LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., is reacting to the leadership change at the University of Louisville.
Wednesday Kim Schatzel resigned, and the school’s Board of Trustees immediately named Gerry Bradley her successor.
During his Team Kentucky update Beshear said as governor, he doesn’t get involved in the workings of the boards of the universities.
“When the last governor did that, Louisville’s accreditation was put on probation, so I was only advised that the action was going to happen about 24 hours before it did. I haven’t been provided many details but I haven’t been able to verify any of those. Certainly, Dr. Schatzel was always positive and professional with me and I wish her the best in whatever her next location is,” Beshear said.
When asked about the immediate filling of the position without a search, Beshear said, “I think that there should be a search. That doesn’t mean that the interim President couldn’t have a two-year contract because, for instance, a Harvard search, I think they’re taking multiple years. But she was selected through a national search. Let me say, I think the former provost who’s going into that job is a really good candidate and would likely rise to the top of any search. But I always believe that you should do a search. You may think you have the best person but you do need to compare them to options.”
Spectrum News asked Beshear if he knew if Schatzel faced any internal pressure from the trustees to scale back or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Beshear said,“I don’t have any information on the first part of the question, but I think our universities always need to be welcoming and open to people from all backgrounds. In Kentucky, we have had some of the biggest gains in post-secondary enrollment.” He added, “I just think trying to press down all this rule and ideology from the Federal government will only be harmful because in the very least, it tries to make diversity a bad word when I think it’s something that ought to be celebrated.”
A University spokesperson told Spectrum News the trustees addressed the DEI issue on Wednesday and were not revisiting it Thursday. Spectrum News is working to get an interview with President Bradley.
