Texas Southern University

The board conducted a special call meeting which included an executive session for legal and personnel discussions. Following the executive session, the board discussed and approved a new fiscal year 2027 meeting calendar designed to improve operational efficiency and allow better coordination with academic cycles. The meeting also included an operating budget workshop for fiscal year 2027, covering topics such as tuition revenue projections, enrollment estimates, salary budget requests, and the utilization of carryover funds and athletic subsidies.

This strategic plan, titled 'ASCEND 2030,' outlines a roadmap for Texas Southern University to redefine excellence and lead in high-demand disciplines. Guided by the core principles of 'Renew, Enhance, and Expand,' the plan focuses on four priority areas: Student Achievement & Outcomes, Academic Research & Innovation, Operational Excellence, and Technology & Artificial Intelligence (AI). The plan aims to equip graduates with skills for an ever-changing world through innovative teaching, learning, research, workforce development, and community engagement.

The meeting included an open forum featuring updates and concerns from the Student Government Association President, the Staff Council Chair, and members of the public and law faculty. Key discussion topics included the university's strategic plan, staff initiatives such as tuition waiver programs, staff development, infrastructure challenges, and concerns regarding staffing levels and the school's relationship with alumni and the community. The law faculty also emphasized the need for a collaborative partnership with university leadership to improve admissions, career services, and faculty recruitment.

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.