December 20, 2017
Kansas Board of Regents December meeting agenda items
Dear campus community,
The Kansas Board of Regents will meet Dec. 20 at the Curtis State Office Building in Topeka. The board will consider the following agenda items during the meeting.
Kansas State University requests authorization to amend the fiscal year 2018 capital improvement project plan and to accept the program statement for renovations to the first floor of Hale Library. Renovations will create an updated, more accessible first floor that provides students critical access to technology and group student areas. The renovation will create at least 15 group student rooms and double the library's current classroom space. The south "sunflower" entrance to the library will be reconfigured to open directly to the first floor. The total project cost is estimated at $5.7 million, which will be funded from private gifts.
K-State requests board approval to transfer ownership of two properties from the KSU Foundation to the university: the Library Annex at 5980 Corporate Drive in Manhattan, and Rogers Land, a 24-acre tract of land near the university's horse unit.
The Regents will appoint two representatives to the Midwest Stem Cell Advisory Board. The board was created in 2013 and is charged with serving in an advisory role to the director of the Midwest Stem Cell Therapy Center. Frank Blecha, university distinguished professor and associate dean for research in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is recommended for a three-year term.
Randy Watson, commissioner of education, will update the Regents on the Kansas Department of Education.
During the September meeting, the Regents adopted a theme related to faculty development. Presidents from Pittsburg State University, Emporia State University and Fort Hays State University will present information on faculty workload, the number of tenured and tenure-track faculty and the promotion and career path of faculty.
The Regents will vote on the housing and food service rates for the 2018-2019 academic year, which would be effective July 1, 2018. K-State's typical housing rate for the 2018-2019 academic year will increase by a proposed 2.5 percent, which is an increase of $60. The typical rate is based on a double room in the residence halls. K-State's typical dining rate for the 2018-2019 academic year will increase by a proposed 3.1 percent, which is an increase of $60. The typical rate is based on a 14-meal plan for residence hall and living community residents.
The Regents will vote on the allocation of Educational Building Funds for fiscal year 2019. The 2017 Legislature altered the appropriation from the Educational Building Fund to give the Regents greater control over how the fund is allocated across the state university system. The funds still must be used for the construction, reconstruction, equipment and repair of buildings and grounds, but universities are not bound to a list of projects approved by the Regents. Universities will report to the Regents how funds were used for rehabilitation and repair projects on a regular basis. Funds will continue to be allocated based on gross square feet of eligible buildings. K-State's proposed fiscal year 2019 fund allocation is $12,558,000.
As part of an ongoing review and update of board policies, the Regents will vote on amendments to the office operations section of the policy manual and the honorary degree policy.
The Regents will act on nonbudgetary legislative proposals, which includes the private postsecondary fee renewal and performance based budget unification.
If you have any questions about these agenda items, please contact me at cab@k-state.edu or 785-532-6226. The meeting also may be streamed live online. For live updates on all Kansas Board of Regents meetings follow @ksregents on Twitter. Agendas and complete meeting minutes also are available online.
Sincerely,
Cindy Bontrager
Vice president for administration and finance