Lexington, Kentucky, August 28, 2025
News Summary
DeShana Collett, the former chair of the disbanded University Senate at the University of Kentucky, has departed the institution following a $375,000 settlement. This move comes in the wake of significant governance changes that Collett opposed. The settlement restricts her access to university records, except for her personnel file. These changes, which have faced faculty criticism, include the establishment of a new faculty senate to replace the original University Senate. Concerns about faculty representation and governance continue to dominate discussions at UK.
Lexington, Kentucky – DeShana Collett, the former chair of the disbanded University Senate at the University of Kentucky (UK), has officially left the institution following a $375,000 settlement agreement. This separation has emerged amidst ongoing governance changes at UK that Collett strongly opposed, asserting they would diminish faculty decision-making power.
The settlement includes a stipulation that prohibits Collett from seeking university records under Kentucky’s open records law, with the exception of her personnel file. In her role as a tenured professor in physician assistant studies, Collett had voiced her concerns regarding moves recommended by UK President Eli Capilouto to restructure faculty governance. Capilouto proposed the creation of a new faculty senate intended to replace the University Senate, a plan that faced significant opposition from the faculty.
Despite strong objections from academic staff, the UK Board of Trustees endorsed these governance modifications. This decision followed a contentious no-confidence vote that Collett presided over against Capilouto during the University Senate’s final session.
Since the no-confidence vote, apprehensions about possible retaliation from the university administration have surfaced. In an email dated August 20, 2024, Collett cautioned faculty members about potential repercussions, suggesting that the provost’s office had assumed control over the University Senate’s online voting mechanism and could monitor individual voting activities. Although Collett raised these alarm bells, the university maintained that there was no active investigation concerning her apprehensions.
Collett encountered obstacles in her attempts to obtain university records; her requests had been classified by the university as “unduly burdensome.” As a component of the settlement, she has withdrawn her pending open records requests. University spokesperson Jay Blanton characterized the settlement agreement as standard practice.
The newly ratified governance structure, which alters the role of the University Senate to an advisory capacity rather than a policy-making one, aims to foster increased involvement from students and staff in the university’s decision-making process. Capilouto, who has held the position of president since 2011 and is among the highest-paid public university leaders nationally, has stressed his desire to collaborate with the UK community following the no-confidence vote.
Despite the faculty’s discontent, the Board of Trustees has continued to express robust support for Capilouto’s leadership. As governance changes unfold, there are concerns about how they will impact faculty representation and input in key university matters.
Background of Governance Changes
In recent years, the University of Kentucky has been undergoing significant governance restructuring aimed at enhancing student and staff engagement. While these changes are intended to modernize decision-making, they have faced scrutiny and opposition from faculty members, who argue that the proposed changes threaten academic autonomy and decision-making capabilities.
Conclusion
The departure of DeShana Collett, following a substantial financial settlement, underscores the ongoing tensions within the University of Kentucky regarding governance and faculty representation. The administration’s focus on restructuring governance reflects a broader trend of universities seeking to involve various stakeholders, yet raises critical questions about the implications for faculty authority and oversight.
FAQs
Why did DeShana Collett leave the University of Kentucky?
DeShana Collett left the University of Kentucky following a $375,000 settlement which was part of her separation agreement, amid opposition to changes in the university’s governance structure.
What are the governance changes at the University of Kentucky?
The governance changes involve creating a new faculty senate that will replace the disbanded University Senate, shifting its role to an advisory capacity instead of a policy-making body.
What were the concerns raised by Collett?
Collett’s main concerns revolved around the potential diminishment of faculty decision-making power and fears of retaliation from the administration following her participation in the no-confidence vote against the president.
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky Lantern: Former Faculty Leader Leaves University of Kentucky
- Kentucky.com: Faculty Leadership Departure
- LEX18: No Confidence Vote at University of Kentucky
- NY Times: Faculty Power and Shared Governance
- Richmond Register: Faculty Leader’s Departure
- Wikipedia: Shared Governance
- Google Search: University of Kentucky Governance
- Google Scholar: University of Kentucky Faculty Governance
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University
- Google News: University of Kentucky Faculty News
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