Distance Learning is emphasizing professional training for faculty. We want everyone to get online certification. We will be awarding the first Course Design badges soon. Other training opportunities are coming up. We will also be holding listening sessions with students about their online classes.

A senator asked about updates to Blackboard, especially regarding editing functions within text boxes.

Dr. Dailey responded that those updates for formatting text on Blackboard should be available now. He also noted that a recent Microsoft update caused a glitch in Blackboard’s ability to open uploaded Word and PDF documents.

Kentucky COVID case numbers are down. We’ve had one student case and one employee case in the past week. The Green and Gold commission is working with Acting President Stamps to evaluate possible opening of in-person events. HB 51 in the legislature will ban mask mandates in all public schools, including colleges and universities.

Candace Raglin in Human Resources asked Nurse Todd to announce that, if you present your Express Scripts card at your pharmacy, you can get at-home COVID tests covered by insurance.

Last Saturday there was a suicide attempt on campus. We are seeing more depression and other mental health issues. William Mink is in charge of University Counseling and that is where students should go for help. Counseling is now separate from Health Services.

There’s a virtual career fair next Wednesday. This will also include graduate schools. Students can go online and schedule 10-minute one-on-one meetings with employers and graduate school representatives.

University College staff are seeking a grant for the pre-college academy and working with students on Black History presentations. Please send your students who are struggling academically to the Thorobred Learning Center in University College.

We are planning for the fall semester. In making schedules, please spread courses across the entire day. We anticipate 600 freshmen next fall (not counting dual credit).

A senator asked if all students should be expected to register for at least 15 credit hours?

The answer was “yes.”

A committee will be looking at program offerings, course offerings and faculty productivity as part of our CPE Management Improvement Plan. Serving on the committee will be Provost Hamilton, Dr. Michael Dailey and Professor Mary Barr. He is also working with the School of