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Centre students meet with legislators to discuss state-funded financial aid programs (Centre.edu)

DANVILLE, KY—Financial aid is a key factor in the decision-making process for many high school students embarking on their search for the right college. With possible cuts to educational funding in Kentucky’s proposed budget for the coming year, aid programs such as the Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG), the College Access Program (CAP) and the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship Program (KEES) all could face reductions in the next fiscal year.

In the support of continued funding for these programs, Milton Reigelman, J. Rice Cowan Professor of English; Ned Frazer, associate director of admission; and eight Centre students who receive benefits from state-funded student aid participated in the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) Legislative Day on Wednesday, February 13, in Frankfort.

Despite a widespread blanket of ice and snow, the group made their way to the state’s capitol to meet with legislators. State-funded aid programs enable the students on the trip, as well as many others, to attend Centre College without the threat of excessive loan repayments after graduation.

Kyle Longton ‘08, of Louisville, has depended on merit and need-based financial aid for all four years of his Centre education.

“While the College provides me with significant support, I’ve also received state grants,” Longton says. “My KEES Scholarship money was one of the reasons I stayed in Kentucky for college, and I’ve been able to keep full funding all four years.”

Longton says he fears that reduced funding to KEES will result in more students leaving the Commonwealth with fewer benefits for staying. He says, “We could see not only a financial drain, but also a brain drain.”

This possibility is also alarming to Reigelman, who says that Kentucky spends only four percent of its educational funding on private higher education, versus 96 percent for public schools. But that small percentage is still important to Centre students who, he says, rely heavily on the Kentucky Tuition Grant program and the KEES money they’ve earned.

Morgan Lynn ‘11, of Marion, Ky., looks at the larger picture. “Student aid from the state makes it possible, and definitely easier, for students to bear the burden of rising tuition costs at private colleges,” she says. “In turn, students in small liberal arts schools like Centre go on to become highly motivated, productive members of society.” Continue reading the full article.

Below are just a few of the pictures from the 2008 AIKCU Legislative Day. Click here to see a slideshow of all 282 photos from AIKCU Legislative Day.

These and the rest of the day’s pictures are all available for campus use on AIKCU’s page on the free photo sharing website flickr.com. Videos from the luncheon are available on AIKCU’s YouTube channel.

[AIKCU Members - To download an image for campus use from flickr: 1. Double click the image. 2. Choose “View photo page.” 3. Choose “All Sizes” 4. download the size you need. Need help or just want a single .jpeg emailed your way? Email us.]

Both the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives approved resolutions yesterday proclaiming February 13, 2008 Independent, Nonprofit Higher Education Day in the Commonwealth. Representatives from almost every AIKCU campus braved the inclement weather to come to Frankfort to celebrate independent higher education and thank legislators for their support of Kentucky’s student financial aid programs. The full text of Senate Resolution 112, introduced on the floor by Senate Education Committee Chairman (and former Campbellsville University president) Ken Winters, appears below. The resolution was cosponsored by all 38 members of the Senate and adopted by voice vote.

A similar resolution (HR 121) was introduced in the House by Speaker of the House Jody Richards, a Kentucky Wesleyan College alum, and adopted by voice vote.

A RESOLUTION recognizing Kentucky’s nonprofit, independent colleges and universities and their students and alumni.

WHEREAS, Kentucky’s 20 nonprofit, independent colleges and universities educate almost 29,000 students annually; and

WHEREAS, 22 percent of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the Commonwealth are awarded by these institutions; and

WHEREAS, 25 percent of Kentucky’s bachelor’s degrees in teaching and nursing and even larger percentages of other bachelor’s degrees produced in math and science are awarded by these institutions; and

WHEREAS, small classes, individual attention, and an emphasis on preparation for life and work are hallmarks of these institutions; and

WHEREAS, these colleges and universities meet the high standards set by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, arguably the toughest regional accreditation standards for higher education in the United States; and

WHEREAS, these nonprofit, independent colleges and universities have committed to playing a major role in Kentucky’s 2020 “Double the Numbers” efforts; and

WHEREAS, Nobel Prize winners, governors, justices, congressmen, and distinguished members of the Kentucky General Assembly were educated on these campuses; and

WHEREAS, about 100,000 independent college and university alumni live, work, pay taxes, and vote in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of classrooms and laboratories, libraries, theaters, dormitories, athletics facilities, and related structures valued at well over one billion dollars are provided to educate students and serve communities at no cost to the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, these 20 institutions are major employers and economic development partners that, when taken together, would rank 18th among Kentucky’s 25 largest public corporations; and

WHEREAS, these institutions enhance the economic and cultural viability of communities across the state from Pikeville to Mayfield and points in between; and

WHEREAS, tuition, on average, is 35 per cent lower than the national independent college average and 25 percent less than the Southern average; and

WHEREAS, these institutions provide another $130 million in financial aid to their students annually; and

WHEREAS, these colleges and universities serve the Commonwealth and its students and communities, while receiving only four percent of the state’s postsecondary education appropriations in the form of student financial aid; and

WHEREAS, students, faculty, and staff are visiting the Capitol today to thank members of this august body for their support of student financial aid;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. The Senate salutes the outstanding contributions Kentucky’s 20 independent colleges and universities and their students and staff make to the Commonwealth and its future.

