Trustees approve carryforward funds amendments after debate over oversight and spending thresholds

The Finance, Facilities and Administration Committee unanimously approved amendments to FGCU’s Carryforward Funds plan on April 7 after a substantive exchange about Board oversight and whether dollar thresholds should be imposed for administrative spending decisions.

Vice President David Vazquez presented amendments and said several projects were newly added during the fiscal year, including increased technology investments to support the Student Success Plan. Trustee Paul Applegarth asked whether the Board should set a minimum dollar threshold requiring prior Board approval for new initiatives, such as a roughly $400,000 brand awareness campaign, rather than first learning of them as carryforward items.

Vazquez said operational decisions rest with University leadership but that the Board receives regular visibility into carryforward spending; he noted the statutory requirement of a 7 percent reserve and explained there are protocols for remediation if that reserve is used. President Aysegul Timur said the Board delegates operational authority to the president and that Cabinet reviews and vets items before they are presented. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to transparency by presenting carryforward items at every meeting.

Applegarth said he was not yet prepared to propose a specific dollar cap but wanted the topic flagged for further discussion and trustee input. Chair Richard Eide said the FFA Committee and pre‑meeting briefings provide forums for trustees to raise concerns; he also cautioned that rigid spending caps could slow innovation and hamper timely action.

Trustee Sandy Stilwell Youngquist moved approval; Trustee Applegarth seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The amendments will be recommended to the full Board at the April 14 meeting.