Strategic Roadmap - Campus meeting Nov 5

 

Campus community, Academic Planning and Fall 2026 Academic Programs Throughout this past year, I have been grateful for the inspiring conversations we have had as a community. We have discussed our mission, vision, and values in the context of a changing federal and state landscape. We have considered how to improve processes and become better stewards of existing resources while seeking to support all members of our community. We are now positioned to chart our path so that we can create a powerful learning community that is distinctly UMD. Strategic Roadmap President Cunningham recently shared the University of Minnesota's collective Strategic Roadmap during NEXT: Forward to Our Future. It was an inspiring event celebrating the University of Minnesota. I had the privilege of co-chairing the development of the Strategic Roadmap alongside Dean Andrew Alleyne of the Twin Cities campus’ College of Science and Engineering. When this process began, I was still in my first year as Chancellor, and it proved to be an invaluable opportunity to deepen my understanding of the University’s strengths and its powerful partnerships across the state. Many of you contributed your insights through town halls, surveys, and feedback sessions. Thank you for your thoughtful engagement—your voices helped shape this bold and ambitious plan to build on decades of excellence and propel the University forward. It’s exciting to see our campus reflected throughout the roadmap. Educational programs like SAIL and the Hub for Integrated Learning and Leadership, interdisciplinary research initiatives supported by the Large Lakes Observatory and the Bureau or Business and Economic Research, and important community partnerships such as those we have with Tribal Sovereignty Institute, which provides Tribal-State Relations Training for the entire state of Minnesota, or the Robert F Pierce Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, which offers free services to the community, illustrate how we are already leading in many areas and have opportunities to grow and innovate even further. As we move ahead, our campus will make thoughtful decisions about how we prioritize and steward the resources entrusted to us. These decisions will be guided by our mission, values, and shared commitment to our developing campus strategic roadmap. In the upcoming months, Provost Ropers will lead the campus through a strategic planning process that will highlight the University of Minnesota Duluth’s excellence and identify our opportunities to advance the University of Minnesota’s strategic priorities. Our research mission remains a key strategic priority. Beginning December 1, 2025, Shashank Priya, vice president for research and innovation, will take on a new role at the University of Minnesota. Part of that role includes serving as an advisor to me, supporting research growth, and helping advance the University of Minnesota Duluth’s research enterprise. This is an exciting time for us to expand our potential. I invite you to join a Campus Conversation at 1:15 pm on Wednesday, November 5, in the Kirby Ballroom. This gathering will serve as the first of several engagements to guide the development of our campus strategic roadmap as we build on our future. As I mentioned at the campus celebration in early September, now is the time to draw upon our 130-year history of excellence to create something even more remarkable: a place filled with curiosity that nurtures people and ideas, where engagement leads to more just and healthy communities, and where education creates opportunities for individual and collective transformation. I look forward to collaborating with you in this critical work to elevate the extraordinary at UMD and throughout the entire University of Minnesota.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Academic Planning and Fall 2026 Academic Programs (Sent 10/21)

 Dear UMD Faculty and Staff:

To those of you who were able to make the campus town hall today, thank you for your time and participation. As a follow-up, we write to share information about our collaborative efforts to maintain a robust portfolio of academic programs in the context of significant changes in resource availability. As President Cunningham has described in previous communication, higher education in this country is experiencing challenges. For UMD, those conditions exacerbate existing structural budget deficits. We are committed to working with you to steward available resources to achieve the greatest impact. In that spirit, our academic program decisions are being guided by the following principles:

Align with our mission, vision, values, and core identity
The UMD community will soon develop a new strategic plan to revisit and affirm our mission, vision, and values. In that process, we commit to prioritizing teaching, research, and service in four emerging areas of signature strength: cultural and global engagement, environmental sustainability, community and economic vitality, and health and well-being. We are committed to interdisciplinary and experiential education experiences that prepare students to make a difference in the world.

Meet the needs of our students and the larger community
In determining how UMD can offer programs that meet community needs, we are considering student demand and employment projections. We are also considering whether students have access to similar programs at universities in the region or if we might partner with other institutions to maintain programs at UMD. These decisions are part of the normal process of programmatic change, though they are accelerated to meet this moment.

