>> MADAM CHAIR, YOU MAY BEGIN.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OKAY, THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

I MUST SAY I WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT WE WERE NOT TOGETHER THIS WEEK IN PERSON.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE NOVEMBER, SO I MISS SEEING EVERYBODY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR FLEXIBILITY THIS WEEK WITH THE CHANGE IN MEETING FORMAT.

I -- SORRY, MEREDITH, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> MEREDITH: YES.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: BEFORE I CALL ON MR.

HU HUTCHENS TO GIVE THE INNOVATION.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER MR.

BYERS WHO LOST HIS FAMILY LAST WEEK.

KEEP HIM IN YOUR PRAYERS.

I THINK HE'S ON THE CALL.

>> MR.

BYERS: I AM.

THINGS ARE HARDER THAN THEY SHOULD BE BUT THANKS FOR THE CALLS.

MISS PEARL CHECKS ON ME AS MANY HAVE AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: I'LL CALL ON MR.

HUTCHENS FOR THE INVOCATION.

>> I'LL ASK YOU TO PRAY IN YOUR OWN WAY TO YOUR OWN GOD.

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE GATHER TODAY AS STEWARDS OF THIS INSTITUTION, CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF DECISIONS THAT SHAPE THE LIVES OF STUDENTS, FACULTY AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE AND NATION.

AS WE W RUSH TO COMPLETE THE AGENDAS OF OUR DAILY LIVES, WE ARE DISTRACTED BY E-MAILS, VOICE MAILS, TEXTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA ALERTS.

WE RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR QUIET, THE NEED FOR YOUR GUIDANCE.

YOU SPEAK TO US IN PSALMS AND SAY, BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

IN THIS MOMENT OF SILENCE INSTILL US, WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ARE GOD AND ULTIMATE AUTHORITY OVER THIS UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND ITS UNIVERSITIES.

WE INVITE YOUR PRESENCE AND ASK FOR YOUR GUIDANCE.

GRANT US WISDOM, CLARITY, AND UNITY IN OUR DISCUSSIONS.

HELP US APPROACH OUR RESPONSIBILITIES WITH HUMILITY, INTEGRITY AND A SHARED COMMITMENT TO OUR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

KEEP US MINDFUL THAT THE PURPOSE OF OUR UNIVERSITIES IS TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS HOW TO THINK AND NOT WHAT TO THINK.

LORD, WE ARE STILL, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOD.

LORD, I ASK THESE THING IN THE NAME OF YOUR SON, MY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, WHO DIED A CRUEL DEATH ON THE CROSS AT CAVALRY SO ONE DAY WE COULD BE BESIDE YOU IN HEAVEN, TOGETHER AGAIN WITH THOSE WE LOVE, LOST AND MISS.

AMEN.

MAYOR RON BERNAL AMEN.

THANK YOU, GOVERNOR HUTCHENS.

>> AMEN.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: MISS MCCULLEN, WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL?

>> CHAIR MURPHY.

>> HERE.

>> VICE-CHAIR BLUE.

>> HERE.

>> SECRETARY BURRIS-FLOYD.

>> HERE.

>> DR.

BARNES.

>> HERE.

>> MR.

BRADLEY?

>MR.

BRADLEY?

I BELIEVE YOU ARE ON -- >> HERE.

I'M SORRY.

CAN YOU NOT HEAR ME?

>> I CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

THANK YOU.

MR.

BROWN?

>> HERE.

>> MR.

BYERS.

>> HERE.

>> MR.

CHAT JI?

>> HERE.

>> MR.

CLARK.

>> HERE.

>> MRS.

COWARD?

>> HERE.

>> MR.

DAVIS?

>> HERE.

>> MR.

FORD?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR.

FRALEY?

>> HERE.

>> MRS.

GREELEY.

>> HERE.

>> MR.

HOLLY.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MR.

HOLDEN?

>> HERE.

>> MR.

HUTCHENS?

>> HERE.

>> MR.LY LOAN?

MR.LY MONEY?

>> HERE.

>> MRS.

NICHOLS?

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING.

MR.

POPE?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR.

RAMSEY?

>> PRESENT.

>> MR.

WHITE?

>> PRESENT.

MR.

WILLIFORD?

