Kentucky State now has an improvement plan for the university. Here’s what’s included
Kentucky State University will undergo intense review in the next several years, with an examination of the universities policies, procedures and academic programs to identify where improvements can be made.
The management improvement plan for the university was approved by the Council on Postsecondary Education Monday and was due to the legislature on Tuesday. The plan is a requirement under House Bill 250 passed earlier this year, and is “designed to assist with organizational and financial stability,” according to the bill.
Parts of the plan will focus on financial stability for the university, as well as developing academic programming for students, including improved online classes. It’s the next step in a long process of getting the university financially back on track. HB 250 was passed earlier this year to address a multi-million dollar budget shortfall at KSU, giving the university $23 million and guidelines for improving the operations of the school.
KSU is the only public historically Black university in the state, and is also a land grant university.
“This plan will help guide our work over the next three years as we collaborate closely with KSU administrators and staff to set the university up for long-term strength and success,” said CPE President Aaron Thompson. “It includes specific, measurable objectives and a process for evaluating progress toward those goals, which will keep us focused on the areas of improvement that will most benefit the students KSU serves.”
The management improvement plan has eight sections, with deadlines set for objectives.
Included in the plan is a complete review of KSU policies and procedures to make sure the university is running effectively. That includes the university bylaws, faculty handbook, human resources policies and the student handbook.
Travis Powell, vice president and general counsel for CPE, said the plan came from working closely with KSU.
“These items came really organically through our work with KSU staff, and just understanding best practices and tapping into the experts we have on CPE staff,” Powell said Monday. “It was really an organic effort to get to where we are today, which I think makes it a better plan.”
The plan will evolve over the next several years as benchmarks are accomplished or new issues arise, Powell said.
The academic programs will also be reviewed to “maximize faculty productivity, improve efficiency and reduce spending.” Academic programs that are low-performing may be closed, and a focus will be placed on making sure KSU’s educator preparation programs are meeting the market demands to address the teacher shortage.
Salaries and benefits for KSU employees will also be reviewed, with new guidelines set for positions at the university. Staff turnover has been a concern at KSU, Powell said, and the university has been tasked with establishing a master position list and evaluating the organizational structure of the university in coming months.
Earlier this year, a new board of regents was named for KSU, replacing nearly all of the former members. Part of the improvement plan includes trainings for the board, some of which are already underway, Powell said Monday. Some of the trainings will include financial and business reviews. There will also be a financial oversight training developed for members of the board.
To address KSU’s financial health, the university’s accounting and fiscal reporting systems will also be evaluated. Improvements will be made to the accounting and reporting system, as well as standardized practices around budgeting across the university. There will also be a quarterly report given to the board on the university president’s travel, entertainment and discretionary expenses.
Turnover has been high in the accounting office, leaving little institutional knowledge, and so part of the improvement plan is to develop institutional standards and improve transparency with financial reporting to the board of regents, Powell said.
KSU will also undertake a review of its student success and enrollment management practices. This includes recruitment and retention of students, and a review of programming that brings students to KSU, as well as programming that takes place while they are enrolled.
Lastly, the university will also work to offer more online programs and courses. One of the objectives is to identify a partner who can design an online program for KSU.
This story was originally published November 1, 2022 at 3:19 PM.