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KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS REGULAR MEETING

*** Meeting Was Conducted in Person and by Teleconference *** Friday, January 31, 2025 10:00 a.m. EST

Board of Regents Room Julian M. Carroll Academic Services Building, 2nd Floor 400 East Main Street Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (Primary Physical Location)

MINUTES *****

I. Call To Order

The Board's Chair, Regent Tammi Dukes, called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m.

II. Roll Call

The Board's Secretary, Zachary Atwell, called the roll:

Regent Tammi Dukes, Chair Present

Regent Michael Adams, Jr., Vice Chair Not Present

Regent Edward Fields Present

Regent Edward Hatchett, Esq. Not Present

Regent Jason Moseley Not Present

Regent Charles Moyer, PhD Present

Regent Jonathan Rabinowitz, Esq Present

Regent Robert Ramsey, Sr. Not Present

Regent Herman Walston, EdD Present

Regent Aury Rios Alcantara Present

Six (6) Regents were in attendance and present at roll call. A quorum was therefore established. Regent Moseley and Regent Adams joined following roll call.

III. Approval of the Agenda

MOTION by Regent Fields:

Move the Board to approve the agenda of the January 31, 2025, meeting of the Board of Regents. Seconded by Regent Rabinowitz and passed without dissent.

IV. Information Items

A. University Senate Reports

i. Faculty Senate Report

This agenda item was presented by Dr. Patrese Nesbitt, Faculty Senate President. She reported that goals for the semester included faculty-related policy reviews and revisions. The signature process for the new CDF Minor has been completed and steps are being taken to improve the content and faculty utilization of the Canvas page. Faculty members have been notified of the new Faculty Senate meeting time. Work is underway to fill several vacancies within various Senate committees.

Chair Dukes inquired into the nature of the faculty policies under review.

ii. Staff Senate Report

This report was tabled until a future meeting as Mr. Delandual Conwell, Staff Senate President, was unable to attend.

iii. SGA Report

This report was presented by Regent Aury Rios-Alcantara, SGA President. Under the guidance of Dr. Mayberry and Dr. Dixie, the SGA has made significant progress in addressing student concerns and enhancing the overall campus experience. Regent Rios-Alcantara provided specific examples of recent SGA activities and accomplishments. She explained that the SGA continues to strengthen communication between students, faculty, and staff to create a more efficient and responsive campus environment. Three SGA Town Hall meetings are scheduled for this semester, with additional opportunities for students to provide feedback.

B. Athletics

i. Athletics Program Review and Feasibility Study Report

This agenda item was presented by Mr. Grant Stepp, Athletic Director, and representatives of the Pictor Group—M. Diane Murphy, PhD, Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Carolyn Schlie Femovich, and Ingrid Wicker McCree, EdD.

AD Stepp reported that the University has been working with the Pictor Group since August 2024 to implement a comprehensive Athletics program review, then turned the presentation over to Dr. McCree and Dr. Murphy. They reported that while it is apparent that the Athletics program has fallen behind in institutional support, commitment, staffing, facilities, and competitiveness, there is a path forward to restoring the program into a strong, vibrant asset for Kentucky State University. They discussed the Pictor Group review process and shared details of specific findings regarding program strengths and weaknesses.

President Akakpo inquired how the figure of $3.6 million in total KSU Athletics revenue for 2023 was arrived upon.

Regent Rabinowitz asked whether the University presently has, or has had in the past, any deals with any corporations or any companies on the athletics side, whether the

questionnaire response rate for alumni and friends was typical, and whether the low response rate was indicative of alumni engagement and interest.

As to the statement that the University currently has one athletics trainer for over 300 student-athletes, Regent Rios-Alcantara queried what steps the University is taking to ensure that all student-athletes are receiving an appropriate level of care and attention, and what steps are taken when a student athlete is injured and the trainer is not available.

Regent Fields sought clarification regarding a gender equity plan.

Regent Moyer inquired into the graduation rate of the University’s student-athletes compared to the full-time student graduation rate, and whether any focused study areas or resources exist specifically for student-athletes.

Regent Moseley asked how in-state students were being utilized within the Athletics program, and how those numbers compared to other institutions in the SIAC and other conferences.

Regent Rios-Alcantara inquired into the condition of the workout room equipment.

Regent Rabinowitz sought confirmation that the Pictor Group believes that the University is at the appropriate division level for competition.

Chair Dukes queried whether a recommendation had been made as to whether the University is aligned with where it is supposed to be, or whether a change should be considered, based upon the criteria of each of the divisions and conferences.

