During its first meeting of the 2019-20 academic year, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved resolutions on several topics, heard public comments from 10 people and listened to a presentation about the mapping of wildfires using satellite remote sensing and advanced computing methods.
President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., began his comments by acknowledging the recent agreements with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights and Clery Act Compliance Division and reaffirming the university’ commitment to addressing relationship violence and sexual misconduct more actively and completely.
Following his remarks, the board approved revisions to the university’s tenured faculty discipline process. Among other changes, the Discipline and Dismissal of Tenured Faculty policy will require a three-person review panel that decides, in consultation with the president, whether the faculty member’s conduct is egregious and if the individual should be relieved of duties without pay.
Information on MSU’s student enrollment and welcome week activities also was shared. More than 1,000 students, staff and volunteers helped approximately 15,746 Spartans move in to residence halls. On just Aug. 24, nearly 5,000 students arrived. At the Fall Welcome Picnic, MSU served a record number of 12,621 meals.
In addition, the board approved a plan for upgrades to the Eppley Center including renovations to consolidate its undergraduate advising in one location in proximity to other student-focused space and programs in the recently completed Edward J. Minskoff Business Pavilion.
Other board activity included:
- The purchase and sale of property in Tuscola County for the Saginaw Valley Research and Extension Center.
- The acceptance of Harold and Edythe Marshall Property in Barry County from the MSU Foundation.
- The approval of policy revisions to recognize the Office of the Dean of Students.
The next board meeting will be Oct. 25.