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The following are news briefs from the мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Regents August 28, 2024 special board meeting. Full board materials are available .  

Leading with Purpose for мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê: Board Approves Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report 
The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Regents and its public universities are committed to addressing today’s challenges head-on while helping to drive the change necessary for a better tomorrow. The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Regents FY 2024 Annual Report details how the board is spearheading efforts to train мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s next generation of health care professionals, developing the workforce needed by the state’s high-tech industries, and enhancing fiscal management of the universities to ensure the long-term health of the institutions. Read the report.

мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Teachers Academy Ensures Quality Teachers for мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Classrooms
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public universities are working to address the teacher shortage by investing in future educators. Since 2018, the program has graduated more than 5,000 teachers through мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Teachers Academy scholarships, which offer free tuition for students who agree to teach in мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê schools. The program served over 3,250 students in FY 2024. Read the report.

University Research Impacts мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Êns
Through the Technology and Research Initiative Fund, approved by voters in 2001, the board and its public universities are investing in research and workforce development that result in outcomes that positively impact мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê. Read the FY 2024 report here. Below are a few examples of the work this taxpayer funding is supporting:

• Regents’ Research and Community Grants pair мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public university researchers with government agencies and community organizations to address longstanding challenges in мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê. This year, the board approved grants to support research and technology transfer at the Phoenix Bioscience Core, for statewide attainment and workforce initiatives, and more.
• ASU was selected to lead one of nine inaugural Regional Innovation Engines by the National Science Foundation. The Southwest Sustainability Innovation Engine is a regional collaborative to transform climate challenges in water, energy and carbon into economic opportunities. The NSF will fund SWSIE’s initial development and growth with $15 million over the next two years, and the engine can be renewed for up to 10 years with $160 million in funding available.
• NAU researchers in the Adapting to a Changing Environment program secured four separate multimillion-dollar awards from external sponsors, including the largest award from a private foundation in NAU history; this program has mentored nearly sixty undergraduates in the past year.
• U of A researchers integrated AI-driven data analytics to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advancing decarbonization pathways in мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê's building and transportation sectors and enriching educational curricula.

Board Approves Annual Personnel Report
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public universities compete with hundreds of public and private universities throughout the country to attract and retain talented faculty and staff. The board’s FY 2024 Annual Personnel Report provides details on employee population, compensation, turnover rates and market comparisons. Read the report. 

Universities Save Millions through Cost Containment Measures
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public universities continually focus on lowering costs and identifying innovative opportunities for savings. The FY 2024 Annual Cost Containment Report details some examples of the actions taken by each university to contain costs and the savings associated with those actions. Highlights of these cost efficiency measures include мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê State University saving $25.9 million, Northern мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê University’s $1.3 million and the University of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê $30 million. Read the report.

U of A Continues to Expand Adaptive Athletic Offerings
The U of A supports the largest adaptive athletics program in the United States with eight competitive teams and an adaptive fitness center with support from the FY2025 state budget and university matching funds. The university plans to use the $160,000 budget to expand its competitive sports offering as well continue to support scholarship offerings, purchase of sports equipment, and proper uniforms and travel support. U of A’s adaptive athletes are recruited from across the country and have competed at the top levels of sport, including the Olympics. Learn more here.

Commitment to Protecting Free Speech Outlined in Board’s Annual Free Expression Report
The board and мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public universities remain committed to protecting free speech and intellectual freedom as a bedrock principle at its institutions. The FY 2024 Free Expression Annual Report outlines the universities' adherence to the policies. All three of мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê’s public universities maintain the highest green light rating from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), recognizing the commitment of the board and the universities to free speech. Read the report.

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request Focused on Developing the Health Care Workforce, Expanding Access and Workforce Readiness
The мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê Board of Regents’ FY 2025 budget request is focused on addressing the critical health care workforce shortage, expanding access to universities, and capital investments to repair aging facilities and meet the demands of a 21st century economy. The board voted to approve the budget request but may update the budget items at a future meeting. Learn more here.