UK trustees approve governance review after Beshear's criticism

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved a motion Friday to review and revise the university's governance regulations, responding to criticism from Gov. Andy Beshear over the appointment of federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove as dean of the College of Law, according to the Kentucky Lantern.

Board member Jim Gray, who recently transitioned to an advisory role with the governor, called for a "collaborative group" to examine and adjust governance rules that would allow the board to vote on major academic appointments going forward. The board approved the motion in a voice vote. Gray noted that he and other trustees initially believed the board would have final approval over Van Tatenhove's appointment when the position was announced earlier this year, but the board no longer held that power under 2024 changes to the university's shared governance regulations.

The governance debate stems from sweeping changes approved last June that dissolved the University Senate and significantly reduced faculty power in academic decisions. The changes, part of President Eli Capilouto's "Project Accelerate," were designed to streamline decision-making and better align the university with state needs.

Beshear criticized the Van Tatenhove appointment on multiple occasions this week, noting that the judge was the only finalist not recommended by law school faculty and expressing concern that donations from GOP-aligned benefactors may have influenced the decision. The governor also questioned why board oversight was shifted away from major hires.

"These shared governance standards are often cumbersome and troublesome, like democracy, but they have proven over time to be essential to institutional stability, credibility and progress," Gray said during Friday's meeting. "Once advocated and given away, it's a slippery slope and tough to recover."

Board Chair Britt Brockman seconded Gray's motion, acknowledging that the university should be willing to improve itself. "We have made mistakes. We will again, but I know that they are always made in the pursuit of our mission and out of the desire to protect and promote this university," Brockman said.

UK President Eli Capilouto defended Van Tatenhove's appointment Friday, arguing that American Bar Association standards "were never designed to give veto power to a group of faculty." He emphasized that colleges at UK are "not owned by a select group of stakeholders."

The push for governance review reflects mounting pressure on the university, which has faced criticism from both faculty and state leadership over the scope of shared governance. The University Senate voted no confidence in Capilouto in May 2024 over the governance changes.