Capilouto reaches out to students, faculty, staff for input on reports, university’s future

With a new school year approaching, University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto communicated with faculty, staff and students through email and a blog post this week about reports released that examine specific university issues during the past year. The released reports are now available for review and comment on 1) a university budget model; 2) faculty reviews, rewards, and retention; 3) debt capacity; and 4) administrative structure.
 

The initial reports can be read here.
 

In his message to the UK community, Capilouto asked for feedback regarding each of these areas from UK students and faculty and staff, requesting that they keep in mind four fundamental questions:
 

1) How do we create a new budget model that provides for a more transparent system of financial accountability? That means understanding how and where our revenues are generated and how expenses are assigned as we focus on our core functions of educating students, conducting research, and serving the Commonwealth. The goal: create a budget process and framework that enables us to make better and more informed decisions.
 

2) With a more accountable, transparent budget framework, how do we determine fairer, more consistent ways to review, reward and retain our faculty — those who lead our efforts to teach, conduct research and render service?
 

3) How do we demonstrate to our colleagues, to donors and to policymakers that as an institution we have the capacity to move forward to revitalize our campus facilities? This study of debt capacity indicates that, by conservative estimates, we have the ability at this moment in time to take on an additional $450 million in debt for facility work across our campus — a testament to many years of strong and responsible financial stewardship.
 

4) Finally, how do we create an administrative structure that is lean and nimble, while capable and responsive to support the work of our faculty, students and staff? We have made some changes, with more to come. Over the last several months, Interim Provost Tracy has continued that work. This initial report outlines additional steps that can be taken to strengthen our efforts.”

Capilouto noted in his message that UK has taken on one of the most ambitious housing projects in the country.
 

He also credited the UK community for making UK Hospital the “top-ranked health-care facility in the state” and securing the university’s largest-ever research grant.

From UKNow and Staff reports