FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Arizona University System met the majority of its research goals in fiscal year 2011, excelling in four categories – invention disclosures, U.S. patents issued, intellectual property income and start-up companies – officials told the Arizona Board of Regents on June 14.

The news came during an update from the enterprise executive committee on the Arizona Higher Education Enterprise plan, designed to realign and strengthen the state university system.

The enterprise report, presented to the regents in 2010, outlines priorities and important discussion areas for realigning the system in a way that each state university can better focus its individual mission to benefit the system as a whole.

Drafted by the three state university presidents and Tom Anderes, president of ABOR, the report addresses everything from organization and curricular design to the universities' relationship with the state. It was written in response to a charge from Regent Anne Mariucci to think about ways the state university system can operate more effectively as an enterprise.

The UA, officials said Thursday, excelled in its technology transfer activities. In fiscal year 2011, the UA reported an increase in its number of invention disclosures, U.S. patent applications, U.S. patents issued and licenses obtained.

In fiscal year 2011, Arizona’s public universities had approximately $1 billion in research expenditures with a goal to increase this to approximately $2 billion by 2020.

In other business at the two-day meeting at Northern Arizona University:

• The regents approved a base salary adjustment and one-year contract extension for UA head basketball coach Sean Miller, who was hired at the UA in 2009. The new contract goes until April 30, 2017, with a $100,000 increase to his base salary to take effect July 1, 2016.
• The board approved Greg Byrne as the UA's vice president for athletics, in addition to his title as director of athletics. His leadership and involvement in university-wide activities warrant the additional title, materials presented to the board state.

• The UA requested and received approval of its capital development plan for the coming fiscal year. Capital projects include renovations to Old Main and Bear Down Gym.
• The board reviewed and adopted a performance funding model to be used in developing university state budget requests. Legislation required that the board formally adopt a performance funding model by July 1. The model is based on degree production, completed student credit hours and external research funding.