Rely on the wisdom of our campus community
In addition to conversations in shared governance, collegiate and department units, campus-wide forums, and the budget call process, an Academic Revisioning Committee provided us with procedural recommendations to guide academic program decisions. Their recommendations (including building a dashboard to more easily understand data, involving an academic review committee to analyze relevant data, and having a full program portfolio evaluation on a regular cycle) are being operationalized to guide future decisions. Current decisions are also aligned with ARC’s recommendations to consider institutional alignment, student demand, and curricular efficiency. We know that not everyone will agree with specific decisions; however, we have tried to reflect the guidance of our community. 

With these three principles in mind, we are implementing the following strategies:

Suspend admission or decrease the scope of undergraduate programs

• Suspend admissions to four bachelor’s degrees, twelve undergraduate minors, and one undergraduate certificate program. With these changes, UMD’s undergraduate program offerings in fall 2026 will include 88 majors (down from 92), 66 minors (down from 78), and 7 certificates (down from 8). 
• All students currently enrolled in the impacted programs will be able to complete the programs at UMD within a reasonable timeframe. 
• Ninety-nine percent of current students are enrolled in a major that remains active.

Reduce academic personnel in programs with declining and/or consistently low enrollments

• Partner with area universities and other University of Minnesota campuses to retain programs while reducing personnel needs.
• Align faculty resources with current enrollments and trends.
• Support voluntary faculty departure to minimize the impact on our faculty and staff.

Reorganize and create interdisciplinary opportunities and efficiencies within colleges

• Reorganize academic and administrative units in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to streamline administrative processes and promote interdisciplinarity.
• Reenvision graduate programs in the Swenson College of Science and Engineering to create and strengthen interdisciplinary programs.
• Identify curricular efficiencies to streamline and strengthen curricular paths for students.

In addition to changes to academic programs, reallocations have been implemented for administrative offices, finance, facilities, human resources, police services, information technology, and athletics. We are also diversifying our revenue streams, for example, by seeking research and foundation funding and nurturing philanthropic partnerships. We are developing partnerships within and outside the University of Minnesota to strengthen our impact in and well beyond our region. 

Thank you for your investment in the UMD community. We are committed to building a vibrant future together in which inclusive excellence in research, teaching, and service transforms lives. 

With appreciation,

Rebecca Ropers, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Matt Massman, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations

Greetings from the Chancellor I

 

Dear UMD students, faculty, and staff, As we near the close of Welcome Week and the start of the new academic year, I am filled with optimism. Campus is full of energy from our new and returning students and the incredible mix of activities that are helping build connections and foster community. Please take a moment to watch this short video greeting that previews just a few of the things happening this fall.

It has been a pleasure to meet some of you over the last few days and to experience move-in with our new students. I look forward to more connections and conversations as the semester unfolds. Bulldog Welcome Week activities continue into this weekend, and I encourage our new students to participate and get to know the campus and our beautiful city. Students, please remember that we are here for you. Your success is our top priority. It’s my hope that you take advantage of your time here and explore all UMD has to offer, including the wide array of student organizations, activities, and support available to help you achieve your goals. With classes starting on Monday, please continue to fuel your commitment to curiosity, discovery, and learning, as we all work together to make your UMD experience the best it can be.  See you around campus.

Charles Nies Chancellor

Welcome back to campus

 

