FRANKFORT, Ky. — It’s not perfect, but the new people in charge of Kentucky State University say it’s headed down the right path.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky State University was at risk of shutting down before lawmakers stepped in with a $23 million loan during session this year
- The loan included other measures, including spending limits and a review of the university’s programs
- The KSU governing board was removed and replaced before session ended this year, and the new board selected an interim president last week
“I see that there is a clear path for Kentucky State University,” Kentucky State University Interim President Ronald Johnson said. “The question is can we cut through the brush to get to that path.”
Johnson was picked by the KSU board to lead the university last week, and on Wednesday, he updated lawmakers in Frankfort about how they’re doing.
KSU almost ran out of money this past school year until the general assembly approved a $23 million loan. Lawmakers added many requirements to the loan, including a review of every program and academic department, and some spending limits.
The Council on Postsecondary Education is in charge of the spending.
“In the last many months, I’ll say this without being scared, we’ve been working hard with KSU,” Council on Postsecondary Education President Aaron Thompson said. “It has not been an easy task: arduous at times; tough at times.”
Kentucky State Auditor Mike Harmon’s office is conducting a special examination, but Sara Beth Gregory, his chief of staff, said they haven’t had enough time to get what they need.
She said the full audit will hopefully be wrapped up by the end of next year.
"Sooner would be great, but we also realize this is a pretty large undertaking,” she said. “And it may take some time.”
And on top of that, KSU Vice President Gerald Shields said they’ve lost several people in their finance and accounting department, which makes a lot of the changes difficult.
“These staff reductions challenge the remaining staff ability to support the university and service accountability and accuracy, while trying to fill these open positions,” he told lawmakers.
But Shields also said KSU can keep up with everything, it just needs buy-in from everyone on campus.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story referred to the Kentucky State Auditor’s special examination as an audit of university finances, but a spokesman for the office said their investigation is broader than that.