Capilouto upbeat about UK and new governance structure; some faculty not so sure

It’s been almost two weeks since the formal vote by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees on a new governance structure.

The Board action abolished the University Senate Council and with that it’s academic governance role. UK President Eli Capilouto, citing staff and students, said the new format engages more voices. And Capilouto noted UK is an attractive place to call home. He added many other institutions are facing challenges; budget cuts, salary reductions, program closures.

“We’ve defied all of that. We have record numbers of students, record numbers of student success, record numbers in terms of research funding, record numbers of patients that we serve,” said Capilouto.

Capilouto said there were about 6000 applicants for faculty position two years ago. He said that number exceeded 9000 this year.

But some at UK are questioning the governance change. College of Law Professor Doug Michael has been at the University for 35 years.

He was chair of the faculty senate before it was done away with. Regarding the new governance format, Michael said, quote “nobody knows why it has to be this way.” And faculty recruitment impact is difficult to measure.

“I will be honest when I talk to candidates to say the administration has taken a heavy hand with running this place and take that at face value for better-worse, it still might be a great job, but that is what it is,” said Michael.

Michael said he doesn’t know if recruitment will be harmed but added the faculty attitude is palpably and irreversibly soured by what’s happened in the last nine months.

UK President Eli Capilouto: A portion of his report to the Board of Trustees in June regarding governance changes:

Here is a short interview with the president following the Ag Research Building ceremony on the 14th.:

Here are remarks from College of Law Professor Doug Michael on 6-26-24:

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