Action: Motion to approve the minutes from the Board of Regents meeting held on April 26, 2013 was made by Regent Whitehead and seconded by Regent Henry. The motion passed, 10-0.
Action: Motion to approve the minutes from the Board of Regents meeting held on June 6, 2013 was made by Regent Whitehead and seconded by Regent Henry. The motion passed, 10-0.
President Sias welcomed attendees to the meeting. The following items were discussed:
President Sias asked Dr. Lorenzo Esters, Vice President of Student Success and Enrollment Management, to present information regarding student academic performance. Dr. Esters provided an overview of how KSU students have progressed based upon a series of performance indicators. Dr. Esters also included a review of KSU's Admissions Index and recommendations to modify the admissions criteria to include categories for Regular Admissions, Conditional Admissions and students with developmental course remediation needs.
Dr. Esters introduced Mr. James Berry, KSU's newly appointed Director of Safety and Security. Mr. Berry will also oversee the KSU Police Department and other security related matters. Mr. Berry will begin his duties on August 16, 2013.
Stephen Mason, Sr., Chief of Staff/Special Assistant to the President, presented the Legislative report. Mr. Mason distributed a report and discussed the recently passed federal student loan rate legislation. A discussion about Parent Plus loan credit requirements ensued and Mr. Mason stated that the federal government is reviewing its requirements for borrower creditworthiness, based upon the stringent credit requirements that precluded many students across the U.S. from attending college. President Sias and other university presidents plan to send a letter to President Barack Obama to share their views of the unintended consequences of changes in the Parent Plus loan program.
Mr. Mason mentioned the status of the federal Farm bill and its potential impact for land grant university funding. Universities with land grant programs are concerned about the impact upon their funding should the farm bill not be passed before the new federal fiscal year begins in October 2013.