programs appropriate to its liberal studies role and to its status as an historically black college and university.

Geographical Region. Kentucky State University's geographic region shall be statewide for its liberal studies mission, its land-grant functions, and its service to state government. In addition, Kentucky State University's primary service area for commuting students shall be for Franklin and surrounding counties.

Kentucky State University shall admit students to the institution under selective admission standards which exceed the minimum guidelines established by the Council on Postsecondary Education, with only limited exceptions. Institutional guidelines shall be consistent with the system-wide policy for admitting underprepared students, including the removal of academic deficiencies within a specified time frame. Through this approach, the University seeks to provide broad access and high-quality programs.

Selective associate degree and baccalaureate degree programs shall be oriented toward liberal studies and selected career opportunities related to state government services. Kentucky State University shall offer selected master's degree programs based on demonstrated needs, with a priority given to a public administration curriculum to meet the needs of state government.

The University shall focus on liberal studies programming. Drawing upon its African American heritage, the University will promote the values and methods of interdisciplinary and multicultural education in its liberal studies offerings. All students shall participate in common curricula that explore the liberal studies. Drawing upon the multicultural strengths of the University, emphasis shall be placed on preparing minority students for careers in education and in other selected professions including business, computer science, nursing, human services, and public services. These strategic priorities translate into a core of liberal arts baccalaureate degree programs, in addition to degree program priorities at the associate (A), baccalaureate (B), and master's (M) levels that may include the following: education (B); business (B); computer science (B); nursing (A, B); human services (B); public administration (B, M); and aquaculture/aquatic science (M).

The University shall emphasize teaching. Meeting student needs shall be paramount. The University shall focus on the needs of its students, which include, but are not limited to, full-time and part-time residential students, commuting students from its primary service area, and state government employees.

As the Commonwealth's 1890 land-grant institution, Kentucky State University shall fulfill its responsibilities under federal law and participate fully in appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, in accord with the mission of the University. Kentucky State University shall be the major repository for the collection of books, records, and artifacts relative to the history and status of African American citizens of the Commonwealth and elsewhere. The University shall make such materials available for casual study and scholarly research. As the comprehensive institution located in the capital city, Kentucky State University shall focus on meeting the applied research and service needs of state government.

Kentucky State University shall fulfill its responsibilities under federal law and participate fully in appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, in accord with the mission of the University. Kentucky State University shall be the major repository for the collection of books, records, and artifacts relative to the history and status of African American citizens of the Commonwealth and elsewhere. The University shall make such materials available for casual study and scholarly research. As the comprehensive institution located in the capital city, Kentucky State University shall focus on meeting the applied research and service needs of state government.

The priority master’s degree program offered by Kentucky State University shall be carefully articulated with related doctoral programs offered by the doctoral-granting institutions in the system. The University shall develop and employ telecommunication resources to communicate with other institutions in the fulfillment of its mission. Curriculum development shall emphasize the transfer of credits from other institutions toward degree completion.

Kentucky State University shall promote cost effectiveness in academic programming and institutional management. Strategic planning resulting in the elimination of duplicative or nonproductive programs is essential while the development of carefully selected new programs compatible with this mission is appropriate. Measures of quality and performances shall be the foundation of the University's assessment and accountability system which promotes the continuous improvement of programs and services.

Kentucky State University has the most culturally diverse student body and faculty among all higher education institutions in Kentucky and one of the most diverse in the nation. In a typical year, the institution's student body is equally divided between African American and Caucasian students. About two percent of the students come from 14 foreign countries. The faculty is comprised of 35 percent African Americans, 50 percent Caucasians, and 15 percent from other ethnic origins.

KSU utilizes only faculty as teachers; no graduate assistants teach courses. More than two-thirds of the University's full-time faculty members who teach in the institution's baccalaureate and master's degree programs have terminal degrees.

Three percent of the openings in Kentucky's publicly-supported law, dental, and medical schools have been made available to Kentucky State University graduates who are Kentucky residents. No other institution of higher education in the Commonwealth has this guarantee.

The University has the most comprehensive liberal studies requirements of any public higher education

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