Dear colleagues, Welcome to the new academic year! New student move-in starts on Wednesday and Thursday and classes begin Monday. We are off to what feels like a quick start. You can find the Welcome Week schedule online. I’d encourage you to join as you’re able, including the Bulldog Welcome Week Kickoff! in Romano Gym on Thursday at 4 p.m. We’ll be cheering students on as they enter at 3:45, replicating the same way we celebrate them as they graduate and creating a wonderful full circle connection. It would be great to have you there to welcome our new Bulldogs. Whatever way you’re able to participate in welcoming our community back to campus this week, thank you for being a part of it. Many of you joined us at the faculty and staff welcome event yesterday for a chance to connect and make generous contributions to Champ’s Cupboard. At the event, I shared reflections on the incredible energy and momentum at UMD. I'm filled with optimism about where we're headed as a community. UMD has a powerful story to tell. My first year was about listening, learning, and understanding that story—so I can share it widely and proudly. Yesterday, I shared just a few recent stories that I’ve heard or been witness to, from joining our faculty and student scholars on Lake Superior to see some of the work that exemplifies why UMD has earned its Carnegie Research University classification, to witnessing our students present on impactful research and perform in the arts, to community events like Concerts on the Pier at Glensheen. Our campus is thriving – U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Duluth among the top 15 college towns in the Midwest. Duluth is the only city in Minnesota to receive this distinction. Our campus received national recognition as an opportunity university, highlighting both access to UMD and strong post-graduate earnings. We’ve expanded our research profile with increased support for faculty and students to engage in groundbreaking discovery, and earned national recognition as a community-engaged university because of our sustained commitment to and deep partnerships throughout Duluth and the surrounding region. This recognition speaks to the vibrant community we've built together. UMD’s distinctive strengths—our research, our student experience, and our deep ties to the northland and region—are central to the University of Minnesota’s collective future. As I think about the beginning of this academic year, I recognize that ​​we have much to celebrate, from our academic excellence to community engagement and student successes. Much of that can be distilled to the real connections that we can make here at UMD. We’re the right-sized institution—big enough to offer a rich collegiate experience, to foster abundant curiosity and discovery, yet small enough for students to build meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow students. Students consistently share how those connections open doors and shape their futures. I’d encourage each of you to find those opportunities where you can connect with students within and beyond the classroom. While final enrollment statistics will not be available until later in the semester, early indicators suggest positive momentum, with growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment. I look forward to sharing those figures with you soon. Every interaction, moment, and adventure our student scholars have while attending UMD is a step toward their future and a learning opportunity. Those experiences provide the groundwork for a lifetime of achievements, while also offering something that is unique to this institution, community, state, and region.  Thank you for being a part of this amazing place, for supporting our student scholars as they pursue their goals, and for making UMD what it is. Have a great start to the year.

Sincerely,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Vice Chancellor for Advancement search

 

Dear colleagues, I am excited to share that we have launched the search for the vice chancellor of advancement (VCA). This important UMD leadership position serves as the lead development officer for the university and provides visionary leadership to advance our mission. The VCA is responsible for the coordination of campus fundraising efforts, annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, and alumni relations. This leadership role will focus on strong partnerships across the university and will work closely with the University of Minnesota Foundation.  Director of Athletics Forrest Karr, has agreed to serve as chair of the search advisory committee. Other committee members include: Donna Goeden (director, scholarship and financial aid), Tracy Ketchem (associate vice president, UMN Foundation), Wendy Reed (dean, Swenson College of Science and Engineering), Burke Scarbrough (chair, teaching communication arts & literature/faculty senate rep), and Steve Wick (grant administrator, sponsored projects/staff assembly rep). Jean Neibauer will provide support for the search and is available if you have any questions. We will be working with Greenwood Asher & Associates to provide executive search firm support for our process.  Please share this posting with leaders who may be interested and will help us advance the great work at UMD. Our goal is to have candidates on campus in September with the hope that our new colleague will join shortly thereafter. Sincerely,

Charles Nies Chancellor

You’re invited | Inauguration of Chancellor Charles Nies

Dear Colleagues: You are cordially invited to join us as we celebrate the inauguration of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s 10th Chancellor Charles T. Nies, PhD, on Friday, September 5, 2025. The ceremony will take place from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus. Following the inauguration ceremony, you are invited to stop by the community celebration in Ordean Court from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m., which will feature live entertainment, interactive stations, light refreshments, and photo opportunities.

Register for all events

Seating at the ceremony is limited. Register for tickets as soon as possible but no later than August 25. To request disability accommodations, please email chan@d.umn.edu or call 218-726-7106. Thank you for sharing in this historic moment for the University of Minnesota Duluth. For updates on inaugural events, including live stream information, visit the inauguration website.

