Athletic Director Bill Beekman (right) addresses the Board of Trustees in regards to the selection process for Michigan State’s new head football coach, Mel Tucker, at the Hannah Administration Building on Feb. 12, 2020.
—Michigan State's Board of Trustees will be holding a virtual public meeting at 8 a.m. May 15, which will include approval of a tuition and fee rate freeze, the selection of Teresa Woodruff as provost and amendments to conflict of interest codes.
The meeting will be held via Zoom; those planning on viewing can find the live stream information here.
After the approval of agenda and minutes, there will be a public participation period. Those interested must preregister by submitting a request to address form no later than 48 hours before the meeting.
Following the report from President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., Interim Provost Teresa Sullivan will cover appointments and personnel actions looking to be approved by the board, this includes the approval of Teresa Woodruff as MSU's new provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, according to the meeting agenda.
Reports from the committees will follow.
MSU Tuition freeze to be enacted
The Committee on Budget and Finance is seeking the authorization for Administration to continue the existing 2019-2020 academic year tuition and room and board rates for the 2020-2021 academic year.
President Stanley announced the freeze in response to the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. If approved by the board, MSU will have the same tuition rates as established in 2018.
Produced by: Genna Barner
MSU is currently working under a two-year budget model approved in June 2018. The university's current flat rate tuition model's rate is based on 15 credits for undergraduate students taking between 12 to 18 credits.
The rates per semester are $7,230 to $8,595 for Michigan resident undergraduate students, and $19,883 to $20,786 for out-of-state undergraduate students, according to MSU's Flat Rate Tuition website. Room and board for a standard room is $5,236 to $5,536 per semester, depending on selected dining plan, according to Live On.
Produced by: Genna Barner
Changes to conflict of interest
The Committee on Audit, Risk and Compliance is updating a nearly 14-year old policy on processing conflicts of interest. In a conflict of interest a person, or trustee, is involved in two conflicting parties, in this case one being the university. The conflict of interest policy is intended to assure the trustees place the University’s interests ahead of their private interests.
The current policy was enacted Dec. 6, 2006. The revisions include specifying the General Counsel's role in determining violations of the policy and addressing the conflict, as well as protocols if a trustee fails to disclose a conflict of interest. Additionally, this policy will now apply to the Trustees Emeriti for a period of one year following the end of their term of office. According to the memorandum, these revisions are intended to enhance and clarify existing processes and procedures for identifying and addressing conflicts of interest.
Additionally, the committee is set to call for the board to approve a new Board of Trustees Code of Ethics and Conduct. The new code seeks to, "reaffirm and reinforce its commitment to a culture of compliance, ethics, and accountability," as stated in the memorandum. This is intended to be a step forward from the previous policy enacted in 2006.
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Beyond policy for the future, the committee has two conflicts of interest to consider.
The first is looking to approve the contract terms with Environmental Protective Coatings, LLC, in which MSU faculty member Dr. Muhammad Rabnawaz holds financial interest in the company.
They are also presenting a notice of intent to negotiate contracts with LudusLegis, LLC. Members of the family of College of Law professor Adam Candeub, have, or can buy, an interest in the company or are officers or paid employees of the company.
The committee was also requested to give a notice of intent to negotiate contracts with distinguished professor in the Department of Psychology Dr. Hiram E. Fitzgerald regarding a publication by the MSU Press.
The Committee on Academic Affairs and Committee on Student Life and Culture will also deliver reports.
The meeting will adjourn after Dianne Byrum delivers the chairperson's report and comments from the other trustees.
