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