The University is preparing to end its semester, just as Bob Jackson is preparing for his upcoming retirement next June. Jackson served as the 14th president of the University from 2018 to 2025.
“I have been here in some role for a long time,” he said. “I walked on this campus as a freshman 43 years ago this fall and for (my) entire adult life, I have had a relationship with Murray State in multiple different ways. (I am) ready and (I am) grateful, the University is in a good place. From 2018 to whatever my retirement date was, I wanted it to be in a better place than when I found it.”
Jackson and Karen, his wife, have built a love for the University, the place where they met and built a history. Their children live in Washington, D.C. and their first grandchildren will be born in February. Jackson said the job has been busy and a large commitment.
“Karen and I are both extremely grateful, this is the capstone of my professional career,” he said. “I am not seeking another presidential position at another university, we are blessed and fortunate to (be where we are). No one does these jobs alone, Karen is very good (at being hospitable) and has worked really hard as a first lady.”
Jackson will assist the presidential search committee in the search for the next candidate, as well as provide counsel and advice to the next president during his or her transition into the position.
Update on the veterinary school
Jackson said the vet school is continually picking up support.
“More people are calling constantly about ‘How can I help support?’- legislators, (agricultural) groups- ‘How can we support this to get it done?’” he said.
Mary Beth Imes, 5th district representative, has filed an initial bill request 232 (BR232) for Murray State to create a doctorate program in the veterinary school of medicine and enhance the vet tech program. The bill request contains the same language as House Bill 400. HB400 set out the parameters of the veterinary school of medicine and permits Murray State to offer a doctoral degree for professional practice and licensure in veterinary medicine.
Senate Joint Resolution 170 required Deloitte, a national accounting and advisory firm, to look at the doctorate of osteopathic medicine school at Eastern Kentucky University, a school of veterinary medicine at Murray State and to upgrade Western Kentucky University to a research two (R2) institution.
Jackson said the future of the veterinary school of medicine looks promising.
“(Deloitte) will issue a report (from their research) either on or before Dec. 1,” he said. “They have been on campus a lot and we have been answering a lot of questions in regard to the future school of veterinary medicine. We’ve been spending a lot of time with that and there are a lot of moving parts. Ultimately, I am confident about moving forward with the school of veterinary medicine.”
UofL partners with Murray State for a doctorate program
Murray State and the University of Louisville signed a letter of interest on Nov. 8 for a collaboration and feasibility study of a regional four-year medical school campus.
The letter of interest leads the institutions to explore the commonwealth’s educational and healthcare needs of western Kentucky. A task force will be created to “explore the initiative” and “develop an educational model that is compliant with the governing bodies of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education and Accreditation Council on Medical Educations.”
Jackson said this idea has been rolling around for the last couple of years and he is glad it is getting put into action.
“UofL has been a good and willing partner, I really appreciate President (Kim) Schatzel,” he said. “She has grasped the vision we’ve had here and enhanced it even further, and she is interested in advancing this initiative in a very positive way. This is good for the region, for our students, it’s good for Murray State and the University of Louisville.”
Mental health on campus
The University added another mental health resource for students to access this fall. TimelyCare was implemented to assist students with mental health and allow access to counselors 24/7.
Jackson said this addition was very important for the wellbeing of all students that are enrolled at Murray State.
“We put this in place because the Counseling Center and Psychology Center operate from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week,” Jackson said. “They can only see Kentucky students, and we have students from every state. Kentucky students aren’t the only ones who need this type of service. The (current on-campus services) are limited by time, and we have got to make sure we are accommodating to all of our students.”
Murray State’s goal with TimelyCare was to ensure that students have access to mental health services 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. TimelyCare is accessible via the app, Canvas and Murray State Student Resource website.
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was delayed for the second year in a row. Applications typically open on Oct. 1 but the last two years the application window has opened on Dec. 1.
Jackson said the university presidents and the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education have been in discussions for legislation regarding the FAFSA form.
“We met this week about FAFSA and discussed some possible legislation that would cause FAFSA to be required in the junior or senior year of high school,” he said. “We have got to promote FAFSA more and better, completion rates need to increase to increase the college going rates as well. Last year, in Kentucky, $65 million dollars in Pell Grant dollars was left on the table that could have been awarded to students.”
As of June 30, 2024, the FAFSA completion rate has decreased 11.6% compared to the 2023 year according to the National College Attainment Network. Compared to last year, Kentucky has declined by 13% in completed forms.
