September 21, 2017
Kansas Board of Regents Sept. 20 meeting university updates
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
The monthly Kansas Board of Regents meeting on Sept. 20 included several items related to Kansas State University.
Introductions and reports
Kansas State University President Richard B. Myers presented a report from the Council of Presidents. Myers discussed topics such as the college algebra requirement, business partnerships for higher education, statewide diversity collaborations and student group reorganization.
Brian Lindshield, associate professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, presented as chair of the Council of Faculty Senate Presidents. He discussed the higher credit learning policy and the open textbook initiative.
Jack Ayres, senior in chemical engineering and president of the Student Governing Association, presented as chair of the board's Students' Advisory Committee. Ayres talked about promoting higher education and diversity partnerships among institutions.
Carrie Fink, academic records manager, spoke on behalf of the University Support Staff Council about health insurance changes.
Ashley Thomas, academic advisor in the College of Business Administration's student success center, provided a report from the Unclassified Staff Council about healthcare costs and the HealthQuest program.
Fiscal affairs
The Regents approved K-State's request to finalize the sale of three properties in Riley County: About seven acres of Washington Marlatt Park, nearly an acre near the Kansas Department of Agriculture building, and about 17.5 acres that previously housed the Purebred Beef Unit.
K-State received approval to amend its FY 2018 Capital Improvement Plan, including the university's architectural program statements for renovations to the R.V. Christian Track and Field Complex and to the clinical skills lab in Trotter Hall.
The Regents approved K-State's requests regarding K-State's Innovation Center, or KSU-IC, to amend the lease previously adopted between the university and the city of Manhattan and to enter into a new lease agreement with the city.
Other matters
K-State received approval to grant an honorary doctorate to Jim Richardson, National Geographic photographer and Kansas resident, at the December 2017 Commencement.
President Myers updated the Regents about management of classified information that may become accessible to K-State researchers at the Biosecurity Research Institute.