Frankort State Journal. April 26, 2024.

Editorial: Freezing relationship with KSUF the right decision for university

We believe last weekend’s decision by the Kentucky State University Board of Regents to “freeze” its relationship with the institution’s foundation was a bold but necessary move after the university was “faced with challenges in obtaining confirmation of deposits made by agents of KSU and donors into the appropriate accounts since April 2022,” according to a letter sent by KSU Board of Regents Chair Tammi Dukes to alumni and stakeholders on Sunday.

Transparency with public records is an issue The State Journal has had with the Kentucky State University Foundation for the past three years after the foundation filed first an appeal to the Attorney General’s Office and then a lawsuit against the newspaper in regards to an open records request seeking documentation of former KSU President M. Christopher Brown II’s travel and birthday party expenses as well as any payments over $1,500.

Now K-State seems to be having the same problem getting records from the foundation.

“Despite the university’s repeated and written requests for records and invitations from the Board of Regents to participate in committee meetings to foster open dialogue, the foundation has chosen to pursue legal action to keep their records hidden from public view and, presumable, our institution,” Dukes wrote in the letter, adding that when K-State sought the documentation, the foundation replied by saying that funds “may be used for the benefit of Kentucky State University or any other educational entity.”

The Board of Regents decided it could not remain idle as the foundation continues to spend funds fighting a lawsuit to prevent the disclosure of their records and, after much deliberation, decided that all accounts established by the foundation for the benefit of the institution would be frozen — meaning no funds will be deposited to or disbursed from the accounts without the written approval of K-State President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo until the KSUF provides all requested documentation and trust is restored in the integrity of the accounts.

The university is asking the foundation to end its lawsuit and fully cooperate with requests for transparency or the relationship between the two entities will be dissolved and all funds will be immediately transferred to KSU.

We commend the Board of Regents for its no-nonsense stance and realize that this decision was not an easy one to make. We hope the university will continue to hold the foundation accountable and that it will receive the documentation it seeks in a timely manner. KSU is trying to move forward and it is time its foundation does the same.

END