>> HERE.

>> MADAM CHAIR, YOU HAVE A QUORUM.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: THANK YOU.

OKAY, I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MY REPORT, SO AGAIN, GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME BACK TO EVERYONE.

I CLOSED LAST YEAR'S REMARKS TO THE BOARD WITH THE REMINDER THAT HIGHER EDUCATION SHOULD ACT AS A SYSTEM OF ROADWAYS.

THERE ARE MANY ON AND OFF RAMPS.

NO SINGLE ROUTE IS THE RIGHT ONE.

DIFFERENT PEOPLE REQUIRE DIFFERENT PATHS TO SUCCESS.

IN 2026, I HOPE THAT THIS BOARD WILL THINK ABOUT STUDENT SUCCESS PROUDLY AS SOMETHING WE INFLUENCE FROM CHILDHOOD INTO ADULTHOOD.

THAT MEANS LOOKING UPSTREAM TO K-12 EDUCATION AND COLLEGE READINESS AND DOWNSTREAM TO LIFE SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES THAT SHAPE LIVES DECADES AFTER GRADUATION.

YOU HAVE HEARD ME SPEAK ABOUT OUR ROLE TEACHING NORTH CAROLINA CHILDREN TO READ AND WRITE.

THE UNC SYSTEM HAS MADE PROGRESS IN HOW FUTURE TEACHERS ARE TRAINED IN READING, BRINGING ALL INTO ALIGNMENT WITH SCIENCE BASED METHODS.

I'M HOPEFUL WE'LL SEE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN READING SKILLS IN K-12 STUDENT IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE IMPORTANT WORK TO DO IN OTHER AREAS TOO.

WORK IS UNDER WAY TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES IN MATH IN EDUCATION WHERE A GAP CAN PREVENT FURTHER SUCCESS DOWN THE ROAD.

AS NORTH CAROLINA WORKS TO IMPROVE PROFIRST SI IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE MUST DO OUR PART.

IN COLLABORATION WITH DEANS, K-5 TEACHERS, MATH EDUCATION EXPERTS AND STATE EDUCATION LEADERS HAVE BUILT A UNC SYSTEM FRAMEWORK TO IMPROVE AND COORDINATE MATH INSTRUCTION ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS.

THE FRAMEWORK WILL BE FINALIZED THIS SPRING AND AIMS TO STRENGTHEN UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFICULT MATH CONCEPTS AND BETTER PREPARE TEACHERS TO PREPARE STUDENTS.

MY THANKS TO DR.

CLEMONS AND THE INDIVIDUALS DRIVING THE PROJECT.

I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT IT'S ALWAYS WORTH REPEATING -- TRAINING TEACHERS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE DO.

READING WRITING AND ARITHMETIC IS THE LONG TERM PATH TO SUCCESS.

EARLY ACADEMIC PREPARATION IS ONLY PART OF THE LARGER PICTURE.

AS STUDENTS MOVE FROM HIGH SCHOOL TOWARD COLLEGE, ACADEMIC STRIVING CAN TRAP THEM IN CYCLES OF UNHEALTHY PERFECTIONISM.

THAT'S WHY THEY CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE CULTURE AND HEALTH HELPING CHILDREN TURN TO COLLEGE SEEKING ADULTS.

EXPECTATIONS ARE CLEAR.

WHERE UNNECESSARY PRESSURE IS REDUCED, WHERE STUDENTS ARE GIVEN TOOLS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

TODAY, MORE THAN HALF OF YOUNG ADULTS SAY COLLEGE ADMISSIONS IS MORE STRESSFUL THAN THE ACADEMIC COURSEWORKS, AND MORE THAN 60% REPORT FEELING OVERWHELMED BY ADVICE THEY RECEIVE ABOUT APPLYING TO COLLEGE.

WHEN UNIVERSITIES SHORTEN WAITING PERIODS, SIMPLIFY PROCESSES AND COMMUNICATE CLEARLY AND QUICKLY, THEY ARE NOT LOWERING STANDARDS, THEY ARE HELPING STUDENTS NAVIGATE AN ALREADY DIFFICULT DECISION.

SEVERAL OF OUR UNIVERSITIES ARE DOING EXACTLY THAT BY PARTICIPATING IN NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE CONNECT, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SIMPLIFY THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR ACADEMICALLY QUALIFIED STUDENTS.

