New School Established in Michigan Tech’s College of Sciences and Arts by Board of Trustees

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Technological University Board of Trustees met on Friday, April 25, 2026, and approved the establishment of a new School of Health, Human and Biological Systems within the College of Sciences and Arts, alongside the creation of a new bachelor’s degree program in the College of Computing, to address growing industry demands in health-related fields, and technology.

The board also approved the fiscal year 2027 general fund budget, which includes a 4.02 percent increase in tuition, a slight decrease from the previous year’s increase. This decision was made during the board’s regular meeting held in Memorial Union Ballroom B at 9 a.m. On Friday.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Storer presented the proposal for the new school, stating that it aligns with the university’s Tech Forward 2.0 initiatives, particularly those prioritizing human health and research. He emphasized that the new school will be central to advancing health-focused academic programs on campus.

“One of the Tech Forward 2.0 initiatives is going to be in the health arena,” Storer said. “And so, the new school will be central to that initiative.”

Storer also provided an update on the Chang K. Park Center for Student Wellness, noting that the facility is in its final pre-construction stages and is expected to break ground later in the summer. He added that the design of the structure is in advanced stages.

“My understanding is that they’re in the advanced stages of the design of the structure,” Storer said. “[We’re] looking to break ground on it, later in the summer.”

The new School of Health, Human and Biological Systems will encompass the Departments of Biological Sciences, Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology, and Psychology and Human Factors. This structure was outlined in the Board of Trustees agenda prior to the meeting.

Dean of the College of Sciences and Arts, LaReesa Wolfenbarger, commented that the new school will enable the college to continue leading in health-related disciplines and elevate programs that are vital to student and community wellness.

It means we can be a leader and continue to be a leader on campus and elevate programs that are really important to health.

LaReesa Wolfenbarger, Dean of the College of Sciences and Arts

President Richard Koubek confirmed that the general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 was approved without discussion during the meeting. The budget proposal had previously recommended the 4.02 percent tuition increase.

As expected, the board raised tuition by 4.02 percent, a slight drop from last year’s increase.

Mining Gazette report, April 25, 2026

The meeting marked the final Board of Trustees session of the 2025-26 academic year, traditionally held prior to Spring Commencement. Graduate ceremonies were scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, with undergraduate commencement set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, both taking place in the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena of the Student Development Complex.

The meeting traditionally is held prior to Spring Commencement. The Graduate School commencement will be held at 3 p.m. Friday while the undergraduate ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Mining Gazette report, April 25, 2026

Both take place in the John J. MacInnes Student Ice Arena of the Student Development Complex.

Mining Gazette report, April 25, 2026

Other agenda items included faculty promotions and end-of-year business matters, consistent with the board’s annual spring meeting routine. The establishment of the new school and degree program reflects Michigan Tech’s ongoing efforts to align academic offerings with evolving workforce needs in health sciences and computing.