The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a proposal by Twin Cities Intercollegiate Athletics to sell canned cocktails at Gopher sports games in the Twin Cities at their meeting Wednesday.

The Board also reviewed an endowment using donations for the Eastcliff property and officially paused the search for a Director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies. The Board also discussed a possible neutral stance regarding the University’s consolidated endowment fund and potential changes to Title IX regulations. 

Gopher Athletics

Within the next academic year, canned cocktails will be sold in concessions and premium areas at Huntington Bank Stadium, Williams Arena, Maturi Pavilion and Mariucci Arena. By the 2025-26 academic year, there will be bottle service in suites and full-service bars in premium areas. By 2026-27, spirits, wine and beer will be sold in the stands and bleachers of Huntington Bank Stadium.

Athletics Director Mark Coyle and Senior Advisor to the President Jon Steadland presented the proposal, which will be implemented in three phases over the next three academic years.

Coyle also presented an update for Gopher Athletics spending, which covered Big Ten updates and the FY24 athletics budget. The Big Ten will expand from 14 schools to 18 on Aug. 2.

A lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletics Association is pending judicial approval, Coyle said. The settlement addresses an approximately $2.7 billion back payment to uncompensated student-athletes anticipated in fall 2025.

Coyle said his team is prepared to adapt to potential adjustments from the lawsuit. He added the Southeastern Football Conference is expected to bring in added revenues in FY27.

“It’s no doubt that there’s going to be some financial pressures as we try to navigate the new chapter of college athletics,” Coyle said. “And we’ll have to take a hard look at all of our sports and what we provide our student-athletes.”

Gopher athletics salaries and fringe expenses were $7.4 million less than the Big Ten average for 2023, and ranked 10 out of 14 in the organization, according to the presentation. FY25 budgeted approximately $147 million in revenue and roughly $150 million in expenses.

Eastcliff

Eastcliff has been the official home of the University president for more than 60 years and is also an event space used for students, faculty, alumni and guests.

The initial policy recommendation in 2022 suggested maintaining Eastcliff using University funds is not central to the University’s mission.

A study completed by the University of Minnesota Foundation (UMF) determined there was sufficient philanthropic support for the Eastcliff property, according to Davenport. 

The University will provide support through a presidential housing allowance and the salary portion necessary for workers to maintain the property.

This new policy retains the Eastcliff property and will use philanthropic donations over the next five years in collaboration with UMF to create a permanent endowment fund for capital expenses in the 10-year plan. $4.5 million will be needed over the next five years for the new operating endowment fund.

The University will complete the 10-year capital improvement plan projects for the Eastcliff property upfront for approximately $6 million, Davenport said. The University will be reimbursed with philanthropic funds as they are raised.

If funds are not sufficiently raised in five years, the Board can determine whether retaining Eastcliff is in the University’s interest.

“I’ve heard from many individuals about the special place that visits to Eastcliff hold in their memories, many individuals,” Davenport said. “And I thank voices for their input, lessons in history, some are quite fascinating, and many expressions of support.”

Title IX Updates

Title IX coordinator Tina Marisam and Senior Associate General Counsel Carrie Ryan Gallia presented potential changes to 2020 Title IX policies consistent with federal policy. Policy changes will be presented to the Board for approval on July 22.

Title IX is a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in education. The Biden administration issued final regulations on April 19, and changes must be implemented by Aug. 1, according to presentation materials.

The 2024 proposed regulations expand on what warrants an institutional response to sexual misconduct, Marisam said. The new proposed policy expands to all forms of sex discrimination, including sex-based harassment, differential treatment sex discrimination, sexual misconduct and sex discrimination retaliation.

The 2020 regulations required a live hearing in all sexual harassment, assault, stalking and relationship violence cases, according to presentation materials. The new proposed regulations will allow an investigator to decide on the necessity of a live hearing pending completion of other requirements.

The new regulations will expand employee reporting requirements to all forms of sex discrimination, according to presentation materials. Additionally, if employees are told about a student pregnancy or related conditions, they must inform students about available Title IX resources.

The new proposed regulations will also set new requirements for the privacy of involved parties, according to presentation materials.

Quick Hits

• The Board discussed the possibility of adopting a position of neutrality with the consolidated endowment fund.

• The Board officially approved a resolution in support of former University President Jeff Ettinger’s proposal to pause the hiring process for a Director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

• University President Rebecca Cunningham gave her first presidential report to the Board.

• University of Minnesota – Duluth Interim Chancellor David McMillan was thanked for his service at the University as he leaves the position.

• It is the 120th anniversary of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, which provided $3.6 million in alumni relations support to the University in FY24.

Corrections: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated changes to the Eastcliff residence had been approved. They had only been reviewed. Other edits were made for clarity.