OTHER UNIVERSITIES SUCH AS UNC CHAPEL HILL HAVE MADE THEIR OWN EFFORTS TO SHORTEN WAIT TIMES FOR INSTATE APPLICANTS BY RELEASING EARLY ACTION DECISIONS ONE MONTH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

I'LL BE CLEAR, GETTING INTO COLLEGE SHOULD NOT BE EASY.

ACADEMIC STANDARDS SHOULD BE HIGH BUT A STUDENT SHOULDN'T FEEL THEY NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGE.

CUTTING RED TAPE AND STREAMLINING EDUCATION, WE ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO PURSUE ACADEMIC GOALS WITHOUT ADDED CONFUSION OR FRUSTRATION.

GOING FORWARD, THE BOARD WILL ADDRESS UNDO PRESSURE WHILE PURSUING SUCCESS.

IT IS ABOUT DEVELOPING WELL ROUNDED SKILLED, KIND, THOUGHTFUL INDIVIDUALS AND ABOUT PREPARING THEM FOR LIFE AND WORK.

IT'S ABOUT TEACHING STUDENTS TO VALUE OTHER PERSPECTIVES THROUGH CIVIL DISCOURSE AND ENGAGE VIEWPOINTS THAT CHALLENGE AND GROW THEM AS EMPATHETIC AND RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO MORE DISCUSSIONS AROUND THESE TOPICS AND THANK GOVERNOR FORD, DR.

ROBERTSON AND THE STRATEGIC COMMITTEE FOR LEADING THE CONVERSATIONS.

FINALLY, I'M EXCITED ABOUT UPCOMING WORK TO HELP US WITH SUCCESS BEYOND COMMITMENT AS GRADUATES ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

THE UNC SYSTEM WILL RELEASE ITS FIRST STUDY TO SEE HOW GRADUATES MEET NEEDS FOR WORKFORCE NEEDS.

THEY'LL EVALUATE CREDENTIALS TO MEET JOB NEEDS.

96% OF THE STUDENTS EARN DEGREES THAT DELIVER A RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

NOW WE'LL BUILD ON THAT DATA BY BETTER UNDERSTANDING HOW DEGREES TRANSLATE TO CAREERS.

THIS WILL HELP CAMPUSES REFINE PROGRAMS, HELP STUDENTS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND HELP NORTH CAROLINA EMPLOYERS FIND THE TALENT THEY NEED.

IN A WORLD WHERE TECHNOLOGY AND JOB DEMANDS ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING, UNIVERSITIES MUST STAY AHEAD OF THE TRENDS.

THIS IS ONE MORE WAY TO ENSURE STUDENTS RECEIVE EDUCATION THAT SERVES THEM LONG AFTER THEY LEAVE OUR CAMPUSES.

AS WE ADDRESS THESE TOPICS AND MANY MORE, I HOPE YOU REMEMBER THAT OUR WORK IS A BOARD AND SUCCESS ISN'T ONE MOMENT IN TIME.

IT'S BUILT OVER MANY YEARS AND EXPERIENCES.

WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO LEAD A SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS INCOMENS FROM CHILDHOOD INTO ADULTHOOD WHEN WE STRENGTHEN EVERY PART OF THE CONTINUUM, WE DON'T JUST GRADUATE STUDENTS, WE HELP THEM IN OUR SOCIETY.

THANK YOU, THAT CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> WELL SAID.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: LET'S MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

WE'LL CONSIDER THE ITEMS LISTED AS ITEM FOUR ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ARE THERE ANY ITEMS TO BE REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION?

I DON'T SEE HANDS, SO I'LL ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE CONSENT.

>> SO MOVED.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: ANY DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OPPOSED?

ALL RIGHT.

NOW, WE HEAR THE COMMITTEE ON BUDGET AND FINANCE FROM MR.

BRADLEY.

>> DURING THE MEETING YESTERDAY THE COMMITTEE RECEIVED A PREPARATION AND DISCUSSED THE 26-27 FEE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY THE UNC SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.

THE COMMITTEE HAD A ROBUST CONVERSATION AND ASKED STAFF TO PROVIDE MATERIALS AND ANALYSIS.

