Total Campus Report - Efficient & valuable curated higher ed developments delivered once per week. |
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Publication Update: Total Campus Report will be taking a break until January 8, 2023. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! |
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NCAA Selects Next President |
SBJ & The Athletic broke the news Thursday morning of the NCAA selecting Massachusetts Governor Baker to succeed President Emmert in the role starting March 1, 2023. Baker, a former MBB student-athlete at Harvard, has served two terms as governor and is credited with bringing bipartisan leadership to the commonwealth. Baker: "The NCAA is confronting complex and significant challenges, but I am excited to get to work as the awesome opportunity college athletics provides to so many students is more than worth the challenge. And for the fans that faithfully fill stadiums, stands and gyms from coast to coast, I am eager to ensure the competitions we all love to follow are there for generations to come.” (link)
+ More from Baker during his intro presser thanks to Sports Illustrated’s Dellenger: “I think it’s worth doing. Yeah, it’s big and complicated, but so have been a lot of things I’ve done in my life. [...] I've always believed sports have tremendous power to bring people together. We are in a bit of a pivotal period for the NCAA. [...] I think the transfer portal is one element of a whole series of elements that needs to be part of the conversation going forward.” (link)
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Insights & Reactions…
+ Knight Commission CEO Perko via the AP’s Russo on a key challenge for Baker: “The NCAA receives zero dollars from the CFP, but it remains liable for the legal and health costs of FBS football. The explosion of revenues, just for FBS football, is at the heart of much of the controversy about the future of all of college sports.” (link)
+ SI’s Dellenger: “The NCAA targeted several former governors in the search. The organization wanted someone politically connected and got it.” (link)
+ The Athletic’s Auerbach: “This hire — and finalist pool — certainly signals the priorities of the NCAA's highest governing body right now. Success in other sectors a plus. Political experience key. The position goes to someone who had not previously worked in college sports (like recent P5 commish hires).” (link) + D1.ticker/Fox Sports’ Fischer: “Charlie Baker turns 67 next year and replaces a 69 year old retiring Mark Emmert. Does not portend to be a long term hire by the Board of Governors, but one chiefly focused on one issue only: getting that antitrust exemption.” (link)
+ The Athletic’s O’Neil: “This is the NCAA’s idea of out-of-the-box thinking. As transformations go, opting for a politician over a university president is like splitting the last hair on a bald man’s scalp. [...] He hits all of the W columns, and no, that’s not wins. He’s White, well-educated and wealthy, thanks to his job running a healthcare company. (He’s also about to get wealthier. His government job paid just $185,000; Emmert made $2.99 million.) [...] The NCAA chose him for one reason: not to transform the NCAA, but to protect it.” (link)
+ Extra Points purveyor Brown: “We're about to enter what should be an especially polarized legislative environment. Will Baker be able to make friends with lawmakers that he could afford to ignore while he was Governor? Could he replicate his governing coalition to ignore extremist types? Is such a thing even possible now? [...] It's still a complicated and quirky industry, but it's clear that the skill sets have shifted. Baker has a lot of experience in delegating and getting up to speed on new industries. How big of a deal will it be that he's never led a university or an athletic department before? Will he be swallowed up by the proverbial system, or will he have the 'juice' to push through any changes?” (link)
+ ESPN’s Thamel and Connelly on Baker’s position, with Thamel noting: “I think the first problem that Charlie Baker is going to have is you don't have control of football and football controls everything. … Also, Charlie Baker, welcome to your job, you have the single worst television contract in the history of college athletics – the NCAA basketball television contract which runs through 2032.” Connelly: “This job matters a lot and could matter and if Charlie Baker can come in and not just basically beg Congress to save all the things that NCAA is doing wrong, right now, if they're going to actually create a path moving forward … It would be amazing if the NCAA actually just sort of with whatever power it had actually stepped in and tried to provide leadership and a vision.” (link)
+ U.S. Representative Trahan (D-MA), a former Georgetown Volleyball student-athlete: “Governor Baker has been an extremely effective leader in Massachusetts, having steered our Commonwealth through some of the most difficult moments in recent history. The NCAA is at an inflection point where athletes and the millions of fans who root them on have largely lost faith in it as an organization. The association desperately needs a proven leader who personally understands the unique needs of the nearly 500,000 college athletes it serves and who is prepared to do what’s necessary to right the ship.” More from Sportico’s McCann & Caron. (link)
+ Interestingly, per Morning Consult, Baker is America’s most popular governor. (link) |
