Murray State University President Randy Dunn testifies before House subcommittee in Frankfort -- Presentation includes university successes, plans and priorities
Dr. Randy Dunn, president of Murray State University, was in Frankfort today to address the Kentucky House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education of the House Committee on Appropriations and Revenue. Dunn was part of a panel of university presidents providing testimony to members of the subcommittee.
He presented an overview of the history of budget appropriations/budget cuts at Murray State, the university’s plans and priorities for the future, and MSU’s successes. Dunn shared the university’s continuing push in the area of regional stewardship, noting efforts toward improving life in western Kentucky through teaching and learning, and cultural initiatives.
Dunn discussed Murray State’s tradition of national recognition for its quality, including its 19 years of top rankings by U.S.News and the school’s reputation for affordability and academic excellence. Murray has a strong record of performance, Dunn noted, highlighting the university’s graduation and freshmen retention rates, both topping other regional publics in Kentucky.
“The members of the subcommittee were very attentive to Murray State’s presentation and to those of the other institutions who joined us today,” Dunn said. “In the case of MSU, legislators asked numerous excellent questions and complimented the university on our ability to maintain high quality and strong national recognition in light of the difficult budget environments we’ve faced in the Commonwealth.”
Murray State University’s first priority for capital construction remains an Engineering and Physics Building to complete the Science Campus. “Murray State is extremely grateful to Rep. Melvin Henley, a member of the subcommittee, who spoke on MSU’s behalf and also helped drive home the need for capital funding to complete the proposed Engineering-Physics Building and finish out our new science campus,” Dunn said.
“Our focus at this point is really to just get into 2010-11 with at least a continuation budget or flat-level appropriations,” Dunn explained. “My sense is that a wait-and-see attitude will need to be taken with regard to 11-12, depending upon various revenue plans currently being discussed.”
