regard to the responsibilities of all involved to improve the educational process and graduation rates.
President Burse cited a Lexington Herald-Leader article that echoed Regent Farris's statement that retention and graduation are moral imperatives.
No action was taken by the Board in regard to the Academic Affairs report.
Regent Oldham presented the Student Affairs Committee Report. She began by stating that a quorum was present for the Committee meeting. Regent Oldham stated that a report was given to the Committee by Francene Gilmer, the interim Vice President for Student Affairs. She reported that the Committee accepted and approved the minutes from the prior Committee meeting. Regent Oldham stated that the Committee had reviewed enrollment for Fall Semester and was concerned about the low enrollment numbers. Regent Oldham reported that an Enrollment Management Committee has been formed. That committee consists of a cross-section of administrative and professional staff members from the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid, Housing and the Registrar's Office, who will assess and improve student enrollment initiatives. President Burse expressed his concern that based upon current application and acceptance rates, the enrollment for Fall Semester 2016 could be even lower, in the absence of prompt, substantive change in the recruitment and admissions process.
Regent Oldham stated that the Student Handbook is in the process of being revised and should be completed in November 2015. Discussion ensued as to making paper and electronic copies available for easy access.
Regent Oldham reported that the Zero Tolerance Policy in regard to weapons, drugs and fighting has been a success. At the same point in Fall Semester 2014, 48 students were disciplined for drug offenses. At the time of the Committee meeting, only five students had been disciplined for drug offenses. The discipline in all cases was suspension.
Regent Oldham discussed the One Stop Shop. She stated that service in the One Stop Shop is improving based on improved phone service.
Regent Oldham gave an update on Student Life activities and reviewed some of the items on the Student Life calendar. Regent McFayden raised a concern that more effort should be made to ensure that student activities are more global in perspective and have more of a direct impact on the academic lives of students.
No Board action was taken in regard to the Student Affairs report.
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