February 20, 2025

NDSU Community,

Yesterday afternoon, our leadership assembly convened to discuss several pivotal topics impacting our university. Below is a summary of the key initiatives presented.

Legislative Update

I provided an overview of the ongoing legislative session, highlighting our advocacy for the "New Horizon: NDSU 2035" initiative. This $35 million proposal aims to:

• Expand Workforce Pathways and Industry Connections: Enhancing collaborations to better prepare our students for the workforce.
• Advance Agriculture, Engineering, Energy, and Manufacturing: Investing in these sectors to drive innovation and economic growth.
• Improve Quality of Life for North Dakotans: Implementing health-related programs that directly benefit our state's residents.

This initiative has been presented to the Senate and will proceed to the House and subsequent committees.

Additionally, Greg Lardy, Vice President for Agriculture, discussed Senate Bill 2020, which seeks funding for Extension, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Northern Crops Institute, and Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. The bill includes capital construction at Research Extension Centers throughout the state and allocates funds for the Northern Crops Institute's transition to the Peltier Complex.

Faculty Senate President Lisa Montplaisir addressed Senate Bill 1437, concerning academic tenure policies at higher education institutions. The bill proposes the development of a tenure policy by July 1, 2026, including annual evaluations for all faculty and post-tenure reviews. Discussions are ongoing regarding the specific provisions.

During the assembly, we explored ways to enhance communication and support during the legislative session, focusing on:

1. Leveraging Support: Identifying actions to build stronger alliances across campus, community, and industry.
2. Showcasing Success: Highlighting unique projects that President Cook can present in Bismarck to demonstrate NDSU's impact.
3. Tracking Legislative Actions: Improving methods to keep our community informed and engaged.

Stay updated throughout the session by visiting the legislative tab on my website or the North Dakota Legislative Branch website.

Federal Action Update

Assistant Attorney General Matt Hammer provided insights into our ongoing efforts related to recent and upcoming federal regulations and executive orders. We have established a Federal Coordination Group and subgroups to assess directives, evaluate potential implications, and coordinate campus communications. Feedback from the "Share Your Ideas" form is being reviewed and addressed by these groups.

Attendees discussed the impact of federal actions on their projects and proposed strategies to:

1. Assess Impact: Understanding how federal actions affect current or planned projects.
2. Prioritize Efforts: Enhancing processes to minimize disruptions.
3. Enhance Communication: Developing methods to keep the campus community informed and engaged.

We understand that many in our community are concerned and potentially directly impacted by these developments. Please know that we are all in this together, and we are committed to monitoring these situations closely to best serve our students, faculty, staff, and the broader NDSU community.

General Updates

We are excited to announce that the second annual BisonSpark Talks will take place on Thursday, March 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Oceti Sakowin Ballroom. This event features brief presentations showcasing remarkable research across various disciplines, aiming to inspire collaboration within our research community. The final list of presenters will be announced this week.

If you have any questions or require further details on these topics, please feel free to reach out to the respective presenters or me directly.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to making NDSU an exceptional institution.

Best regards,

David Cook