[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307854,"mediaKeyId","2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae","parentId",2427452,"title","Board reviews Apply Kansas expansion and Apply Free Days pilot; BASC requests more data before formalizing continuation","audioSeconds",1545,"startMs",2355000,"endMs",3900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae&start=2355&end=3900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae/thumbnail_2355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307854/Kansas/Board-reviews-Apply-Kansas-expansion-and-Apply-Free-Days-pilot-BASC-requests-more-data-before-formalizing-continuation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307854-1df2f91adb6941c8c4ed3d9971e1a2dc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483646&Signature=EomuP8HLqG4wbaGkXPAv3moiEkQwofHi5iW4tRlW6hxoK6tXf5puwMLYlm23RrkkH5ztOxirjgm5tTPQMP6nScyVC9JOtNzIneNIgi6LKaOcIWvKyKO2FpX35VYH8D-CTQhbCmFsbjC4SSaIkAhRKR0sRtKBBnaeY01CuH6dQGdcSuxCFu3zdUjTkKQ7JQQH-O0InJfcddKtedfzUiuoPrhkLmpudmAfkIFdQWKEoUwfAav3vJkBTVVOL08q3~-UcP0MX9CRXMb9~n~FVUjxNlEoT80twiVizJcfuFHNkNea4kUGHiHCOMrdt7B6PDI~DH84uyXO2kSPl0530EzIQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Board of Regents","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Regents heard an update on Apply Kansas — a statewide college‑application campaign — and the Apply Free Days pilot that waives undergraduate application fees for a short period. Presenters reported substantially higher participation and application counts in 2024, but the Board’s BASC committee asked staff and provosts for more information about operational costs and net yield before making the pilot permanent.

Apply Kansas grew to 301 participating schools (259 reporting data) and 253 participating school districts, representing an 89 percent district participation rate in 2024, presenter Misty Knox said. Schools designated “All-Star” hosts are expected to follow up with FAFSA‑completion and senior‑signing events. Knox said that in 2024 Apply Kansas reported 22,808 college applications, about 60 percent to public institutions.

The Apply Free Days pilot showed a large year‑over‑year increase in applications: systemwide applications submitted during the free days rose 72 percent from 2023 to 2024, and public institutions saw a 76 percent increase. The board materials estimate the application‑fee savings for families at roughly $281,390 in 2023 and $481,570 in 2024.

KBOR presented preliminary yield analysis. For public institutions, students who applied during the November 2023 Apply Free Days had an admitted‑to‑enrolled yield of 30 percent (2,593 enrolled of 8,733 admitted). The overall yield for public institutions across the full enrollment cycle was 49 percent; excluding Apply Free Days applications, the public-institution yield was 52 percent. KBOR staff cautioned that a unit‑record (KIDS) collection due in October 2025 will provide a more precise picture of duplication and student-level outcomes.

BASC discussion and next steps

Regent Mendoza and other members said the initiative is promising but that the committee needs more data to assess whether Apply Free Days is cost neutral for institutions and how to reduce admission‑processing burdens and duplication for campuses. BASC asked institutional provosts to work with KBOR staff to provide additional operational details before the committee advances a formal recommendation. The presenter's recommendation — to continue the October time window for the pilot — remained on the table but was not adopted as final policy.

