Kentucky State University's Board of Regents decided to give University President Mary Sias a quarter-million-dollar bonus to stay at the institution until Dec. 31, 2016. In 2008, they gave her a $75k retention bonus to complete her term, and in 2010, agreed to give her a $100k retention bonus to stay through April 2013, and another $150k to stay through April 2016. Essentially, though she publicly announced her intent to retire at the end of the 2016 academic year (June 30), they are giving her $250k to stay an additional six months. In all, she can accumulate $400k no matter how the university performs just to stay in 2016.

Just how has KSU performed? The institution's main purpose is to enroll, retain, and graduate students. U.S. News and World Report documented the university with a 12 percent four-year graduation rate based on 2010 data. State Sen. Tim Shaughnessy reported likewise during the last legislative session and proposed not giving university presidents of underperforming institutions raises and holding the Board of Regents accountable. The Council on Postsecondary Education reports KSU with a 22.4 percent six-year graduation rate, the lowest in the commonwealth.

Sias has led the biggest enrollment at KSU to over 2,800 students according to CPE records, far less than her prediction to “increase enrollment by 4,000 to 5,000 in less than five years” (The Key Newsjournal, Feb. 2, 2004). Also according to CPE records, KSU has the lowest retention rate in the state at 51.4 percent (No other institution is below 66.5 percent), of which 43.8 percent enrolled at other institutions, the highest rate by far (NKU is next at 28.6). According to the 2012-2013 FAFSA reports, the university reported a 25 percent graduation rate (Over a six-year period), 54 percent retention rate, and 43 percent transfer rate (out to other institutions over a six-year period). If this were a test, KSU would fail on two of three indicators, i.e. score a 33 percent. How many parents would be happy if their child brought home that type of test result? How many would even give their child a dollar?

The KSU Board of Regents is Sias' proverbial parent. It is ultimately responsible for her and the institution. They are supposed to make the big decisions with her executing their will. However, especially under former board president Laura Douglas, they have made some very questionable decisions and seem to just rubber-stamp her decisions. For instance, how can she continue getting "sparkling evaluations" when the university is underperforming? This may be due to none of them being KSU alumni, a reversal from its composition when Gov. Steve Beshear was inaugurated. Half the board were alumni when the governor came into office and for whatever reason, he has selected people who, besides Chuck Whitehead, had no previous relationship with the institution. The last alumna of KSU appointed to the board left during her term to fill a vacancy at her other alma mater. Not selecting the right type of person, an alum who would hold the president accountable, seems to be the norm when it comes to KSU. Sometimes, going with a big name or deep pockets does not equate to good governance.

While Dr. Sias is very cerebral and a good public speaker, some of her decisions have resulted in lows for KSU. Morale on campus has been reported by several constituencies as being very low. The crime rate has risen on campus since she hired the current chief of police. She cut direct hiring of Frankfort residents to campus jobs in favor of outsourcing. The university is understaffed as discharges have been high while replacements are low or none. She has given many ill-equipped people responsibilities they bungled for years before righting the ship, if they corrected themselves at all. Her overall hiring strategy has been questioned. She has raised tuition, but not financial aid. The university has been quick to enroll too many unprepared students while many honor students were left waiting for answers or offers. She has also added more layers to her administration than any other president. She has added a vice president and an assistant vice president the past two academic years to an already top-heavy structure. She has some vice presidents who “earn” more than any previous president.