Here’s the full transcript from yesterday’s intro presser with new NCAA President Baker. Notably: “I’ve always just believed that sports have this tremendous power to bring people together. You just see it over and over again, the way in which athletics can transcend so many other divisions. I really do believe that we are at a bit of a pivotal period for the NCAA, and I really do think that the enthusiasm, the life and professional experiences I've had, the people I've gotten to know, the relationships I have can be a big part of helping all the folks involved in the NCAA, wherever they fit in that very significant organization, benefit from what we can put together going forward if we work together. [...] I think one of the things the job is, is it's an exercise in listening. My father always used to say to me that you will learn a lot more listening than you will talking. I think in my career, both in the public and private sector, one of the things I've done very well is listen. [...] For me, when people talk about the transitional period and the number of different things that are going on at this point in time, the question becomes how do you figure out a way to build a platform and get the support for that platform given where everybody sits and stands that can work going forward to serve the very different elements of the very large NCAA constituency, so that jewel, that opportunity that young people have to be part of a team, to learn about themselves and to build a foundation which in many cases will frame the rest of their lives can happen. That to me is the jewel.” (link)
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Charlie’s Challenges…
+ Sports Illustrated’s Forde: “For now, let’s grant Baker the benefit of the doubt and assume he will have some legitimate influence and stature. If that’s the case, four of the six most powerful people in college athletics will have arrived within the past three years—and from completely outside the space. … Now, the NCAA is going straight politician. The last career campus administrators in the group are Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey and Atlantic Coast Conference commish Jim Phillips. The pivot away from that profile, which had proliferated for decades, indicates how badly the previous generation screwed things up by being stubborn, tone deaf, greedy and myopic. It also indicates the shifting needs of the constituents. The conferences want deal-makers who can market them to media companies for the highest possible dollar. The NCAA wants someone who can convince politicians to produce legislation that keeps the association viable and out of its current barrage of lawsuits.” (link)
+ The Athletic’s Staples: “If you are relying on the federal government to produce the framework of the rules your business will run by, you’re not doing it right, but that’s what they think they have to do instead of just actually figuring out a solution on their own. … It’s clear what they want to do is have a voice in Washington D.C. and do this politically, instead of just coming up with common sense solutions for how to get their arms around this. It doesn’t mean it is impossible to figure this stuff out, but just thinking ‘Oh we’ll hire a politician and he’ll get Congress to save us,’ it’s not smart.” (link)
The Athletic’s Auerbach joins Connect/D1.ticker’s Fischer to discuss the appointment of new NCAA President Baker. Auerbach, who alongside SBJ broke the news: “I think they expected more of a response when they told me the name, but some people had gotten in my ear recently about politicians connected to Massachusetts and had pointed out that Baker was not running for reelection, so it was definitely a surprise, but it wasn’t totally out of the blue like some of these past hires, like the Big 12, Big Ten or Pac-12 hires. [...] But what I have been told about the finalists pool and others involved, this was not an outlier hire. [...] It really points to what the NCAA believes it needs right now to ensure its future looks somewhat like its past or at least the important tent pole items continue to exist.” On what feedback Auerbach has heard from industry sources: “A lot of people think it’s a good hire. There’s a lot of optimism around it. [...] The idea of having someone with a bipartisan background, even though dealing with this Congress is going to be a different thing, but I think people like the idea of someone who is going to be able to build bridges.” Lots more background on the search & what it means for membership. All on Connect. (link)
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By an 11-5 vote, UCLA is officially headed to the Big Ten. However, the Bruins will have to deliver an annual subsidy of $2M to $10M to Cal, implement a series of mitigation protocols to ensure student-athlete health & wellness, as well as academic focus measures, that cumulatively will cost a couple of million a year given the additional travel associated with its new league. UCLA AD Jarmond: “We’ve always been guided by what is best for our 25 teams and more than 700 student-athletes, and the Big Ten offers exciting new competitive opportunities on a bigger national media platform for our student-athletes to compete and showcase their talent.” (link); From Big Ten Commissioner Warren: “The Big Ten Conference is grateful to the University of California Board of Regents for respecting the decision of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to join our conference in 2024. The landscape of collegiate athletics is evolving, and the Big Ten Conference is in a position of stability and strength with unmatched opportunities, exposure and resources for our member institutions and student-athletes. With the collective goals to prioritize the health and well-being of our student-athletes and forward our academic and athletic mission under the umbrella of higher education, we will continue our methodical integration process of UCLA and USC into the Big Ten Conference.” (link); JohnCanzano.com’s namesake: “San Diego State becomes even more important. But I anticipate there could be at least one other expansion partner seriously considered. UNLV? SMU? Boise State? Gonzaga in multiple sports? Some other prospective member currently in a Power Five Conference?” (link)