Chancellor's Welcome Breakfast - August 18, 2025

 

Dear colleagues, I invite you to join me the morning of Monday, August 18, as we kick off the 2025-2026 academic year. As we did last year, I'll have a short welcome message and we will use the rest of the time to mingle and connect with each other. Here are the details: Monday, August 18, 2025 10:00 - 11:00 am Kirby Student Lounge Breakfast foods will be available As has been done in the past, we will be collecting nonperishable food and other items for Champ's Cupboard, the UMD Food Shelf located in 245 Kirby Plaza. Cash donations are also accepted. Unused/unopened/unexpired items specifically needed are: Pasta (gluten-free pasta as well) Pasta sauces Condiments (sauces, peanut butter, jelly, mustard, ketchup, ranch dressing, vegetable oil, etc.) Cereals Canned tuna and chicken Baking items (sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking mixes, etc.) Rice Toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, detergent

I look forward to seeing you! Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor Note: if you have disability-related accommodations or dietary requests, please contact Carlee Williams at cwillia1@d.umn.edu or 218-726-6202 at least two weeks prior to the event.

UMD budget update (6/26/25)

 

Dear Colleagues, Over the last couple of weeks you have received communications from University of Minnesota leadership about our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. These messages and the approved budget represent a new strategy to navigate the financial challenges facing the university. This balanced budget addresses the constrained state funding, cuts to federal investments, and rising inflation. The budget includes solutions to meet the challenges of our current financial reality and to ensure the long-term well-being of UMD.   UMD FY26 Budget Under the approved University of Minnesota budget, UMD’s budget for FY26 is $301.1 million for all non-sponsored programs and operations, which is 4% higher than FY25. Net tuition revenue and state-appropriated operations and maintenance (O&M) funding represent about 58% of non-sponsored resources. Those critical resources remain relatively flat.  Navigating the profound challenges facing higher education will require difficult choices as well as investment in the people and programs that enable UMD to fulfill its mission. In particular, the U of M budget calls for a 7% reduction in O&M expenses over FY26 and FY27. That budget also invests in our outstanding faculty and staff, student success priorities, buildings and infrastructure, and research. Scope reductions will be uncomfortable and will affect every campus, college, and unit across the University. These changes will enable us to focus our resources on the programs and investments that are most essential to our identity and most impactful for those we serve. In partnership with UMD leaders, I will continue over the next several months to fine-tune our strategy and reduce our budget to meet the challenges of our current times.  Fall 2025 Tuition UMD’s resident and Midwest tuition rates will increase by 4% beginning fall 2025. With the increase, resident tuition will be nearly 12% lower than it was in 2014 after adjusting for inflation. That tuition adjustment helps sustain the experiential learning and research experiences that prepare our students for successful careers and lives. The value of a UMD education remains strong, and I am pleased that we were able to keep our change in tuition lower than the increases experienced at many other universities. We remain firmly committed to accessibility and affordability through the University, state, and federal financial aid programs. Additionally, University and donor-supported scholarships continue to make education accessible and affordable, so that our students graduate with an average loan debt far below the national average. Financial Path Forward I am grateful to the deans, research directors, and all unit leaders for their creativity and engagement in the UMD budget call process earlier this spring. We also appreciate the insights and guidance of shared governance leaders, department heads, the academic revisioning committee, and many others in campus conversations throughout this last year. There is no shortage of passion for this campus and for our students.   I ask for your continued participation and support as we navigate these financial challenges together. Working in partnership, I am confident that we will remain a strong institution for many years to come.  Thank you,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Announcing our new executive vice chancellor and provost (June 6, 2025)

 

