KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
Management's Discussion and Analysis, continued
June 30, 2014
University management continues its strategic mission to uniquely position Kentucky State University as Kentucky's small public liberal arts institution of excellence for the citizens of the Commonwealth and for advancing higher education in Kentucky by inspiring innovation, growing leaders and advancing Kentucky. Executive management continues to work with the Council on Postsecondary Education to address the needs of the Commonwealth and believe it is positioning the University to become a strong, financially viable and efficient institution of higher learning.
Future economic factors impacting Kentucky State University include the following known facts:
Tuition and costs of attendance—Kentucky State University continues to weigh its costs of attendance with the funding provided by the General Assembly to successfully deliver its programs and remain one of the most affordable public institutions in the Commonwealth. Funding levels and methodologies used for institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth are developed and approved by the Council on Postsecondary Education.
Enrollment growth and student retention—Kentucky State University recruits a diverse student body of traditional, nontraditional and transfer students seeking baccalaureate and advanced degrees. Enrollment stabilization is a priority of University management and specifically, an increased strategy for recruiting in-state students.
Program expansion—the University is well positioned to meet the needs of Kentuckians through its programs and educational activities. The University offers the following programs: Bachelors in Mass Communications and Journalism, a Masters of Arts in Special Education, and a Masters in Business Administration, a Masters in Public Administration, a Masters in Computer Science, a Masters in Environmental Studies, a Masters of Science in Interdisciplinary Behavioral Studies and soon, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
Regional Stewardship—Kentucky State University continues to meet the economic and community needs of its area of geographic responsibility through collaborative initiatives with businesses, community-based organizations, schools and other educational agencies, citizens and local and state officials.
Land Grant – Kentucky State University continues to fulfill its mission as a land grant institution providing innovative research opportunities on its research vessel, the Kentucky River Thorobred and community based extension through the Rosenwald Center for Families and Children
State Funding Model – On January 16, 2013, Moody’s Investor Service downgraded its outlook for the entire US higher education sector to negative. The state is being forced to innovate and come up with strategies for getting better results with less money. One of the strategies is the idea of tying state education allocations to performance metrics instead of enrollment.
The overall financial position of the University was stable during fiscal year 2014. Revenue streams were stressed. As the University adapts to present economic environments, new opportunities for funding will be explored to compliment state support. Executive management's goal is to deliver exceptional programs and services to students and constituents while maintaining financial stability. Management believes Kentucky State University is able to sustain its financial position and solidify its being a regional university of excellence.