Why it matters

Apply Kansas focuses on increasing college access, particularly among first-generation and low‑income students. The Apply Free Days pilot aims to reduce a financial barrier and expand student choice; board members supported the goal but sought more granular data on yield, processing cost and duplication before committing to an ongoing schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kansas Board of Regents February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","KBOR staff reported that Apply Kansas school participation jumped and that free‑application days produced large increases in applications and saved students hundreds of thousands of dollars; the Board’s BASC committee tabled a final decision and asked for additional operational and cost data.","taxTitle","Board of Regents, Departments, Boards, and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Kansas","taxId",25292,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307859,"Board of Regents hears strategic-plan update and student-success progress from K‑State, Pitt State and KU",3281,3095000,6376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae&start=3095&end=6376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae/thumbnail_3095000.jpg","/articles/6307859/Kansas/Board-of-Regents-hears-strategic-plan-update-and-student-success-progress-from-KState-Pitt-State-and-KU","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307859-624da3a0b922340eba3634178cb8ec5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483646&Signature=lH2pbhJyK7kfZ7GgQYo4Z-MjnQAs9ICdcqzr6lXKrZRGDTv-4hAtFqyBSm5JGOnOvtFI7ae3Ma04UuAMhIVraUawAmBBcjpUlvk3cTH4xS-saDCjthYL6VMGw8bNGFxJuh1COGn12BwDdcQVpoC3PHkMT63wlBmL2iHmUt1oBZg-cN7fSCmH7Lb3rLEGCsEcHY6leFBclyySyxPaJfPQjffR8Z-Nrzm7PbDi7ZQ8ZoTpdIhBVXJ5yFVdvWeCpg9k4r9BPcxXx9M6h9jRBCKiAPfMhJdp7-0Uas~lEL26hkk9rL5TNzYbdTPGk~akaomAVFmJlBUvJxU4mFvn0I2BTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas Board of Regents received an update on the systemwide strategic plan and progress reports from several universities on student-success initiatives, with presenters reporting improvements in enrollment, retention, graduation rates and research funding.

President and CEO Blake Flanders told the board that “we have enrollment up, we have retention up, we have graduation up” and that need‑based aid and institution-level strategies are contributing to those gains. He highlighted larger system trends — increased completion, more students entering the workforce and a decline in average student debt for many graduates.

Flanders also warned of an upcoming decline in high‑school graduates and a demographic shift that will require renewed outreach: national projections show the high‑school graduation peak behind the system and a projected decline in graduates in the coming years.

Campus leaders described targeted investments and tools used to drive student success.

Kansas State University

K‑State reported term-by-term persistence gains and said it has committed $4 million in FY24–FY25 to initiatives including a pre‑professional and exploratory advising center, expanded professional advising in academic colleges, summer bridge programs and retention technologies such as EAB Navigate. K‑State noted that completion grants helped students finish degrees; the university said 69 grants totaling $205,000 were awarded this year, with additional funds available in the spring. Provost-level presenter Dr. Lane (K‑State) described targets for 2030 that include a 92 percent retention goal and a 55 percent four‑year graduation-rate target.

Pittsburg State University

Pitt State described a centralized student success center, the Great Gorilla scholarship program, and a professional advising model with 16 advisors — an advisor-to-advisee load substantially below national averages. The university launched an early-alert system (Navigate360) and emphasized remote and in-person supports, reporting improved retention and degree‑map adoption across programs. President Dan Shipp and Dr. Vaughn reported progress standing up a one‑stop student success center and summer-bridge planning.

University of Kansas

KU described a multi-pronged approach including centralized scholarship packaging (U-Cash), a financial‑wellness coaching effort (Jayhawk Finances), “Plan to Pay” texting and calling campaigns to reduce hold-induced nonenrollment, and an expanded academic-advising model. KU reported higher student satisfaction and significant growth in EAB Navigate engagement and said advisors are meeting regularly with students to reduce gaps in retention.

Why it matters

Board members said the data show returns on multi-year investments in student success, but they also pressed for more work to reach underserved geographies and populations. Flanders and others emphasized both the need to expand access in Kansas communities and the importance of retaining graduates in the state workforce.

