Story by Mary Bradley, Editor-in-Chief
With nearly two weeks of the fall semester accomplished, the Board of Regents met for its quarterly meeting, held Aug. 28 in the Jesse Stuart Room in Pogue Library.
Calloway County District Court Judge Randy Hutchens swore in four regents, including Clint Combs, the Student Government Association, or SGA, president.
Combs, along with regents Phil Schooley, Jerry Rhoads and Sharon Green, swore in at the beginning of the meeting.
Not long after, President Bob Davies gave his report of the president. He called Matt McMahon, head coach of the men’s basketball team, up to the regents, calling McMahon an outstanding ambassador for Murray State.
McMahon, who had taken another job at a different university, told Davies prior to former head coach Steve Prohm leaving that he would love to return to Murray State.
Davies said that when he received a call regarding Prohm’s departure, he then called McMahon.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime, to be head coach,” McMahon said. Also in his report, Davies discussed 16th Street and noted the number of cars and pedestrians that cross the street on a daily basis. He said on average, the street will see 11,000 pedestrians and 7,000 cars.
Davies said his first concern with the street was to make it safe for all pedestrians, but he wanted it to be a fiscally responsible project as well.
Chairman Harry Waterfield said he recently drove on 16th Street during a busy time and noticed the congestion. However, he said the number of cars and pedestrians wasn’t the only problem.
“I am amazed at the number of [pedestrians] that never look,” he said.
He also mentioned the retirement of Kate Lochte, station manager for WKMS, to the board, noting that Lochte has helped the station grow during her time. Chad Lampe will become interim station manager after she retires.
“[Lochte] will be a tough act to follow,” Davies said.
The student constituency report provided by Student Regent Clint Combs covered move-in day and other Great Beginnings events. He said he and SGA plans to make some improvements and changes during the academic year, including:
- Have more inclusive programming,
- Review SGA’s constitution/by-laws,
- Work on the organization’s website and
- Participate in local and state government.
Additionally, Public Safety and Emergency Management was given an award by Jim Pendergraff, executive director of the Kentucky Association of the Chiefs of Police.
He said Public Safety was a great program, a sentiment echoed by Davies.
“[They’re] community orientated and [they] understand the community and staff that they work with,” he said.