University Council Minutes
Members:
President Brock Tessman, Dean Adams, Fran Albrecht, Justin Arndt, Richard Badenhausen, Sreedala Bajwa, Mike Becker, Jennifer Brown, Beth Burroughs, Matt Caires, Leon Costello, Doug Downs, Christine Foreman, Leanne Frost, Stephanie Gray, Jeannette GreyGilbert, Brian Gillespie, Alison Harmon, Stefani Hicswa, Emma Hoegh, John How, Ryan Knutson, Chere LeClair, Terry Leist, Matthew Lovern, Sally Mudiamu, Kim Obbink, Kellie Peterson, Doralyn Rossmann, Tricia Seifert, Sarah Shannon, Cody Stone, Steve Swinford, Will Thomas, James Tobin, Brad White, Scott Williams, Ben Wilson
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Members Absent: Brian Gillespie, Jeannette GreyGilbert, Chere LeClair, Luke Schalewski
I. Call to Order
Meeting called to order at 8:30am
II. Approval of Minutes for August 19, 2026
Motion to approve by Sarah Shannon
Second by Stephanie Gray
Unanimous Approval
III. University Wife Information /Announcements
M Photo / Student Kickoff Event
Athletics Success
Appreciation for Dean Shannon after retirement announcement
Welcome to new folks: Emma Hoegh; Jennifer Brown
Strategic Plan Update
IV. Public Comment (30 minutes)
No Public Comment
V. Old Items
a. Project Fee Assessment Policy
John How, Associate Vice President, University Facilities Management
Richard Rudnicki, Director, Planning, Design and Construction
Motion to Table until the spring made by Dean Adams
Second by Terry Leist
Unanimous Approval
VI. New Items
a. Student Accommodations and Appeal Policy
Wendy Guido, Director, Disability Services
Jennifer Glad, Associate Legal Counsel
Presented the policy changes and answered questions.
b. Personal Care Attendant Policy
Wendy Guido, Director, Disability Services
Jennifer Glad, Associate Legal Counsel
Presented the policy changes and answered questions.
VII. Informational Items
a. 2026 Dyslexia & Innovation Symposium
Jeffrey Conger, Professor, School of Art: Sarah Pennington
Presentation and questions
VIII. Updates
MSU Northern - Orientation for faculty, staff, and students; fill all vacant faculty positions; happy to be here.
Great Falls College - Otter Week; orientation
MSU Billings - Start classes next Wednesday; last week had Centennial Kick-Off event;
Strategic Plan framework built out - Magic Makers, Stubbornly yours, uncommonly united with community, Built differently for student success; see many at BOR in Billings in a couple of weeks.
MSU Northern will present an update next University Council meeting
River Runs Through It page to stage event at Duck Pond tomorrow at 7:00pm
October 6 - Research on the Road (Red Lodge)
November 9 - Centers and Core Day
September 11 - Pop-up concert in Asbjornson Hall - MSU Choral, Stoneback and Graff - 25th anniversary of 9/11 at 1pm
September 8 - Closing Shakespeare in the Parks in Grant Park
September 10 - Mountains and Miles 5k - run, walk, volunteer
Herrick Hall - 100th Birthday - Friday, September 25th Open House
Monday, September 28 - Executive Director of the Rural National Education Association and Why Rural Matters - being here for distinguished lecture - Inspiration Hall @ 5:30pm
MSU Debut last week - biggest/best ever to date - Paint the M in a couple weeks
Homecoming Parade at 10am and Serenade at Holy Rosary
MRJCON Bozeman - September 18 @ 3pm
MRJCON Billings - September 23 @ 10pm
MRJCON Kalispell - October 12 @ 3pm
MRJCON Missoula - October 13 @ 1pm
Gianforte Hall Grand Opening - September 10 @ 1pm
September 22 - Sustainability Summit @ 6pm
MSUAF Collegian will be in the mail - 95,000 alums and friends
There will be a conversation that may happen about University Council updates to structure Orientation tonight and first Senate meeting tomorrow
IX. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 9:41am