By Kyeland Jackson —
The U of L Faculty Senate formally condemned Governor Matt Bevin’s newly-formed board of trustees at its July 6 session.
They want to maintain a board “free from outside influence,” and they fear losing “top-tier faculty” and exceptional student education.
Faculty Senate Chair Pamela Feldhoff said the statement will be sent to the new board as soon as possible. Feldhoff said the statement will circulate to the public, but is aimed at the governor.
The senate began drafting a statement at an emergency meeting June 29, when senators were worried the university’s academic freedom was threatened by Bevin’s executive orders.
Bevin’s sweeping changes on June 17 dissolved the 17-member board of trustees and replaced it with a 10-member board. Student, faculty and staff trustees remain on the reorganized board, bringing the total to 13.
Bevin also announced on June 17 that President James Ramsey planned to submit his resignation to the new board.
One senator asked President James Ramsey June 29 how he plans to protect U of L. “The short answer is: I won’t be here,” Ramsey said. Ramsey told faculty senators at the emergency meeting he approves of the new board.
Feldhoff, former trustee Bob Hughes and others agreed the former board was dysfunctional. “I’ve been on the board for two years. It is dysfunctional,” Feldhoff said.
Faculty’s full statement railing Bevin’s board
