• ○HBCU Masters program (which provides graduate scholarships).

She explained that:

• ●Under President Akakpo's leadership, Kentucky State University now expends Title III funds on a grant-year basis, rather than carrying large unspent balances.
• ●As a result, the University is effectively operating grant year to grant year with Title III support, making the delay in new awards particularly impactful.
• ●The lack of a current-year HBCU Masters award is already affecting the University's ability to offer graduate scholarships, with potential implications for graduate enrollment.

Board members inquired about:

• ●Possible impacts on ongoing programming and staffing.
• ●Whether any legislative intervention (e.g., from the congressional delegation or U.S. senators) might be helpful.

President Akakpo:

• ●Noted that he has been in frequent contact with federal partners in Washington, D.C., who have consistently expressed support for HBCUs.
• ●Cited prior advocacy efforts that successfully restored certain 1890 scholarship funding, though institutional allocations remained reduced.
• ●Indicated that Kentucky State University will continue to monitor developments closely and will notify the Board immediately upon receipt of any new awards or guidance.

No action was taken; this was an information item.

V. Action Items

A. Capital Planning and Facilities Management

These agenda items were presented by Mr. Wayne Cowan, who provided a brief overview of seven (7) proposed projects related to campus walkways, improvements, and miscellaneous repairs, including a rough budget for work at Hillcrest and a recurring insurance-related cost partially reimbursed by the State.

The Board had previously discussed these projects in detail during the Board retreat on the prior day.

The Chair requested that the Regents consider and vote on the facilities items as a group rather than individually.