Academic Affairs:

Regent Bearden presented the Academic Affairs Committee report. Written reports were provided to the Committee prior to the meeting. Regent Bearden requested that Dr. Beverly Downing, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, discuss the various topics impacting academics at the University.

Dr. Downing advised the Board that the University's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and Fifth-Year report were submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) in March 2015. She also stated that the University's 10-year report is currently being prepared for future submission to SACS.

Dr. Downing discussed her plan to transition developmental education classes to an accelerated model with instructional support. Such support would include faculty members working with students with additional instructional needs before or after class.

Dr. Downing stated that all academic program reviews had been completed. Future reviews will assist in the University's decision-making for consolidating programs, eliminating or expanding programs based upon current career outlook information for students.

The 2009-10 Cohort Plan was addressed during the presentation. Dr. Downing advised that the University would be aggressively working with students within this cohort to increase the number of students in this group towards graduation.

Academic staffing levels were discussed. Dr. Downing advised that the Dean of the University position is expected to be filled and that job descriptions for the current chairs and coordinators would be revised.

Dr. Downing addressed the Time-to-Degree review her office undertook. There was found to be an additional year difference in degree completion of many KSU students. Several variables were attributable to this determination. For example, some students may have their graduation delayed due to being required to take non-credit developmental courses.

A discussion of Integrative Studies (IGS) courses was held. Dr. Downing stated that these courses were a part of the University's core curriculum and that students are required to take three (3) of these courses to complete graduation requirements.

Dr. Downing discussed the diversity of KSU's faculty and advised that it has been difficult to measure KSU's success in attracting and retaining faculty of diverse