The Council on Postsecondary Education approved four academic programs, a university proposal not to increase tuition and mandatory fees, and an interim capital project request at its meeting Friday.
The new academic programs include three undergraduate programs and one master’s program:
- Bachelor of Science degree in space systems engineering for Morehead State University
- Bachelor of Arts degree in global languages for Murray State University
- Bachelor of Arts degree in African American and Africana studies for the University of Kentucky, and
- Master of Science degree in forensic toxicology and analytical genetics for the University of Kentucky.
In other action items, the Council:
- Approved Kentucky State University’s proposal not to increase tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates for the 2019-2020 academic year.
- Authorized Murray State University’s interim capital project request to partially renovate the Blackburn Science Building using $3.1 million in agency-restricted funds.
- Re-elected Sherrill Zimmerman as Council chair and Ben Brandstetter as vice chair for 2019.
- Approved a resolution commending Kathryn S. Akers, who resigned as director of the Kentucky Center of Education and Workforce Statistics to accept a new position as assistant vice chancellor for education and business intelligence at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Council also heard the annual performance report for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System from KCTCS President Jay Box. Among the highlights:
- Three-year graduation rates increased from 25.5 percent in 2014-15 to 31 percent in 2017-18, which also includes significant gains in underrepresented minorities and low-income students.
- Students participating in dual credit increased from 11,784 students to 16,573 over the same time period.
- Even with a four-year decrease in enrollment, KCTCS increased degrees and credentials from 30,012 to 35,418 from 2014-15 to 2017-18.
- Average net cost declined from previous years as a result of strategic investments, including scholarships for the Work Ready program and a scholarship incentive program for students completing 15 credit hours in a semester and registering for 15 hours in the subsequent term.
In other reports, the Council:
- Heard the second annual progress report on Kentucky State University’s management and improvement plan from KSU President Christopher Brown. Required in the 2016-18 budget bill, the update included information regarding KSU’s continuing efforts to improve institutional effectiveness and efficiency.
- Heard a report on Kentucky’s Business-Education Roundtable and the Chamber’s Talent Pipeline Initiative by Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Dave Adkisson.
Council also heard reports from the Council president, Commissioner of Education, and reports on the legislative session, expiration of administrative regulations, reorganization of adult education and Committee on Equal Opportunities.
The next meeting of the Council will be April 24-25.
Meeting materials are available at http://cpe.ky.gov/aboutus/cpemeetings.html.
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The Council on Postsecondary Education is leading efforts to get more Kentuckians more highly educated. By 2030, at least 60 percent of working-age adults in Kentucky will need to have earned a postsecondary education degree or credential to meet expected workforce demands.