Editor’s note: Each month during this academic year, I plan to sit down with Bob Jackson, president of Murray State, to discuss what’s happening on campus and ask the questions that students may have.
Not only is a new semester beginning, but there are other new beginnings taking place on campus, some of which began during this past summer. The new School of Nursing and Health Professionals construction along with multiple renovation projects are sprinkled throughout campus.
Jackson said funding for the new buildings and renovations have already been appropriated.
“In the last two budgets, we’ve been appropriated about $97 million for campus improvement, deferred maintenance, asset preservation…those are the monies that are right now doing important work,” he said.
Telehealth on the rise
While new buildings are in the works, new programs are also being developed or have already been developed. One of those being an additional mental health service called TimelyCare.
TimelyCare does not replace existing on-campus options; instead it offers virtual counseling sessions and 24/7 self-help services. The Counseling Center, C104 Oakley, offers biweekly individual counseling, couples counseling and group counseling for Murray State students. The Psychological Center, 401 Wells Hall, offers psychological assessments, individual counseling and group counseling as well.
Jackson said this new telehealth option enhances our current mental health options by offering an “on the road option.”
“It is a complimentary, virtual student mental health service,” he said. “The two primary centers on campus that can see students in person on this campus, but if you’re traveling or it’s a holiday break and you really need to see someone, you can do it through TimelyCare. Students are already desirous of (having access to) various options and all mental health issues don’t happen from 8 to 4:30 during the day.”
Vet school update
In August 2023, the University adopted a resolution of support to create a task force that would conduct a feasibility study into the shortage of veterinarians in Kentucky and begin the development of a veterinary sciences school at Murray State.
The University has received support from across the state, to include 1st District Representative James Comer (R). The feasibility study reported there were no veterinary medicine schools in the state, there are only 54 large animal veterinarians in Kentucky, and Murray State already has the largest pre-vet programs in the state.
Jackson said the future looks bright for a school of veterinary medicine at Murray State.
“At the end of the legislative session, Senate Joint Resolution 170 was passed,” he said. “I’m very optimistic that we will be taking the next step at the next legislative session in January… We have about 450 pre-vet and vet tech students at Murray State. Many of them don’t have a place to go to study veterinary medicine, we can do better than that and we will do better than that. Ultimately, we’ll be successful in a school of veterinary medicine at Murray State.”
Possible offering of medical degrees
Another program that is being worked on in the background is medical degrees. Besides rebuilding the School of Nursing and Health Professionals, Murray State is in conversation with the University of Louisville for partnership in expanding the medical program here on campus.
Jackson said it’s important to address educational needs and shortages that are happening all over the country.
“The University of Louisville wants to focus on this respective area more,” he said. “We have 140 pre-med students at Murray State and they have to go to med school somewhere. One of our jobs will be to educate them here, then a residency program will be established with healthcare providers in the west and then typically you’ll keep them. We have a tremendous duty to address these types of issues and it is the work that we should be doing.”
Capital campaign near $84 million
While the University has monies appropriated for various projects, donations to the University are increasing. In the Be Bold Forever Blue and Gold Centennial campaign, the donations are at $83.7 million.
Jackson said the donations are strictly used for campus needs and enhancements.
“We’ve had back to back record years and it’s a credit to Tina Bernot and her office of development, they do a fantastic job,” he said. “Fifty % of the funds raised are for student scholarships and need based aid, the other 50% is for campus enhancements, academic improvement and other things at Murray State. We are so grateful to our faculty, staff and students, as well as our alumni and friends of the University.”
