October 9, 2026 - Governance & Policy Committee, University of Minnesota Board of Regents

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents Governance & Policy Committee met on October 9, 2026. The committee discussed proposed revisions to the university’s namings and renamings policy, developed after review by the All University Honors Committee. The principal proposal is to remove the mandatory 75-year review of honorary namings; the policy would retain mechanisms for considering a renaming or revocation when concerns arise and for proactively reviewing names. Members discussed the administrative burden and research expertise such reviews require. The revisions are tentatively expected to return to the committee for review and action in December; no vote was taken. The committee work plan also anticipates policy amendments on awards, honors and recognitions, and charitable gift acceptance, along with updates on the Data Practices Act, professional services agreements, and the policy review process.

The committee also provided input for the legislative Regent Candidate Advisory Council’s selection criteria. Members emphasized commitment to the university’s mission, understanding fiduciary duties, sound judgment, sufficient time for the role, and experience and institutional knowledge to support board continuity. They also discussed the value of transition time and onboarding for incoming regents, particularly given the complexity of the university and the possibility of multiple seats turning over. No procurement actions, contract awards, spending decisions, or budget allocations were identified in the transcript.