The Council on Postsecondary Education had approved campus diversity plans for the public four-year universities and the 16 colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

The five-year plans aim to boost enrollment, retention and graduation rates of students, particularly underrepresented minorities and low-income students. The plans also promote workforce diversity and inclusive and supportive campus environments.

“These plans represent an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion where all students, faculty and staff can thrive and feel welcome on our campuses,” said CPE President Bob King.

Kentucky is the only state in the nation to develop a statewide policy that ties campus performance on diversity, equity and inclusion goals to new academic program approval eligibility. Council approved the policy, which guided the campus planning, in September 2016.
Campuses will be evaluated annually on progress toward goals and the implementation of related strategies.

The diversity plans integrate with the Council’s 2016-21 strategic agenda that calls for 60 percent of Kentuckians with postsecondary certificates and degrees by 2030.

In other action, the Council:

‒ Approved the 2018-19 tuition setting timeline, tuition and mandatory fee policy, and an asset preservation fee exception policy. The timeline calls for staff to present proposed tuition and mandatory fee ceilings for Council action at the April 27 meeting.

‒ Authorized a request from the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for the Hopkinsville Community College Training Lab and Renovation, funded with a combination of Kentucky Work Ready Skills Initiative funds ($2.4 million) and agency restricted funds ($0.3 million).

‒ Presented resolutions for service to postsecondary education in Kentucky: Carl Rollins, executive director of KHEAA and KHESLC; Sue Hodges Moore, senior vice president for finance and administration at Northern Kentucky University; Karen Sue Cain, senior fellow at the Council, and outgoing Councilmember Maryanne H. Elliott.

‒ Passed a resolution urging campus leaders to implement a financial literacy program at their campus that provides a concise snapshot of students’ cumulative debt, potential total payout and potential monthly payments.

‒ Re-elected Sherrill Zimmerman as chair and Ben Brandstetter, vice chair.

‒ Appointed member Lucas Mentzer to the KET board.

The Council heard the following reports: Stronger by Degrees annual reports from Northern Kentucky University and Kentucky State University, management and improvement plan from Kentucky State University, CPE President, Commissioner of Education, Project Graduate, Financial Literacy on Kentucky’s College and University Campuses, legislative session, Kentucky Adult Education Skills U’s Request for Applications for multiple-year adult education services grants. Reports from the campuses were also available.

Meeting materials are available at http://bit.ly/2s2L0ZB.

NKU’s report is here.