Dear UMD community, I am excited to announce Rebecca Ropers as our new executive vice chancellor and provost. She has been serving in the interim role since July 1, 2024, and I am grateful for her leadership this past year and excited about the future. Dr. Ropers has been a scholar and educational leader for nearly three decades, first at Louisiana State University and for the last 18 years at the University of Minnesota. Beginning with her PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she has prioritized faculty development and organizational change to facilitate inclusive and engaged communities. She has held many leadership roles, including department chair, chair of the faculty governance executive body, and vice provost for faculty and academic affairs. Before joining UMD, she served as the senior advisor for academic leadership and conflict resolution on the Twin Cities campus. As EVC/Provost, Dr. Ropers serves as the chief academic officer for the campus and senior advisor to the chancellor. Provost Ropers will provide visionary leadership for academic programs and processes while collaboratively fostering a culture of connection, excellence, and innovation. Dr. Ropers has proven to be a thoughtful leader with tremendous dedication to our UMD community. I’m thrilled that she will continue to share her talents, insights, and curiosity with us into the future. Please join me in congratulating Rebecca on this important appointment, which will officially begin soon, upon approval by the Board of Regents. I also want to express my gratitude to the search advisory committee for their work in this process. The search was chaired by Matt Massman. Other committee members included Kim Dauner, Abel Knochel, Ryan Goei, Catherine O’Reilly, Brianne Vigen, and Aidan Zeissler. The search was supported by Jean Neibauer. Sincerely,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Envisioning UMD’s Mission and Values

 

Dear Colleagues, We write to follow up on the experience of nearly 200 faculty and staff who shared their views during our May 12th forum on Our Mission, Our Values, Our Community. Our time together was filled with honest reflection, powerful storytelling, and thoughtful connection. We are grateful for the insights, deep engagement, and generosity of spirit of those who attended. We’re excited to share two pieces that capture the heart of what emerged at the May gathering: The summary report by Jen Mein describes what we heard throughout our time together, including key themes, quotes, and collective hopes for UMD’s future. The graphic recording by Viola Clark brings our conversations to life in visual form in a way that is full of truth, clarity, and inspiration. This forum was part of a larger effort to align our mission and expressed values with who we are and where we’re headed. What was shared will shape how we plan our future and live into our purpose with clarity and care. Whether or not you attended, please know that we are in the process of co-creating UMD's future. You will receive invitations to join our strategic planning efforts, which will begin in earnest in the fall. We’re grateful for your voice, your vision, and how you show up for our campus community. Please reach out if you have thoughts, questions, or reflections you’d like to share moving forward. With deep appreciation, Charles Nies, Chancellor Rebecca Ropers, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Announcing our new vice chancellor for student life

 

Dear UMD community, I am excited to announce that Kay Robinson will be joining us as our new vice chancellor for student life (VCSL). Dr. Robinson has over two decades of experience in student affairs, directly working with or overseeing student involvement and culture, leadership, and campus programs. Robinson comes to UMD from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she had served for 17 years, most recently in the role of assistant vice president of student affairs. Previously, Robinson served as assistant director of the Ohio Union at The Ohio State University. A lifelong learner, she holds a doctorate in higher education leadership from Maryville University - St. Louis, a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. The VCSL is a key member of the university’s senior leadership team and is responsible for shaping a holistic student experience by creating and implementing strategic initiatives, building key partnerships, and leading an experienced team to advance student success and belonging. Dr. Robinson’s strategic visioning, relational leadership, and emphasis on supporting transformative student experiences will be a great asset here at UMD. Her strengths lie in building, cultivating, and maintaining positive relationships. Please join me in welcoming Kay to campus. Her first day will be July 7. I want to express my gratitude to Jeremy Leiferman, who stepped into the interim vice chancellor for student life position upon Dr. Lisa Erwin’s retirement last summer. Jeremy is a strong leader with a sincere passion for our students. He did an incredible job in the interim role and will continue to be a great asset to our leadership team here at UMD. Jeremy will resume the associate vice chancellor for student life role once Kay begins. Thank you, Jeremy. I also want to express my gratitude to the search advisory committee and our search partner Isaacson, Miller for their work in this successful process. The search was co-chaired by Trevor Eagle and Remi Foust. Other committee members included Jonathan Lee, Kaylyn Madison, Lesa Radtke, and Ella Swarbrick. The search was supported by Jean Neibauer. Have a good day,

