SENATE APPROVES JOINT RESOLUTION
TO EXPAND POST-BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMS
SJR 170 sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens
FRANKFORT, KY (March 12, 2024) – The Senate has approved Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 170, a measure aimed at bolstering higher education and workforce development in the commonwealth. Sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore David Givens, R-Greensburg, SJR 170 directs the Council on Postsecondary Education to conduct a thorough feasibility study on expanding post-baccalaureate program offerings at Kentucky's comprehensive universities.
Currently, post-baccalaureate options at these institutions are hindered by state law, limiting their ability to adapt to the evolving workforce needs of Kentucky. SJR 170 aims to evaluate the potential for expanding or creating new programs to better align with the demands of the workforce.
"I'm pleased to sponsor this resolution as it progresses through the Senate," Givens stated. "SJR 170 presents a vital opportunity to address challenges and leverage opportunities within our universities. If enacted, it has the potential to offer valuable insights that can guide the expansion of post-baccalaureate programs, driving economic growth and creating opportunities statewide."
The study mandated by SJR 170 will comprehensively assess each university's capabilities, alignment with economic and workforce needs, budgetary considerations, potential revenue sources, enrollment projections, faculty recruitment strategies, and overall economic impact. Following its completion, the results and recommendations will be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission for consideration during the 2025 Regular Session, ensuring that they inform future policy decisions effectively.
For more information on SJR 170 and other legislative updates during the 2024 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, please visit www.Legislature.ky.gov.
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Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, represents the 9th Senate District, which includes Barren, Edmondson, Green, and Hart Counties, as well as northwestern Warren County. He serves in Senate Majority leadership as Senate President Pro Tempore. Additionally, he serves as co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. Givens is also a member of the Senate Standing Committees on Agriculture; Education; and Appropriations and Revenue.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Givens, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate109.jpg.
