That was the message President James Ramsey shared with the Board of Trustees at its June meeting. Ramsey gave a PowerPoint presentation on the 2012‒13 year full of highlights, including the NCAA basketball championship, several high-profile academic honors and the implementation of the joint operating agreement with KentuckyOne Health.
Ramsey also pointed out that 2012‒13 will be a record fundraising year. As of June 12, UofL had raised more than $152 million.
See his presentation (PPT).
In other action, the board:
- Approved the 2013‒14 general fund operating budget. The $496 million budget had been approved by the Finance Committee in May. It includes 4 percent average salary increases for faculty and staff. (See related story.)
- Approved a 3 percent tuition increase, or $152 per semester, for undergraduate resident students and a similar percentage increase in housing rates for 2013‒14.
- Approved creation of a Master of Fine Arts degree in studio arts and design beginning in fall 2013. The Faculty Senate approved the program earlier this month. Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education approval is pending.
- Approved creation of a certificate in diversity literacy beginning in fall 2013. The certificate will help meet the growing need for teachers, managers and employees who understand and value diversity in their respective fields.
- Approved alumni fellows and named 1978 graduate Debby Oxley as Alumnae of the Year. Oxley was a counselor for mentally handicapped adults and now is a trustee for The Mary K. Oxley Foundation. She also is a thoroughbred owner and breeder. She was part owner of Kentucky Derby winners Monarchos (2001) and Smarty Jones (2004).