At its June meeting, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved new health and healthcare partnership agreements, a new enrollment strategy, and advanced efforts to expand flexible learning opportunities. Guided by the Elevate Extraordinary 2030 University Strategic Plan, these initiatives rooted in the strategic roadmap will expand student opportunity, strengthen workforce development and reinforce the University’s long-term impact across Minnesota and beyond.
Partnerships advance education, research, care and Minnesota’s workforce
The Board of Regents approved finalized definitive agreements with University of Minnesota Physicians and Fairview Health Services, which support the University’s excellence in medical education, research discovery and clinical care, and advance its role as the state’s leading developer of the healthcare workforce.
Effective in 2027, the agreements position the University to deliver lasting impact for patients, students and faculty, and communities across Minnesota.
With University of Minnesota Physicians, the University is strengthening collaboration to advance its research, education and clinical care missions, supporting innovation and the next generation of health professionals.
With Fairview, the agreement defines how the organizations will partner to drive world-class medical research and education, affirming our shared goals and Fairview’s commitment to the University’s academic health mission.
“This is a great moment for Minnesota,” said President Rebecca Cunningham. “These agreements are the foundation for an incredible opportunity to strengthen health and healthcare across our state. The University is the engine that powers Minnesota’s workforce and economy, training 70% of the state’s healthcare professionals. I am deeply grateful to our partners, Attorney General Ellison and the mediators for their tireless commitment to finding a path forward that puts the health of Minnesotans first.”
New enrollment plan expands access and student success
In addition, the Board approved a comprehensive, University-wide enrollment plan to grow enrollment across all five campuses while improving the student experience.
The plan will help ensure every qualified Minnesotan has access to a University of Minnesota education, while strengthening recruitment, retention and pathways to graduation. Key strategies include standardizing admissions processes, creating seamless transfer pathways, and investing in technology and coordinated student support.
The approach reinforces the strength of a “One University, Five Campuses” model, aligning recruitment and marketing while preserving each campus’s distinct strengths. It also prioritizes re-engaging students who left before completing their degrees, helping more Minnesotans finish college and enter the workforce.
Expanding learning options to meet students where they are
Regents also discussed progress in expanding flexible, innovative learning opportunities, including the development of a University-wide Online Learning Hub.
Through the Office of Distributed Learning, the University is expanding access to flexible programs, supporting degree completion and creating new pathways for in-demand careers. These programs include a paid, job-embedded teacher apprenticeship that brings together campuses and school districts to help paraprofessionals earn degrees and special education licensure — a critical workforce need.
Other programs like “Restart Your Degree” are helping students return, complete degrees and prepare for high-need fields. The University also continues to expand its global reach through platforms like Coursera, connecting hundreds of thousands of learners to University-led courses and credentials.
“Learning today needs to be flexible, relevant and accessible,” said Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter. “We’re opening more doors for students at every stage, providing education that builds real-world skills and helps meet Minnesota’s evolving workforce needs.”
Continued focus on access, affordability and financial stewardship
The Board continued discussions related to the proposed fiscal year 2027 operating budget, which emphasizes student access and affordability, investments in the University’s workforce and strategic prioritization to support long-term sustainability. The proposal includes a moderate increase in resident tuition, aligned with inflation, while maintaining strong financial aid programs that keep the University accessible to Minnesota students.
The Board is expected to act on the budget proposal on June 26. Feedback on the proposed budget may be submitted via the Board’s Virtual Forum. Comments received by 10 a.m. on June 25 that meet the Board’s guidelines will become part of the public record included in the June 26 special meeting docket materials.
The Board also:
- Reviewed the recommended fiscal year 2027 annual capital improvement budget.
- Approved continued expansion of the University of Minnesota Rochester campus, through an amended lease in the Discovery Square Innovation District to expand lab capacity and provide students with more hands-on learning opportunities alongside industry and research partners.
- Approved new academic programs, including engineering, microelectronics and AI offerings, as well as a dental fellowship and Ph.D. program in water resource sciences, to meet workforce needs and expand student opportunities.
- Reviewed a resolution supporting financing and cost savings for the Community-University Health Care Center project — an expanded facility that increases patient access, enhances care delivery and strengthens the University’s health professional training programs.
- Received annual reports from shared governance leaders representing students, faculty and staff. The Board also recognized the service of outgoing shared governance chairs.
- Received an update on the partnership between the University and the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, hosted on the Twin Cities campus June 20-26.
- Set its meeting schedule for the 2026–27 academic year.
The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet next on June 26. Visit regents.umn.edu for more information.