C. Finance and Administration

All Finance and Administration reports were presented by Ms. Vicky Dunaway, CFO and VP, Finance and Administration.

i. Financial Report

VP Dunaway introduced Dr. Melissa Hicks, the University’s new Controller, then stated that today’s presentation was the same as the January 30 presentation to the Finance & Advancement Committee.

Regent Moyer requested clarification as to why “uncollectible” students were uncollectible, and how many of these students are seniors.

Regent Fields asked whether VP Dunaway was still receiving invoices without purchase orders.

Chair Dukes inquired into the number of expenditures paid within the past six to eight months that did not have a purchase order.

ii. Report on President's Expenses and Travel

Next, VP Dunaway presented the President’s expense and travel report. Hearing no questions, Chair Dukes thanked her for the presentation.

D. President's Report

President Koffi Akakpo presented this agenda item and began by highlighting the success of the mobile health units being deployed to vulnerable populations in West Louisville, Hazard, Paducah and Hopkinsville. He also addressed the strategic plan, the status of the goal to enroll 3,000 students, employee demographics and KSU's partnership with BCTC to promote the University's Nursing program. Chair Dukes thanked President Akakpo for his presentation.

V. Action Items

A. Capital Planning and Facilities Management

These action items were presented by Ms. Jennifer Linton, Director, Capital Planning & Facilities Management. Chair Dukes requested that Regents approve each of the items by category rather than individually.

• i.Approval of Budget Increase for the McCullin Hall Renovation Project
• ii.Approval of Budget Increase for the Chandler Hall Renovation Project
• iii.Approval of Budget Increase for the Betty White Renovation Project
• iv.Approval of Improvements to Campus Walkways and Miscellaneous Repairs
• v.Approval of the Hunter Hall Renovation Project
• vi.Approval of the ASB Roof and Windows Project

MOTION by Regent Moyer:

Move the Board to approve the Capital Planning and Facilities Management agenda items. Seconded by Regent Fields and passed without dissent.

B. Finance

These agenda items were presented by VP Dunaway and Ms. Fran Pinkston, Purchasing Director.

• i.Approval to Sell Surplus Buses
• ii.Approval to Increase Per Diem Rates
• iii.Approval of Protiviti Contract Expenditures
• iv.Approval of PeopleLink Contract Expenditures
• v.Approval of New Tuition Rates

MOTION by Regent Moyer:

Move the Board to approve the Finance agenda items.

Seconded by Regent Fields and passed without dissent.

C. Human Resources

This agenda item was presented by Ms. Kendra Herve, Director of Human Resources. Ms. Herve introduced her staff and shared a brief HR presentation covering employee and employment demographics, benefits offered by the University, employee recognition events, and vacant and filled positions.

Chair Dukes inquired who could access the Zumba classes.

i. Approval of Pending Personnel Actions

MOTION by Regent Fields:

Move the Board to approve the Human Resources agenda items. Seconded by Regent Rios-Alcantara and passed without dissent.

D. Land Grant Program

This agenda item was presented by Dr. Marcus Bernard, Dean, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, and Director, Land Grant Program and Dr. Topè, Associate Dean of Academics.

i. Approval of Leap Evaluation Consulting Contract Expenditures

MOTION by Regent Moyer:

Move the Board to approve the Land Grant Program agenda items.

Seconded by Regent Fields and passed without dissent.

E. Governance

These agenda items were presented by Chair Dukes.

• i.Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
• ii.Approval of Updated Bylaws

MOTION by Regent Fields:

Move the Board to approve the Governance Agenda items.

Seconded by Regent Rabinowitz and passed without dissent.

VI. Closed Session

Next, the Board moved to a closed session to discuss pending and possible litigation, pursuant to KRS 61.810(1)(c).

MOTION by Regent Fields:

Move the Board to move to a closed session.

Seconded by Regent Rios-Alcantara and passed without dissent.

VII. Closing Remarks

When the Board returned from the closed session, Chair Dukes announced that no action had been taken in closed session and called for a motion to enter an open session:

MOTION by Regent Rios-Alcantara:

Move the Board to enter an open session.

Seconded by Regent Fields and passed without dissent.

In closing, Chair Dukes extended her appreciation for the Board's dedication, active participation, insight and feedback.

VIII. Adjournment

MOTION by Regent Fields:

Move the Board to adjourn.

Seconded by Regent Rios-Alcantara and passed without dissent.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:16 p.m.

Submitted by:

Zachary Atwell, Secretary

Regent Tammi Dukes, Chair

Board of Regents Board of Regents

Kentucky State University Kentucky State University