Board members asked for improved public communication about progress and for continued attention to rural and Hispanic enrollment gaps; staff said further analysis and outreach plans are under way.","Board members received a detailed strategic-plan update showing gains in retention, graduation and research funding and heard campus reports on student‑success playbook actions at Kansas State, Pittsburg State and the University of Kansas.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307862,"Board of Regents approves new Washburn master’s, KU admissions change and student insurance premium cut",163,1690000,1853000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae&start=1690&end=1853","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2427452-0c5d589fb1b98ae2a5d8ca28bc1b27ae/thumbnail_1690000.jpg","/articles/6307862/Kansas/Board-of-Regents-approves-new-Washburn-masters-KU-admissions-change-and-student-insurance-premium-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307862-4968eda2374ab750fcef33f7535668ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770483646&Signature=okIGNIASKZKJY-4OsOQkhhWmCsf8UgPkNlYNFhOZlQdzj8w5nDlmJOrPJIW9qhf3-UdU~7tR66rtRTis0SfvUZzcRp6Rnlzrge0qdFncdEvXq-ReBI8rNIZIfr7td-RFALBOR6M5GLdg6~nKqECUtXHOiQ0sbhbvbyPFyx-EB7nGaZz~kieBoN9Ek2qVAke-ntycz8OXSbIcQjqQREwQL0tPB6IttJjWRaRz6byxZdiD3fw4DjYMRhi2QmpU2gmfCMOqaL43ddqQkrC-oSTfwzSWRGssZLq~PlwaFoMYnAZrbNcKGbpvKncVNGv7-Lh1I2jACUUN-putm0bw4jJ3xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Kansas Board of Regents on Thursday approved a new Master of Science in medical dosimetry at Washburn University, adopted changes to qualified freshman admissions at the University of Kansas and approved a 6 percent reduction in student health-insurance premiums.

The votes came during the board’s regular virtual meeting; members also approved the consent agenda and the minutes from the Jan. 15 meeting.

Washburn University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, John Frisch, told the board the proposed program trains specialists who “calculate radiation doses and other treatments for cancer patients” and that Washburn expects cohorts of about 20 students a year. Regent Dicus moved approval of the program and Alicia Johnston seconded; the motion carried.

KU’s proposed change to its “qualified admissions” rules will admit traditional freshmen age 21 or younger who meet either of two tests: an ACT score of 24 or higher plus a cumulative high‑school GPA of at least 2.5, or a cumulative high‑school GPA of at least 3.0. Provost Barbara Bickelmeyer explained the revision aims to align KU’s automatic-admit standard with peer research universities and to reduce cases where other states’ flagship institutions automatically admit students KU does not. Regent Benson moved approval; Regent Mendoza seconded the motion, and the board approved the change.

On student health insurance, a board committee and the board accepted a recommendation to reduce premiums for the UnitedHealthcare student plan by 6 percent for 2025. Jeff DeWitt, who presented the item, said the decision followed year-over-year claims experience that allowed a “prudent reduction in premiums” while preserving the benefit. Regent Rolfe moved the reduction; the board approved the change.

Votes at a glance

- Washburn University — Master of Science in medical dosimetry: Motion to approve moved by Regent Dicus; seconded by Alicia Johnston. Outcome: approved.
- University of Kansas — Revised qualified admissions (freshmen age 21 and younger): Motion to approve moved by Regent Benson; seconded by Regent Mendoza. Outcome: approved. Implementation requires regulatory amendments noted in the board materials.
- Student health insurance premiums (UnitedHealthcare student plan) — 6% reduction for 2025: Motion to approve moved by Regent Rolfe. Outcome: approved.
- Consent agenda and minutes (Jan. 15): motions moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

No roll-call vote tallies for each member were recorded in the transcript; motions were approved by voice vote as captured in the meeting record.

Why it matters

The degree approval adds a specialized master’s program intended to meet clinical workforce demand in radiation therapy planning. KU’s admissions change alters the university’s automatic‑admit threshold for traditional freshmen and will require regulatory updates. The insurance-premium reduction provides immediate, modest financial relief to students who subscribe to the pooled plan administered through UnitedHealthcare.

No further formal actions on these items were recorded in the meeting; where implementation requires additional steps (for example, KU’s regulatory amendments), staff noted those follow-ups in the board materials.","The Kansas Board of Regents voted to approve Washburn University’s proposed Master of Science in medical dosimetry, adopt revised freshman qualified-admissions standards for the University of Kansas and lower the student health-insurance premium by 6 percent. Several consent items and minutes were also approved.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews Apply Kansas expansion and Apply Free Days pilot; BASC requests more data before formalizing continuation

Board of Regents hears strategic-plan update and student-success progress from K‑State, Pitt State and KU

Board of Regents approves new Washburn master’s, KU admissions change and student insurance premium cut