University's Board of Regents to act Oct. 12 on biennial proposal that freezes undergraduate tuition, reduces student debt and fuels the state economy
What: University of Minnesota Board of Regents meetings
When: Thursday, Oct. 11 and Friday, Oct. 12
Where: 600 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis
Contacts: Chuck Tombarge, University News Service, tombarge@umn.edu, 612-625-8510
The University of Minnesota Board of Regents will meet Friday, Oct. 12 to act on President Eric Kaler’s proposed biennial budget request and legislative proposal for fiscal years 2014-2015. Action will occur during the full board meeting, which begins at 9 a.m.
The state legislative request represents a new partnership with the State of Minnesota that freezes tuition for Minnesota undergraduate students, establishes a goal for increased university efficiency (through President Kaler’s Operational Excellence initiatives), reduces student debt and sparks innovation and discovery to solve Minnesota’s toughest problems and fuel the economy. The request is accompanied by tax policy options for policymakers to consider that would reduce the cost of higher education for all Minnesota students and families and encourage philanthropy.
As part of the proposed FY14-15 budget, the board will hear more about the research that would be funded through the MnDRIVE (Minnesota Discovery, Research and InnoVation Economy) funding program, a state-university partnership. The university is proposing $18 million each year of the biennium to advance critical research in four areas: supporting robotics, sensors and advanced manufacturing; securing the global food supply; advancing industry and conserving the environment; and advancing discoveries and treatments for brain conditions. Leading university faculty researchers in each of these areas will discuss the science and opportunity for their work to fuel Minnesota business and industry.
Pending board approval, the university will submit its request to the state by Oct. 15 and pursue the proposal during the 2013 legislative session, which begins in January. The university’s FY12-13 general fund state appropriation is $545.3 million — the lowest level of state funding for the university in 15 years. If President Kaler’s budget proposal is enacted, it will bring the U’s appropriation up to the level received in 2001, without adjusting for inflation.
Other agenda items include:
- A continued discussion of university spending with a particular focus on spending for mission support and administrative leadership relative to total university expenditures. The discussion will include personnel and non-personnel expenditures. MEDIA NOTE: Presenters of this agenda item will be available for a media briefing at noon Thursday at the board offices.
- Review of a new entrepreneurial leave policy to support faculty in commercializing intellectual property or pursuing other private sector development opportunities. Under the policy, faculty would be able to take a leave of up to one year at no salary to work in the private sector. The new business-friendly leave option would become part of MN-IP (Minnesota Innovation Partnerships), the U’s effort to streamline the sale of intellectual property rights from academic discoveries.
- The university’s Annual Report on Private Giving
- A work session led by President Kaler to discuss lessons from the independent investigation by former FBI Director Louis Freeh about the actions of Pennsylvania State University related to child sexual abuse. The president will discuss how the university’s culture, policies and organizational structures compare to the ‘best practice’ recommendations in the report.
- Capital budget amendment and plans for renovating the Community University Health Care Center
- Final approval of the 2012 University Plan, Performance and Accountability Report
Board of Regents committee meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The full board meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Friday. More information, including docket materials, can be found at www.umn.edu/regents.