Section 2. The Senate recognizes Wednesday, February 13, 2008, as Independent, Nonprofit Higher Education Day in the Commonwealth.

Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate shall forward a copy of this Resolution to Dr. Gary Cox, President, Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities, 484 Chenault Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, for sharing with the Commonwealth’s 20 independent colleges and universities.

The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU) will make its annual report to the Council on Postsecondary Education on Monday, November 6. AIKCU’s presentation will be the “Focus on Reform” agenda item during the regularly scheduled CPE Meeting. The meeting begins at 10 am EST in the Council on Postsecondary Education offices in Frankfort. For a detailed agenda and directions visit http://www.cpe.ky.gov/about/cpe/meetings/2006/nov6.htm.

AIKCU President Gary S. Cox will provide an overview of the significant role Kentucky’s independent colleges and universities play in helping the Commonwealth reach its higher education goals. He will also distribute and discuss two recently completed reports. The first, Private Colleges, Public Benefits: The Economic and Community Impact of Kentucky’s Independent Colleges and Universities, was conducted by an independent outside research firm and catalogues the independent sector’s economic, cultural, and social benefits to the Commonwealth and its people. The second report, Kentucky’s Independent Colleges and Universities: Preparing Teachers…Building the Future, highlights teacher preparation initiatives at AIKCU member campuses under two recently completed grant programs and provides an overview of the role of independent colleges and universities in preparing Kentucky educators.

Both reports will be available on the AIKCU website, www.aikcu.org, following Monday’s CPE meeting.

AIKCU Students and Secretary of Education Virginia Fox wish Governor Fletcher well

Wednesday, February 22nd, about 140 students and administrators from Kentucky’s nonprofit, independent colleges and universities traveled to the state capital to celebrate Independent Higher Education Day in Kentucky. The event, sponsored by the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities, brought students from all over Kentucky together to meet with legislators and celebrate the success of Kentucky’s twenty nonprofit, independent colleges and universities.

The day’s festivities began with a luncheon at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. During lunch Secretary of State Trey Grayson and State Auditor Crit Luallen thanked the students for engaging in the political process and urged them to remain active participants during the coming election season and throughout their lives. Students also heard about the legislative process from one of their own, Transylvania University student Ashley Koch, who is currently interning in Representative Kathy Stein’s office through AIKCU’s Legislative Internship Program.

Following lunch the activities moved to the second floor of the Capitol. There students set up displays and informally met with legislators who stopped by on their way to the House and Senate chambers. Several independent college alumni, including Speaker of the House Jody Richards (Kentucky Wesleyan), House Minority Leader Jeffrey Hoover (Centre), and Senator Daniel Mongiardo (Transylvania) stopped by to chat with students, as did many legislators who represent AIKCU campuses or who had been invited by students from their home districts.

“Today’s great turnout is a testament to our campuses and the impact they make on student lives and on communities across the Commonwealth,” said Gary Cox, AIKCU President. “We appreciate all the support from legislators who stopped by to visit with our students and help us celebrate independent higher education in the Kentucky.”

Students were eager to talk about the exciting things happening on their campuses, to share personal success stories and to relate to their senators and representatives the importance of Kentucky’s student financial aid programs in helping them attain their educational goals.

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed resolutions honoring Kentucky’s nonprofit, independent colleges and universities. House Resolution 194 was introduced by Representatives Jody Richards, Mike Weaver, Tom Burch, Keith Hall, Jeff Hoover, Russ Mobley, and Rick Nelson and adopted on the House floor on the 22nd. Senate Resolution 197 was introduced by Senators Vernie McGaha and Ken Winters and similarly adopted on the Senate floor.

Governor Fletcher was unable to attend the day’s festivities due to complications from gall bladder surgery. All the students in attendance signed a poster-sized get well card for the Governor. The card was displayed in the Capitol during the day’s activities and then delivered to the Governor’s office.

To view a full collection of photos from AIKCU’s Independent Higher Education Legislative Day, click here (via flickr.com).

Transy Delegation and Senator Scorsone

Thanks to all of the students and administrators from AIKCU’s member campuses who made yesterday’s Independent Higher Education legislative day at the Capitol a success.

Thanks also to all of the legislators that stopped by the second floor of the Capitol to visit with students; to Secretary of State Trey Grayson and State Auditor (and Centre alum) Crit Luallen for addressing our students during a luncheon at the Kentucky History Center; to our business partners who provided door prizes and other support for the luncheon - Office Depot, SuperFleet, and eCampus.com; and to Kent Whitworth, Asbury alum and Director of the Kentucky Historical Society for hosting the luncheon at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.

Check back soon for more about the day, including a complete photo gallery of the day’s events.