Baylor University President Linda Livingstone spoke to reporters by Zoom after the Baylor Board of Regents fall meeting. She said the board spent much of the meeting discussing artificial intelligence and its effect on students, faculty and higher education. A university press release said Baylor has joined the Consortium for Evaluation of Faith and Ethics in AI, along with Brigham Young University, the University of Notre Dame and Yeshiva University. The group studies how AI systems relate to religion, faith and ethics.
Livingstone said the Extend the Line Scholarship initiative has about $134 million raised toward a goal of $250 million in total donations by 2030. She reported a four-year graduation rate of 77.5 percent, the highest in the university's history, and said finishing within four years can help keep college affordable. The release also reported a graduate placement rate of 92 percent and an overall success rate of 94 percent. Placement measures employment in the field of study. Success includes any employment, graduate school or internships.
According to the release, Baylor's $2.56 billion endowment has generated annualized 10-year returns of 11.3 percent, which it said exceeds national benchmarks. Livingstone said regents approved a Morrison Hall classroom renovation, not to exceed $5.5 million, as part of ongoing classroom modernizations. She also introduced Todd Peterson as the new chair of the regents.