Kentucky State has faced budget shortfalls and staffing challenges, while a 2023 special examination found widespread overspending among other issues. Now, the historically Black university is being required by the state legislature to undergo a management improvement plan.
"The management improvement plan has given us an opportunity to reestablish and put in place internal control. We've also had a chance to focus in on opportunities to grow our enrollment and then finally to look at the academic programming and to make sure the students are having a rigorous learning, student-centered experience at Kentucky State University," Provost Dr. Michael Dailey told lawmakers.
Kentucky State reports its on track to meet its enrollment goals. Retention rates are also projected to be up by 14%. And the school is projecting a fund balance.
Yet a rocky relationship remains between the KSU Board of Regents and the KSU Foundation, which oversees donations and has been fighting open records requests. Tammi Dukes, Chair of the KSU Board, said little progress has been made on that front.
"In addition, we've also been asking for financial information as it relates to the endowments and all the funds that are being managed through the foundation, and received sporadic, incomplete information over the last two years," she said.
Dukes said the school is still working on ways to forge a relationship with the foundation.
