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K-State Today

March 24, 2016

Kansas Board of Regents March 23 meeting university updates

Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing

The monthly Kansas Board of Regents meeting on March 23 included several items related to Kansas State University.

Consent Agenda

The Regents approved all items in the Consent Agenda, which included three items specific to Kansas State University:

  • A new degree, Master of Arts in Teaching, is designed for second-career adults who have previously attained a bachelor's degree and want to become elementary teachers. The program will be delivered exclusively online and include supervised field experiences. Read more about the program in a PDF excerpt from the Regent's agenda.
  • A demolition of a wood frame barn at the Southeast Research Center in Mound Valley will be funded from the Southeast Research Center restricted fees.
  • Student health insurance benefit will increase coinsurance but decrease premiums for the 2016-2017 plan year from the previous plan year. Read the full recommendation and premium rates from a PDF excerpt from the Regents agenda.

DegreeStats

The Regents launched the Kansas DegreeStats interactive online tool, which is a resource for prospective students and contains information on degree programs and earnings.

Pittman Building renovation

The Regents approved authorization to amend the fiscal year 2016 capital improvement plan and accept the program statement for the Pittman Building freezer renovation. Renovations to the 10,000-square-foot freezer will include replacement of inefficient equipment, roofing and insulation, lighting and upgrades to life safety features. Pittman serves as the central food storage and distribution facility for Housing and Dining Services. The project cost is approximately $2 million to be funded from Housing and Dining Services auxiliary funds.

Bramlage Coliseum remodeling

The Regents approved authorization to amend the fiscal year 2016 rehabilitation and repair list to include an interior remodel of the men's and women's basketball locker rooms, training room areas and the main corridor leading to these areas in Bramlage Coliseum. Renovations will include new flooring and wall finishes, ceilings and lighting, updates to the restroom and shower areas. The remodel also will include installation of sound systems and projection screens in the locker rooms. The estimated total cost is approximately $850,000 to be funded from the Kansas State University Athletics funds.

Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus

The board approved authorization to amend the fiscal year 2016 rehabilitation and repair list to include renovation of the Outreach Center on the Kansas State University Polytechnic campus. One of the original Schilling Air Force base buildings, it houses campus security and the Department of Professional Education and Outreach.

The project will renovate the entire interior of the 5,671-square-foot building to provide administrative offices for community outreach, a single large classroom for industry training and secure cubicle areas for computer aided competency tests. In addition, it will update building technology, consolidate testing services utilized by students and community members, and make accessibility compliance improvements. The estimated total project cost is approximately $750,000 to be funded from Kansas State Polytechnic departmental restricted fees.

Legislative update

The Regents discussed the budget situation for higher education. Kansas state universities have lost $25 million in state general funds so far in fiscal year 2015-2016.