Dr. Dailey stated that this information item aligns with Strategic Priority 3: Equitable/Intentional Student Success. President Akakpo joined Dr. Dailey in presenting this item. The University remains an accredited University and has made tremendous strides in correcting the issues that led to a warning being issued by SACSCOC. The initial sixteen findings have been reduced to five, all of which are related audit completion. The October site visit by SACSCOC and the December annual meeting were both successful. Further, KSU was approved for three new programs during the December SACSCOC meeting.
Chair Walston inquired into the Fifth Year Report deadline and whether SACSCOC would conduct another site visit soon. He also requested the status of the music program's reaccreditation.
This information item aligns with Strategic Priority 1: Affordable Access. Enrollment in the online program has grown significantly and now has 225 students, up from 146 at the end of the Fall 2024 semester. Dr. Dailey discussed distinctive programs and pathways between the online and residential campuses, as well as online graduate program offerings.
Chair Walston posed a question regarding issues experienced last fall with registering students in online and residential campus classes.
Regent Moyer requested that Dr. Dailey provide perspective regarding the number of students enrolled in each online class, in terms of whether the class sizes were large enough to cover the cost of faculty members needed to teach those classes.
Chair Walston queried whether the growth of the online program would result in an increase of financial funds to allow the program to increase its offerings as enrollment increases. He also asked whether the undergraduate psychology program is being revamped.
Dr. Dailey explained that while more information would be forthcoming in a subsequent report regarding this topic, the University has taken positive steps to achieve the goal of a 90% retention rate and 70% graduation rate. Currently, the return rate from the Fall 2024 to Spring 2025 semester is 82%. He discussed strategies being implemented in the classroom to engage students and ultimately increase the return rate.
Chair Walston inquired into the relationship between [KSU class] 186 and the increased return rate. Dr. Dailey responded that the 186 class is gone.
Regent Fields requested a geographical breakdown of the global campus, and where students are located.