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The Kentucky State University Board of Regents met on April 25 in the Board Room of the Julian M. Carroll Academic Services Building, where President Mary Evans Sias gave a brief summary of university activities.

Sias and members of the Information Technology staff introduced the university’s new website, which launched April 8. The website features a new marketing message vehicle, easy navigation and an adaptive design that works on any device, including PCs, tablets and mobile phones.

In her legislative update, Sias reported that in the 2014 General Assembly, the Kentucky Legislature approved funds for several capital projects, including a new boiler, which will be supported by state bonds. The legislature also approved $5.487 million in agency bonds to support the construction of KSU’s athletic complex.

In addition, a $50,000 General Fund appropriation was approved for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the Kentucky State University Health Initiative Trust Fund. The initiative promotes healthy eating and healthy living.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the morning, prior to the board meeting, for the College of Agriculture, Food Science and Sustainable Systems’ High Tunnel Complex.

The one-acre campus site features four solar-heated greenhouses, where students can conduct replicated research trials and apply horticultural skills throughout the school year.

“The complex is designed to teach,” Sias said. “It demonstrates sustainable agriculture.”

The low-input greenhouses, called high tunnels, were built by KSU students and research staff using U.S. Department of Agriculture Capacity Building Grant Research and Teaching Funds to increase yields and extend the season for local fruit and vegetable production.

“This high tunnel is unique in the state of Kentucky,” said Dr. Teferi Tsegaye, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Science and Sustainable Systems.