A campaign set forth by the Council on Postsecondary Education is designed to make Kentucky twice as nice.

Western representatives attended a meeting in which CPE rolled out the Double the Numbers plan Wednesday in Frankfort.

Representatives from other state universities also made suggestions about the budget, said CPE.

Double the Numbers is CPE’s plan to double the number of college graduates in Kentucky by 2020, Patrick said.

The plan is in response to a 1997 bill making higher education a state priority.

Economic studies show that the most important factor for a state’s economic health is the number of people with college degrees, she said.

“If Kentucky is going to be competitive in a global society, we need to educate people entering the work force,” she said.

Western must tell officials what is needed to reach the Double the Numbers goals, Provost Barbara Burch said.

“What was clear from the council is it is extremely important to see universities being able to bring students to higher education and helping them be successful,” Burch said.

Western is stepping up recruitment efforts across the region by using tuition incentive programs and distance learning to target specific students to meet Double the Numbers goals, President Gary Ransdell said.

Western is also implementing a campaign to help students who have 90 or more hours with passing grades, but have not finished their degree programs, Ransdell said.

Patrick said she thinks the General Assembly will be willing to help universities meet the Double the Numbers goals by providing money, she said.

“No one would think you wouldn’t need more faculty and buildings to meet these goals,” she said. “Double the Numbers is going to be an investment, and it’s going to cost money.”

Nothing has been decided, but the meeting allowed for discussion about components of CPE’s budget proposal, Patrick said. The proposal will be sent to the governor and legislators.

CPE won’t approve a final budget proposal until Nov. 5.

Council members said they want to submit a budget that matches state priorities with available money, Burch said. There wasn’t a definite budget agreed upon.

Reach Michelle Day at news@chherald.com.