Minutes of the retreat of the Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky, Tuesday, August 19, 2008.
The Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky began its retreat at 9:00 a.m. (Lexington time) on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at Donamire Farm, 4151 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, Kentucky.
A. Members Present
The following members of the Board of Trustees were present: Mira Ball (Chair), Stephen Branscum, Britt Brockman, Penelope Brown, Jo Hern Curris, Dermontti Dawson, Ann Haney, James Hardymon, Pamela May, Everett McCorvey, Tyler Montell, Sandy Patterson, Phillip Patton, Erwin Roberts, Frank Shoop, JoEtta Wickliffe, Russ Williams, and Ernest Yanarella. Billy Joe Miles and Charles Sachatello were absent from the meeting. The university administration was represented by President Lee T. Todd, Jr.
B. Opening Remarks by Chair Mira Ball
Ms. Ball welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the retreat. Since there were new members present, she had the members introduce themselves and give a brief statement.
C. President Lee Todd's Comments
President Todd began his comments by informing the Board that the university had a record number of freshmen applications, as well as African American applications, for the fall 2008 semester. He noted that the university's target was 4,000 new students.
He talked about recruiting in new areas, recruiting challenges facing the university, and the fundamental responsibilities of a land-grant university. He said that the university needs to recruit good students, faculty, and administrators.
President Todd mentioned the last legislative session and talked about the budget cuts. He noted that there were signs to indicate that the legislators do want to try to help the university, but the university will need to make a case to get its share of the money in the future.
He provided information about the match money for research and told of donors' gifts that made it possible for the university to complete floors of new buildings and possibly build new buildings. The opportunity to match money for research is a very important piece to the university.
He told of Congressman Hal Rogers' participation in a recent announcement on campus to unveil more than $1,426 million in federal funds to support research at the Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) on refining coal into liquid transportation fuels. He said that energy will be a major focus for the university and the Commonwealth.