Board of Regents approves Project Health commitment, stadium and campus projects, concessions contract and student-fee policy changes

LINCOLN, Neb. — The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Feb. 7 approved a package of actions that together advance Project Health, authorize stadium improvements and concessions changes, and amend policy governing student-fee expenditures.

The board adopted a resolution publicly committing $250 million to Project Health — a transformational UNMC-led development intended to expand clinical training, research and workforce capacity — and approved contracts and capital projects including a 10‑year concessions agreement with Aramark, Memorial Stadium enabling infrastructure work, an aviation agreement addendum and a UNMC campus safety and utility project.

Regent Stark read the Project Health resolution to the board, which described a multi-source fundraising and commitment plan totaling more than $1.2 billion in identified contributions; the board’s own commitment was described in the resolution as $250,000,000, with $150,000,000 identified as coming from the University of Nebraska system and $100,000,000 from UNMC. “If there’s no objection, I suggest that this resolution be adopted by acclamation,” Regent Schaefer said; the board adopted the resolution by acclamation.

On business items, the board voted to: - Approve a 10‑year concessionaire agreement with Aramark that includes an initial $10,000,000 capital investment, an option to extend for five years, and expected annual commissions to UNL. The motion passed by roll call; one regent recorded a “no” vote and one abstained on the item. - Amend the joint operating agreement with NEBCO (Lincoln Ballpark) to formalize a $7,500 monthly accounting fee and permit NEBCO use of university Wi‑Fi and TrackMan technology as partial consideration. - Approve a one‑year addendum to the Silver Hawk Aviation fractional aircraft arrangement through Dec. 31, 2025, converting a monthly management fee to an hourly rate; the addendum value was described at approximately $1,000,000. - Expand an existing waiver to permit additional enabling work on Phase 1 Memorial Stadium improvements (utility infrastructure, site work, relocating occupants, technology upgrades and security enhancements) to proceed ahead of full project approval. - Approve a UNMC campus utility and public-safety infrastructure project to reconfigure the 40th Street crossing and related work; the proposed budget cited was $12,000,000 funded from auxiliary revenues and the utility plant operating budget. - Adopt personnel and governance actions including awarding Regents Emeritus status to Dr. Jim McClurg, approving an appointment of Anne Barnes to an external trust board, and awarding honorary degrees and awards in a closed-session process followed by public roll call confirmation. - Amend Board of Regents policy RP 5.9 to clarify which organizations may allocate Fund A student-fee dollars, to enumerate allowable and unallowable uses (and an appeals process), and to require publication of refund procedures for students; the amendment passed by roll call (one recorded no vote).

Board members and staff discussed community and safety expectations tied to the concessions agreement. Regent Clare said he would abstain from the Aramark vote “out of an abundance of caution” because his office had previously done work for a local vendor. Several regents pressed for clarity on safety plans and alcohol‑service protocols at game events; athletic and campus staff said the concessionaire would hold the liquor license and partner on safety and security planning with university and homeland‑security reviews.

President Ted Carter Gold and system staff noted that many of the projects were reviewed by the Business and Finance Committee and the audit and compliance processes; the board also discussed continuing internal-audit follow-ups on student‑fee uses across campuses.

The board used roll-call votes on the consent and administrative agenda items; motions were recorded and the minutes reflect that most items passed. Several items were seconded on the record before roll call. The board recessed and later reconvened to confirm actions taken in closed session (honorary degrees) and to complete officer elections.

Votes at a glance (major items from the meeting): - Project Health resolution (adopted by acclamation): Board commitment $250,000,000 (system $150,000,000; UNMC $100,000,000) — outcome: adopted. - Concessions agreement with Aramark (10‑year term plus 5‑year option; $10,000,000 initial capital): outcome: approved (one abstention; one “no” recorded). - NEBCO amendment (accounting fee and technology access): outcome: approved. - Silver Hawk Aviation addendum (one year, ~$1,000,000): outcome: approved. - Memorial Stadium enabling work (expanded waiver for utilities, site work, tech/security): outcome: approved. - UNMC campus utility and public-safety infrastructure (40th Street crossing; proposed $12,000,000): outcome: approved. - Elimination of academic programs/centers (MS in Architecture and Nebraska Book Arts Center at UNO): outcome: approved. - RP 5.9 student-fee policy amendment: outcome: approved (one “no” vote recorded). - Regents Emeritus for Dr. Jim McClurg; appointment of Anne Barnes to external trust board; honorary degrees: outcome: approved.

Why it matters: Project Health is a system-level capital and program initiative intended to increase the state’s health‑care workforce capacity and research infrastructure. The $10 million concessions capital infusion and other stadium and campus investments may affect event operations, vendor relationships and safety planning on the Lincoln campus. Changes to RP 5.9 affect the allowable uses and governance of student fees across the system.

What’s next: Several projects will move into design and procurement phases; the concessions vendor will finalize operational plans with university security and compliance teams; the internal-audit office continues reviews of student-fee spending and will report to the audit and compliance committee.