Regent Dukes sought clarification as to the timing of the audited financials.
Chair Walston asked the University's Acting General Counsel, Zach Atwell, whether the Board would need to meet and approve the University's response prior to its submission to SACSCOC.
Hearing no further questions, Chair Walston thanked Dr. Freeman-Taylor for her presentation.
This agenda item was presented by Provost Dailey and Vice-Provost Wicker. Prior to this presentation, Dr. Wicker clarified the process by which Regents could review the SACSCOC response via the Workspace platform prior to its submission.
Dr. Wicker began the update by noting that the academic appeals process will be revamped over the next several months to bring it into alignment with the University’s protocols and processes. He also described changes that would be made prior to bringing the revised process to the Board for its approval.
Regent Briggs asked whether the academic aspeals committee would convene over the summer. Dr. Wicker responded affirmatively.
Chair Walston inquired whether there would be a mechanism to track where failures were originating from.
Regent Moyer queried how many students qualified for graduation during the last semester but are still unable to graduate because their account charges have not been cleared.
Next, Vice-Provost Wicker presented the Management Improvement Plan Update, reporting that the Department of Academic and Student Affairs is working closely with CPE to close out some of the fourth quarter objectives and is in the process of completing Q1 objective 4.9.1. Dr. Wicker reminded Committee members that everyone needs to be working on the objectives for this quarter, as they would be included in the SACSCOC response. Dr. Wicker pointed out that CPE’s review serves as an external mechanism (as required by SACSCOC) for validating KSU’s corrective actions taken as a result of the APA audit.
Regent Walston sought clarification regarding whether the University would retain its own external validator or if one would be assigned to KSU. Dr. Wicker replied that CPE already has an external evaluator, Moss Adams, as part of their review mechanism.
Vice-Provost Wicker provided an update regarding the Whitney M. Young, Jr. School of Social Work, Liberal Arts, and Honors Collegium. Dr. Wicker discussed proposed transitions that would promote better coordination with market value and improved services.
Chair Walston asked Dr. Wicker to expand upon the Honors Collegium, specifically asking whether it would involve a specific set of courses, and which students would be able to participate in the program. President Akakpo explained how the revised honors program would differ from the previously offered honors program.