While the NDUS Board continues to promote both the Pathways to Success initiative first proposed by former Chancellor Shirvani, they have also begun a full-fledged campaign to gain support for the Common Core via an alignment project. Also, on January 23, 2014 there was an open meeting for all educators (and the public) to discuss both issues and disseminate more information on both. This all is leading up to the January 30th meeting where there will be a motion presented to move forward with the Pathways initiative which hopes to create a higher retention rate within the university system by implementing new standards.

In response to continued growth in Western North Dakota, NDUS also reported that the Board of University and School Lands (Land Board) awarded $4 million in grants to higher education institutions impacted by rapid growth in western North Dakota on Dec. 18. These funds were awarded in conjunction with $5.6 million in grants to K-12 schools in that area.