The Michigan State University Board of Trustees, president and university leaders – during their first meeting of the academic year – expressed excitement in welcoming an estimated 49,900 undergraduate, graduate and graduate/professional students to campus, which includes 9,800 first-year students. 

Final enrollment figures will be available after the university’s deadline for tuition refunds on Sept. 23. 

“Welcoming students back to campus is among my top highlights of the academic year,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. “Campus is full once again with new and returning students, and with the help of our world-class faculty and staff, we’re ready to ensure they succeed.” 

Trustees also authorized the university to plan for the renovation and expansion of the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching Research Center and the Plant Science Greenhouses. The MSU dairy facilities date back to the 1960s and have reached the end of their useful life. The updated facilities will attract and retain top scientists and educators in the animal and veterinary sciences to help meet the needs of the Michigan dairy industry.  

The MSU greenhouses were built in 1955 and 1978. This project will ensure modern controlled environments are in place to perform year-round research in specialized conditions. The improvements also will assist in recruiting and retaining top faculty and expand research and funding opportunities for researchers, accelerating the translation of new discoveries. 

The projects are being supported in part by state appropriations. President Stanley in his comments again thanked the governor and the Legislature for investing in MSU’s future academic and research excellence.  

Other board activity included: 

A presentation by Chengcheng Fang, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science in the MSU College of Engineering. 

The appointments of Judith Whipple as interim dean of the Broad College of Business and Rebecca Barber as vice president of financial planning and analysis.

Approval of men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo's contract. 

Approval to name the new Recreational Sports and Fitness Services facility, located on Cherry Lane Field, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. 

Approval to name the Recreational Sports and Fitness Services’ new turf field sports complex, located on Service Road, Spartan Greens. 

The next board meeting will be on Oct. 28.