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FGCU committee approves 2026 Accountability Plan after debate over AI language and PBF metrics
Summary
Trustees approved FGCU’s 2026 Accountability Plan April 7 after questioning uses of AI in enrollment processes and discussing performance-based funding metrics; the Committee amended the plan to remove the word “agent” from the Enrollment Strategy language and voted unanimously to recommend the plan to the full Board.
The Florida Gulf Coast University Academic/Student/Faculty Affairs Committee voted unanimously April 7 to approve the university’s 2026 Accountability Plan after a focused discussion about how artificial intelligence is described in the enrollment strategy and how performance-based funding (PBF) goals are set.
Provost Debbie Thorne and Dr. Paul Dosal, Vice Provost for Student Success and Enrollment Management, described the plan as aligned with Board of Governors expectations and noted initiatives such as predictive analytics, use of the Wings Up customer-relationship system, and pilot work with AI to assist evaluation and communications. "FGCU was piloting the use of Slate with an AI component to read student essays," Dosal said, describing one test use. Thorne added that Slate can also generate letters, emails and text messages to support individualized communications.
Trustee Derek Lura expressed concern about phrasing on page 10 that used the term "AI agent," saying it could imply automated interactions with students without human approval. Thorne suggested removing the word; Dosal concurred. Trustee Lura said he supported using AI to sort lists or identify students to contact but cautioned against language suggesting autonomous outreach.
Committee members also asked about performance-based funding metrics and recent changes in the reported average cost to students. Chair Roepstorff noted Metric 3 (Average Cost to the Student) was set near $8,650 in the 2025 plan, while the reported figure was $5,920; she asked what contributed to the decrease. Thorne said the university was deploying more financial aid and scholarships to reduce student cost and improve outcomes. Thorne also explained that under PBF Model 2.0 approximately "70 to 80 percent of the metrics were based on FGCU’s own performance" rather than being directly compared to other institutions.
Trustee Richard Eide asked whether the university could obtain raw data linking Florida high schools to FGCU outcomes to refine recruitment; Dosal said state-rated high-school data exist and the university tracks recognized feeder high schools and could deepen those relationships.
Trustee Robert Krampen moved to approve the 2026 FGCU Accountability Plan with the amendment to remove the word "agent" from the Enrollment Strategy narrative on page 10; Trustee Derek Lura seconded. The voice vote was unanimous. The committee will recommend the plan to the full Board at its April 14 meeting.
