The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents met Friday to wrap up its monthly meetings for October.

The board passed several construction resolutions, totaling about $2 million.

Among those, the board authorized the construction of a residence hall at the UW-Madison Kemp Natural Resources Station and granted UW Hospital and Clinics authority on lease and affiliation agreements.

Another resolution the board approved will increase the scope and budget of the UW-Madison Biotechnology Building Addition project. The regents also approved two new degrees and gave the go-ahead to renovate the Middleton Library.

The board kicked off the day by thanking UW-Superior for hosting the October meetings.

UW System President Kevin P. Reilly described his activities over the past month, which have included business all over the state. Beginning with K-12 schools, Reilly has been meeting with administrators to discuss a "seamless" and extensive education plan.

He said the UW System has "many different and deep connections" with Wisconsin residents.

His work has included meeting with several Latino leaders in Milwaukee, alongside Regents Jose A. Olivieri, Jesus Salas and Carlos E. Santiago, chancellor of UW-Milwaukee. Reilly said the Latino leaders "are supportive of our work to maintain access for students of all backgrounds."

Reilly has made communication with students a priority, meeting with student journalists from around the UW System and UW System student ambassadors.

Reilly also has met with numerous legislators. The legislators, Reilly noted, "are acutely interested in our plans for efficiency, and we've had good discussions about what it will take for the UW System to remain a quality, accessible part of Wisconsin's landscape."

Reilly urged the board to speak with legislators, saying regents' stories and experiences are valuable in changing legislation.

"This university's most extraordinary stories come from our students, faculty, researchers, staff and administrators," Reilly said.

The president applauded the UW System's constant and current growth, citing a document that detailed research and development at Wisconsin universities and research institutions. The development and research translated into $883 million and created 31,000 jobs for the state last year.

Reilly noted this achievement came in the face of a suffering economy.

"Most importantly, the report urges the governor and the legislature to begin to restore the UW System budget," Reilly said.

The board honored Frank Goldberg, UW System associate vice president for policy analysis and research, for his service to the system. Goldberg is leaving the UW System for a position in Chicago with the University of Illinois.

"I look to Frank as a person who tries to explain to me what the numbers mean. I constantly go to him to learn and understand," Olivieri said.

The board has scheduled two meetings to gather input issues affecting the UW System.

The regents will meet again next month, Nov. 4, in Madison.