North Dakota legislators appointed to NDUS Foundation
November 6, 2025
During the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education’s (SBHE) Oct. 30 virtual meeting, North Dakota Rep. Scott Louser and Sen. Johathan Sickler were appointed to serve on the North Dakota University System (NDUS) Foundation. Louser will fulfill the remainder off Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck’s term, which expires April 2026. Schreiber-Beck passed away in May 2025. Sickler will serve a 4-year term.
The NDUS Foundation is a nonprofit entity that has supported higher education in North Dakota since 1991. It provides students with greater scholarship opportunities and honoring outstanding faculty members through faculty awards while bringing new initiatives to the forefront of education.
“The NDUS Foundation is a place where funds can be invested in multi-campus initiatives, such as ND Career Builders. I think they'll (Louser and Sickler) be good, supportive members,” said NDUS Commissioner Brent Sanford.
Additionally, the SBHE appointed Member Tim Mihalick to serve as co-chair for the Bismarck State College Presidential Search Committee. Mihalick had volunteered earlier this month after Vice Chair DJ Campbell decided to step down. Mihalick has served on several previous presidential search committees.
Prior to the appointments being made, the SBHE heard a presentation from Mayville State University regarding the institution’s achievements and challenges. The showcase was part of a larger initiative titled the “System Spotlight.”
The SBHE in collaboration with the NDUS Office began this campaign to tell the story of higher education and its exemplary faculty, staff, students and initiatives. A video vignette also was shown featuring Member Mihalick. Titled “Board Spotlight,” the presentation profiled the Minot-based Board member and showed his journey from Minot State University to his philanthropic volunteerism.
Board Actions
Much of the SBHE’s discussion during October’s meeting focused on the proposal to offer reduced credit bachelor’s degrees. NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson explained that while some states have cautiously implemented such programs, most public institutions have not, and the Higher Learning Commission requires careful attention to transferability, accreditation and general education requirements.
The support from NDUS institutions for the policy was divided with some for it and some opposed. The North Dakota Student Association wrote a resolution in opposition to reduced credit bachelor’s degrees saying, “at the present time, many graduate degree programs do not accept students with reduced bachelor’s degrees, which would make it harder for students who take the reduced bachelor’s degree route to advance into a professional program.”
The SBHE ultimately decided to return the policy to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to further develop guidelines, ensuring policy transparency and appropriate controls.
Committee Reports
Member Curits Biller reported for the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. He thanked Vice Chair Cambell for running ASAC’s monthly meeting while he was away. Campbell mentioned that the group had discussions about reduced credit bachelor’s degrees and had a few new academic programs to consider.
Member Mihalick reported for the Budget and Finance Committee. He said the group continues to work on issues surrounding resource sharing between institutions, dual credit funding and preparations for a legislative funding formula committee meeting in November.
Member Mihalick also reported for the Audit Committee and mentioned improvements to internal audit processes. He also wished NDUS Chief Audit Executive Dina Cashman farewell as she takes a new career opportunity in Texas.
Member Danita Bye reported for the Research Committee, providing an update on federal policies affecting the research community, including reductions in funds and grants and the impact tariffs have had on importing scientific equipment. The group also discussed the Economic Diversification Research Fund.
Vice Chair Campbell reported for the Governance Committee. He said he met with the Council of College Faculties to continue to work on tenure policies. He also said a survey was sent out to all institutions to gather information on current missions, future aspirations and program offerings covering the next five years. The data will be used to assist with minimizing duplication and competition throughout the system.
Dr. Lisa Montplaisir reported on the Council of College Faculties and the group discussed the presidential search process, tenure qualifications and shared governance practices.
Student Member Maxwell Eriksrud reported for the North Dakota Student Association. The group passed several resolutions, including its opposition to reduced credit bachelor’s degrees.
For the Staff Senate, Member Anna Kinney said the group continues to work on professional development initiatives and have discussions on staff morale. They also discussed what role staff have in shared governance and how they help with campus morale to make others feel valued and needed. Staff Senate also is reactivating its executive committee and is progressing on a system staff award.
Brad Miller, Core Technology Services information security director, gave the SBHE an IT security briefing, covering recent fraud incidents, ongoing security initiatives and the implementation of advanced monitoring and protection systems across the NDUS.
Additionally, the Board heard updates regarding the system alignment project, presidential evaluation process and Bismarck State College presidential search.
The Board heard first readings for HR Policy 2 (Appointments) and Policy 706.1 (Board Member and Advisor Per Diem Payments).
It also heard a second readings for HR Policy 25 (Job Discipline – Dismissal) and Policies 308.1 (SBHE Member and Employee Code of Conduct), 508 (Student Grant, Scholarship, Loan Repayment, and Exchange Programs), 601.1 (Presidential Searches), 605.1 (Academic Appointments), 617 (Safety of Children on Campus), 703.1 (Early Retirement), 901 (Campus Planning and Facilities Management), 902.1 (Construction Process – Legislative Approval; List of Funding Requests), 906 (Emergency Preparedness and Management; Continuity of Operations; Security), 1902 (Emergency Notification Systems), 907 (Building Plaques), 908 (Financing Through Revenue Bonds), 909 (Real Property Leases), 910 (Transfer of Real Property) and 910.1 (Development of State Land). All policies were approved.
No public comments were made.
The next SBHE meeting will be on Dec. 4, 2025.