The board noted that Ramsey met all 19 of the initiatives the trustees set for him last year. He and his leadership team, which includes Provost Shirley Willihnganz, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs David Dunn and Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation Bill Pierce, met 49 of 52 initiatives the board set for the team.
Ramsey and his leadership team also met 10 of 12 goals on the 2020 Plan, UofL’s strategic plan. Those successes included setting records in graduation rate (50.8 percent) and alumni giving rate (13.8 percent — four percent higher than the national standard of 9.9 percent).
“All in all, it’s been a good year for the president and his team,” said Frank Minnifield, board chair. “The university’s progress in all areas has been remarkable.”
“We are very lucky to have Jim and his team,” said trustee Debbie Scoppechio.
The board also proposed a new set of goals, which it will discuss and consider for confirmation at a later meeting.
After hearing the presentation, board members gave Ramsey a positive evaluation and approved a 25 percent contribution to his retirement as outlined in his UofL Foundation contract extension from December 2011.
In other action, the board approved creation of:
- a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Latino studies
- a graduate certificate in autism and applied behavior analysis
- a post-professional certificate in prosthodontics
- a Master of Science degree in dentistry with specialties in endodontics, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics.
The board also approved more than $4 million in Belknap Campus roof repairs to damage sustained in recent hail storms and a $1.1 million utilities hazard mitigation project at the Health Sciences Center. Insurance proceeds will pay for the roof repairs. A federal grant will cover 75 percent of the HSC project, which will allow UofL to bury power lines to protect facilities from severe weather or accident-related power outages.
During the retreat, participants also toured Shelby Campus and celebrated the official opening of the 600 North Hurstbourne Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The 125,000-square-foot building is a joint venture between the UofL Foundation and NTS Development Co.