The Western Kentucky University Board of Regents met in special session this morning to consider a four-year contract with Graves-Gilbert Clinic to privatize the university’s health services.

The meeting, set to begin at 10 a.m., conflicted with an early press time for today’s Daily News.

GGC and WKU will enter a profit-sharing agreement. The first $200,000 of profit would go to GGC and the next $100,000 to WKU, according to the contract.

The university expects to redirect $1.09 million toward balancing its nearly $400 million 2014-15 spending plan by privatizing health services. The university cut more than $5 million to balance the budget. WKU experienced a 1.5 percent cut in state funding in addition to a decline in enrollment, and subsequently, tuition revenue.

GGC will use about 5,300 square feet of the WKU facility at 1681 Normal Drive, and the university will use the rest for its wellness program and other activities, the contract noted.

If approved by the 11-member board, the contract stretches to Dec. 31, 2018. By Jan. 1 of that year, the two sides will initiate negotiations for a five-year renewal to begin Jan. 1, 2019.

A Health Services Advisory Council will be established under the contract, providing feedback on the quality of care.

GGC responded to WKU’s request for proposals April 15.

Under the contract, GGC will honor a negotiated agreement between WKU and Academic Health Plans for the Student Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, for the plan year Aug. 1 to July 31, 2015. SHIP-covered students will be permitted to obtain office visits to the health services clinic without co-pays.

The network used by Academic Health Plans for WKU’s SHIP is United Healthcare, of which GGC is an in-network provider, according to the contract.

— Follow education reporter Chuck Mason on Twitter at twitter.com/bgdnschools or visit bgdailynews.com.