The inauguration of four new regents kicked off the 2025-26 school year’s first regular board meeting on Friday, followed by discussions on changing Minnesota healthcare partnerships.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson swore in new regents Joel Bergstrom, Samuel Heins, Ellen Luger and Kowsar Mohamed by oath.

Bergstrom and Heins serve as members at large, while Luger represents Hennepin County and Mohamed represents the student body, the Minnesota Daily reported.

Sale of Eastcliff

The board voted 9-2 to lease Eastcliff Mansion to the University of Minnesota Foundation for $2.2 million.

While the University of Minnesota Foundation, or UMF, now owns Eastcliff, the University will still be responsible for maintenance and operational expenses via funds from the sale price. UMF will lease the mansion to extend the University’s regular use of the property as UMF makes renovations.

Regents James Farnsworth and Robyn Gulley were the sole dissenters. 

Farnsworth said the Board did not bring the issue to his attention until 10 days before the Finance and Operations Committee met on Thursday. It left limited time for public engagement, something Farnsworth prioritizes in his regentship.

Farnsworth and Gulley were concerned with the decision to vest UMF’s authority in a public asset. Both voiced concerns about the ownership now being behind closed doors.

According to Gulley, public land-grant universities should govern public assets.

“I am concerned that taking this out of the realm of the board of regents would make the process less transparent,” Gulley said.

The future of Minnesota healthcare

Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke on University-Essentia Health negotiations, along with Strategic Facilitator Lois Quam, regarding Essentia Health recently pulling out of discussions with the University. The University’s deal with Fairview ends Dec. 31, the Minnesota Daily reported.

Both Ellison and Quam said maintaining longevity with Fairview is crucial. 

“Securing an agreement with Fairview is vital for the continuity and stability of patient care,” Quam said. “Such an agreement provides the basis for ongoing support to the medical school and future partnerships for the University.”

Presidential roadmap

The University’s Steering committee presented the year-long process and findings of 2025’s Presidential Roadmap, developed on an asset-based framework of imperatives, goals and key actions. 

Goals included an increased focus on agricultural studies, reimagining the St. Paul campus and partnering with tribal nations. The University’s preexisting partnerships with tribal nations include the TRUTH Project, a project under Minnesota Transform and a higher education initiative that supports decolonial and racial justice.