Murray State University President Dr. Bob Davies stopped by WKMS for a Sounds Good discussion that ranged from MSU’s position in the state legislature to a much-discussed tobacco ban and even some Racer football. Here’s a quick look at the conversation.
Murray State in the Kentucky Legislative Session
Earlier this month, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear presented his “State of the Commonwealth” speech. Davies says he attended, and that he’s looking to see how well Murray State is represented in this year’s upcoming legislative session.
He added that he has spoken to several lawmakers to establish himself with the group.
“A lot of major bills won’t be going on. So in some respects, we play a little bit of defense. It’s easier to stop something than it is to start something in a short session,” Davies said.
A major topic among the state general assembly is a system of performance funding; schools receive funding based on academic achievement. However, Davies doesn’t expect it to pop up much this session.
Looking ahead to next year’s meetings, he says he foremost wants to ensure MSU’s budget remains consistent.
“Revenue forecasts and those type of things come rolling out. We want to make sure that we are able to maintain and not have any new budget cuts,” Davies said.
“Moreover, what we’re looking is to position ourselves for the long session coming up in 2016."
Free Community College?
In President Barack Obama’s annual State of the Union address, he described his vision of a $60 billion, ten-year project to provide two free years of community college for all students.
WKU president Gary Ransdell spoke with partner station WKYU about that idea. He believed it to be a well-intentioned plan but not economically feasible.
Davies says he agrees and feels that while this idea shows a new government investment in education, it’s a bit short-sighted.
“The ideas that he (Obama) has put behind this specific charge are to increase jobs, to increase employment,” Davies said.
“And to me, I think that is going back to a very private minded sector; that universities and colleges become training and technical schools. That gives me pause for concern.”
An Update on MSU’s Impending Tobacco Ban
In December, the Murray State University Board of Regents voted to adopt a tobacco-free policy. Davies has been tasked with developing the plan, which will be voted on next month. The shift includes tobacco and all similar products like e-cigarettes.
Currently, university policy only prohibits smoking indoors.
Davies says his plan aims to educate, rather than punish or fine those that violate the rule. He believes existing systems of self-regulation already present on campus, such as residential hall behavioral policies, do the job just fine.
“We are not telling people that they cannot use tobacco products. That’s a personal choice. However, to have a healthy environment on our campus for our faculty, our staff, our students and our visitors, it’s important that we are tobacco free,” Davies said.
MSU’s New Football Coach
Last month, the Murray State football program named Mitch Stewart its next leader after former coach Chris Hatcher took a spot at Samford University.
While Stewart hasn’t coached a game yet, Davies says he likes what he sees.
“What impressed me about Mitch was his commitment to the 'student' part of the student-athlete (…) also in the community side, and how he and his wife and family are involved in the community. Those are the intangible things that I find so very important in collegiate athletics,” Davies said.
Davies says that Hatcher’s dedication to both athletics and academia reflects his own thoughts when he took office last summer.
