Chairperson Bearden yielded the floor to President Burse to offer recommendations for appointments. President Burse presented the following Presidential appointments for approval and ratification by the Board:
Chairperson Bearden called for a vote on the ratification and approval of the President's appointments. The appointments were ratified and approved unanimously.
President Burse presented Gregory Rush, the newly confirmed Vice President for Business Affairs, and recommended that he be approved to serve as Treasurer for the Board of Regents. He commended Mr. Rush's work as Budget Director and stated that it was customary for the Vice President for Business Affairs to serve as Board Treasurer.
Chairperson Bearden called for a vote on the election of Gregory Rush to serve as Treasurer for the Board. Mr. Rush was elected unanimously.
Regent Farris presented the Academic Affairs Committee report. She began by stating that a quorum was present for the committee meeting. She also stated that Dr. Lynda Brown-Wright had given the Executive Summary at the Committee meeting.
Regent Farris reported that although the 2009 Cohort showed improvement in graduation rates, graduation rates remain unacceptably low. The Committee discussed various methods to improve graduation rates. She stated that faculty, staff, and students must all be accountable. Higher expectations of both students and professors are required early on in each student's academic career. Regent Farris stated that retention rates have increased. Academic support programs are being coordinated to be more proactive and to connect with students when they begin their college careers. Regent Bearden and Regent Farris discussed