FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate passed legislation Thursday that would set guidelines for the governor when replacing entire public university boards or individual members.
The measure that cleared the Senate on a 32-6 vote is a response to upheaval at the University of Louisville, which has had multiple governing boards since last year.
Overshadowing the debate was the potential impact the measure could have with an accrediting body that put UofL on probation last year. Senate President Robert Stivers, the bill’s sponsor, said he sought input from the group.
“Their comments were made and were incorporated into the bill,” he said.
Sen. Morgan McGarvey said his support for the legislation was based on his desire to get UofL “back on the right track as quickly as possible.” He said that outweighed his concerns the measure would give any governor “undue influence” over university boards.
“We have been told, in consultations with other people, that this will help the University of Louisville get its accreditation off of probation,” said McGarvey, D-Louisville.
Loss of accreditation would be devastating and would mean, among other things, that UofL students would not be eligible for state or federal financial aid.
