Board extends chancellor contract, approves IFO deal and forwards Saint Cloud State president appointment
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Summary
At its November meeting the Minnesota State Board extended Chancellor Olsen's contract through July 31, 2029; approved a ratified IFO faculty agreement; and approved forwarding and then appointing Dr. Gregory Tomso as president of Saint Cloud State University. The board also approved the consent agenda including facilities items.
The Minnesota State Board of Trustees completed several formal actions at its November meetings.
Chancellor contract extension: Following a performance-review committee recommendation, the board voted to amend and extend Chancellor Scott Olsen's employment agreement for an additional three years, moving the contract end date to July 31, 2029. The committee reported a positive review and a motion to authorize the board chair to execute the amendment was adopted by the board.
Saint Cloud State presidency: After an expedited search that produced 99 applicants, 14 initial interviews and four public finalists, Chancellor Olsen recommended Dr. Gregory Tomso for the Saint Cloud State University presidency. The workforce committee unanimously approved forwarding the recommendation; the full board then approved Dr. Tomso's appointment by voice vote. Tomso, who most recently served as vice president for academic engagement and student affairs at the University of West Florida, said he will focus on student success, community partnership and advancing the board's Equity 2030 goals.
IFO contract ratification: Vice Chancellor Davis and interim associate vice chancellor Chris Dale briefed trustees on a tentative agreement reached with the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) and ratified by IFO membership. Key fiscal terms cited included a FY26 1.4% salary schedule enhancement, adjunct minimum increases, a returning step for FY27, and overall contract cost metrics reported as approximately 5.1% (H) and 8.02% (M) across the biennium. The board approved the agreement by voice vote.
Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda by voice vote; trustees clarified the Cobb Center student center renovation total cost ($6.7 million) and contractor share ($5.5 million). Several committee reports also were received without recorded roll-call votes.
All votes reported in the transcript were recorded as adopted (voice vote or roll call) without any recorded opposing votes; one trustee (Trustee Richter) was absent from at least one roll-call vote as noted in the record.