This is in reference to our newly elected Republican Gov Bevin creating a new BOT at the U of L. It is being challenged under state law & it appears to be a violation under SACS, the U of L accreditation body.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/32264976/bevin...reditation
"SACS expects accredited institutions to comply with about 100 standards, including a policy that members of the university’s governing board can be dismissed “only for appropriate reasons and by a fair process.”
Another SACS expectation is that governing boards are “free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies and protects the institution from such.”
In an executive order, Bevin abolished U of L’s board and created a new one with 10 appointed members instead of the 17 set by state law. He also created a three-member interim board to oversee U of L for about two weeks until his ten appointees are announced.
The moves came with a pledge by embattled U of L President James Ramsey that he would offer his resignation to the new board.
State law that says the governor can remove board members for cause, such as “neglect of duty or malfeasance in office,” but only after a hearing and finding of fact by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.
In 2007 – the last time U of L’s accreditation was upheld by SACS – university officials pointed to that law to satisfy SACS’ requirement that board members can be dismissed “only for appropriate reasons and by a fair process.”
But the governor did not "remove" or "dismiss" the trustees within the meaning of state law, Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto said. Rather, the governor used a separate power that allows him to temporarily "reorganize" state boards, she said.
Bevin's changes are subject to confirmation by state lawmakers at the General Assembly's next session, which is in early 2017.
"Gov. Bevin did not remove any University of Louisville board members. The entire board was abolished and a new board was created," the governor's office said in an emailed statement."
SACS has placed the U of L on a 1 year probation.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.louisvill...ent=safari
U of L has an ultimatum: fix board of trustees issues or possibly lose accreditation.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, U of L’s accrediting body, reaffirmed accreditation Tuesday. However, issues concerning Governor Matt Bevin’s reorganization of the board violated SACS standards, earning U of L a one-year probation. That probation could extend to two years, and gives U of L a deadline to fix remaining issues.
“While we are disappointed, it is important to note that this in no way reflects on the quality of our curriculum or our core academic strengths. It focuses solely on issues related to the board governance of the institution,” Acting President Neville Pinto said in a statement. “The commission’s decision to impose probation does not affect degrees, federal funding (including financial aid available to students), or research grants awarded to faculty.”