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The Action Network’s McMurphy reports there is “growing sentiment” and “momentum” for Oklahoma and Texas to leave the Big 12 early and join the SEC in 2024. Sports Illustrated’s Dellenger adds: “Negotiations go beyond money and include TV network inventory, which is a real obstacle.” (link); McMurphy on the potential complications: “How eager is ESPN to pay that increased amount to the SEC in 2024 instead of waiting until 2025? If OU and Texas join the SEC early, that could decrease the value of the Big 12’s final year of its current media rights with ESPN and Fox, which the Big 12 would oppose. Would ESPN be willing to offset those smaller numbers to the Big 12 and also pay more to the SEC? Would OU and Texas agree to pay more than the expected $50M buyout to get out early? Would — or even could — OU and Texas schedule nonconference road games at Big 12 teams in 2024 to help offset the decrease in the media rights for that year?” One source tells McMurphy: “The Big 12 would like it to happen a year early, the SEC would like OU and Texas a year early, but FOX could care less and I’m not sure what ESPN will do.” (link)
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“It’s likely they are leaving early.” That’s an unnamed source with knowledge of ongoing discussions between Oklahoma, Texas and the SEC to The Athletics’ Mandel, Olson and others as rumors swirl about the timing of the Sooner and Longhorn departure from the Big 12. According to a Big 12 official, a delay in releasing the league’s 2023 FB schedule is in part due to the uncertainty, with sources believing a resolution will occur in a matter of weeks. The timing of the move makes sense, posits Mandel and Olson, with the SEC + ESPN deal kicking off in the 2024 season along with an expanded College Football Playoff. Additionally, an SEC expansion to 16 teams would align with the Big Ten’s addition of UCLA and USC. Hurdles remaining: negotiating a reduced buyout, with the remaining Big 12 schools expecting OU and UT to pay a “high enough exit fee to make the remaining members and their network partners whole.” Mandel and Olson: “A noteworthy landmark is fast approaching. Per Big 12 bylaws, a member must give at least an 18-month notice of its departure date. That letter would have to arrive by Dec. 31 if they intend to join the SEC on July 1, 2024.” (link)
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Presidents & Chancellors in the News |
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Our deepest condolences to the Iowa community, who mourns the passing of UI’s 15th president Sandy Boyd. Boyd served as president from 1969-81 before returning as a faculty member in 1996 and serving as interim president from 2002-03. President Wilson: “Sandy was beloved by the entire university community, and he will always remain one of the major figures in University of Iowa history. His impact and influence are deeply embedded in the character and excellence of this institution to this day. He represented who and what we are as an institution with integrity, grace, compassion, humor, and humanity, and he changed the university—and our society—for the better in profound and lasting ways.” (link)
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Interim Michigan State President Woodruff pens on the need for a “tech-talented future” and MSU’s leadership as an economic driver for the state in Crain’s Detroit Business, reporting that 58% of MSU engineering graduates choose to work in Michigan’s innovation ecosystem. Woodruff highlights the university’s recent tech-driven initiatives, such as a partnership with Apple for the first-in-the-nation Apple Developer Academy and research into autonomous vehicles and associated technology. Woodruff: “I am especially enthusiastic about plans for a new MSU engineering and digital teaching and research innovation center, which will help lead our efforts to steer the industries of the future. This facility will enhance MSU’s strengths in disciplines such as advanced mobility, material science, advanced manufacturing, quantum computing, composite materials and solar cell technology. Partnership in this center with the state of Michigan and industries that rely on our students, together with the governor’s new Michigan Achievement Scholarship program, is the leavening we need to see a rise in economic growth for all.” (link)
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In a meeting with the Faculty Senate, Missouri Chancellor Choi reiterated his condemnation of racism after a student affiliated with a far right student group shared a social media post with a racial slur. Choi: “The statement was reprehensible. Our team, including Bill Stackman’s team, Maurice Gipson’s team, has been reaching out to various student groups to reassure them that we support them and that we care about their safety and their well-being.” (link)
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In an op-ed, Nebraska System President Carter advocated for the university as the most powerful driver of workforce development in the state, calling for an urgent increase in a talented worker pool as the state faces 80K open jobs despite having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. As part of the system’s efforts to increase enrollment, Nebraska will look to increase scholarships and implement creative pricing strategies for out-of-state students. Carter: “If we want to make a serious dent in filling those 80,000 open jobs, we need to grow our workforce by leaps and bounds. That includes keeping our home-grown talent here, and also attracting many more skilled workers to our state. As a primary driver of workforce development for Nebraska, it’s the university’s job to help lead the way. …if Nebraska is going to meaningfully grow its population base, the University of Nebraska System must be much more competitive for students, within our state and beyond.” (link)
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Based on community feedback, Oregon will look for a president that is relatable, has a track record of recruiting and retaining students, faculty and staff of color, is inclusive and has a student lens, believes in shared governance and can communicate a vision in a way that excites the campus and external community. (link) |
