Central State University Faces Ongoing Fiscal Challenges

One year ago, the Ohio Department of Higher Education put Central State University on fiscal watch, citing multiple financial discrepancies. It marked the third time Ohio’s only public historically Black university was placed on a fiscal watch since 2005.

A financial accounting report from Ohio Auditor Keith Faber, the university’s recovery plan and an assessment from Gov. Mike DeWine all shine a light on severe deficiencies in fiscal oversight, academic operations and building maintenance.

Central State was founded in 1887 in Wilberforce.

Here is a look back at Central State’s most-recent fiscal watch:

• July 1, 2024: Morakinyo A.O. Kuti becomes the 10th president of Central State.
• Sept. 18, 2024: Kuti contacts the Ohio Department of Higher Education about financial issues. ODHE starts daily meetings with Central State.
• Sept. 30, 2024: Central State asks the Ohio Controlling Board to approve $214,000 to replace a fire alarm system in Foundation Hall II, which had been damaged by a lightning strike.
• Oct. 25, 2024: Kuti meets with DeWine. The state places Central State on fiscal watch for the third time in 20 years.
• Nov. 7, 2024: Ohio Department of Higher Education hires Inglewood Associates to monitor cash flow at Central State. A month later, the contract is expanded.
• Jan. 23, 2025: Central State adopts a financial recovery plan.
• July 3, 2025: Auditor of State releases a financial report, recommending Central State hire a third party to help manage financial operations.
• July 24, 2025: At DeWine’s request, Miami University agrees to conduct a comprehensive review of Central State.
• July 29, 2025: DeWine meets with Kuti and the chair of the Central State Board of Trustees.
• Sept. 19, 2025: Miami University’s team inspecting CSU buildings found the fire detection system in Foundation Hall II is inoperable. The state fire marshal orders Central State to hire a company to monitor the dormitory 24/7 until the system is operational.
• Oct. 8, 2025: Miami University team briefs DeWine administration and notes significant deferred maintenance on multiple buildings on Central State campus.
• Oct. 15, 2025: Ohio Department of Administrative Services and Central State University sign an agreement for DAS to do a full review of its facilities.
• Late October 2025: DeWine administration will issue a request for proposals for a firm to manage Central State’s financial operations.
• Nov. 10, 2025: Central State will ask the Ohio Controlling Board to approve a contract with Thomas Porter Architects to conduct a full review of its buildings.