Ms. Leath explained the various grants – KSU is in the 5^{th} year of a 5 year Title III grant. We have a SAFRA grant in which we are in the 2^{nd} year of a 5 year cycle. We are also in the final year of the HBCU Masters grant. It is unknown whether this HBCU Masters grant will be available again.

Much of the discussion revolved around how money is currently being spent in the grants – lots of salaries, how money can be spent, and the process of transferring projects from soft money (Title III) over to E&G.

Regent Farris asked if we have current policies for Title III, and is there a website. Ms. Leath reported that she is current working on that. A new protocol has been put in place regarding software. Software will no longer be purchased unless IT is brought into the process. It is important to make sure that software is compatible, not duplicated, it is necessary, etc. Too much money has been spent on software that has been subsequently abandoned.

Regent Lysonge questions expenditures for travel. He asked if there were constraints on travel. Students CANNOT travel on Title III funds, so this is for faculty/staff travel only. The new focus is on what does that person bring back to the university. A new requirement for travel is that the recipient of the travel $ must now present to the University upon their return.

Ms. Leath went on to explain the importance of transferring funds off these Title III funds. She reiterated that the purpose of these funds is for Capacity Building, which basically work as start up funds with the goal of getting the program started, then transferred over to operating. She stated that we could use funds for buildings (except dorms). This would be a way to fund a new nursing building. We can also use up to 20% of the funds for an endowment, however the university must match the amount. She stated that historically, the majority of the funds have been used for salaries. While it is okay to use these funds for salaries, there must be a plan to move these $ off to operating.

Regent Bearden asked specifically about Dr. Wheeler's area and their relationship to Title III. Ms. Leath responded that most of Dr. Wheeler's area salaries were in Title III. Previously about 100%, this year only 1/2 is Title III. Dr. Wheeler's salary is not Title III, but paid from E&G. Chair Bearden reiterated there was much concern that Dr. Wheeler's area is funded from Title III, and stated that a plan to move these expenditures to operating must be developed.

$230,000 of the grant money was dedicated to dorms. The original plan was to use the $ for aesthetic purposes, however it will not have to be used for the mold processes.

The HBCU Masters grant $ can be used for student scholarship & stipends. The grant is currently reconciled and whatever amount is remaining will be used for student scholarships & stipends.

Mary Pat from the Registry presented information about the strategic plan. The process began in 2015; a draft was presented in April 2016, but it needed more work. The plan was revised in August and September 2016. She stated the April draft was reckless – proposing targets that were not appropriate. The new plan embeds performance based funding into the plan. It includes a current group of institutions as well as an aspirational group of institutions. Based on the US News and World Report, KSU is currently ranked 27/80, the strategic plan is designed to move KSU to #12.

President Thompson presented some data related to enrollment trends, cohorts and retention rates.