This item was tabled as noted above.
Chair Patton asked Interim President Johnson to present this agenda item. President Johnson's report, “Proposed Plan for Restoring KSU’s Purpose and Financial Viability,” is incorporated by reference.
Chair Patton requested all Board members to share their thoughts on this proposal and its viability for KSU.
Regent Fletcher asked if the Institution maintained data on KSU graduates, their employment rates, and whether they were continuing their higher education and matriculating into masters and doctoral programs.
Regent Walston queried if there is any information available as to the outcomes for similar initiatives that KSU's sister institutions have implemented.
Regent Fields inquired whether KSU still holds claim to a specific property located in downtown Frankfort, which he suggested could house this initiative.
Regent Hatchett asked President Johnson what the universe of potential consultants looked like in terms of who is out there performing such consulting. Regent Hatchett further requested a concrete example of the programs that have resulted from consultancies for other institutions.
Chair Patton thanked President Johnson for his presentation.
Next, the Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief of Staff, Dr. Daarel Burnette, provided an update as to the new residence hall (“KSU New Student Housing Readiness”).
As Dr. Burnette discussed some of the unexpected challenges that had occurred as the new residence hall nears completion, Regent Walston asked if students' ability to move into the new residence hall would be impeded if additional "bumps in the road" occurred. Regent Walston also inquired whether the contractor would be penalized if the residence hall is not completed by the scheduled date.
Regent Fields asked Dr. Burnette if the dorm room keypads that he had mentioned in his presentation would increase the total cost of the residence hall project. Regent Briggs queried if the dorm room keypad codes could be changed as needed.
Regent Walston asked several questions regarding the washers and dryers (renting versus purchasing, who is providing the appliances, and what is the expected longevity of said appliances), pointing out that the lowest bid may not be the best deal overall.
Regent Hatchett requested an update as to the status of systems that were not included in the original contract—requiring Board approval after the fact—and queried whether those items were