News and Campus Messages

This is a photo of the UK sign on University of Kentucky campus.

Update on Federal and State Issues

Eli Capilouto

Mar 19, 2025

Government Updates

I want to provide you with important updates about what we’ve been tracking on the federal and state levels this week. The University of Kentucky has formally notified the PhD Project that UK is canceling any contractual relationship that exists between our institution and this organization. Last week, I informed campus that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights notified us that UK is among 45 universities under review regarding the use of “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.”

This is a photo of UK's Main Building and Patterson Office Tower.

Federal Policy Updates; Telling Your Story

Eli Capilouto

Mar 14, 2025

Government Updates

This morning, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights distributed a news release indicating that 45 universities — including the University of Kentucky — are under review regarding the use of “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities.” You can read the news release here. We believe the review with respect to UK and a number of other institutions concerns the relationship with an organization called “The Ph.D. Project,” which provides networking opportunities for doctoral students.

This is a photo of the University of Kentucky campus.

Public Review Process Begins for Draft ARs

Eli Capilouto

Mar 12, 2025

As I communicated in my message to campus last semester, the Board of Trustees has directed us to proceed with next steps in reviewing and revising the Administrative Regulations (ARs) to ensure they align with the institution’s updated Governing Regulations (GRs).

Q&A Video about Federal and State Policy Changes

Eli Capilouto

Mar 7, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community,As we continue to monitor the potential impacts of federal and state legislation — along with executive orders and litigation — on the University of Kentucky, I want to share with you a video that addresses some frequently asked questions.

Update on federal and state policy changes

Eli Capilouto

Feb 28, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community, I know many of you are concerned and anxious about the landscape that confronts us in higher education right now. As an official at another institution recently remarked, he has been advised to stop using the word “comfortable” because issues are changing so rapidly the word no longer makes sense to use.

Potential Impact of Federal Research Cuts

Eli Capilouto

Feb 10, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community,We are committed to keeping you updated on the latest information regarding executive orders from President Donald Trump’s administration, the potential impact of the executive orders on our campus, the work we do and how we are responding.Late Friday afternoon, the federal National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the rate for what are known as “indirect costs” would be lowered to 15% for all existing and new NIH contract awards. Earlier today, litigation was filed by multiple states challenging this decision.

This is a photo of the University of Kentucky campus in spring.

Update on federal policy changes

Eli Capilouto

Jan 29, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community, I communicated with you yesterday about a pause — issued by President Donald Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) — on agency grant, loan and other financial assistance programs related to our research efforts. That directive was rescinded by the White House this afternoon.

This is a photo of the UK campus in winter.

Update on federal policy changes

Eli Capilouto

Jan 28, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community,We’ve pledged to keep you informed as a community as we know more regarding details and potential impacts of executive orders and other actions undertaken by President Donald Trump and his administration.The following is what we know today and how we are working to ensure continuous and up-to-date communication with you about these issues:

Monitoring Federal Policy Changes

Eli Capilouto

Jan 24, 2025

Government Updates

Campus Community, This week, President Donald Trump and the new administration signed dozens of executive orders and personnel actions. The potential impacts of these actions reach across the country. These will inevitably affect higher education — and our university — as well. After all, our mission of education, research, service and care is deep and broad. We have some 36,000 students and more than 25,000 employees with a presence in every county in Kentucky, and a reach — through our education and research — that extends around the world.

The Power of Our Community

Eli Capilouto

Jan 13, 2025

Campus Community, Welcome back to campus and to the start of a new and exciting semester.Each spring, as our campus comes alive and hums with purpose, I am reinvigorated by the role we play as Kentucky’s university.This is more than a place of learning — it’s a vibrant community bound by shared purpose and collective ambition.Across our campus and throughout the Commonwealth, we see the impact of this collaboration in the essential care we provide, the discoveries we pursue and the lives we transform through it all.

Email	pres@uky.edu
Phone	859-257-1701
Fax	859-257-1760