The Biennium 2014-2016 Budget Recommendation of the Kentucky Council on Post Secondary Education was approved on November 7, 2013. The CPE budget recommendation included funding requests for all Kentucky higher education institutions for continuing operations and for strategic investments in statewide priority areas. The major components for Kentucky State University are summarized in the following narrative:
Base Funding – The biennium recommendation includes base adjustment to maintain operations. KSU's request is an adjustment in Restricted funds for $649,600 (2014-15) and $668,900 (2015-16) in support of continuing operations. The total request for Continuing Operations is $1,318,500 over the biennium.
- Strategic Investments – These are investment funds intended to produce strategic returns to the state in terms of improving College and Career Readiness, Performance Funding (Degree Production) and KSU Land Grant Mission Funds.
KSU proposes using the State funds to support College and Career Readiness programs and conducting summer programs focused on students with intended majors in Education to work specifically with their preparation in reading, writing and mathematics, prior to college enrollment. The total request for College and Career readiness is $659,400 (2014-15) and $659,400 (2015-16).
KSU proposes using the State funds for Performance Funding (Degree Production) to expand its counseling/advising activities to students. The focus will be on ensuring that student's graduation chances are enhanced by the following assistance from the university: a) ensuring students are taking the required courses for graduation in an efficient manner, b) assisting students where they have encountered problems and work with them on solutions, c) assist students to navigate the bureaucracies faced to graduation and d) analyze student trends so that KSU can be proactive to effect positive results relative to graduation. The total for Performance Funding (Degree Production) is $162,500 (2014-15) and $162,500 (2015-16).
KSU proposes using the State funds for Land Grant Mission Funds to continue to conduct research projects relevant to the needs of the community. Students are involved in these research programs to enhance their academic curriculum obtained through hands-on training and experiential learning in the laboratory and in the field. Students receive close mentoring engagement that provides opportunities for their professional development where they participate in scientific oral and poster competitions. Research engagement also prepares students in developing their analytical capability and encourages them to develop scientific paper, making them competitive in this field. The total for Land Grant Mission Funds is $152,700 (2014-15) and $305,400 (2015-16).
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