Board charges Pres. Capilouto with campus transformation

The UK campus is going to change — and fast.

The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees, following its annual two-day weekend retreat, voted to charge the school’s new president with making rapid and extensive changes to the campus and the student body. President Eli Capilouto, who has been on campus for just 90 days, was selected for his job by the board in part because of his success with rapid change and growth at University of Alabama-Birmingham, where he served as provost.
Students may see new buildings for living, study and recreation. More out-of-state students may be visible on the campus. Academic programs and technology for them may improve.  In short, the emphasis will be on undergraduate education.
After reviewing a specially commissioned report of the university’s strengths and weaknesses and taking a campus tour, the board discussed a wide range of topics and settled on two main approaches: strengthening the student body and strengthening the student experience.
University of Kentucky Public Relations released a list of the specifics contained in the board’s charge to Capilouto.
Strengthening the student population, including:
•         Continuing to improve student quality,
•         More aggressive recruiting of students, both first-time and transfer students, and students from Kentucky and out-of-state;
•         Greater outreach to Kentucky’s elementary and secondary schools and
•         Increasing scholarships for the best and brightest students, while recognizing the need to serve the state and provide opportunities to more Kentuckians.
Strengthening the student experience, including:
•         Immediate plans to be developed for improving facilities and campus infrastructure, including residence halls and learning spaces;
•         Incorporating greater use of technology into those spaces; improving academic programs, such as the Honors Program
•         Increasing the commitment to diversity and inclusion.