Provost Bud Fischer updated the Faculty Senate Thursday with confirmed changes to the FY26 calendar and the timeline for seeking Research II (R2) status.

Fischer said it could take the university six years or more on its path toward R2 status due to the Carnegie Classifications’ three-year review period and the 20 minimum required doctoral research degrees.

According to Senate Joint Resolution 170’s feasibility study submitted on Dec. 10, 2024, to achieve R2 status, “A university must confer a minimum of 20 doctoral research degrees and a minimum $5 million in total research expenditures.”

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“We will not be anywhere near that (20 doctoral research degrees) in three years, so you’re talking six years up,” Fischer told the Faculty Senate. “It’s just a slow move, no real rush.”

Currently, WKU does not offer any qualifying doctoral programs and is unable to do so under Kentucky law, but Rep. Michael Meredith (R–Oakland), whose district includes a part of Bowling Green and Warren County, introduced House Bill 118 to the Kentucky House of Representatives which would allow WKU to provide up to five research doctoral degree programs. 

What those programs are is currently up for discussion, Fischer said.

Fischer also informed the Faculty Senate the university approved changes to next year’s academic calendar, citing past concerns over finals week from the fall semester.

“We won’t come back and have tests immediately as we come out of Thanksgiving,” Fischer said.

The full academic calendar for next year can be found here.

Also at the meeting:

• Faculty Regent Shane Spiller informed the Faculty Senate that the Board of Regents will have a committee and quarterly meeting on Feb. 14.
• Fischer reminded the senate the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges would be on campus from March 10-14 to call on faculty members to answer various questions regarding university data or the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan. 
• Faculty Senate Chair Gordon McKerral told the senate he plans to meet with WKU President Timothy Caboni next week to discuss faculty “issues.”
• Student Body President Sam Kurtz encouraged faculty to treat their students with compassion and respect, and he reassured them the student body would remember to return that behavior.

Assistant Content Editor Cameron Shaw can be reached at [email protected].