distancing and the number of COVID cases on campus was low. Additionally, there were no deaths and only one hospitalization due to COVID.

Upon return, everyone on campus was required to complete COVID training and students and returning employees were tested for COVID. Updates with an operational alert are sent every Thursday to the campus community and the workforce remains at twenty percent to keep incidence rates low.

President Brown reported that the pass/fail option was invoked in the fall. The grades for this semester were historically consistent but attendance and comfort level, among other factors, have been challenges. Freshman are the group experiencing the most difficulties navigating the COVID atmosphere which is a problem nationwide. KSU has many supports available to assist freshman and first year students, including a new tool called InScribe which allows students to interact directly with peers and faculty members.

President Brown informed the Board that retention data is tracked two ways—fall to fall and fall to spring. KSU’s fall to fall retention was 79 percent and the fall to spring was 89.97 percent, even in the midst of COVID. Retention is highest among students involved in activities such as athletics, choirs, SGA, etc. The challenge with student success is reaching the students who are not engaged in student life. He stressed that year is a good opportunity to learn how to keep students and make sure they are successful.

President Brown stated that there was push for face to face instruction in the spring which was not possible due to a spike in COVID cases. Some courses are still taught face to face due to the nature of instruction. Dr. Schneller said that faculty can easily move between hybrid and online delivery if situations change.

Hon. Hannah Hale, Title IX Coordinator, and Brandon Williams, Equal Opportunity Investigator for the University of Kentucky, provided a comprehensive overview of the New Title IX Regulation. They also covered KSU's Title IX process and the role of Title IX on campus, officials with authority, how to conduct a sensitive intake, and the appeal process.

MOTION by Regent Barfield:

Move the Committee to go into Executive Session to discuss pending litigation (KRS 61.810 (1)(c)) and individual personnel matters (KRS 61.810 (1)(f)).

Seconded by Regent Reynolds and passed without dissent.

3