One of the larger stories coming from this meeting was MSU’s approval of a new $85.1 million research facility in Grand Rapids. The building is planned to open in fall of 2017, when the lease at the current Van Andel Research Institute will expire. Vennie Gore, the man leading this, said the project will be funded by “bonding and donations.” After the demolition of the Grand Rapids Press building on the facility's future site, the cost will total $88.1 million.

Also announced was the development of a new policy requiring mandatory e-video viewing regarding sexual misconduct by faculty members. A trustee member called this a “good first step” and saying “it is the beginning, not the end” of solving the issue.

Several smaller building renovations were also approved today, including exterior masonry repair at Hubbard Hall, the creation of a new Intercollegiate Golf Building, as well as renovations to the Bio Engineering facility currently under construction on campus.

The Golf Building project involves the demolition of the current facility and a complete rebuild, with a budget of $6 million — all of which will be funded by donors. The Bio Engineering facility’s renovations will involve a build-out remainder of the 3rd and 4th floors, accommodating up to 48 researchers in facilities there.

Erik Shapiro, a research director at MSU, then began speaking about an upcoming project he sought approval of. In his labs, Shapiro works on stem cell research. Specifically, cell transplantation and tissue regeneration for humans, seeking to cure several diseases such as Parkinson's and heart disease.

Currently, stem cell research is mostly done on rodents, but he would like to move onto large animal models, such as pigs, as their stem cells are valuable resources. He said that MSU has “the unique opportunity to be a world leader in large animal models for disease” and he hopes to be a leader in the area.

The details discussed in today’s meeting should be highlighted next week in Simon’s State of the University speech.