Regent Walston reported that the Board met October 19, 2021. They were in closed session for almost four hours discussing pending litigation, personnel matters and matters related to requests for proposals and bidding. In the open session, the Board heard an update from CPE representatives on the Management Improvement Plan. Dr. Thompson and Mr. Travis Powell reported that KSU’s financial situation was due to poor administrative leadership in financial management, inadequate budget controls and a failure of internal auditing.

In action items, the Board voted to ask CPE to request $23 million from the legislature to cover our shortfall. This is to cover $6-7 million in current shortfall and $15 million accumulated from the past. CPE will make this request to the state legislature.

The Management Improvement Plan will require oversight by and reporting to CPE on implementation of policies and procedures, on guidelines for salary ranges, on enrollment management and measures to improve student success. The new president will continue to develop the plan and report to CPE on its implementation.

The Board approved composition of a Presidential Search Committee that will have 11 members. A representative of CPE will chair the committee. There will be two students, two faculty, two staff, two alumni and two Frankfort residents. The student, faculty, staff and alumni members will be elected by their constituents. The two Frankfort representatives will be selected by Dr. Aaron Thompson. One of the Frankfort representatives must be someone who works in K-12 education. Names of these committee members must be selected by November 9.

The search committee will identify candidates and report two or three finalists to the Board with a summary of each of those candidates strengths and weaknesses. The committee will use an executive search consulting firm.

The Board also approved purchase of software for curriculum and transcript management, a contract for an external audit, spending for information technology upgrades, HVAC work on The Halls and sale of surplus property.

A senator suggested that Regent Walston ask the Board to consider a public relations offensive to put a positive spin on the KSU story.

A draft of the general education report has gone to CPE. Thanks to all who helped with that. All units with general education classes should be planning for their course assessments at the end of the semester.

Dean Sims sent a message (read by President Clay) urging all faculty to make sure that students will have the resources for virtual learning after the Thanksgiving break. Student requests for hotspots should go to destinibaker2@kysu.edu

Also, in planning virtual assignments and deadlines, remember that there may be time zone differences.

Last vaccination and testing clinic of the semester will be November 13 10-2 in Exum. Boosters have been approved for all three Covid 19 vaccines. All faculty qualify for boosters if you are two months past your Johnson and Johnson vaccine or six months after your Pfizer or Moderna