October 2019

West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) seeks to provide students access to quality education with excellent options for employment, while addressing a great need for nurses and allied healthcare workers in our region.

• The Kentucky Occupational Outlook to 2026 report said the state would need an additional 5,629 full-time registered nurses by 2026 over current numbers, a 12.2 percent increase, and demand in allied health fields is also anticipated, with a projected increase of 11 percent.
• Health-care-related occupations are expected to grow at a high rate primarily because of Kentucky's aging population. The U.S. Census Bureau predict s one in five Americans will be 65 or older by 2030.
• For many years, local hospitals have provided financial support for WKCTC to accommodate a greater number of nursing students than would otherwise be possible, helping to meet critical workforce needs.

In order to sustain and expand support for nursing and allied health education to meet regional workforce needs, WKCTC and Paducah Junior College (PJC) established a Healthcare Education-to-Work Endowment Fund.

• Baptist Health Paducah; Mercy Health -Lourdes Hospital; and Katherine Sides, nursing program alumnus and retired R.N., generously contributed as founding donors to establish the new endowment fund.
• The endowment fund will ensure continued access to education for more students who are in high demand for employment in the healthcare field, providing sustainability to meet current healthcare education needs and establishing an avenue for meeting emerging needs in the future.

Healthcare providers, retired healthcare workers, and all individuals and businesses who wish to sustain quality healthcare throughout the region are Invited to contribute to the Healthcare Education-to-Work Endowment.

• Additionally, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System has a matching funds program for endowment contributions of $50,000 to $250,000.
• The opportunity to potentially double the amount of a gift through matching funds will help the endowment see significant growth in a shorter timeframe than would otherwise be possible.
• Gifts of any amount are needed and appreciated.

We are excited to introduce the Healthcare Education-to-Work Endowment Fund as a charitable giving opportunity that will benefit students, healthcare organizations, and our region.

• For more information, please contact lee Emmons, WKCTC Vice President of Advancement and PJC Foundation Executive Director, (270) 534-3084, lee.emmons@kctcs.edu.

History of Donovan Scholars

The idea of Donovan's Scholars was developed in the 1950's by then University of Kentucky President. Herman L. Donavon. After decades of work, review, and refinement, the Kentucky General Assembly in 1976 mandated that residents of the Commonwealth, aged 65 or older receive a tuition waiver for academic classes at all state-supported institutions of higher learning.

Kentucky Statute 164.284 - Waiver of tuition and fees for person sixty-five or older Conditions:

1. When any person sixty- five {65) years of age or older, who is a resident of the Commonwealth, is admitted and enrolls as a student in any state-supported institution of higher learning in this Commonwealth, the board of trustees of the institution or other appropriate institution officials shall waive all tuition charges and fees for such student. except as provided in subsection
2. In the event that classes o re full or the granting of free admission requires additional units. the institution may deny admission under this section.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Donovan Scholars

What do Donovan Scholars provide to West Kentucky Community and Technical College?

• Donovan Scholars are valuable members of West Kentucky Community and Technical College. They bring experience and insight to the classroom that enhance the learning experience.

Does West Kentucky Community and Technical College receive monies to support Donovan Scholars?

• KRS 164.284 slates"... institution officials shall waive all tuition charges and fees... "for Donovan Scholars. West Kentucky Community and Technical College does not receive monies that offset the cost of waiving tuition and fees for Donovan Scholars.

If a class is fully enrolled with students, does the institution offer additional classes for Donovan Scholars?

• No, but if on offered course has space to enroll students, Donovan Scholars are welcomed to enroll. West Kentucky Community and Technical College is not required to offer courses exclusive for Donovan Scholars. As stated in KRS164.284. "In the event that classes are full or the granting of free admission requires additional units, the institution may deny admission . . . ".

Has anything changed regarding Donovan Scholars?

• Nothing has changed regarding Donavon Scholars at West Kentucky Community and Technical College. At times, changes in enrollment create situations where classes ore full and Donovan Scholars who had enrolled in these courses previously are unable to enroll. Donovan Scholars would then be encouraged to enroll in other course offerings.

Proposed WKCTC/PSAO Studio Use Policy for Non-Credential Seeking Students

Option 1

Research regarding similar programs at non-profit and for-profit institutions and businesses reveal user fees determined by the square foot as well as hourly, daily, and monthly fees with no regard for space occupied or equipment availability. Higher fees were generally found at private for-profit businesses (see last page).

• Rates per square footage range from $1.00 to $10.00.
• Rates determined by hour also range from $1.00 to $10.00.
• Daily rates range from $5.00 to $75.00.
• Monthly rates range from $15.00 to $150.00.