West Virginia President Gee on his recent hire of former North Texas AD Baker, which WBOY’s Decker says included the three finalists interviewing with the Mountaineers in Atlanta: “When we interviewed Wren, I can tell you he fits every one of our criteria. And in addition to being an exceptionally … talented athletic director, he’s also a very positive person, who easily connects and engages with everyone that he meets. … We had a lot of input from a number of folks, and I personally had a lot of input from many of the people that I worked with over the years. … It was just readily apparent that the fit, and the person, and the structure, and the place where he should be is right here. So that’s exactly how that process worked.” On the selection committee’s choice: “I can tell you it was unanimous.” (link)
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Sports Illustrated's Johnson details what an HC search looks like from an AD’s perspective and notes that search firms can serve a number of purposes. “Sometimes it can just be for the logistics of setting up interviews to keep the process extremely close to the vest. Some other commonly cited reasons to hire a search firm have to do with plausible deniability, confidentiality and to cover your bases on a background check.” Anachel CEO Cecil tells Johnson HCs “are de facto CEOs. Good athletic directors and even general managers understand the importance of having a coach who understands, and is prepared to be that public-facing CEO. It is more than the X’s and O’s. The X’s and O’s are why they’re in the room, however, staying in the room can be impacted overnight by a reputational fumble of their public persona. Progressive ADs or GMs want to do everything that they can to make sure that that their football CEO is not only representing their billion-dollar business but their constituents, which are thousands of student-athletes, [players], alumni, donors, boosters, legislators, and supporters who where their logo across the globe. The business has changed.” Lots more. (link); The Athletic’s Ubben writes on why more (and longer) guaranteed football head coaching contracts are going to hit the market. An unnamed AD: “When something like this happens a few times in college sports, it’s only going to be more and more accepted and the outlier eventually becomes the norm.” Another: “You can say you won’t make a deal like that, but in the new market, not making a deal like that is the difference between getting a coach and not getting him.” Ubben: “Drawing that line and hiring a coach who doesn’t measure up to the success that other big-time candidates surely would have had (imaginary success, it’s worth reminding) is a gamble that could cost an athletic director his or her job. Do the big contract? Write the big check? An athletic director can more easily point to the market rate or the pressure from boosters and pass the blame if it doesn’t work.” (link)
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Arkansas removed the interim tag from Assistant Vice Chancellor for Career Services Estes. (link) |
Auburn selected College of Sciences and Mathematics Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Boyd during an internal search to serve as the university’s first assistant provost for institutional effectiveness. In the position, Boyd will oversee the development of evidence-based assessment practices and data-informed strategic planning efforts to enhance institutional operations. (link)
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The University System of Maryland named Baltimore Associate Provost Caraco as its next associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. In the position, Caraco will work closely with the provosts of all 12 USM institutions, leaders of community colleges, the Maryland Higher Education Commission and Maryland State Department of Education. (link) |
During Friday’s Michigan State Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Foster commented that there is “not a viable path” to reinstate Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving. "Most prohibitively, without sufficient existing fundraising, there is not a path to build a new competition pool without assessing a fee to the entire student body, something we do not wish to do." MSU is currently building a new $154M rec center with a competition swimming pool, but student fees will fund the center. (link)
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The Minnesota Board of Regents is considering a proposal to ban members from taking positions with the university following former regent McMillan's appointment as chancellor of the Duluth campus. Regent Rosha, one of two regents who opposed McMillan’s appointment, is pushing for the ban, saying it would send the message to the public that regents are “not here for personal advancement." (link)
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Sports Illustrated’s Dellenger reports Mississippi State paused its AD search in light of Football Head Coach Leach’s passing. “Final interviews were expected to happen this week and now may not unfold until after the holidays.” (link) |
Missouri Associate Vice Chancellor for Extension and Engagement Higgins will serve as interim chief engagement officer for the UM System and vice chancellor for extension and engagement for MU, effective January 23. (link) |
Notre Dame tapped Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Chair Go as vice president and associate provost for strategic planning, effective June 1. In the newly-created position, Go will take on a leadership position in the university’s strategic framework process, while also remaining an active research faculty member. (link) |
South Carolina Senators Hembree and Malloy have pre-filed separate bills seeking to restructure South Carolina’s Board of Trustees, including the number of trustees and how they are selected. Other changes included in the bills are limiting terms, staggering elections, and changing how the board calls special meetings. (link) |
USC named Texas Vice President for Development Rabenold as senior vice president for university advancement and alumni relations. (link) |
