Branch: Executive Branch Cabinet/Function: Cabinet for Postsecondary Education Agency/Institution: KY State University
The Capital Plan for Kentucky State University eight priority projects for FY 2018 – 2020. KSU School of Nursing has a new title; “Construct Health Sciences Center”. It remains the number one priority for new construction on campus. The Business & Technology is second priority. Two new projects are next; renovation of the Paul G. Blazer Library to an “Academic & Student Success Center” and “Repair Boilers and Aging Distribution Lines Phase II”. Repair and refurbish existing facilities continues to be a priority. Information Technology projects included in the Plan are necessary to keep up with the constantly changing technology.
The School of Nursing at Kentucky State University is poised to grow exponentially with the further development of present academic programs and the addition of new academic programs, such as the Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN-DNP) program. A new facility is required for this program to achieve its potential.
The School of Business is the University's largest academic program, and one that will play a key role in the University's Strategic Plan. The project will permit the development of educational technologies not now available to the school and enable it to meet its mission of providing professional development classes to the entire Frankfort community. Renovation of Blazer Library to an "Academic & Student Success Center" is required in order to provide a technology-rich learning center that has: Lecture and Event Spaces, Collaboration or Individual Learning Spaces, Writing and Communication Center, maximized space and workflow, and access to technology.
Major capital-related needs and issues facing the University are limited resources, particularly for maintenance and repair, which in turn creates deferred maintenance. The challenge in addressing its aging facilities was documented in the 2007 VFA Facility Condition Assessment and Space Study. Utilization of information obtained from the 2008 Master Plan and the 2007 VFA Condition Assessment; KSU Facilities Services Division and the Information Technology Division collaborated to establish initial priorities for the plan. Some of the projects included in this Plan were submitted in previous Capital Plan submissions.
Projects to be addressed in the “Renovation & Renewal Projects Pool” will address the deferred maintenance needs in our facilities. Note that state assistance in providing matching funds for these efforts is critical to addressing these needs before they worsen.