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
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  1.  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.