USC named Dallas College Police Department Chief of Police Hill as assistant vice president/chief at the Department of Public Safety. (link) |
Syracuse Senior Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Ter Molen will step down from the position on December 31 to assume a similar role at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Special Advisor to the Chancellor Barlock will serve as interim chief advancement officer. (link) |
Syracuse named Cornell Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Opperman as the next senior vice president and University secretary to the Board of Trustees, effective January 2. (link) |
Texas A&M named Nelson D. Durst Endowed Chair in Accounting Sharp as dean of the Mays Business School. (link) |
Virginia Vice President for Finance Bianchetto will retire in early February after serving the university for more than a quarter century. (link) |
Wake Forest Senior Vice President and General Counsel Morgan will retire on June 30, 2023, following four decades of service to the Demon Deacons. Morgan will continue to serve as Secretary for the Board of Trustees through the 2023-24 academic year. (link) |
Wake Forest Provost Gillespie and the Core Planning Team identified five working topics to guide the university’s next strategic framework process: enriching the student experience, framing the future of excellence in learning, enhancing impact through research, scholarship and creative work, supporting the well-being of the local community and engaging in sustainable partnerships locally and globally. (link)
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Wisconsin Chancellor Mnookin named a 17-member search committee tasked with working with executive search firm WittKieffer to identify the university’s next provost and chief academic officer. (link) |
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The National Science Foundation released its updated data tables on Higher Education Research and Development for FY21. In its list of all higher education institutions based on total R&D expenditures, Michigan ranks No. 3 with $1.6B, Washington ranks No. 5 with $1.5B, UCLA ranks No. 6 with $1.45B, Wisconsin ranks No. 8 with $1.4B and Stanford ranks No. 9 with $1.3B. Full list in Table 5. (link)
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As part of its $2.36B budget recommendation for the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education proposed an 11.19% budget increase for public colleges in an effort to offset staffing demands and economic inflation. The Commission will also ask state lawmakers for an additional $5M to address deferred maintenance projects and $6M to support reengagement efforts for Alabamans who dropped out of college before completing a degree. (link)
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The Arizona Board of Regents approved policy revisions reflecting the passage of Proposition 308, giving qualifying Arizona students, including Dreamers, the opportunity to receive in-state tuition at Arizona public universities. With the approval of policy revisions, all Arizona students who qualify for a Pell Grant will be eligible for the Arizona Promise Program scholarship. Additionally, the Board heard details of the 2022 Cost Study Report, with key findings indicating that it cost universities $18,885 on average to educate a full-time equivalent student in FY21, while the tuition range at Arizona public universities was $11,618-12,265. (link)
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The Arizona Board of Regents approved a five-year, $16.3M contract extension for FB HC Fisch, which includes additional financial resources for Fisch's staff. Per ESPN’s Rittenberg, the deal runs through 2027. (link) |
The National Science Foundation will fund $195.5M over the next five years for the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State and administered with partner sites at Florida and Los Alamos. (link) |
The Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation made a $3M pledge to support Georgia’s Poultry Science Building, marking the largest single gift to the project to date. (link) |
Georgia Tech AD Batt announces GT has surpassed its $5M goal for the Competitive Drive Initiative from a combined $2.5M in gifts and a $2.5M match from the GT Foundation and will subsequently up the goal for donations to $3.5M through the end of the year. (link) |
Iowa State Auditor Sand concluded a four-year review of a $1.2B, 50-year deal made by Iowa for the private operations of its utilities system, not identifying any conflicts of interest or regulatory violations but noting that it amounts to the “largest financial obligation ever held by Iowa taxpayers.” Sand: “In the event the university’s investment of the proceeds does not meet the return on investment needed to pay the amounts due to the concessionaire, Iowa taxpayers may be responsible for making up any shortfall.” (link)
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Housing and dining rates at Kentucky will increase for the 2023-24 academic year, with the cumulative rate increase for university-constructed residence hall units, as well as break housing and early move-in rates, totaling 4%. Dining rates will increase an average of 8.9%. (link) |
MiddleGround Capital Founding Partner Maze Stewart made a $10M gift to Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics. The gift will be used in part to establish an endowed MiddleGround Scholarship for a finance undergraduate or graduate student. In recognition of the gift, the UK Board of Trustees approved naming the finance department the John Maze Stewart Department of Finance and Quantitative Methods. (link)
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Michigan released its 2022-23 Faculty and Staff Salary Disclosure Report, indicating that faculty and staff salary increases averaged 4.1% while merit salary increases for executive officers averaged 4.19% and for deans averaged 5.15%. (link, full report - link)
