The Faculty Senate of Murray State University met in regular session on Tuesday, March 2, 1999, in the Curris Center. Thirty-three senators were in attendance. Absent were Senators Beasley, history; Bokeno, speech, communication, & theatre; Kimball, English; Maddox, physics; and Richerson, business administration. Several other faculty members, staff, and members of the administration were present including the President, Provost, the Vice Presidents, and the Deans. The minutes of the February 2, 1999, regular meeting were approved. No other business was conducted so that Dr. Gordon Davies, President of the Council on Postsecondary Education, could speak to the senate on the future of higher education in the Commonwealth. President Landini introduced him.

Dr. Davies focused his presentation on the regional institutions noting that they all offer comprehensive programming. He also noted that they are not the same in relation to needs and service to the citizenry of Kentucky. He talked of funding and the 2020 goals. He noted that it would take a twenty-year commitment to initiatives and another 20 years to see any results of these initiatives.

Dr. Kenneth Wolf, acting dean, humanistic studies, asked if there were any incentives for the university to increase enrollment. Dr. Davies noted that there would be ways made possible as faculty and institutions seek more students and assure their success. Prospective funding for enrollment growth is being proposed for the 2000 budget. He noted that universities have been rewarded for enrollment not graduation rates. He noted the low number of Kentuckians enrolled in institutions of higher learning and also the number of those actually obtaining degrees. He offered numbers and presented funding requirements.

He would like to see a process between the CPE and the institutions to encourage attendance and increase retention. The CPE would recommend funding for attracting these students. No data is available comparing the returns on investment of the regional programs and the state’s doctoral programs.

Dr. Davies stated that education leads to higher per capita earnings and stronger communities, and families, but, added that there is not a lot of research in these areas of social indication. He discussed the legislative decision of putting more money into higher education. He noted other pressing needs. The general assembly must make these decisions on the basis of several things. The CPE must demonstrate that advanced education leads to a good life and higher lifetime earnings and fund ways for the institutions to service the people of the state. Concerns were noted in selectively removing out of state tuition. It was suggested that mobility of students be studied in terms of locating, jobs, and capital investment.

New benchmarks will be negotiated on a set of variables. Each institution would have different benchmarks in relation to average money spent per FTE and funding goals plus no other Kentucky institutions would be included. Only public institutions will be included. Dr. Davies thinks that institutions can work together for the betterment of all rather than in competition. He sees a lot of energy on each campus and a wealth of ideas across the state.

Dr. Davies envisions the CPE as the coordinator of improvement and changes in the work we all do; and, not just a change in Kentucky, but in all aspects of higher education. He wants the CPE to rethink its relationship with the colleges and universities and provide opportunities for change. He added that there is no easy formula for success. The institutions must be looked to as repositories of thinking that can work for the benefit of all.

He sees the main goal of the Vision 2020 plan to be that Kentucky will be looked at as a state in which universities respond and fulfill the needs of the citizens. Each institution should contribute to national prominence of all and not be compared to the other regionals.

President Landini thanked Dr. Davies for coming to Murray to discuss issues affecting faculty. She noted that quality and efficiency must be equally addressed. She noted that faculty are proud of their university not only for its academic programs and presented Dr. Davies with a Racer basketball shirt. Dr. Davies had to cut his visit short because of the weather. The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.