Trustees Kelly, Byrum honored for combined 24 years of service on board
During the last Board of Trustees meeting for the 2024 calendar year, outgoing Board Chair Dan Kelly and Trustee Dianne Byrum were each honored for their service, dedication and leadership to the MSU community.
Trustees pose with outgoing Board Chair Dan Kelly and Trustee Dianne Byrum.Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
MSU trustees approve Spartan Stadium renovation plan
Michigan State University’s Board of Trustees approved a resolution to modernize Spartan Stadium with short- and long-term improvements.
The first phase focuses on replacing the stadium’s three outdated videoboards. These boards have become obsolete, and replacement parts are no longer available. The project begins in January, with completion expected before the fall 2025 football season.
Renovations also include updates to suites on the fourth, seventh and eighth floors. Modern ADA-compliant restroom facilities will be added, along with upgrades to seating, flooring and concessions. These changes aim to enhance usability and support MSU Athletics’ philanthropic efforts.
Looking ahead, the university is initiating plans for a phased approach to fully modernize Spartan Stadium, one of MSU’s most iconic landmarks. Proposed upgrades include structural repairs, enhanced safety and security, improved seating and concourses, and expanded concessions and restrooms. The long-term goal is to improve the overall fan experience while ensuring the stadium continues to serve the MSU community.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
Trustees revise investment policy to strengthen oversight and increase endowment spending
The board has approved significant updates to its investment policy BOT 607. The revisions, aimed at aligning with modern institutional practices and enhancing governance, include an increase in the endowment spending rate and the establishment of new oversight mechanisms.
Key changes to BOT 607 include raising the annual endowment spending rate from 4.4% to 4.8%, reflecting the university’s strong investment performance over the past eight years. The policy now incorporates improved conflict-of-interest protections and establishes a university committee of students, faculty and staff to formally address divestment concerns. This committee, to be appointed by the president, is expected to be operational within the next year.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
Trustees retire outdated policy to streamline governance
The MSU Board of Trustees has approved the rescission of BOT 801, a policy established in 1980 to centralize the university’s development program. The decision, finalized on Dec. 13, 2024, reflects a broader effort to modernize and simplify MSU’s governance framework by retiring outdated or redundant policies.
BOT 801 was originally introduced to oversee the formulation and management of fundraising activities for the university. At the time, it served as a mechanism to establish centralized control over private-sector support initiatives. However, this policy has not been revised since its enactment, and its provisions have since been absorbed into the Board of Trustees’ Bylaws.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
MSU trustees approve key updates to Bylaws for Academic Governance
The MSU Board of Trustees has adopted amendments to the Bylaws for Academic Governance, reflecting a commitment to enhancing clarity, inclusivity and functionality within academic operations. The revisions address four key sections of the bylaws and incorporate recommendations from the University Committee on Academic Governance.
The updates include defining the duration of partial terms for faculty replacements on standing committees to ensure consistency in service expectations. Membership of the University Committee on Undergraduate Education has been expanded to include representation from International Studies and Programs, further diversifying perspectives in academic decision-making.
Significant changes were also made to the Athletic Council. The revisions clarify the roles, term limits and responsibilities of the faculty athletic representative, shift student election authority to student governments, and recommend greater student-athlete representation. Additionally, the council must now publish all meeting materials and reports online, promoting transparency.
Finally, the University Academic Integrity Hearing Board was renamed the Academic Hearing Pool to better reflect its role and scope. This change eliminates confusion surrounding the board’s function within the university’s academic hearing system.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
Trustees approve revision to bylaws and plan for enhanced Spartan community engagement
The Board of Trustees has approved amendments to Article 2 of its bylaws, reducing the minimum number of formal board meetings from six to five per calendar year. The decision reflects efforts to streamline governance while enhancing opportunities for community engagement and dialogue with stakeholders.
The revised meeting schedule will include two formal board meetings each in the fall and spring semesters, and one in the summer aligned with the board’s annual retreat.
