Lauren Bolton

The meeting agenda includes academic affairs items such as the approval of an innovation campus microgrid project, multiple program suspensions for various degrees, and the approval of faculty emeritus status. Financial items cover the acceptance of revenue and expenditure statements, approval of personnel actions, the operating budget, line of credit renewal, and an internal audit work plan. Executive agenda items involve the approval of a philanthropic naming request and several athletic employment contract addendums and agreements. Additionally, the board planned to enter a closed session to discuss pending litigation.

The 2018-2028 Strategic Plan for Western Kentucky University serves as a roadmap to guide the institution over the next decade. It prioritizes student success, attracting high-quality faculty and staff, and fostering engagement within its region and the commonwealth, while also integrating a global perspective. Key focus areas include ensuring affordability and accessibility for students, promoting student completion and success, preparing students for the global stage, establishing supportive policies and practices for employees, implementing a sustainable budget model, fostering a culture of innovation, incentivizing research and creative activities, acting as a regional lighthouse, enhancing global learning opportunities, facilitating continuing education, improving regional quality of life, supporting athletic excellence, engaging alumni as ambassadors, and investing in the university's future.

The committee reviewed the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, noting an increase in revenue primarily driven by higher net tuition revenue and an increase in expenses related to debt service and maintenance. Additionally, the committee requested approval for faculty and staff personnel actions executed between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

The board meeting agenda focused on the approval of authorization for a P3 student housing transaction.

The meeting included the review and approval of tenure and promotion recommendations for faculty. The Board discussed and approved the purchase of properties for the future site of the academic complex and heard a memorial note for a retired faculty member. Committee actions involved the suspension of the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree program, the approval of a solar microgrid project at the innovation campus funded by a Department of Energy grant, and the designation of faculty emeritus status for two professors. The meeting concluded with a presentation on the third-quarter financial report, highlighting improvements in net tuition revenue and financial performance.