By Kyeland Jackson —
James Ramsey may not be out of the U of L woods yet.
Ramsey’s presidency of the University of Louisville Foundation can now be stripped by its board. An analysis of Ramsey’s contract by The Courier-Journal revealed the discrepancy. Ramsey’s attorney Steve Pence said the decision is up to the board.
“It gives the foundation the right, if it wants, to no longer have him as the president of the foundation,” Pence said. “It doesn’t automatically say he’s no longer president of the foundation. If that were the case, he wouldn’t be there any longer. And he’s still there.”
Ramsey resigned as U of L president after a year marked by scandal and controversy. The former U of L president’s contract was bought out for $690,000 by Governor Matt Bevin’s board of trustees, who have since been paralyzed by an order from Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd.
While the foundation has the right to remove Ramsey, it doesn’t mean he will be ousted. Offices are reportedly being built for Ramsey and his chief of staff. One foundation member, Salem George, appealed months ago for the Foundation to keep Ramsey.
“Jim needs to stay on as president of the foundation,” George said. “I’ve seen unbelievable accomplishments on this campus. No one can walk in his shoes.”
The 17-member board of trustees, who were abolished by Bevin’s order June 17, govern the university while the court dispute between Bevin and Attorney General Andy Beshear plays out in Franklin Circuit Court. The original board is scheduled to meet Thursday.
