The University of Louisville’s acting president says the school can function well despite turmoil that has left the makeup of the board of trustees in question.
Neville Pinto, who had been interim provost for about a year, replaced longtime president James Ramsey when Ramsey resigned on July 27. He took questions from the media Thursday morning as the school prepares to welcome students back to fall classes later this month.
Pinto is acting as president as questions remain about the university’s board of trustees, which was reorganized by Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin in June. Bevin sought Ramsey’s resignation and selected an entirely new board, saying the old board was dysfunctional.
Last week, a judge temporarily halted the action by Bevin, leaving a question of which board is in power.
Pinto said Thursday he has been in contact with the chairmen of the old board and the new board appointed by Bevin, but he has not spoken to Bevin since he has become acting president. Pinto said his opinion on which board is valid “doesn’t matter.”
Pinto said the board of trustees’ role is to focus on policy while the administration handles the daily operations of the university.
The court case arose from a lawsuit from Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear, who argued that the Republican governor’s order was illegal because of a state law that declares board members at public universities can only be removed for misconduct.
Bevin argued he did not remove board members, but reorganized the board under another state law he says gives him authority to make government more efficient.
Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd’s ruling temporarily blocked Bevin’s reorganization order until the lawsuit is resolved.
Source: AP
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