Seven (7) Regents were in attendance and present at roll call. A quorum was therefore established.

3. Approval of the Agenda.

  • Regent Dukes asked for a motion for approval of the agenda, with a modification to include the conferral of degrees in the division of academic affairs portion of the agenda. Regent Moyer made a motion for approval of the agenda and it was seconded by Regent Hatchett. Motion Passed.

4. Division of Academic and Student Affairs by Dr. Tierra Freeman.

A. Conferral of degrees.

  • Dr. Freeman said over 400 degrees will be conferred across the fall, spring and summer terms, which they anticipate will be a record.
  • Regent Dukes asked the difference in this year and last year. Dr. Akakpo said last year it was 342. This year they anticipate 413.
  • Regent Obielodan asked if those conferred have paid out their debt. Dr. Freeman did not have the answer.
  • Regent Obielodan also asked if they will have completed all the coursework as some come back later on trying to complete after they have qualified them. Dr. Freeman said the number includes those that will complete the classwork in the summer as well. Dr. Freeman said the question of if they will be able to participate in commencement, she will leave to those who are more tuned in to the policies at this point and time.
  • Regent Obielodan asked if this will include online students and Dr. Freeman responded yes. Regent Obielodan asked additional questions about the online graduates, which Dr. Freeman responded to.
  • Regent Dukes asked for a motion to confer the degrees. Regent Hatchett made the motion and it was seconded by Regent Ramsey to approve conferring the degrees for 2026. Motion Passed.

B. Online Student Identity Authentication Policy and Online Privacy Policy.

  • Dr. Freeman said they have brought forward two policy changes in reference to a SAC Standards 10.6, which is Distance and Correspondence Education.
  • The first one is to ensure that the students who are taking the classes, are in fact, the ones that are completing them.
  • The second is for protecting the privacy of all students enrolled in the distance education programs and is separate from the university's FERPA agreement.
  • Regent Hatchett asked who the privacy officer is and if it should be included in the actual stated policy. Dr. Freeman said the office of the registrar is generally over their

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