The University provides comprehensive training to admissions staff regarding the SFFA ruling and the University's Title VI, Title VII, and Title IX obligations.
As a part of the HB4 compliance process, the Administration and Compliance reviews University practices and policies, and procedures and provides training in Admissions, Financial Aid, and scholarship administration to ensure compliance with HB4. Moreover, all University Deans and Vice Presidents have signed written attestations confirming their understanding of and adherence to relevant state law requirements. HB4-related questions and certifications will be added to the University's Annual Disclosure Form, which must be completed each year by all University employees. These additions will be made on or before December 1, 2025. Also, all new/incoming University Deans and Vice Presidents will be required to complete comprehensive HB4 training and sign an HB4 compliance attestation as a part of the onboarding process.
KRS 164.2895(1)(c): An institution shall not...[e]xcept as provided in subsection 2(l) of this section: 1. Impose any scholarship criteria or scholarship eligibility restriction on, or provide differential treatment or benefits to, a scholarship applicant, candidate, or recipient on the basis of an individual's religion, race, sex, color, or national origin; or 2. Execute or renew any legally binding restriction that would require an institution to consider the religion, race, sex, color, or national origin of a scholarship applicant, candidate, or recipient.
Response:
Compliance Status
The University is in compliance with this provision.
Compliance Measures Taken As a part of the HB4 compliance process, the Administration and Compliance reviewed University practices and policies, and procedures in Admissions, Financial Aid, and scholarship administration to ensure compliance with HB4.
All the University Deans and Vice Presidents have signed written attestations confirming their understanding of and adherence to relevant state law requirements. The Office of the Provost and the Office of University Counsel continue to work closely with the Foundation, donors, and other departments to update existing scholarship agreements to remove any preferences related to religion, race, sex, color, or national origin.
Ongoing and Future Compliance Strategies
As a primary guardrail to ensure continued compliance, the University has initiated the centralization of its scholarship administration, which will allow for enhanced monitoring of all scholarship practices to ensure they comport with state and federal law and guidance. In addition to ongoing annual training, HB4-related questions and certifications will be added to the University's Annual Disclosure Form, which must be completed each year by all University employees. These additions will be made on or before December 1, 2025. Also, all new/incoming University Deans and Vice Presidents will be required to complete comprehensive HB4 training and sign an HB4 compliance attestation as a part of the onboarding process.
KRS 164.2895(1)(d): An institution shall not...[p]rioritize or provide preferential consideration for vendors, contracts, or other transactions based upon the religion, race, sex, color, or national origin of the ownership, management, or staff of any business or nonprofit entity, except that the institution may provide preferential consideration for businesses owned by residents of Kentucky and the United States.
Response: Compliance Status