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Board lowers program‑review threshold for regional universities and places three WSU programs on action plans
Summary
The Kansas Board of Regents approved lowering the program‑review minimum for regional universities (from 25 to 20 juniors/seniors) and voted to place three Wichita State graduate programs on action plans after staff identified shortfalls in majors and completers; the board also approved a one‑year bridge performance agreement for AY2027.
The Kansas Board of Regents voted on May 20 to adjust program‑review metrics for the system’s regional universities and to accept Wichita State University's recommended action plans for three graduate programs that did not meet KBOR minima.
Vice President Bonds Racke framed the request as narrowly targeted: because regional universities operate at smaller scale than research universities, board staff and BASC recommended an institution‑specific threshold informed by Carnegie classifications. The board approved reducing the minimum number of juniors and seniors required for a baccalaureate program review from 25 to 20 for the three regional institutions (Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State), a change Racke said preserves the intent of program review while better reflecting institutional capacity.
On Wichita State, Racke summarized AY2026 program‑review data for all 129 academic programs and identified three graduate programs (master’s in nursing science, master’s in physical sciences‑general, and master’s in sociology) that fell below KBOR minima for number of majors and completers. WSU proposed action plans — including revised curricula, targeted recruitment and partnerships with regional employers — with goals to meet required metrics by June 2029. The board voted to place those three programs on action plans as recommended by staff and BASC; the motion was moved by Regent Crocker and seconded by Regent Ammar.
Separately, the board approved a one‑year AY2027 bridge performance agreement intended to maintain continuity for measurement while staff refine the next three‑year performance agreement framework. Racke said the bridge year will allow institutions additional time to finalize measures (including math pathways and co‑requisite supports) and to operationalize student‑level reporting systems. The motion to approve the bridge agreement passed by voice vote.
Quote: "Reducing the minimum number of majors from 25 to 20 for our regional universities better reflects institutional capacity while maintaining the integrity of program review," Vice President Bonds Racke said.
What’s next: The board approved the metric change and WSU action plans and will continue to monitor program performance via the established action‑plan reporting process.
