President Sias introduced Dr. Teferi Tsegaye as the University's new Dean of the College of Agriculture. Dr. Tsegaye was formerly a Professor at Alabama A&M. Dr. Tsegaye is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Tsegaye is an expert in Soil Science and has extensive experience is obtaining and administering grants.
President Sias also introduced Dr. Tsehai Alemayehu as the newly appointed Dean of the College of Business. Dr. Alemayehu was formerly a Professor from Savannah State University. Dr. Alemayehu is a graduate of Berea College and the University of Kentucky.
President Sias also introduced Dr. Sam Oleka, current Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Dr. Gashaw Lake, current Dean of the College of Professional Studies (not present). Dr. Tsegaye, Dr. Alemayehu, Dr. Oleka and Dr. Lake are the deans of the colleges of the university.
Board Retreat:
President Sias informed the Board that its retreat would be scheduled before the January 2012 regularly scheduled Board meeting. Additional information will be forthcoming.
Legislative/Congressional Update:
President Sias updated the Board about the possibility of changes to the Pell grant program at the federal level. President Sias stated that Pell grants will no long be awarded to students for use in the Summer session. Dr. Sias is concerned with the impact potential changes in the Pell grant program could have on students since KSU has a large number of Pell-eligible students.
President Sias also discussed concerns about possible Congressional reductions of Title III appropriations. Across the Title III program, Dr. Sias expects a $83 million reduction. This reduction will have an impact on KSU's $2.2 million appropriation.
Because of the probable reductions in federal appropriations, Dr. Sias stated that the university has to become more creative, innovative and efficient with its resources.
Dr. Sias has been asked to serve on the Committee of Higher Education Attainment of American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). Dr. Sias will also begin her term as Chair-Elect of AASCU. Dr. Sias recently completed her term as Chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
Presentation to the Council on Postsecondary Education
President Sias also provided a review of the Council on Postsecondary Education's (CPE) Strategic Agenda. This plan will include metrics on College
Minutes Board of Regents Meeting October 28, 2011
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