WE DISCOVERED ONE THING.

I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON GOVERNOR POPE.

THERE IS ONE PIECE WE WON'T BE RECEIVING.

YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT THERE?

YOU'RE MUTED.

>> GOVERNOR POPE: CHAIR BRADLEY, THANK YOU.

I WISH TO CORRECT THE RECORD FROM COMMENTS I MADE YESTERDAY.

I ERRONEOUSLY STATED THAT THERE WAS A REQUIREMENT THAT THE CAMPUS INSTITUTION SUBMIT A FIVE YEAR PROPOSAL CONTEXT FOR THEIR PROPOSED TUITION INCREASES.

THAT WAS BASED ON THE OLD POLICY MANUAL I RECEIVED WHEN I JOINED THE BOARD 2020.

FOR THE LAWYERS ON THE BOARD AND ALL OF THOSE THAT GO BACK TO PAPER DAYS, THE POLICY GUIDE WAS AMENDED AND REMOVED THAT REQUIREMENT.

THE OTHER REQUIREMENT WE HAD GOOD DISCUSSION ON, EVIDENCE OF COST MANAGEMENT, SAVINGS, AND REFERRING TO INDEXES AND CONSIDERING EACH TUITION REQUEST FROM THE CAMPUS INDIVIDUALLY STILL THERE.

THE REQUIREMENT FOR A FIVE-YEAR PLAN WAS NO LONGER THERE.

ANOTHER CHANGE OF NOTE WAS THAT THE OLD POLICY MANUAL SAID THE BOARD SHOULD TAKE ACTION BY FEBRUARY.

THE NEW REVISION, CURRENT REVISION SAID WE COULD TAKE ACTION BY MARCH.

I'M NOT ASKING TO DELAY ACTION BEYOND THE FEBRUARY BOARD MEETING BECAUSE OF THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET EVERYTHING DONE, BUT IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND CHANGE IN SUCKER STANCE, THAT'S AN OPTION FOR THE BOARD TO HAVE A MEETING IN FEBRUARY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THE RECORD.

>> THANK YOU, GOVERNOR POPE.

JENNIFER AND TEAM IS HARD AT WORK ON GETTING THE INFORMATION REQUESTED IN ADVANCE OF OUR DECISION IN FEBRUARY.

ASSUMING THAT DOESN'T CHANGE, THAT INFORMATION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO BOARD MEMBERS AHEAD OF NEXT MONTH'S MEETING WHEN THE PROPOSAL WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR A VOTE.

IN THE MEANTIME, FULL DETAILS OF PROPOSALS ARE AVAILABLE ONBOARD EFFECT.

THERE WAS AN OVERVIEW OF STUDENT HOUSING FOR INFORMATION ONLY.

AMENDMENTS WERE APPROVED FOR THE POLICY MANUAL, POLICY ON NONRESIDENT UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT AND RE VISIONS TO THE POLICY MANUAL, POLICY ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING THE REPEAL OF THE CURRENT IT POLICIES.

BOTH POLICIES WILL COME TO THE FULL BOARD THROUGH CONSENT AGENDA AT THE NEXT MEETING.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO REVIEWED THREE TRANSACTIONAL ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE CONSENT AGENDA THE BOARD APPROVED, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SALE, SPECIAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR ECU, AUTHORIZATION OF FOUR NEW CAPITAL PROJECTS AND ENTITY PROJECT FOR UNCA.

COMMITTEE RECEIVED AN UPDATE ON UNC ASHEVILLE'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THIS COMMITTEE IS CHARGED WITH MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF UNCA CAMPUS AND EXPECTS TO INCLUDE WORK NO LATER THAN MAY 2026.

THE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS INCLUDE THE QUARTERLY CAPITAL PROJECTS REPORT, JANUARY 1, 2026.

THIS IS AVAILABLE ONBOARD EFFECT.

THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR BRADLEY.

I APPRECIATED THE CONVERSATION YESTERDAY.

ON TUITION, THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE.

I WANT US ALL AS BOARD MEMBERS AND CAMPUS LEADERS, I WANT TO EXTEND OUR PASSION FOR APPLICABLE BEYOND TUITION TO THINK ABOUT THE TOTAL COST IN FEES AND HOUSING AND DINING.

