As faculty and staff prepare for the Fall Academic Term, Eastern Kentucky University’s President gave his annual convocation address yesterday. Dr. Michael Benson projected an upbeat attitude about the school’s present and future.
While recognizing challenges created by Kentucky’s 4.5 percent decrease in education funding, EKU’s president highlighted the school’s accomplishments. Benson says graduation rates are up for students who complete their degrees within 4, 5 or 6 years, “Students are getting through more quickly. They’re expending or taking on less student debt. They’re getting through their programs so they know exactly what they wanna do.”
The president acknowledged that EKU is evaluating its curriculum in light of pressures created by performance-based funding. The school’s board of regents is continuing to review the institution’s overall financial health to adjust for the funding decrease passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.
