The University has completed the first phase of the SACS reaffirmation process. The University sent in its Compliance Report in September for the off-site review and the preliminary report of the off-site reaffirmation committee has been received. It was a good report in general.

The University is now moving into the second phase. This phase involves preparing a response to the preliminary review, in the format of what SACS calls a Focused Report. This has to be received by SACS by February 16, 2009. The report will be submitted to SACS the same time as the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Work on the QEP is ongoing.

The third phase is the On-site Visit. The Commission will send a team of reviewers to the University from March 31st to April 2nd of 2009. During the visit, the team will review further documentation on campus; interview people selected by them, and focus on the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). It is important that the KSU community be knowledgeable about institutional facts and the QEP, “Academics with Attitude: Building the Foundations for Student Success”. At the conclusion of the visit, the team will inform the University leadership of any areas that require further work or clarification. The University has one final chance to respond before the Commission makes its final decision in December, 2009.

Ine Author House has published Dr. Michael Kasongo's autobiography, Born to be a Preacher and a Teacher: The Life Story of Michael O. Kasongo. Dr. Kasongo is an Associate Professor in the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences. He is also an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. His previous publications include the History of the Methodist Church in Congo.

The Art Area sponsored an Art Festival on Saturday, December 6, 2008, in collaboration with local artists. Twenty-two visual artists participated and two local bands performed. Approximately 150 people were in attendance for this first event in Shauntee Hall as the new official Art Area facility.

Dr. Karah Stokes has been chosen as Vice President of the Kentucky Philological Association for next year.

Dr. April Fallon's paper “Mutability and Paradox in the Poetry of Lorine Niedecker” has been accepted at the 2009 Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture Since 1900,

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