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Minnesota FB HC Fleck’s new seven-year, $42M deal adds $1M to the AC pool, effective February 1, 2023, bringing it to approximately $5.5M. New deal runs through the 2029 season. Should Fleck leave, he owes the Gophers $10M in 2023, $7M in 2024, $5M in 2025, $4M in 2026, $3M in 2027, $2M in 2028 and none in 2029. On the flipside, the school owes him 65% of base salary and supplemental compensation for the rest of the contract if he is fired without cause. $500K for a CFP championship game appearance, plus other bowl-related bonus opportunities and extra comp for a winning record in Big Ten play in the amount of $50K per win above .500. Board of Regents approval is pending, next meeting is December 16. (link)
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New Mississippi State FB HC Arnett’s deal is for four years at $3M annually. (link) |
Oregon State FB HC Smith gets a new deal, six-years and $30.6M, which is a bump of $6.5M from the previous contract. This one runs through the 2028 season, starts at $4.85M in 2023 with annual $100K increases to $5.35M in the final year. AC salary pool also increases, from $4.25M to $4.85M. Buyout is $3M if he leaves in 2023, decreasing by $500K each year. If he is fired without cause, the Beavers owe him 65% of the remaining deal. (link)
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The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority unanimously approved a one-year, $1.4M sponsorship agreement extension to bring the Pac-12 football championship game back to Allegiant Stadium in 2023. The LVCVA expects $100K of in-kind contributions from the resort industry to help offset some of the cost. The 2021 event saw 45K+ in attendance and had an estimated economic impact of $63.7M on Southern Nevada. The 2022 game drew 62K+ fans, though the full impact has not yet been calculated. (link)
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Penn State’s Giving Tuesday event had its largest show of support to date, with 10,746 alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters contributing 13,170 gifts totaling over $1.25M for 150 participating campaigns. (link) |
Penn State alumnus Houston made a seven-figure estate commitment to establish the Robert J. Houston Military Excellence Scholarship in the Eberly College of Science, an annual award for undergraduates and graduates who are military veterans, enrolled in ROTC or from military families. The inaugural awarding will begin with six separate $10K scholarships. (link)
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Penn State’s Office of Government and Community Relations is circulating a petition asking PSU stakeholders to support the university’s request for increased state funding in 2023-24. The petition seeks to raise awareness of the discrepancy in funding between PSU and other state schools in Pennsylvania, with PSU receiving the lowest funding in the state on a per-student basis. For the upcoming budget year, PSU is requesting a 47.6% increase in general support appropriations to match the state’s per-student investment at other public universities. The petition currently has over 3,500 signatures and runs through January 8. (link)
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The Purdue Board of Trustees approved the naming of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine, in recognition of a $10M gift from the Werlings. The gift will also fund the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Professorship of Comparative Oncology and establish an endowment to provide unrestricted funds for cancer research and clinical trials. (link)
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Rutgers hired Huron Consulting Group to assess the athletic department’s finances and the firm has delivered a draft of the report to RU Executive VP/CFO Gower. Former Big Ten Commissioner Delany and former Duke AD White, both of whom now work with Huron, were brought in specifically for this review. Gower: “The report, which is intended to provide an overall review of the options for increasing revenues and for enhancing the business operations at the Department of Athletics, is not final. I anticipate that we will have some comments on the report when it is finalized.” Scarlet Knights Senior Associate AD/Chief Communications Officer Phillips: “This report was not commissioned by athletics, and we understand it is still being worked on. We look forward to any professional review.” NorthJersey.com says Rutgers will pay Huron “as much as $200,000” for its work. (link)
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In the state of South Carolina, a new bill has been filed that would allow Division I schools in the state that generate $50M+ in athletics revenue annually to pay football and men’s and women’s basketball players stipends based on the time the student-athletes spend on their sport. The annual amount of the stipend is calculated by multiplying the number of hours spent by the hourly rate the school uses for work-study programs. The stipends would be classified as financial aid, not income, and would be in addition to athletic scholarships. There is also a trust fund with a max of $5K added per year for good academic standing, distributed upon graduation (up to $25K). Lots more from attorney Winter, including “So this bill is basically an attempt to create a way for athletes to be paid by schools (beyond their athletic scholarship and Alston payments) without classifying them as employees.” (link)
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Stanford President Tessier-Lavigne established a committee to consider the role of fossil fuel funding in academic research following a listening tour conducted by inaugural Doerr School of Sustainability Dean Majumdar. The group will assess current funding from fossil fuel companies and how other institutions approach such partnerships to form recommendations for Stanford’s future engagement and approach. Tessier-Lavigne: “Transitioning to a sustainable global energy system is among the greatest challenges facing the world today. We must consider how to balance the value of broad engagement in this work with legitimate concerns about the ethical standards of our partners.” (link)
