In the 2026 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, Senate Bill 185 (SB 185) was enacted to reposition Kentucky State University with a polytechnic focus aligned with the workforce needs of the Commonwealth. SB 185 declares a state of financial exigency at the University for a period of up to five years beginning with the 2026–27 academic year. During this period, the University will undergo a comprehensive review of all academic programs in consultation with the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to align its offerings with the new polytechnic mission and ensure long-term viability and financial stability.

Under SB 185, the University’s in-person academic offerings are limited to no more than ten (10) areas of study during the exigency period, excluding programs that are exclusively online, within the College of Education, or determined to be necessary to the polytechnic mission by CPE. Programs offered exclusively through KYSU Online/Global are exempt from this cap. This legislative distinction elevates the strategic role of online programs and underscores the importance of the infrastructure, standards, and operations described in this Handbook.

Kentucky State University remains Kentucky’s only public historically Black university and 1890 land-grant institution. The polytechnic transition builds upon the University’s existing strengths in applied learning, workforce preparation, and community engagement. SB 185 preserves this heritage while charting a path forward that positions the institution for sustained growth and impact. Online faculty, as members of the KYSU Online/Global academic community, play an essential role in ensuring the continuity and quality of academic programs during this transition.

As the University implements the requirements of SB 185, the Office of Online Education will communicate updates to online faculty regarding any changes to programs, policies, or operations that affect their work. Faculty should direct questions about the polytechnic transition and its implications for online programs to the Director of Online Education.