SENATE APPROVES COLLABORATIVE PLAN
TO SUPPORT KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
Senate Bill 185, offering a transformative reimagining of Kentucky's only public historically black college, moves to the state House for consideration
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2026) — The Senate approved legislation on Thursday aimed at strengthening Kentucky State University (KSU), marking a collaborative step forward to support the commonwealth’s only historically Black university and position it for long-term success. Senate Bill (SB) 185 holds the support of KSU President, Dr. Koffi Akakpo and Council on Postsecondary Education President, Dr. Aaron Thompson.
The measure, sponsored by Senate Budget Chair Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ryland Heights, reflects ongoing coordination between legislative leaders, university officials and higher education stakeholders to address current challenges while building a stronger foundation for the future. The proposal is designed to support improved financial stability, operational transparency and long-term planning at KSU, while ensuring the university remains focused on its core mission of serving students and expanding opportunity.
The detailed provisions of SB 185 are outlined below.
In explaining the bill, McDaniel expressed his gratitude for where stakeholders have arrived and noted that the future of KSU was uncertain at the start of the 2026 Legislative Session.
"After spending time with Dr. Akakpo, reviewing the challenges at the university and hearing his vision for the future, we understand now is not the time to give up on KSU," McDaniel said. "SB 185 reflects a partnership redefining what this institution can be for our commonwealth. It recognizes the importance of a strong, vibrant HBCU in Kentucky, sets high standards and expresses our confidence in Dr. Akakpo's leadership. Together, we believe the university can return to the success it once knew."
Collaborative reimagining and bipartisan support
Stakeholders say the bill reflects months of review and engagement on how KSU can best and most realistically move forward and reimagine its role in the lives of the students it serves. Thompson and CPE issued a statement on SB 185 on Wednesday:
"This vision represents an opportunity to build a targeted polytechnic university while honoring KSU's historic mission and legacy," the statement read. "The legislation is the result of thoughtful collaboration among legislative leadership in both chambers, along with leadership at KSU and the council. Together, our work reflects a shared commitment to aligning postsecondary education with Kentucky's evolving workforce and economic needs, while preserving the enduring strengths that make KSU an important part of our state's future."
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus spoke in favor of SB 185 on Thursday.
"We have an ability to have a new start and for KSU to be even more relevant in the future," Sen. Gerald Neal, D-Louisville and KSU alumnus, said in explaining his support for the bill.
Neal said he sees this effort as a way to retain KSU's land-grant status, which dates back to the 19th century.
Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, voted in favor of the bill and described the status of KSU as a "state of emergency," and encouraged alumni to come together as a collective to ensure KSU is the premier university it can be.
"I believe this is the best path forward for Kentucky State University," Herron said.
In his closing remarks on the floor, McDaniel recognized Neal and Arnold Simpson, who was the first African-American to represent northern Kentucky in the state House of Representatives. Simpson served for 24 years.
"These two people in particular are both colossal figures in the history of the General Assembly, and are also legislative mentors of mine," McDaniel said. "They have displayed not only the utmost of statesmanship, but also of gentlemanly conduct, and I really look up to them."
Provisions of SB 185 include the following.
Empowers leadership to implement reforms and collect debts
As a result of the bill, Akakpo is authorized to implement reforms, manage campus operations, and make employment decisions to stabilize and strengthen the institution. The bill also empowers KSU to collect debts owed to the university and refer them to the Kentucky Department of Revenue (DOR). The bill stipulates that DOR must intercept the debts owed to KSU.
Provides for a transformational institutional reset
The proposed measure enables a transformational institutional reset at KSU while preserving its status as Kentucky’s only public historically Black land-grant institution, aligning its future with a workforce-focused mission.
Advances a polytechnic, workforce-focused model
The measure establishes a transition toward a polytechnic model focused on applied sciences and career-aligned programs. It directs the university's board of regents to work with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to conduct a thorough review of all academic programs. It expands access through online education opportunities and narrows academic focus to align the university with long-term sustainability.
For five years beginning with the 2026-27 academic year—and excluding areas of study that are exclusively online, in the college of education or determined by CPE to be necessary for KSU’s mission as a polytechnic institution—KSU may offer no more than 10 academic areas of study.
Strengthens student success and accountability standards
Under SB 185, new standards are set for students seeking admission to KSU, including a minimum cumulative unweighted high school grade point average of 2.5 and a composite ACT score of at least 18. Further, the bill stipulates that any individual with a balance owed to KSU in excess of $1,000 and more than 30 days past due shall not be admitted or re-admitted to the university or participate in any courses, seminars or programs.
Establishes financial exigency and enhanced oversight
SB 185 officially declares a state of financial exigency resulting from past leadership failures and mismanagement. It maintains the existing oversight structure, including the CPE approval requirement over expenditures.
A Senate floor amendment was adopted to the bill, raising the threshold to expenditures over $20,000.
Strengthens financial accountability and transparency
Further, the bill bolsters financial accountability by requiring balanced operations, prohibiting deficit spending, implementing EMARS financial tracking and enhancing real-time oversight.
Enhances oversight and reporting requirements
The bill's provisions require regular financial and operational updates to the CPE and the General Assembly. KSU must provide monthly reports on university finances to CPE in a format to be determined by CPE, and the council will provide quarterly updates to the General Assembly and the governor.
Establishes accountability for campus organization
McDaniel’s measure requires campus organizations and affiliated groups to meet updated expectations for recognition and alignment with university policies.
By July 1, each fraternity or sorority must reapply to KSU for official recognition of the organization’s charter. If the KSU Board of Regents does not reaffirm the charter by August 1, the charter's recognition is revoked.
Addresses legacy financial obligations
A provision of the bill is specifically designed to assist KSU in addressing an existing, burdensome legacy financial agreement and to incentivize renegotiation or restructuring of an existing contract.
Proposes strategic investment in the university’s future
McDaniel, along with House and Senate leaders, is currently in conference committee discussions regarding the state’s next two-year spending plan, which includes general funds support for the commonwealth’s postsecondary institutions.
Despite at least one misleading headline, there are no cuts to Kentucky State University’s funding in the proposed state budget. As Senate Budget Chair Chris McDaniel stated during the bill's committee presentation on Wednesday, the biennial budget will hold KSU's base funding steady and protect its core operations. In addition, the university’s top infrastructure priority, a new health sciences building, is positioned to receive authorized bond funding support in the second year of the budget, contingent on stable financial conditions. Discussions are ongoing about additional funding for asset preservation and support for KSU during this transition period.
SB 185 now advances to the House for consideration.