Given that individuals can enroll in WKCTC classes for approximately $546 ($546 divided by 16 equals $34 per week with instruction), it makes no sense to consider weekly or monthly rates at a cost anywhere near this figure which would not include instruction. If we were to back out costs of instruction, the weekly fee without instruction would be $21.00 and monthly fees would be $84.50.

If we were to apply a 10% discount for one-time payment for the entire 16-week term, cost would be $304 per term (equates to $19 per week or $76 per month). If we round down to $75 per month the cost would be $300 per term.

If, on the other hand, we were to use a fee based upon square footage with each student allotted 4' x 5'of floor space at $1.00 per square foot, the fee would be $20.00 per student per week, $80.00 per month or $320 per term. Applying the same 10% discount for one-time payment, the cost would be $288.

Given these calculations and a desire to reduce time and effort collecting the fees, it seems $300 per term is a good starting point for consideration. We might also allow users to pay monthly at a non-discounted rate of $85, with a one-month deposit in addition to the first month's payment. (As I understand it, PSAD can't collect rental fees for WKCTC, so the Business Office would have to be agreeable with monthly payments and advise on how to they would bill and make collections). Lastly, we might also consider a firing fee for those who are not students but working in the ceramics studio. $10 per cubic foot was a figure noted online.

Studios would only be available outside of scheduled classes in their respective or adjacent studios. Fiber art, metalsmithing, and ceramics have dedicated studios. Painting would be hosted in Room 202, the small studio adjacent to the drawing studio.

Option 2

Consideration to providing one (1) or two (2) weekend offerings dedicated to a particular discipline. This option would allow those interested to work in the environment without conflict with student needs. This would also allow dedicated time with an expert in the field. We would need to consider the cost of offering this option as it relates to resources (instructor, utilities, etc.), and may want to use the same pricing mentioned in option one (1) for these weekend offerings.

*Similar programs researched online include:

Art Sanctuary, Louisville non-profit, $1.00 per square foot, requires one-month deposit, 16-week commitment

Artists Collective of Hyde Park, NY, non-profit, $1.30 per square foot

The Artist's Attic, Lexington, non-profit, $1.17 per square foot

Fitton Center for Creative Arts, Hamilton, OH, non-profit ceramics only, $20 for ten hours

Green Pea Press, Huntsville, Al, membership organization, printmaking, $5O annual fee plus

$15 per month

Fall Out Arts Initiative Minneapolis, MN, faith-based non-profit, individual 10" x 10"@ $175 per month

Union Co-op Studios, Omaha, NE, communal studios in different disciplines, membership fee 6 months at  $80 per  month, $120 per month  for 12 months

Arts Warehouse, Delray Beach, Fl, private for-profit organization, $7S per day

The Artists Establishment, Fountain Hill, PA, $10 per hour or $150 per month

Choplet, Brooklyn, NY, ceramics non-profit, $15 per hour or $220 per month with unlimited 24-hour access

Jansen Art Center, Lyndon, WA, ceramics non-profit $5 per day (4-6 hours) or $35 punch card for 10 days

The AGB Guardians Initiative seeks to harness the knowledge and passion of the nation's board members to create a cadre of informed, dedicated, and visible advocates for higher education. As corporate and community leaders, board members are uniquely positioned to communicate the value proposition of the colleges and universities they serve and to advocate higher education more broadly within their professional, social, and personal networks. Board members can also help advance their institutions' interests, with policymakers at the state and federal levels. 

With leadership from the CEO, board chair, and government relations liaison, board members can be leveraged to accelerate an institution's/system's advocacy strategy. Board members can be a valuable resource as third-party advocates, but board participation in advocacy requires partnership and respect of institutional policies and procedures. For example, board members should not develop their own agendas and engage elected officials, without notice to the CEO or his or her designee.

Considerations for Boards

• Do we regularly discuss the implications of public policies (including funding) to our mission?
• Do we have an advocacy or public policy strategy for our organization?
• To whom should the board look for direction on public policy and strategy?
• Do we have board leaders who can speak to and connect, with a broad cross-section of community needs and constituencies in support of the public policy strategy?
• Are we affiliated with coalitions and organizations that may help to advance our advocacy strategy?
• Should we provide training or guidance to board members about how to engage effectively in advocacy efforts to enable them to represent our mission and work, with confidence?
• Does our board-recruitment strategy align, with our public policy strategy and the connections or influence that, will ensure our success?

Considerations for CEs and Government Relations Liaisons

• Is the board well informed about how best to support and track the progress of our public policy strategy?
• Is the expertise and advocacy of board members strategically leveraged in key media outlets or other public venues?
• How do we engage board leaders who can speak to and connect with a broad cross-section of community needs and constituencies in support of our work?
• Do any board members have personal or professional connections to coalitions and organizations that are helping to advance our advocacy strategy?