Murray State University president Bob Davies stopped by the WKMS studios today for a Sounds Good conversation.
Davies spoke about the university's proposed smoking ban, recent concerns over the Ebola virus as well as the rollout of the university's strategic improvement plan.
Davies announced the hiring of a new legislative liaison to delegate Murray State's legislative agenda in Frankfort, a position previously held by Dr. Bob Jackson.
"I'm pleased to announce that we are hiring one of our own, a recent graduate of Murray State Jordan Smith," said Davies. "He's a 2004 graduate and 2012 MPA graduate. Since leaving Murray State, Jordan has worked with some very key legislators, both Republican and Democrat, and then went in with the chief lobbyist for the community college system on the whole for the Commonwealth and did amazing work and has established significant ties there. He's a young man with great experience and a true love for Murray State University and I'm very much looking forward to working with him. He will start here on campus November 3 and hit the floor running and he'll be a great representative to help us shape our legislative agenda."
Davies also expressed his support for a safe campus environment for open talks and demonstrations on race, diversity and tolerance following a series of anonymous comments on social media.
"We shouldn't be afraid to bring forward those various discussions and calls," said Davies. "I think it's also important that we honestly and genuinely educate, talk and communicate wit hall students and individuals involved and fully embrace what their stories are, what their barriers are and work closely with to help them overcome those barriers and remove them when we can. But also realize that we're putting students and others in precarious situations by doing so, and making sure that they have the safety net and space to do that. But having those safe zones, having those opportunities that individuals will know that they can come forward at one dimension or another and that we as a community will support them. To me, that's critical."