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Syracuse alumna and The Enlight Foundation President Liu made a $2M gift to the Forever Orange Campaign. Coupled with matching funds from the Forever Orange Faculty Excellence Program, the total will reach $3M and create The Alexia Endowed Chair, as well as support grants, teaching, research, fellowships and programmatic opportunities. (link) |
Tennessee Athletics’ My All Campaign has raised over $164M from nearly 13K new donors giving to the Tennessee Fund and a 330% increase in membership for The Shareholders Society. Total commitments for the campaign, which launched publicly in June 2021 with the goal of raising $500M by Summer 2026, are over $361M. (link) |
Utah’s endowment, valued at $1.3B, returned -7.2% for the most recent fiscal year, falling below the target benchmark return of -4.6%. The three, five and ten years ended June 30 returned an annualized 6.6%, 6% and 6.3%, respectively, while private real assets and private equity were the top performing asset classes in the endowment pool. (link) |
In his proposed budget, Washington Governor Inslee allocated $10M to support the Washington State Institute for Northwest Energy Futures. The funds would go towards the hiring of five scientists, including a director, and five graduate students at WSU Tri-Cities as well as the hiring of three faculty and three graduate students on the Pullman campus. (link)
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West Virginia received a $1M donation for its Rifle program from the Hayhurst family that will fully endowed the program’s HC post, along with going toward additional programmatic support. (link) |
The UW Board of Regents awarded every system chancellor a 2% salary increase, bumping Wisconsin Chancellor Mnookin’s salary from $750K to $765K. (link) |
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Alabama AD Byrne updates on the status of the proposed $183M new on-campus arena, which was approved in February: “The planning for that is still ongoing. What we’re trying to navigate and still really trying to get our arms around is inflation has been significant, and it’s actually been more significant in the facility-construction arena. … What that final dollar figure is and everything -- I know sometimes people will say, ‘Hey, you’ve got the money.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, I haven’t quite found that money.’ ... We have a fiduciary responsibility for our athletic department, that’s part of what we do.” (link)
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The Kansas Board of Regents approved the renovation of Kansas State’s indoor track facility and the sale of a vacant duplex owned by K-State in Omaha for $655K. (link) |
Ohio State’s Max M. Fisher College of Business celebrated the groundbreaking of the Daley Family Pavilion and Daley Family Terrace, which will provide over 13K-sq. ft. of permanent entertaining space and expanded educational activities via an all-season structure and outdoor area. Construction is expected to begin in early 2023 for an opening in late 2023. (link)
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The South Carolina Board of Trustees approved renovations and enhancements to Taylor House and the Jones Physical Sciences Center. (link) |
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The UC System ratified new five-year contracts for Postdoctoral Scholars and Academic Researchers, which will be effective through September 30, 2027, and includes multiyear pay increases, improved job security, transit benefits and enhanced family leave. By ratifying the contracts, striking workers in the affected units are obligated to return to work while graduate student workers will continue their work stoppages while their negotiations continue. (link, link)
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The Florida Department of Education and State University System of Florida Board of Goverors met with leaders of nearly every higher education institution in the state in a closed-door meeting on December 7, releasing only this statement from the Board of Governors: “The presidents of the State University System and the Florida College System met on Wednesday to discuss System-wide educational goals regarding accreditation and 2+2 articulation. It is critical the two public higher educational systems in Florida work collaboratively to share best practices on issues which greatly benefit Florida’s students.” Per sources with knowledge of the meetings, the state is in the process of searching for a new accreditor, in part due to concerns raised by the SACSCOC about various issues at Florida and Florida State, and is targeting the Higher Learning Commission. According to reporting by Inside Higher Ed, switching accreditors would cost between $11M-$13M annually with an annual expense of maintaining accreditation running approximately $250K. More. (link)
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Kansas State honored over 1,100 degree candidates during its fall commencement ceremony on December 10. (link) |
Oklahoma will celebrate the graduation of nearly 2,400 degree candidates with 12 individual college ceremonies December 16-17. (link) |
Oregon reports a record-high 5,348 freshmen enrolled and total enrollment up to 23,202. (link) |
The Oregon Board of Trustees approved a proposed Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design to be administered by the Department of Landscape Architecture in the College of Design. (link) |
TCU bestowed degrees on 733 students during fall commencement ceremonies. (link) |
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Iowa Governor Reynolds issued a directive banning the TikTok app from all state-owned devices, with Iowa Board of Regents President Richards passing the order to all institutions, including Iowa and Iowa State, under the board’s jurisdiction. Of note, the order requires institutions to “cease the creation, posting, and active management of content on all TikTok accounts owned or controlled by the institution.” (link)
