Page 4 - OGC Annual Report 2024

4
University of Minnesota Office of the General Counsel
Fall 2023
Students and
Faculty and
Staff
41,142
undergraduate students
11,797
graduate students
4,141
professional students
11,286
non-degree seeking
students
5,508
international students
27,675
employees
4,823
faculty
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Be assured that the University of Minnesota continues to embrace its noble mission, and the
values, creativity and controversy that comes with it. The inauguration of President Rebecca M.
Cunningham underscores the University’s commitment to the public’s welfare.
That dedication to the University’s charter mission brings challenges that find the Office of General
Counsel providing advice and counsel as to the many dimensions of that wonderful mission. With
an election season upon us, the University will be a home for debating the issues that too often
divide us, requiring a respect for First Amendment principles and a sensitivity to the impact of
free and robust speech within our community. The University’s central role in public health and
workforce development will find us re-defining the future of M Health and shaping how our
powerhouse graduate schools can band together for the common good. Intercollegiate athletics is at
a crossroads, with the future of Golden Gopher athletics and the values behind the student-athlete
experience in the balance. OGC values the privilege of contributing to the conversation over how
this university can serve with regard to those and many other issues of the day.
We also continue to change as an office. Kate Rozalia Kaput has joined us from Illinois to head up
our Clery Act compliance responsibilities. Melissa Vogt and John Katuska joined the Transactions
Group; Arike Mercer
works in the NCAA
compliance office;
and Brittany Kotta
joins our top flight
LAA staff. Our new
colleagues join a
collegial group of
professionals who
contribute mightily
to the University’s
mission, and thereby
make this General
Counsel’s job a
pleasure.
Thank you for the
privilege of entrusting
us with the legal affairs
of this great university.
We appreciate the
opportunity to serve.
As always, let us know
how we can do more or
do better.
Douglas R. Peterson
General Counsel