Regents review revamped onboarding plan, urge early budget training and media preparation

Executive Director Steve and Assistant Executive Director Marlo Welshens presented a revamped onboarding plan intended to prepare regents elected in 2025 with the knowledge and relationships needed to govern the University of Minnesota.

Steve said onboarding is about two primary goals: building knowledge about governance, board operations and the breadth of the institution, and building relationships with fellow regents, the president and senior leaders. "As we think about the purpose of onboarding, it's really about, knowledge and relationships," he said, and noted the board has asked the legislature for a transition period so new regents are not immediately thrust into votes.

Welshens described operational proposals: online self-paced modules covering basics (how to access the docket, governance fundamentals, topical primers), more deliberate campus visits embedded in engagement strategies, and curated 1-on-1 meetings with senior leaders to let new regents focus on relationship-building rather than absorbing explanatory material in the meeting itself.

Regents pressed for specifics. Regent Huebsch said new regents need a "crash course on budget" because major budget decisions come immediately after election. Regent Mary C. Turner asked whether the start date for newly elected regents could be changed to July 1; staff and the chair said the committee has requested a rules change from the legislature but cannot unilaterally change the start date. President Cunningham recommended including media training and working with communications and government relations teams to help new regents understand how public remarks can have wide "ripple effects."

Staff said they will gather existing materials, produce new targeted content where it adds value, and circulate onboarding materials to the committee for feedback ahead of the 2025 election. The committee agreed to continue refining the plan.