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Meeting Was Conducted in Person and by Teleconference

January 11, 2023 10:00 a.m. EST

The Board's Chair, Dr. Gerald Patton, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

The Board's Secretary, Mr. Zachary Atwell, called the roll:

Regent Gerald Patton, PhD Present

Regent Herman Walston, EdD Present

Regent Michael Adams, Jr. Present

Regent Tammi Dukes Not Present

Regent Edward Fields Present

Regent Ernie Fletcher, MD Present

Regent Edward Hatchett, Esq. Present

Regent Jason Moseley Not Present

Regent Charles Moyer, PhD Present

Regent Robert Ramsey, Sr. Present

Regent Savion Briggs Not Present

During the roll call, at least six (6) Regents were present, thereby establishing a quorum. Shortly after the roll call, Regent Dukes, Regent Moseley, and Regent Briggs joined the meeting.

MOTION by Regent Moyer:

Move the Board to approve the agenda for the January 11, 2023, quarterly meeting of the Board of Regents.

Seconded by Regent Walston and passed without dissent.

A. Pending Litigation (KRS 61.810(1)(c))

The Board moved to into closed session to discuss pending litigation, pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c).

Chair Patton asked for a motion to enter into closed session.

Move the Board to enter into closed session.

Seconded by Regent Fletcher, and passed without dissent.

As the Board reconvened from the closed session, Chair Patton announced that no action was taken during the closed session and asked for a motion to enter into open session.

Move the Board to enter into open session.

Seconded by Regent Fields, and passed without dissent.

Chair Patton inquired whether there was any discussion regarding the minutes included in agenda items V(A), V(B), and V(C). Upon hearing no responses, Chair Patton requested a motion to approve the minutes as submitted.

Move the Board to approve the Minutes from prior Board meetings as submitted.

Seconded by Regent Moyer, and passed without dissent. All minutes were approved by the motion.

Dr. Keith McCutchen, Faculty Senate President, presented this agenda item. He began by expressing gratitude to the Board for implementing emergency procedures concerning facilities and the physical environment. Dr. McCutchen proceeded with a discussion on the multidisciplinary committees collaborating with CPE as part of their mandates and operational procedure processes.

Regent Hatchett, noting that faculty evaluation policy and process amendments had been postponed during a previous Board meeting, asked Dr. McCutchen to share the Faculty Senate's perspective on the evaluation policy and process changes the Board has been discussing over the past year.

Regent Walston thanked Dr. McCutchen for his report and inquired about the status of the Public Administration program's re-accreditation process. Dr. McCutchen directed the question to Interim Provost Dr. Michael Dailey, who provided an update. Regent Walston then asked if there was a timeline for completing the activities required for the program's re-accreditation process.

Chair Patton emphasized the significance of maintaining all KSU program accreditations and expressed appreciation for Dr. McCutchen's presentation.

Next, Ms. Ja'Meeca Alexander, Staff Senate President, presented the Staff Senate Update. She mentioned that the December 13, 2022, Town Hall meeting was successful but also reported ongoing concerns among staff members. These concerns include feeling overworked and underpaid, experiencing a lack of communication, and receiving inadequate training when transitioning to different positions within the University. Ms. Alexander added that staff members are often hesitant to express their opinions due to fear of losing their jobs.

Ms. Alexander requested more frequent Town Hall meetings and meetings with Interim President Johnson and VP Burnette to address staff concerns more regularly.

Chair Patton asked Regent Fields to respond to Ms. Alexander's presentation. Regent Fields agreed with the issues raised by Ms. Alexander. Regent Walston commented that he had also heard many of the same concerns from staff members and urged the Administration to continue exploring ways and resources to improve morale and prevent employees from feeling overworked, undervalued, and unheard.

Regent Fields acknowledged the perseverance of KSU staff during these challenging times, as they continue to serve the University to the best of their abilities. Chair Patton thanked Ms. Alexander for her presentation.

Regent Savion Briggs, Student Body President, presented the Student Government Update. Regent Briggs reported that all leadership positions within the SGA were filled, and numerous events were planned for the upcoming semester to encourage student involvement. Additionally, he noted that many leadership, training, internship, and mentoring opportunities would be available this semester.

Regent Adams asked Regent Briggs about the overall student morale on campus. Briggs responded that students were excited about the new dorms and hopeful for a better semester than the last. Regent Moyer inquired about students' perceptions of the career advising available as they approach graduation and whether they felt they were receiving adequate career counseling.

Regent Adams asked about the current status of career advisor services at KSU. Regent Briggs replied that several key positions in this area had been vacant for some time, to the best of his knowledge.

Regent Moseley questioned whether students felt there was an open-door policy that allowed them to comfortably reach out to the Administration with questions or concerns.

At this point, Dr. Golman, Interim VP of Student Engagement, joined the meeting via Zoom to address Regent Adams' question regarding career services. Dr. Golman stated that the Career Services Director position had been vacant for over a year. A strong candidate had been identified but declined the job offer, so interviews for the position were still ongoing.

Regent Moseley asked Dr. Golman if existing staff members could assist current seniors before they graduate in May, in case a permanent candidate is not hired quickly. Regent Walston mentioned that faculty members were also available to support students in preparing for graduation and securing future job opportunities. Ms. Alexander, Staff Senate President, shared ways her office supports students concerning career services.

Chair Patton thanked Regent Briggs for his presentation.

Interim President Ronald Johnson presented this agenda item. President Johnson noted that participation in this project is a component of CPE's MIP and stated that Dr. Berkley King, Jr., Regent Walston, and Regent Moyer had agreed to be KSU's liaisons.

Chair Patton thanked President Johnson for his presentation.

Chair Patton asked Dr. Kirk Pomper, Director of Land Grant Programs, to present this agenda item.

Regent Walston queried whether this equipment could be used to widen roads and trails.

Regent Ramsey inquired as to the equipment's total cost.

Move the Board to approve the purchase of a compact track loader and mulching head for the Environmental Education and Research Center (EERC). Seconded by Regent Moyer and passed without dissent.

Director Pomper presented this agenda item.

Regent Ramsey asked what was currently used to move equipment around.

Regent Walston queried why Chevrolet was selected.

Regent Fletcher asked what the negotiated indirect rate was for federal grants.

Move the Board to approve the purchase of a Chevy Silverado for the Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm.

Seconded by Regent Moyer and passed without dissent.

Chair Patton asked Ms. Candace Raglin, Director of Human Resources, to present this agenda item.

Hearing no questions following Ms. Raglin's presentation, Chair Patton called for a motion to approve the pending personnel actions.

Move the Board to approve the pending personnel actions.

Seconded by Regent Fields and passed without dissent.

Chair Patton noted that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, thanking all Board members and the administration for providing updates, and commending the Board for its vision and tireless work to improve the University.

Regent Fields inquired as to the status of the Sodexo contract. President Johnson replied that it was approved and that the Sodexo team would be on campus next week.

Regent Dukes asked President Johnson for an update on the new dorm.

Regent Briggs requested an update regarding student move-in for the spring semester.

Regent Moseley asked President Johnson for the status of the Exum roofing project.

MOTION by Regent Briggs:

Move the Board to adjourn.

Seconded by Regent Dukes and passed without dissent.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m.

Submitted by:

Zachary Atwell, Board Secretary Kentucky State University Board of Regents

Approved with no corrections

Approved with corrections

____

Regent Tammi Dukes, Board Chair

Kentucky State University

Board of Regents