performance-Based Funding Data Integrity Audit, which resulted in a clean opinion. The Board also unanimously approved the naming of Academic Building 9 as "Margaret Antonier Hall" in recognition of a $10 million commitment from Margaret Antonier. Finally, the Board delegated authority to the Chair to negotiate an extension of President Timur's contract.