Legislative Support for the Flagship

Senate Chamber, Kentucky State Capitol

Today, January 28, 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will present his budget address to the Kentucky General Assembly.  There is at least some optimism this year that higher education will not experience yet another cut.  UK, for its part, vigorously explains the needs of the university to the Governor and members of the legislature.

A century ago UK President Frank McVey faced the same challenge.  President for only two years as the 1920 legislature convened, McVey hoped to increase the state's support for his struggling university.  New and renovated buildings were desperately needed as enrollment was growing following World War I.  He knew he needed the support of Governor Edwin Morrow and the members of the General Assembly.

President McVey pleaded that "...if we are to live up to the beginnings we have made we must have enlarged resources.  Sometimes we feel we are like Alice running as fast as we can just to stand still.  So when and where we can, let us get behind the legislative program, and work for larger opportunities."

Soon after President McVey announced to the faculty, staff, and student body that the entire legislature would be visiting the UK campus and shared their itinerary.

"Students and faculty will assemble at 2 p.m. along the driveway leading from the main entrance to the Administration Building.  The members of the legislature will walk from the cars to the chapel accompanied by a company of [student] cadets and the band.  Faculty and students are asked to fill the chapel to overflowing.  After brief exercises in the chapel the legislators will be taken on an automobile ride around the university grounds.  Then will follow a reception at Patterson Hall by the young women of the university.  In the evening entertainment will be furnished by the Lexington Board of Commerce at the Phoenix Hotel.  There will be no classes Thursday afternoon."

Administration (Main) Building, 1920

Perhaps President McVey's plans for lobbying the legislature worked.  The university's total state appropriation increased the following year from $512,806 to $689,472.  Nevertheless, the struggle for adequate funding for the state's flagship and primary research university would continue to this day.