University Council
University Council MINUTES
September 2, 2020
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Via Webex
Printable Minutes
Members:
Waded Cruzado, Daniel Adams, Kenning Arlitsch, Sreekala Bajwa, Janelle Booth, Michael
Brody, Matt Caires, Jason Carter, Leon Costello, Chris Dobbs, Ariel Donohue, Tracy
Ellig, Chris Fastnow, Stephanie Gray, Jeannette Grey-Gilbert, Rolf Groseth, Brett
Gunnink, Alison Harmon, Deborah Haynes, Robert Hawks, Whitney Hinshaw, Yves Idzerda,
Chris Kearns, Greg Kegel, Chere LeClair, Ilse-Mari Lee, Terry Leist, Bob Mokwa, Chris
Murray, Kim Obbink, Craig Ogilvie, Kellie Peterson, Mark Ranalli, Sarah Shannon, Royce
Smith, Emily Stark, Dan Stevenson, Cody Stone, Michael Trotter, Michael Vasquez, Amber
Vestal, Susan Wolff
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- Call to Order
President Waded Cruzado
President Cruzado called meeting order at 8:30am.
II. Approval of Minutes for August 12, 2020
Chris Fastnow called for approval of the minutes and it was seconded
by Dan Stevenson. The minutes were approved unanimously.
III. University Wide Information/Announcements
President Cruzado shared it has been a very busy time on campus and
in our Extension offices across the state. MSU had a very successful
Move-In week and thanked Emma Dyksterhouse for her hard work making it
happen. MSU students, faculty and staff are masking up across campus
and doing a wonderful job with Covid- 19 precautions. Jason Carter
has an exciting announcement to share at the end of University Council today.
Susan Wolff said the construction of the dental addition has begun.
Groundbreaking will be held on September 11, 2020.
Great Falls College’s Fall semester is off to a good start.
Rolf Groseth commended MSU Billings campus regarding Covid-19 planning
and staying disciplined. MSU Billings held listening sessions
last week for their new Chancellor search.
Greg Kegel shared the progress of Tilleman Field and the hard work that
has been ongoing. MSU Northern is doing well with the start of
the academic year.
IV. Public Comment
There was no public comment
V. Old Items
A. Procurement Policy Revision
Kellie Peterson, Legal Counsel
There were no further comments. Kenning Arlitsch inquired on the conflict of interest section; question was clarified by Leslie Taylor. Policy was approved unamimously.
B. Public Participation Policy Revision
Kellie Peterson, Legal Counsel
There were no additional comments. The policy was approved unanimously.
C. Open Meeting Policy Revision
Kellie Peterson, Legal Counsel
Kellie received a comment and concern and modified slightly to
address concern. The policy was approved unanimously.
D. Undergraduate Academic Standing Policy Revision
Tamela Eitle, Vice Provost, Office of Academic Academic Affairs
There was no additional feedback on the proposed revisions.
The motion carried unanimously, and the updated policy
has been approved.
VI. Informational Items
A. Interim Title IX Policy and Procedures
Kellie Peterson, Legal Counsel
This is currently in place to be compliant with the new regulations.
We will work to have a comprehensive policy in place in
the next six months.
B. Strategic Plan Update: Choosing Promise, Goal 2.3: Strengthen Institutional Reputation in Scholarship
Chris Fastnow, Vice President, Office of Planning & Analysis
Chris Fastnow shared the following metrics:
1. Montana State University will annually increase scholarship standing when compared to peer institutions.
2. Montana State University faculty will be recognized as regional and national leaders in Grand Challenge areas by 2024.
3. Montana State University will demonstrate improved institutional reputation through the increased size of faculty applicant pools, increased diversity of applicant pools and increased ratio of offers accepted to offers made.
4. Montana State University will increase the number of faculty with membership among national academies, professional society fellows and state/federal/international advisory committees.
5. Montana State University will increase the number of faculty who receive national and international awards, and honors.
6. Montana State University will establish a baseline by 2020 and increase
its number of international projects and collaborations in learning,
scholarship and engagement by 10% by 202
Craig Ogilvie and Michael Brody both posed clarification questions
to Chris Fastnow.
C. All In Democracy Challenge
Janelle Booth and Taylor Blossom
All In Democracy Challenge is a nationwide awards program to increase registration
to vote and voter participation. Taylor and Team are working hard
to get students registered for Nov. 3. Taylor has been working closely
with the county to get students registered with satellite offices on campus.
Craig Ogilvie recommended representation for graduate students and Matt Caires recommended supplying a student sticker that they registered to vote.
VII. Updates
Bob Mokwa shared that faculty is working hard on an online “Snowmester” for the longer break between fall semester and spring semester. Online courses are being developed by faculty for students.
Jason Carter shared Montana State University tallied an all-time high for total research expenditures in 2019-2020, totaling $167 million. That is an 8% increase over the previous year and the seventh year in a row that research expenditures have topped $100 million at Montana State.
NOTE: The next University Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM via WebEx.