I'M LOOKING AT JAVIER.

HE HAS TO EAT AND SLEEP AND PAY FEES.

THEY ARE MANDATORY.

THEY ARE NOT OPTIONAL.

LET'S THINK ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF WHAT IT COSTS TO GO TO COLLEGE, AND KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE FEBRUARY DISCUSSION.

OKAY, I THINK -- I DON'T SEE ANY HANDS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE SCREEN.

I'M GOING TO MOVE ALONG UNLESS SOMEONE TELLS ME TO STOP.

I THINK WE ARE NOW -- MR.

HUTCHENS, THE REPORT ON EDUCATIONAL PLANNING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.

>> MR.

HUTCHENS: AT THE MEETING YESTERDAY THE MEETING ON PLANNING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS RECEIVED AN UPDATE FROM DR.

IPG DR.

ENGLISH.

DR.

HARRISON INCLUDED THE FACULTY REPORT INCLUDING THE WORKLOAD REPORT AND POST TENURE ANNUAL REPORT.

DR.

JONES PRESENTED THE TEACHER PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT.

LASTLY, CONSIDERED AND APPROVED AN UPDATE TO THE WINSTON SALEM UNIVERSITY MISSION STATEMENT.

THE UPDATE WAS REQUESTED SO THE MISSION STATEMENT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH POLICY 400.2.3 OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM POLICY MANUAL.

THE UPDATED MISSION STATEMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD THIS MORNING.

THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT, MADAM CHAIR.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OKAY.

ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR.

HUTCHENS?

OKAY.

WE ARE MOVING RIGHT ALONG HERE, AREN'T WE.

Y'ALL ARE NOT CHATTY THIS MORNING.

I DON'T WANT THAT TO CHANGE, EITHER.

LET'S MOVE ON TO MR.

MITCHELL, COMMITTEE ON GOVERNANCE.

>> MR.

MITCHELL: DURING YESTERDAY'S MEETING THE COMMITTEE VOTED ON SIX APPOINTMENTS TO BE APPROVED BY THE FULL BOARD TODAY.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IS IN BOARD EFFECT.

THE FIRST TWO POINTS, DR.

WALDRON TO FILL SEAT TWO ON THE ECU HEALTH MEDICAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND MR.

DAVENPORT TO BE REPOINTED TO FILL SEAT 18 ON THE SAME BOARD BEGINNING MARCH 1, 2026 AND ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2031.

AT THIS TIME, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE NOMINATION OF DR.

WALDRON AND MR.

DAVENPORT TO THE ECU MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO FILL A FIVE YEAR TERM TO END FEBRUARY 28TH, 2031.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

IS THERE DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OPPOSED?

OKAY.

MOTION CARRIES.

>> NEXT THE COMMITTEE VOTED ON FOUR REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE KITTY HAWK BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THE APPOINTMENTS ARE MISS SUSAN CATES, JOHN CONNELLY, CARRIE DIXON AND PHILLIP RODGERS TO SERVE FEBRUARY 1, 2026 ENDING JANUARY 31, 2028.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE ON UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE, I MOVE TO APPROVE THE NOMINATIONS TO THE PROJECT KITTY HAWK BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM ENDING JANUARY 31, 2028.

>> MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, YOU HAVE HEARD THE MOTION.

IS THERE ANYTHING DISCUSSION OR DEBATE?

ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SAY AYE.

>> AYE.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES.

>> FINALLY, THE COMMITTEE REVIEWED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SECTION SIX OF THE CODE, ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND TENURE.

ALL FOR A PRACTICAL DEFINITION OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM TO GUIDE STUDENTS IN THE EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE UNIVERSITY MISSION.

THE COMMITTEE VOTED TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENTS AND THE CHANGES WILL COME BEFORE THE BOARD AT THE NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

THIS CONCLUDES MY REPORT.

>> Michelle: THANK >> CHAIR MURPHY: THANK YOU, MR.

MITCHELL.

MR.

FORT, THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU.

Y YESTERDAY WE MET TO UNDERSTAND ACHIEVEMENT CULTURE AND THE ROLE OF THE UNC SYSTEM.