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Kentucky will continue with the same alcohol policy at home sporting events - it is only available to those in the suite and club areas, not in the general seating area. AD Barnhart: “There are people who say you have clubs where alcohol is available and for people who desire to have a drink, that is the place they are able to purchase an opportunity to do that. There is a separation for those who don’t want that as part of the fan experience. It will continue to be a conversation at an institutional level and we’ll continue to think our way through it.” (link)
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In October, Iowa posted its first of three court-ordered Title IX monitor reports as part of its required action items following a settlement with female student-athletes who sued the school for violating Title IX. Iowa City-based attorney Larew, who represents the ladies, penned a letter to Tulane Sports Law Program co-Founder Feldman, whom Larew nominated to serve as UI’s Title IX monitor for the next three years as part of the settlement: “We have concerns that are both procedural and substantive regarding the initial report. … First, as a matter of process, we were surprised to first learn of your initial report by reading about it in the newspaper. Neither we nor our clients were ever contacted during your initial review process nor in what was described in media reports as a one-day visit to the University of Iowa campus in August…. Second, as a matter of substance, the initial report sets forth conclusions, but does not describe the data reviewed or relied upon, or the modes of analysis used.” More on the 11-page report, including Feldman’s assessment that “in the aggregate” the school appears to be in compliance, and where he did find discrepancies, such as equitable facilities and athletic opportunities, he found the Hawkeyes are on track to comply. (link)
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The state of Iowa will pay $2M to settle a wrongful death claim made by the family of an Iowa State student who died in a March 2021 Club Crew accident. The claim alleged ISU “recklessly and negligently” allowed the group to participate in activities without following “critical health and safety procedures.” (link) |
The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear an appeal from Michigan State regarding the impact eliminating its men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams had on its Title IX compliance. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed with an initial district court ruling in MSU’s favor and sent the case back, saying that it needed to base its decision about MSU’s compliance with the proportionality standard in a different way than the percentages. The three-judge panel ruled that the decision needs to be based on the numerical gap in the school's men's and women's athlete populations caused by the women's team's elimination and how that number compares to the size of a "viable" team. MSU made its bid for appeal of that ruling to SCOTUS in late July, but in the meantime, the case continued moving forward in the lower courts. MSU: “While disappointed, we accept the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision. Over the coming days and weeks, MSU will focus on the trial court proceedings, including the submission of a compliance plan.” (link)
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Michigan Court of Claims Judge Swartzle has given Michigan State 10 days to turn over to the Detroit Free Press agreements between the school and two of its largest donors, Ishbia and St. Andre. In his opinion filed on Monday, Swartzle: “MSU has not pointed this Court to a single authority applying Michigan law that supports its contention that the amounts of the gifts, the payment schedules, or the donors' expressed desires for how the university should use the funds constitute private or confidential information. Both Ishbia and St. Andre made non-anonymous donations to MSU (a public entity), and their subjective belief that the amount of those gifts would remain confidential does not establish that the agreements contain private or confidential information.” (link)
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A public records lawsuit between investigative media consultant Dolcefino and Texas Tech regarding late Mississippi State FB HC/former TTU HC Leach’s dismissal and subsequent reputational damage can continue, despite the coach’s passing and pending a decision from his widow to foot the legal bills. Litigation has cost approximately $300K, with legal fees totaling between $20K-30K per month. (link)
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The Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it would not re-hear unsettled federal lawsuits against Ohio State regarding sexual abuse by late team doctor Strauss. (link) |
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Deals, Partnerships & Collaborations |
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Florida State partnered with Athlete Network to enhance communication with current and former student-athletes. (link) |
NC State will partner with telehealth provider AcademicLiveCare to provide every degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate student up to 12 free counseling sessions over the next year. (link) |
The Texas System will partner with Google to offer Google Career Certificates in the fields of e-commerce, project management, UX design and more to students across the eight University of Texas institutions. (link) |
The National Nuclear Security Administration expanded its contract with Texas A&M and Triad National Security LLC to continue managing and operating the Los Alamos National Laboratory through October 31, 2028. Los Alamos currently operates with a $4B annual budget and employs over 15K employees. (link) |
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