University of Northern Colorado Board of Trustees on Friday approved the university's 2030 vision, a plan to upgrade campus technology infrastructure, and resolutions for departing trustees who completed their terms.

Rowing, Not Drifting 2030: Students First
UNC President Andy Feinstein presented the draft of UNC's vision created with participation from over 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university. Trustees approved the vision with a slight change in the introduction to acknowledge UNC’s personalized approach to liberal arts education. This spring, the university will develop goals, strategies and action items to operationalize the vision. See the strategic planning website for more information.

Technology updates
The board authorized the university to pursue critical upgrades to major network and storage projects by leasing equipment. Funding for the project, for which state funding had previously been requested, has been identified through Information Management & Technology’s budget.

Trustees recognized
The board thanked trustees Kevin Ahern, Tony Salazar and Paul Washington for their service on the board. Salazar resigned after accepting a job at the University of Colorado. It was the last board meeting for Ahern and Washington, who finish their terms at the end of December.

Students voice concerns
A group of UNC students spoke at the meeting, with several calling on the university to take action to hire more racially diverse faculty and staff and create a more welcoming campus following Feinstein’s presentation on UNC’s vision and expected outcomes. “There’s incredible disparities in the diversity of our faculty and in the diversity of our students that need to be addressed, and it takes a lot work,” Feinstein said in response. “These are things we need to address head on, and I am committed to doing that.” The Greeley Tribune previously interviewed Feinstein for this follow-up story about a student-led protest that featured many of the concerns expressed during the board meeting.

Other board presentations included:

• A legislative and external engagement update featuring a conversation with UNC lobbyist Kayla Tibbals. President Feinstein has made it a priority to advocate for UNC and the higher education system, regularly meeting with legislators and his fellow college and university presidents. Among this year’s activities will be a Greeley Day at the Capitol steps on Feb. 19. In December, a legislative preview co-sponsored by the Greeley Chamber on UNC’s campus will be scheduled with the northern Colorado delegation being invited. Allie Steg Haskett, vice president of University Advancement, also shared philanthropic updates that include initiatives to secure gifts for a women’s swim locker room, a new weight room for all 19 sports in UNC’s Division I athletics program,  and 100 new pianos (replacing some models that were over 100 years old) in the School of Music.

• An update from UNC Provost Mark Anderson on Strategic Enrollment and Student Success plan on what action teams are working on.

• Vice President of Student Affairs Katrina Rodriguez reviewed this revenue, expense, profit and loss report from Housing and Dining operations.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting is Feb. 14.