Wednesday, December 1, 2021

8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
SUB Room 235
Printable Minutes

Members:

Waded Cruzado, Kenning Arlitsch, Sreekala Bajwa, Camie Bechtold, Norris Blossom, Janelle Booth, Matt Caires, Jason Carter, Julie Clay, Leon Costello, Chris Dobbs, Ariel Donohue, Tracy Ellig, Stephanie Erdmann, Chris Fastnow, Stephanie Gray, Jeannette Grey-Gilbert, Stefani Hicswa, John How, Brett Gunnink, Alison Harmon, Deborah Haynes, Robert Hawks, Yves Idzerda, Chris Kearns, Greg Kegel, Ryan Knutson, Chere LeClair, Ilse-Mari Lee, Dan Miller, Terry Leist, Bob Mokwa, Chris Murray, Kim Obbink, Craig Ogilvie, Kellie Peterson, Sarah Shannon, Royce Smith, Cody Stone, Amber Vestal, Bradford Watson
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I. Call to Order
President Waded Cruzado

 President Cruzado called University Council to order at 8:30am.

II. Approval of Minutes for November 3, 2021

 University Council minutes were approved unanimously.

III. University Wide Information/Announcements

President Cruzado thanked campus leadership for their extraordinary dedication to MSU this Fall semester.  She invited MSU and the Bozeman community to attend Lights on Montana Hall this evening, December 1 at 5:45pm.  It will be a wonderful celebration.

IV. Public Comment

There was no public comment offered.

V.Informational Items

A. Montana State University SUstainability Framework
Kristin Blackler, Director, Office of Sustainability; Dr. Julia Haggarty, Associate Professor, Department of Earth Sciences

Dr. Haggerty and Kristin Blackler shared this sustainability framework has student demand and strong support for sustainability action.  They will continue sustainability efforts with more visibility and resources; develop a sustainability plan, as stated in MSU’s strategic plan goal 3.3.6. Long term targets: STARS platinum by 2035, zero waste by 2035 and carbon neutral by 2040.

Positive feedback was offered to Kristin and Julia on their hard work and efforts to make sustainability such a prominent focus across MSU’s campus.

 

B. Choosing Promise: Goal 3.3: Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and individual growth
Dr. Chris Fastnow, Director, Office of Planning and Analysis

Expand mutually beneficial and responsive engagement for the advancement of Montana. More information may be found here:  https://www.montana.edu/strategicplan/expandingengagement.html

GOAL 3.3: Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and individual growth

Montana State University and its students, faculty, and staff engage in a reciprocal relationship that values each member and improves the university environment.

Metrics and Actions:

  1. Montana State University will improve and increase collaborations between curricular and co-curricular units to support student success. 
  2. Montana State University will increase the number of collaborative grant applications and awards with investigators across curricular, co-curricular, the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station, Extension and other units.
  3. Montana State University will increase the average faculty and staff compensation to the representative peer market average by 2024.
  4. Montana State University will increase faculty and staff participation in health and wellness, personal, management and professional development opportunities.
  5. Montana State University will make and annually monitor progress on the 2017 MSU Diversity & Inclusion Frameworkthemes (Campus Climate and Intergroup Relations, Education and Scholarship, Access and Success, Leadership and Accountability, Communication).
  6. Montana State University will develop a comprehensive sustainability plan by 2020 with measurement and annual progress reports to campus.

VI. Public Comment

No public comment was offered

I. Updates 

Montana State University’s Commencement is Dec. 17 – please RSVP for ticket to attend at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. Masks are required and tickets are required.

 

MSU Billings were recipients of Pure Gold today and such a well-deserved recognition.  MSU Billings Foundation Director role will begin process for its new Director soon. 

 

Chancellor Kegel has had industry partners on campus for students and employees. There is a East Coast company coming to visit for a potential partnership.

 

Dean Erdmann has worked with Native American Enrichment Center during Native American Heritage month in November with positive attendance. Kerry Dolan was recognized from the Veterans Center with the seventh annual Student Veterans Service Award.

 

University Council adjourned at 9:45am.

 

NOTE:  The next University Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2021, from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM.