A resolution asking the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to study the placement and services provided by public universities and community-technical colleges is before the full Senate. The measure passed out of the Senate Education Committee last week. Senate President Robert Stivers is the key sponsor. He said this type of extensive review hasn’t been done since major reforms in 1997.
“I have no preconceived ideas about where this should be, but CPE was envisioned to do this. And I think it’s time to do it again,” said Stivers.
Campbellsville Senator Max Wise asked about language in the resolution to study the possibility of acquiring a private university to serve as a new regional public institution in southeastern Kentucky. It also seeks to examine the feasibility of building a new four-year residential university in that region instead. Stivers admitted getting some calls about the resolution.
“But, there is no conclusion. And I want to say this cause I got calls from some people who said ‘oh are you all gonna condemn our property? No.. I don’t think anybody’s thinking about condemning or taking. That would have to be a mutual agreement.”
Stivers cited as an example Lees College, a one-time Presbyterian school that negotiated to sell its property to the University of Kentucky in the 1990s. It’s now part of the Hazard Community and Technical College.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
