BOARD OF REGENTS: Who they are and what they do

The 12-member Board of Regents is the University of Minnesota's governing body. Its stated roles are to support, monitor and enhance the image and mission of the university. Regents approve major policies, long-range plans, educational programs and annual budgets. They are expected to ensure adequate resources and management as well as foster collaboration with other institutions and serve as a court of appeals when appropriate. The regents serve staggered six-year terms and are not paid. The Minnesota Legislature elects the regents. One must come from each of the state's eight congressional districts. Four are elected at-large, one of whom must be a student at that time. In the most recent election in February, some legislators publicly questioned the dearth of women and minorities chosen for the board.

Chairman of the Board: Dean E. Johnson, brigadier general in the U.S. Army National Guard, parish pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar, former state Senate minority and majority leader. Lives in Willmar. Elected in 2007, 2013.

Vice chairman: David J. McMillan, executive vice president of Minnesota Power. Lives in Duluth. Represents the Eighth Congressional District. Elected 2011, 2017.

Regent: Thomas J. Anderson, operates Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Lives in Alexandria. Represents the Seventh Congressional District. Elected 2015.

Regent: Richard B. Beeson, executive vice president at Sunrise Banks. Lives in St. Paul. Represents the Fourth Congressional District. Elected 2009, 2015.

Regent: Linda A. Cohen, psychologist, therapist, former administrator at the Blake School. Lives in Minnetonka. At-large representative. Elected 2007, 2013.

Regent: Michael D. Hsu, management consultant at Accenture. Lives in Blaine. Represents the Sixth Congressional District. Elected 2015.

Regent: Peggy E. Lucas, owns Brighton Development. Lives in Minneapolis. Represents the Fifth Congressional District. Elected 2013.

Regent: Abdul M. Omari, founder AMO Enterprise, a leadership program. Lives in Minneapolis. At-large representative. Elected 2013.

Regent: Kendall J. Powell, former chairman and CEO General Mills. Lives in Golden Valley. At-large representative. Elected 2017.

Regent: Darrin M. Rosha, lawyer at Rosha Legal Group in Orono. Lives in Independence. Represents the Third Congressional District. Regent from 1989-1995. Elected 2017.

Regent: Patricia S. Simmons, retired Mayo Clinic physician. Lives in Rochester. Represents First Congressional District. Elected 2003, 2009, 2015.

Regent: Steve Sviggum, farmer, former speaker of the Minnesota House. Lives in Kenyon. Represents Second Congressional District. Elected 2011, 2017.

Rochelle Olson