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Eight Regents were in attendance. A quorum was declared at 3:14 p.m.
VIII. Opening Remarks:
Chair Bearden began the meeting by offering opening remarks to attendees. She explained that this special meeting may also be a video conference meeting if there were regents who might need to participate via video conference link. Ultimately, there were no regents who participated in the meeting via video conference.
IX. President's Remarks:
President Sias addressed the board with a few opening remarks. She advised the board that KSU had been notified that it would receive an award from Central Kentucky's Bluegrass Tomorrow organization for the newly inaugurated KSU research vessel, the "KSU Thorobred."
Other good news items were reported. Dr. Maifan Silitonga, in the College of Agriculture, Food Sciences and Sustainable Systems, had been recently named a Fellow in the Food Sciences Academy. Dr. Teferi Tsegaye, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Sciences and Sustainable Systems is also a Fellow in several Agriculture-based societies.
President Sias also congratulated the KSU Womens' Volleyball Team for becoming SIAC Conference champions. The team will proceed to competition in the NCAA tournament.
KSU Thorobred Plan:
President Sias discussed the university's new Thorobred tuition and fees payment program for current students. President Sias stated the university has several student accounts that have not been paid (approximately 800) which are liabilities that the university can no longer absorb. Thus, in an effort to decrease the amounts that KSU accrues as bad debt expense, the university has developed a mandatory tuition repayment plan for those students who may not be able to pay their total tuition and fees in full each semester. President Sias distributed a handout to board members outlining the requirements students must meet each semester. Students who are unable to meet these requirements will not be permitted to re-enroll in subsequent semesters, receive transcripts or participate in graduation exercises.
In addition to the tuition payment program, President Sias also shared the university's commitment to increase the amount of need-based aid for students with unmet financial need.
X. Audit and Finance and Administration Committees:
Ms. Anita Lockridge, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance Administration, introduced Ms. Chrissy Fiscus, Auditor with Dean, Dorton Ford. Ms. Fiscus presented the external audit report for KSU orally and in written documents.
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