Charles Nies Chancellor

End of semester greetings

UMD students, faculty, and staff, Congratulations on a successful semester and the conclusion of finals week! I can't believe how quickly this year has gone. I wanted to share this brief video message with you to help commemorate the end of this semester and the academic year. Thanks again for a great year. I’ve learned so much in my first year here as chancellor, and I trust that each of you has expanded your knowledge as well. To our graduates, congratulations! We are so proud of you, your determination, and your hard work. Thank you for all you’ve done to contribute to UMD and our campus community. Please stay engaged with us and know that you’re always welcome back to campus. We look forward to seeing where this next chapter in your journey takes you! It’s my hope that you enjoy a restful and restorative summer. Best,

Charles Nies Chancellor

You’re Invited, May 12: Our Mission, Our Values, Our Community

 

Dear Colleagues, Now is a time to ensure UMD’s values and identity reflect who we truly are. Let’s build clarity and community—together. We invite all UMD faculty and staff to join us for a half-day retreat to shape UMD’s next chapter:   Our Mission, Our Values, Our Community May 12, 9 am to 2 pm (coffee served at 8:30; lunch included) Kirby Ballroom Please RSVP here and add to your calendar   This isn’t just another meeting. It’s a space to think big, listen deeply, and contribute to the evolving story of UMD. Expect engaging discussions, thought-provoking questions, and space to reflect and connect with colleagues about what makes our campus distinctive. We’re partnering with a seasoned facilitator and a graphic storyteller to help us harvest the insights and ideas shared to inform future planning and engagement with our broader campus community.  When grounded in purpose and a clear sense of who we are, we’re better equipped to set bold priorities, make thoughtful decisions, and stay true to UMD’s identity. A shared foundation will empower us to move forward with confidence and imagination—ready to shape what comes next, together. As we prepare to gather on May 12, we want to acknowledge the moment we’re in. News of federal funding cuts, rising costs, and shifting expectations for higher education are creating real disruptions, stress, and grief. We recognize the toll this may be taking on your mind, body, and spirit. Our intention is to offer a space that is energizing and grounded in care, a space where you are welcomed just as you are. If joining doesn’t feel right for you, that’s OK. We will share the outcomes of the day afterward and invite future participation. Sincerely, Charles Nies, Chancellor Rebecca Ropers, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Update on budget and system conversations

 

Dear Colleagues,   I feel the excitement of the campus community as we move to the end of the academic year and celebrate the many accomplishments of our students, faculty, and staff. It is difficult to believe that I am nearing the end of my first year, as I am still learning daily about the remarkable efforts of UMD.    In my April 10 email update, I mentioned that we would present our academic/fiscal year 2026 (FY26) campus budget request to U of M System leadership in mid-April. I am writing with an update on that conversation.  First, I want to thank leadership from across campus who participated in our new budget call process earlier this semester. This process and these discussions allowed for intentional thinking around both reallocations and areas of opportunity. It was very helpful to hear and learn from colleagues, and we used that context to inform our presentation.  Last Friday, UMD leaders made a wonderful presentation to our U of M System leadership colleagues. In that presentation, we highlighted our accomplishments, strengths, and the essential role we play in fulfilling the university’s statewide mission. We advocated for increased resources to enhance student success, fund faculty and staff compensation, and maintain our facilities. We also discussed the ongoing legislative budget process that will determine state funding for the U of M for the next two years. Given the current budget proposals at the legislature, we are expecting no additional resources for the U of M.  While it may be several months before we have certainty on our budget allocations and related budget decisions, the conversation underscored that difficult budget decisions lie ahead for UMD, the U of M System, and higher education in general. We will continue to engage with partners locally and across the system to do all we can to enable and amplify UMD’s success. As we near the end of the academic year, I thank you for your dedication, passion for UMD and student success, and for going above and beyond. I anticipate with excitement how great it will feel to see each of our graduates cross the stage at commencement and leverage their talents and skills to positively impact the larger world. Sincerely,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Executive search updates

 

