Next, Dr. Dailey and Dr. Wicker discussed the fall 2023 total registration yearly trend analysis, noting that KSU is currently ahead of previous fiscal years.

Regent Adams asked whether individuals who were assisting students with enrollment are actual academic advisors, and also inquired who would be advising students over the summer.

Regent Hatchett asked how outreach is being handled in order to encourage more students to come to KSU.

Next, Provost Dailey and Vice Provost Wicker presented the SACSCOC Update. Dr. Dailey explained that the purpose of the response was based on self-reporting, as Interim President Johnson had proactively sent a letter to SACSCOC regarding the APA report to ensure that they were aware of it. SACSCOC is required to review or consider anything that may be related to the accreditation status of an institution. SACSCOC replied with a letter requiring KSU to provide a response covering three core requirements and roughly thirteen standards. Dr. Dailey shared that a response team was formed, and members were assigned to cover all core requirements and standards. The response was to be submitted later that week. After submission of the response, a team will travel to SASCOC in Dallas for their summer session and to learn the outcome of the review.

Next, Dr. Wicker explained how the report was being compiled in the Compliance Assist module of Anthology.

Chair Dukes queried how close the response is to completion and submission.

Interim President Johnson stated that KSU was not in compliance with two of the three core requirements due to the previous administration, and discussed how that should be addressed in the response.

Regent Hatchett said this is the first he’s heard of this as a Regent, and asked several questions as to the way in which KSU interacts with SASCOC. Specifically, Regent Hatchett queried whether SACSCOC had officially reacted to the audit report in writing to KSU, or if the University proactively sent them its response to the existence of the audit without being asked to do so. If so, Regent Hatchett also asked whether SACSCOC provided anything in writing acknowledging KSU’s situation.

Regent Fields inquired as to who is on the team going to Dallas.

Interim President Johnson and Dr. Daarel Burnette, Interim Chief of Staff and Interim EVP, Finance and Business Affairs, presented this agenda item. Dr. Johnson began by recapping how some of the $5 million in unexpected expenses were handled.

Dr. Burnette continued by discussing the external audit, including where Blue and Co. is in wrapping up their audit and how it meshes with SASCOC.

Dr. Burnette then introduced Mr. Allen Norvell of Blue and Co. Mr. Norvell explained what had been accomplished with the financial and compliance audits and the next steps to be taken. Mr. Norvell further noted significant issues that had been identified and discussed KSU staff cooperation and engagement with Blue and Co. auditors. Finally, Mr. Norvell provided an auditor