The University of Louisville’s Board of Trustees plans to hold a vote on members’ confidence in university president James Ramsey at its next meeting in April.
Trustee Jody Prather called for the vote Tuesday, but it was delayed for procedural reasons. Many trustees have raised concerns about Ramsey’s leadership over the past year, as the university faces numerous investigations and allegations of misconduct.
Both Prather and Trustee Emily Bingham spoke during the meeting, saying they questioned Ramsey’s honesty and decision-making.
After the meeting, Trustee Craig Greenberg said he believed he and the other trustees questioning Ramsey’s leadership are in the majority. “This is about the crisis, the embarrassments, the scandals, the investigations, the indictments. And for months, the Board of Trustees has been prevented from having meaningful discussion about those topics. It’s time that changes.”
Also after the meeting, Ramsey said he didn’t think the trustees backing the ‘no-confidence’ motion were acting professionally. “My focus has always been on the statutory mandate that we’ve been given by the people of Kentucky, and that’s to educate students. And that’s what we’re doing the very best we can, and that’s what my focus will continue to be.”
Others on the board spoke out to defend Ramsey. Trustee Bob Hughes said the board is at the point where it can’t function, and called on Governor Matt Bevin to ask the entire board to resign.
Ramsey’s contract doesn’t expire until 2020. If the trustees express a vote of no-confidence, that won’t force him out of his job, but will send a clear message.