Dear colleagues, I am excited to share that we have launched the search for the executive vice chancellor of academic affairs (EVCAA). This important UMD leadership position serves as the chief academic officer and provides visionary leadership to advance the university's mission of excellence in education, research and creativity, and public/community engagement. The EVCAA is responsible for the overall academic integrity of the institution and plays a key role in strategic planning, policy development, and resource allocation. Vice Chancellor of Finance and Operations Matt Massman, has agreed to serve as chair of the search advisory committee. Joining Matt will be Faculty Senate co-chairs, Professor Kim Dauner and Professor Abel Knochel, Large Lakes Observatory Director, Catherine O’Reilly, and Director of University Honors Professor Ryan Goei. We are still working with the Staff Senate on a staff representative. Please share this posting with leaders who may be interested and who you think would be a good fit. Our goal is to have candidates on campus the first week of May. At that time, there will be opportunities for broader campus engagement.  Sincerely,

Charles Nies Chancellor

Updates from campus conversation

 

Dear Colleagues, Thanks to those of you who joined our campus conversation on Monday. It was good to be together, even if some of what we discussed was challenging. This message summarizes the information that was shared and provides additional resources and next steps. At the meeting, we described how our institutional values are guiding decisions related both to resource allocation and to the creation of a shared and distinctive identity. Budget: Campus leadership will present our academic/fiscal year 2026 (FY26) campus budget request to U of M System leadership in the second half of April. At that time, we will ask them to partner with us by investing in our student success efforts, our research enterprise, and our faculty and staff through a funded compensation plan. Each year, we balance our budget. However, we continue to use one-time carryforward funding to cover expenses that outpace revenues. We expect costs to increase again next fiscal year. As part of the U of M System’s annual budget process, all units were asked to create scenarios related to budget reallocations. UMD is planning for a 2.2% ($3.7 million) reallocation starting July 1, 2025. We also completed an exercise to identify potential changes in the form of a 7% budget reallocation. Our internal conversations and those with U of M System leadership will inform budget decisions, including potential areas of investment and reallocation, which will likely happen this summer. Registration for fall 2025 courses started before decisions on budget, staffing, and related university operations were finalized. Given this timing, some course offerings were adjusted to provide flexibility as we finalize plans in the next few months. When program offerings change, we are committed to working with current students to complete their degrees within a reasonable timeframe.  We want these decisions to be informed by our values and the collective wisdom of this campus. Many of you have been part of the budget process this year. Deans worked within their college to set a list of priorities for funding decisions. The  Academic Revisioning Committee (ARC) is providing recommendations related to academic programs. The budget, the efforts of ARC, and our strategic planning discussions are intended to work in concert with each other. For additional information about our budget process and specifics, you can refer to this budget FAQ document. Identity and Programming: Our program offerings will change over time to meet the needs of our students, the community, and our disciplines. UMD’s programs in 1970 were very different from what they are now. Our offerings in 25 years will be different than they are today. We are making decisions that will help us be sustainable and dynamic. In this process, we need to think creatively about what we do and how we do it. We must also think about partnerships across campus, the university system, and the region to ensure that the work we do is both effective and efficient in helping us achieve our goals. Aligning our work to our identity, mission, and values is critical as we address these challenges and make these important decisions. In discussions throughout campus, four core identities have begun to emerge: Environment and Sustainability Health and Wellbeing Community and Economic Development Cultural and Global Engagement The UMD community has built a strong foundation upon which we can build into the future. Collectively, we can find solutions to these challenges while we continue to celebrate our remarkable education, research, creativity, and scholarship. Our research is meaningful to our region and beyond. Our outreach programs inspire future scholars and leaders. Our students are thriving and have a transformational experience here at UMD. While we have difficult decisions to make, we will continue to foster, create, and invest in our continued success. We will be having more conversations throughout the spring and into the fall, and we hope you’ll be able to join us in this work as we co-create our future. Thank you for your attention and engagement in these important topics. Sincerely, Charles Nies, Chancellor Rebecca Ropers, Interim Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Matt Massman, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations