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Dr. Beverly Downing, Interim Provost, shared information about the University's textbook initiative. Some students have experienced difficulties in purchasing their textbooks. The average cost of textbooks for a first year student is approximately $500-700. Thus, required texts in general education courses have been placed in the library and Academic Center of Excellence for student use. The use of the textbooks will be monitored to determine the impact on retention of our students.

The Fifth Year draft report is being reviewed by various university constituencies. This report is due to SACS no later than March 15, 2015.

KSU received SACS approval to offer the Master of Interdisciplinary Behavioral Science program at KSU. Dr. Downing is very pleased to have received this authorization.

KSU is in the process of selecting a date for this visit. The visit should occur in Fall 2015.

KSU has approval to begin recruiting students for the Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Currently there are approximately six students who have applied for the program at this time. The initial target for the first class is five students with an additional five each semester. Dr. Downing expects the University to exceed these targets.

The focus report for these programs are being submitted to the accrediting body for business schools next week. KSU anticipates a response from the accrediting body within the next month.

Four KSU academic programs have already begun to map their student learning outcomes with their assessments. This will provide an increase in transparency for students' learning expectations and teaching outcomes (i.e., what students should learn).

Dr. Downing has reviewed course loads to determine the need for adjuncts. The student-teacher ratio is 16-17:1. The target is 15:1, but sometimes it may need to be increased. She has streamlined the courses that KSU offers in an effort to allow for cost containment. However, KSU will not sacrifice academic quality.

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