Kentucky State University (the University) is a component unit of the Commonwealth of Kentucky (the Commonwealth) and is included in the general-purpose financial statements of the Commonwealth. The Kentucky State University Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation) is a legally separate, tax-exempt organization supporting the University. The Foundation acts primarily as a fundraising organization to supplement the resources that are available to the University in support of its programs. The Foundation's Board of Directors is self-perpetuating and consists of graduates and friends of the University. Although the University does not control the timing or amount of receipts from the Foundation, the majority of resources or income thereon that the Foundation holds and invests is restricted by the donors to the activities of the University. Because these restricted resources held by the Foundation can only be used by, or for the benefit of, the University, the Foundation is considered a component unit of the University and is discretely presented in the University's financial statements.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), including Statement No. 34, Basic Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for State and Local Governments, and Statement No. 35, Basic Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Public College and Universities. The University reports as a Business Type Activity (BTA), as defined by GASB Statement No. 35. BTA's are those activities that are financed in whole or in part by fees charged to external parties for goods and services.
For financial reporting purposes, the University is considered a special-purpose government engaged in only business-type activities. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting with a focus on the flow of economic resources measurement. Under the accrual basis of accounting, revenues are recognized when earned and expenses are recorded when an obligation has been incurred.
GASB establishes standards for external financial reporting for public colleges and universities and requires that financial statements be presented on a basis to focus on the University as a whole. Net position is classified into four categories according to external restrictions or availability of assets for satisfaction of University obligations. The University's net position is classified as follows:
Capital assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and outstanding principal balances of debt attributable to the acquisition, construction, or improvement of those assets.
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