By Kyeland Jackson —

Interim President Neville Pinto cleared the air in a Q&A session with press Thursday, emphasizing transparency and a focus on students.

“It’s about student success…it’s the faculty and staff that have kept us moving forward,” Pinto said.

Questions levied to the acting president spanned tuition, pay and faculty concerns. An article by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting revealed high pay and compensations for Pinto and other top administrators from former President James Ramsey’s cabinet.

“The university is already obligated to pay you this money…doesn’t that detract from your credibility,” The Courier-Journal reporter Andrew Wolfson asked Pinto.

Pinto assured the payout was agreed upon before he stepped into the interim provost position, and is dependent on whether he leaves the interim position to become a dean or not.

“There really was no intention, on my part, to be provost when I volunteered to be interim provost,” Pinto said. “I did it as a required service to the university.”

Pinto addressed tuition concerns as well, citing tuition rate increases proposed by the operating budget. Last week the board of trustees halted approval of the budget, resolving to create a committee to review options. Until a budget is approved, U of L will operate on a spending plan using the five percent tuition increase. If the approved budget reverses the tuition hike, Pinto said students who already paid will be refunded.

The upheaval in leadership leaves questions and concerns for the university’s top position. The board of trustees approved James Ramsey’s resignation last week, buying out his contract for $690,000. Ramsey now bids for a role with the foundation, U of L’s $730 million endowment manager.

Governor Matt Bevin’s 10-member board of trustees was halted after Franklin Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd approved an injunction against Bevin’s order. The ruling voided all decisions, save for Ramsey’s resignation, and reappointed the 17-member board.

Pinto praised Ramsey and the board of trustees, calling Ramsey “transformative” for the university, and defending the functionality of the board.

The search for a new president will involve the board and campus representatives. While a national search expands options, the board could tap Pinto for the position.

Pinto did not clarify if he would accept a position as U of L’s president, and said he hopes the search for a replacement will be national.

Photo by Kyeland Jackson / The Louisville Cardinal