LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky State University will undergo a special examination by the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts, the organization announced Monday.
A letter sent to KSU Acting President Clara Stamps by Farrah Petter, assistant state auditor, said the examination will review the governance and financial activity of KSU between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2021.
The APA will issue a report upon completion of the office’s work. There is no set date of when the work will be completed.
KSU experienced a $23 million shortfall in its budget, which initially raised concern and caught people’s attention. Former president M. Christopher Brown was forced to resign last summer and he responded by suing the university, saying he was fired without cause and is owed $270,000 in severance.
The Kentucky Senate passed a bill 92-0 in March that replaced all eight Kentucky State Board of Regents members appointed by the governor. A few weeks later, Gov. Andy Beshear appointed eight new people to the board of regents, which included one current member, a former governor and several KSU alumni.
“I am grateful that this group of highly qualified individuals, with diverse backgrounds and expertise, has stepped up to serve KSU students, staff and alumni through their work on this board and with the Council on Postsecondary Education,” Beshear said in a statement announcing the new appointments. “They are helping ensure the university’s long-term success, and when KSU succeeds, Kentucky succeeds. As the state’s only public HBCU, this university holds a unique place in our past, present and future, helping make higher education more accessible and inclusive.”
House Bill 250, which gave KSU $23 million for this fiscal year, requires the Council on Postsecondary Education to oversee the use of the money and approve any expense greater than $5,000. Monthly reports must be given on KSU’s financial status.
The bill also gives the board of regents the ability to fire any university employee, including tenured employees. It also stops the current presidential search process. Under the bill, KSU will appoint an interim president and resume the search for the president in April 2023.
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