The Eastern Kentucky University Board of Regents held their first 2024 quarterly meeting on Wednesday, February 21, in the Powell Building. Chair Michael Eaves welcomed the Regents and many others to the meeting and was elected Chair by the Board for the current year.
Construction around the campus was first on the agenda, and if you have driven through campus lately, the facilities are constantly being updated.
Dr. Bryan Makinen, Associate Director of Public Safety, discussed the recently completed construction projects including the Giles Gallery for visual arts which is 98% completed and operational. Dr. Makinen pointed out other construction projects completed were the Heat Plant Boiler #5; Keen Johnson Ballroom; the Veteran’s Memorial at the Carloftis Gardens; Whitlock 1st Floor Refresh; Mattox Hall; Elmwood Carriage House Stabilization; the Wallace Building grand staircase and area sidewalks; raised crosswalks at Begley, Wallace, and Walters Hall; Burnam Hall sewer line replacement, and resurfacing parking lots at Perkins, VanHoose, and Clay.
Dr. Makinen next discussed current projects underway including the Powell Plaza rejuvenation and the Eastern By-Pass Pedway which are 99% complete. The Keen Johnson switchgear and maintenance are scheduled to begin in March.
Other projects underway are Alumni Coliseum totaling $31,350,000. KNBA Architects and D.W. Wilburn heading up the construction. Work on the athletic offices has begun. Bids will be open in mid-March with basketball scheduled to be back in Alumni Coliseum by January 2025.
Housing Bond projects at Keene Hall and Burnam Hall totaling $54,000,000 are two other projects underway with Omni Architects and KFI Engineering on board. The Model Laboratory School project totaling $94,000,000 has REHA Architect leading the way. The Summit Street TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) Grant is scheduled to improve safety in and around the campus.
Next, Makinen discussed the completion of the Stratton Building HVAC, the Combs lower roof, the Powell Building roof, the Rowlette Building roof, and the sidewalks along University Drive.
MEP Programs (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) completed include the Model Chiller, Campbell Cooling Tower, Perkins Cooling Tower, Wallace Chiller, Wallace Cooling Tower, Keen Johnson Tower, Whitlock Cooling Tower, Wallace Fan Wall Units, and Crabbe Library Chiller. Temporary installed are the Burrier Chiller, and Cammack Cooling Tower. The Erdman Center Chiller is in progress, and the Business Chiller is to begin March 2024.
MEP Projects also involve elevators including completed work in Burrier, Coates, Coates stage, Wallace, and two in Combs. Two other elevators in Combs are in progress. Two elevators in Whitlock were started in January, and Commonwealth carts were awarded in February. The Cammack elevator is in the bidding phase.
Cooling Tower and Chilling Replacements have been completed in the Model Laboratory School Donavan Annex, Model Laboratory School, Perkins Heat Machine, and two in Whitlock.
Steam line repairs on University Drive servicing the University Building and the Keith Building are 100% complete. The Kit Carson primary line for North Hall through the Begley Building begins in March. Floors 3-9 and 13 in Commonwealth Hall and the Conference Center on the 3rd floor are underway. Emergency call box replacement, Burrier Building walkway and façade, and Alumni Coliseum roof are in process.
Upcoming projects include Lancaster Avenue water line replacement; Coates Building roof, brickwork, limestone, HVAC and first floor; Ramsey Heating Plant roof; Combs Building, Grise, and Ferrell Auditoriums; and concrete repairs throughout campus.
Dr. Barry Poynter updated the revised Revenue and Expense Budget for the Regents. The Revised Revenue Budget is $296,187,268. The Revised Expense Budget is $285,950,288. The change in position for the current budget is $58,555,457. Dr. Poynter said “his goal was to finish strong.”
Dr. Sara Zeigler discussed Licensure Exam Passage Rates with 56 exams over multiple colleges and programs. Twenty-nine exams scored in the 90-100% Passage Rate. Fourteen exams were not reported due to a below 69% Passage Rate. Dr. Zeigler also reported on overall instruction rating and overall course rating and stated that EKU is working to support students.
Dr. Tanlee Wasson addressed Spring 2024 overall enrollment totaling 12,633 up 4.2% and EKU online enrollment of 4,086 up 12.2%. She stated “students main concern was financial.”
Dr. David McFaddin addressed the Board of Regents and mentioned the work being done in the legislature to bring a College of Osteopathic Medicine to Eastern Kentucky University. House Bill 407 passed the House of Representatives on a 91-0 vote on February 15, 2024. Senate testimony will take place on Thursday, February 22. McFaddin stated a lot of work must be done over the last month of the legislature.
Dr. McFaddin also discussed a future Comprehensive IT Audit where the University will “look for opportunity.” McFaddin also stated a request for information has been issued to understand the need for a hotel and convention center on the campus. Next, McFaddin discussed a future Master Plan to understand “where we need to go” and “how to create a better learning center” that should be completed by July 1, 2024.
Dr. McFaddin also informed the Board of Regents that Barry Poynter will be leaving the University, and the search for a new CFO is beginning. The President reminded the Regents April 17, 2024 is Giving Day, and Spring Commencement is scheduled for Friday, May 10, 2024.
Written reports on Faculty Senate update from Amy Scarborough, Staff Council update from Dana Fohl, and Student Government Association update from Camden Ritchie were presented before a discussion from University Counsel Dana Fohl concerning updating the Board of Regents Amended Bylaws. The Regents voted unanimously to amend the Bylaws but to strike the provision concerning setting meeting dates. Quarterly meetings will continue as before.
Model Laboratory School policy updates and tuition fees for 2024-25 were approved unanimously by the Board of Regents.
Mary Beth Neiser, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement and Executive Director of EKU Foundation reported a second request of $220,000 is ready to be submitted for matching funds for STEM+H fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Health). The second request will follow the first request of $509,000. Eastern Kentucky is eligible for $2,227,800 in matching funds that were allocated by the Kentucky General Assembly. A $10 million appropriation was approved during the 2022-24 biennium for the Comprehensive University Excellence Trust Fund (22 RS, HB1).
The Board of Regents approved a land lease with the Department of Criminal Justice Training. The lease expands an existing lease to include additional land totaling approximately 0.7199 acre to construct a roundabout area for improved traffic flow by the Department of Justice Training firing range.
Chairman Eaves closed the meeting with a discussion concerning Board evaluations. Jason Marion, the Faculty Representative, stated Board of Regents self-assessments are required by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB). Eaves stated the evaluations were very meaningful.
