Lexington, Kentucky, August 27, 2025
News Summary
DeShana Collett has left her position at the University of Kentucky following governance disputes and will receive $375,000 as part of her separation agreement. Known for opposing recent governance changes that reduced faculty input in academic decision-making, her departure signals ongoing tensions regarding faculty governance rights at the university. Faculty members voiced concerns about transparency and the control over the online voting system, escalating apprehensions about the administration’s authority in governance matters.
Lexington, Kentucky – DeShana Collett has officially left her position at the University of Kentucky (UK) following a contentious period of governance disputes. As a part of her separation agreement from the university, Collett will receive a payment of $375,000. The departure of Collett, who served as the last chair of the disbanded University Senate, is symptomatic of ongoing tensions regarding faculty governance rights at the institution.
Collett, a tenured professor in physician assistant studies, was known for her opposition to recent governance proposals that sought to lessen faculty input in academic decision-making at UK. The university’s administration, led by President Eli Capilouto, proposed a new faculty senate to replace the Traditional University Senate. This recommendation was met with significant resistance among faculty members and was ultimately approved by the UK Board of Trustees.
In a significant move during her final Senate meeting, Collett presided over a vote of no confidence against President Capilouto. Following this vote, she voiced concerns about potential retaliation from the university administration against faculty members who opposed the governance changes. Collett described the environment at the university as increasingly uncomfortable after the disbandment of the University Senate, which contributed to her decision to exit the institution.
As part of her separation agreement, Collett has committed not to pursue university records under Kentucky’s open records law, with the exception of her personnel file. This provision raises concerns among critics who argue it limits transparency and accountability in the governance processes of UK.
Throughout her tenure as chair, Collett faced challenges in obtaining access to records; her attorney reported that numerous open records requests submitted were denied by UK, which cited that fulfilling such requests would be “unduly burdensome.” There were also issues concerning the UK administration’s control over the online voting system used by the University Senate. This raised alarms among faculty regarding the data privacy of individual votes and the potential for administrative retaliation against Senate members.
While the general counsel’s office at UK later stated that there was no investigation concerning the control of the voting system, the situation has led to heightened concerns among faculty regarding the governance changes and their ramifications.
Collett chose to settle her disputes with the university early on, despite UK’s intention to address open records requests by the end of July. The settlement terms included stipulations that some observers considered unusual, particularly the restriction on future requests for university records. A UK spokesperson stated that the separation agreement contained standard terms and conditions, asserting that the resolution reflects typical practices in similar situations.
As the University of Kentucky navigates through this transitional phase in faculty governance, the implications of Collett’s departure are yet to be fully realized. The university’s move towards a new faculty governance system continues to provoke discussions on faculty roles and decision-making powers within the academic community.
FAQ
What led to DeShana Collett’s departure from the University of Kentucky?
Collett’s departure followed ongoing governance disputes at UK, particularly regarding proposals that aimed to reduce faculty influence in decision-making, culminating in a vote of no confidence against President Eli Capilouto.
What are the terms of Collett’s separation agreement?
Collett’s separation agreement includes a payment of $375,000 and stipulations limiting her rights to request university records, except for her personnel file.
How did the faculty respond to the governance changes proposed by the administration?
The faculty largely opposed the governance proposals, expressing concerns over diminished influence in academic decision-making and transparency issues regarding the online voting system controlled by the administration.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Separation Agreement | $375,000 payment, limited future open records requests |
| Vote of No Confidence | Collett presided over a significant vote against President Capilouto |
| Faculty Opposition | Faculty expressed concerns over governance changes and transparency |
| Voting System Control | University administration controlled the online voting system, raising concerns |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Concerns Rise at University of Kentucky Following No-Confidence Vote
Additional Resources
- Kentucky Lantern: Former Faculty Leader Leaves University of Kentucky
- Kentucky.com: Faculty Leader Leaves University of Kentucky
- LEX 18: UK Faculty Issue No Confidence Vote
- Kentucky Lantern: UK Senate Votes No Confidence
- Kentucky.com: UK Senate Leadership Dynamics
- Wikipedia: Faculty Governance
- Google Search: University of Kentucky governance changes
- Google Scholar: University of Kentucky faculty no confidence vote
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Governance
- Google News: University of Kentucky faculty governance
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