Student leaders and alumni at Kentucky State University met to strategize amendments to a state Senate bill they say could change the identity of the commonwealth’s only public historic Black university.
Senate Bill 185, which passed unanimously in the Senate, would define K-State’s mission as a land grant polytechnic institution. Student leaders say the polytechnic portion of the bill would change the original purpose of the HBCU, which was established in 1886.
The bill also calls for changes to admission requirements and could impact Greek life.
Student concerns over polytechnic designation
Mugissa Donatien, senior class president, said the polytechnic designation raises concerns about the future of liberal arts programs.
“If it changes to polytech that mean that all liberal art majors would go on-line and we would lose a sense of community that we have as black students here,” Donatien said.
A small group of leaders met in the student activities center to discuss what amendments they want to propose.
Kristie Powe, a Kentucky State alumnus, said she is concerned about the bill’s impact on the university’s identity.
“I feel like we are white washing everything and I feel we are going to do the same thing with Kentucky State University,” Powe said.
State Rep. George Brown, District 77, attended the meeting.
“We cannot sit back and say its ok…it’s not ok and we need to say it,” Brown said.
Greek life and enrollment concerns
The bill would require fraternities and sororities to reapply for charter recognition. The group wants an amendment that would leave Greek life alone.
“By taking our greek organizations that’s part of the legacy of h-b-c-u’s,” Powe said.
Donatien said students are also concerned about language in the bill regarding enrollment.
“We are demanding to keep our identity and we are also demanding that they support more than a thousand students on campus and in the bill it actually states that they would only support at least a thousand students and so we want to actually have more students on campus,” Donatien said.
The small group met with a larger group inside Bradford Hall to discuss proposed amendments to the bill. They hope to have their voices heard by more lawmakers Tuesday.
University response
University leadership said the school would not cease to be an HBCU and the identity would be the same. They said the bill would help shape the university’s future with stronger emphasis on STEM, research and workforce connected programs. The change would represent a new chapter, according to university leadership.
Powe said the university’s motto has taken on different meanings.
“Onward and upward that’s always what Kentucky State University has stood for,” Powe said.
Change could be coming to campus, and not everybody is onboard.
K-State students are planning to march to the state Capitol grounds on Tuesday in hopes of meeting with more lawmakers.