YESTERDAY, NC COLLEGE CONNECT UPDATE FROM PATTY AND CHERYL.

THIS HELPS TO REDUCE BARRIERS IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS BY OFFERING QUALIFIED PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS DIRECT ADMISSION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE INSTITUTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A BROAD COALITION OF STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS TO BYPASS THE TRADITIONAL APPLICATION PROCESS AND MAKE ENROLLMENT DECISIONS EARLIER.

MORE THAN 70,000 ELIGIBLE SENIORS WERE NOTIFIED OF THEIR DIRECTED MISSION OPPORTUNITIES.

AS OF JANUARY, NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGE CONNECT HAS RECEIVED 88,000 APPLICATIONS WITH 56,000 OF THOSE APPLICATIONS GOING TO A UNC SYSTEM INSTITUTION.

THIS UNDER SCORES THE PROGRAM POTENTIAL TO EXPAND ACCESS AND SIMPLIFY THE PATH OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE COMMITTEE LOOKS FORWARD TO DATA AND INSIGHT AS THE INITIATIVE MATURES.

NEXT, THE COMMITTEE HEARD FROM CHANCELLORS DIXON OF NORTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY AND SHARON GABER, UNC CHARLOTTE.

ON STRATEGIES, THEY RECRUIT AND SUPPORT HIGH ACHIEVING STUDENTS.

AS COMPETITION FOR NORTH CAROLINA TOP STUDENTS CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY, PARTICULARLY FROM NEIGHBORING STATES AS WE DISCUSS HOW OUR INSTITUTIONS LEVERAGE THEIR DISTINCTIVE STRENGTHS TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE STUDENTS.

THE HONORS PROGRAMS, RESPONSIVE DEGREE OFFERINGSING AND OTHER INITI INITIATIVES SKINNED TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EXPERIENCE.

THIS DISCUSSION REINFORCED THAT WHILE STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO BRING STUDENTS TO OUR CAMPUSES, IT'S ULTIMATELY THE UNIQUE VALUE PROP PROPOSITIONS OF OUR INSTITUTIONS TO ENROLL STUDENTS TO THRIVE.

YESTERDAY'S DISCUSSION ADVANCED THE SHARED UNDERSTANDING HOW INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIES WELCOME STRATEGIES WORK TOGETHER WHILE PROMOTING STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS.

THANK YOU, CHAIR MURPHY, THIS CONCLUDES MY REMARKS.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: THANK YOU, MR.

FORD.

LET ME -- I WANT TO SAY THAT WHEN WE ARE BACK IN PERSON, I WAS INTERESTED IN THE REPORT YESTERDAY ON THE COLLEGE CONNECT PROGRAM.

I UNDERSTAND IT WAS JUST FOR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW IT CAN BE FOR ALL NORTH CAROLINA STUDENTS.

I WANT TO UNDERSTAND PRIVATE, HOMESCHOOLED, AS WELL AS PUBLIC.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT IT.

I THINK WE ARE NOW READY TO MOVE TO CLOSED SESSION.

DO I HEAR A MOTION THAT WE GO INTO CLOSED SESSION UNDER 143 GENERAL STATUTES AS STATED IN THE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE MOTION.

>> MOVE.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: MAY I HAVE A SECOND?

>> SECOND.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED?

OKAY, WE'LL NOW MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION, AND MEREDITH WILL LET US KNOW WHEN WE CAN CONTINUE.

>> MADAM CHAIR, YOU MAY CONTINUE IN OPEN SESSION.

>> CHAIR MURPHY: OUR BUSINESS FOR TODAY HAS CONCLUDED.

THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26TH, IN RALEIGH, SYSTEM OFFICE.

YOU ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING COMMUNICATIONS ABOUT CHANCELLOR MARTIN MARCH 9, AND HARGROVE INSTALL COLLATION APRIL 24TH.

LOOK FOR THOSE DETAILS AND MEREDITH WILL FOLLOW UP ABOUT YOUR AVAILABILITY.

WE ARE CONCLUDED.

I HOPE EVERYONE STAYS SAFE THIS WEEK IN THE UPCOMING SNOWSTORM.

I PRAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER IN FEBRUARY.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

>> THANK YOU, MADAME CHAIR.