To strengthen Spartan community dialogue, the board has tasked the president and board secretary with presenting recommendations by February 2025 for alternative engagement methods. This plan includes hosting an in-person community engagement forum in September 2025, replacing a formal board meeting. The forum aims to provide a broader platform for the Spartan community, student leaders and external stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue. The board emphasized that the reduction in formal meetings will not diminish communication with the university community. Instead, it seeks to create additional avenues for community participation.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
MSU trustees approve new endowment fund for farm stress support
The MSU Board of Trustees has established the “Extension Farm Stress Management Project Fund,” a new fund functioning as an endowment to support the MSU Extension Farm Stress Management Project. The fund, managed by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, aims to provide sustainable support for programs that address the unique challenges faced by farmers, farm families and those who support them. These include counseling services, stress management training, program development, outreach and staff support. The fund is designed to ensure farmers have access to the resources they need while facing challenges, such as low commodity prices, natural disasters or on-farm injuries.
Contact: Kelly Kussmaul, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: kussmau3@msu.edu
MSU trustees approve land acquisition for dairy research expansion
The MSU Board of Trustees has authorized the potential purchase of approximately 92 acres of farmland in Alaiedon Township, Michigan, to support the expansion of the Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center. The acquisition will enhance feed production capacity for MSU’s growing dairy cattle herd, ensuring the success of this critical agricultural initiative. The purchase is a strategic move to meet the increased demands of the center, which is set to expand its herd from 220 to 680 cows. The additional herd size aligns with modern industry standards for teaching and research, addressing a backlog of research projects.
Contact: Kelly Kussmaul, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: kussmau3@msu.edu
MSU trustees establish endowment fund for Spartan Marching Band support
The MSU Board of Trustees has approved the creation of the Spartan Marching Band Fund Functioning as an Endowment, or FFE. This new fund will provide ongoing support for the renowned Spartan Marching Band. The endowment was proposed by the College of Music and reviewed by the Trustee Committee on Budget and Finance.
Expenditures from the fund will be directed at the discretion of the director of the Spartan Marching Band in consultation with the director of Bands. The fund is expected to bolster various aspects of the band’s activities, including performances, equipment, and operational needs.
Contact: Richard Seguin, College of Music: seguinr@msu.edu; Michael Sundermann, College of Music: sunderm7@msu.edu
MSU trustees approve sponsored research agreements with Proton Bio and Iaso Therapeutics
The MSU Board of Trustees approved sponsored research agreements with Proton Bio, Inc. and Iaso Therapeutics, Inc. Proton Bio’s agreement focuses on GPR68 as a ferroptosis-based therapy for glioblastoma. MSU researcher Dr. Edmund Ellsworth will lead pharmacokinetics and other studies in the Life Sciences Building. Faculty members Dr. Charles Williams and Dr. Charles Hong disclosed financial interests in Proton Bio per MSU’s conflict-of-interest policies.
Iaso Therapeutics’ collaboration involves studying immune responses to a next-generation vaccine using mQβ capsid protein conjugated with a Salmonella-derived antigen. Dr. Zhen Qiu, supported by the Medicinal Chemistry CORE Facility, will conduct the research funding from Iaso. Faculty member Dr. Xuefei Huang disclosed a financial interest in the company.
Contact: Dalin Clark, University Communications and Marketing: 616-308-8590, dalin.clark@msu.edu
Board of Trustees honors graduates with perfect GPAs
Seventy-seven MSU graduates have achieved what many aspire to – a perfect GPA. The board honored these students with the Board of Trustees’ Award at its Dec. 13 meeting. The award recognizes the extraordinary accomplishment of maintaining the highest scholastic average, a 4.0 GPA, throughout students’ academic journey.
Contact: Amber McCann, University Communications and Marketing: 248-703-5191, mccanna3@msu.edu
Faculty appointments with tenure
Other personal actions
The following actions include tenure recommendations which were delayed last spring, recommended by the department chairpersons/school directors, deans, and provost in accordance with tenure rules. The following promotion(s) include the award of tenure and are recommended to be effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Committee reports: Year in review
Over the past year, each committee has been active. Below are highlights of the board’s work:
Academic Affairs Committee
Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee
Budget and Finance Committee
Student Life and Culture Committee