University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham and other faculty presented the NEXT: Forward to our Future plan Thursday, outlining areas the University wants to build on going forward.

Cunningham said the NEXT plan was created from the feedback from around 100 town halls, 13,000 survey responses and listening tours across the state, to create a plan to address areas University campuses cared about.

“We believe in academic freedom, responsibility, integrity, cooperation,” Cunningham said. “Our mission and values informed the foundation of this roadmap and will continue to light the way.”

Cunningham said the NEXT plan applies to all five University campuses. The presentation highlighted areas in which the University has implemented the plan, such as constructive dialogue workshops at the Humphrey School.

The Teamsters Local 320, a labor union based at the University, went on strike in September, ultimately reaching an agreement after four days. The deal increased wages by 3.5%, strengthened the anti-harassment language for union workers on campus and added a June end date to the previous contract.  

Cunningham did not mention the strike in her speech, but said the University has strengthened the workforce by investing in them, along with operations and facilities. She listed the remodeling of Fraser Hall as an example and said it illustrated the University’s commitment to set students up for success.

The remodeling of Fraser began in October 2023 and was completed in July 2025. The remodel cost $144.7 million, according to the College of Science and Engineering website. 

David Blank, an associate dean for undergraduate programs, said the new design of Fraser fosters important skills for students such as communication, problem-solving skills and working in a team.

“The students aren’t handed a set of instructions. They’re handed a problem and they’re asked to figure out,” Blank said. “They do it just like they do it in the real world, when you solve serious modern problems.”

The University increased in-state tuition by 6.5% for the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses in June 2025, according to The Minnesota Daily. Nonresident tuition rates increased by 7.5%.

Cunningham said a part of the NEXT plan is to innovate and transform the future of learning. She said this is exemplified by the “Degree in Three” program at the University of Minnesota – Morris, which will allow students to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in three years.

The NEXT plan also highlighted the University of Minnesota Medical School CentraCare Regional Campus in St. Cloud, which opened in July. 

Jill Amsberry, assistant dean for medical undergraduate education at the St. Cloud campus, said the school is working to train more doctors to serve in rural Minnesota communities. 

The incoming University medical school class is 85% students from Minnesota. All 24 medical students at the St.Cloud campus are from Minnesota communities.

“Where you live shouldn’t determine if you live,” Amsberry said.