September 17, 2015
Kansas Board of Regents Sept. 16 meeting university updates
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
The monthly Kansas Board of Regents meeting Sept. 16 included several items related to Kansas State University.
University starts process of renaming K-State Salina
Kansas State University has begun the formal process to change the name of the Salina campus to reflect its 50-year mission as a polytechnic campus. A name change requires approval by the Kansas Board of Regents and possibly legislative action.
New leadership
President Kirk Schulz addressed the Regents about K-State's new leadership:
- Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and an international expert in infectious animal diseases
- Ethan Erickson, assistant vice president for budget and financial planning
- Kevin Gwinner, interim dean for the College of Business Administration
- Ralph Richardson, interim CEO and dean at K-State Olathe
- Greg Willems, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation
- Andrew Hurtig, student body president
- Fred Guzek, faculty senate president
Learn more about the administration mentioned with the one-page handout presented to the Regents.
University Engineering Initiative Act
The Board of Regents received an update on the University Engineering Initiative Act. The statewide initiative provides $3.5 million per year for 10 years to Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. The goal is to increase the number of statewide engineering graduates from 875 to 1,365 graduates per year. University progress reports will be provided in spring 2016.
State of Kansas University Research Grants
The Board of Regents also received an update on the University Research Grants. The grants provide $5 million annually for various institutions, including Kansas State University's Global Food System initiative and Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The update included a brief overview of Kansas State University's activities to date.
Naming of university buildings
The Regents approved renaming the $18 million Basketball Training Facility completed in 2012 at Kansas State University's Athletics Complex as the Ice Family Basketball Center in honor of the Carl and Mary Ice family.
The Regents also approved naming a portion of renovated Seaton complex and part of the atrium space as Regnier Hall after Victor and Helen Regnier.
Biosecurity Research Institute update
President Schulz provided a facility clearance update on the Biosecurity Research Institute, which received the second highest rating for the security assessment conducted in March 2015 by the Defense Security Service.
The Regents adopted an updated resolution on the authority to exercise management control over classified information to a Security Executive Committee.
Kansas Board of Regents visit K-State
On April 20-21, 2016, K-State is hosting the Regents meeting on the Manhattan campus.