CPE awards emergency funds to Kentucky campuses

May 14, 2020

This article is part of the Council's COVID-19 on Campus series.

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is providing a $440,000 boost to public colleges and universities this year to help with emergency expenses related to COVID-19.

The funding – approved in April – will assist with the growing challenges on campuses, such as the move to online instruction or the need for more professional development, improved internet access or emergency student housing.

"Campuses are grappling with incredible needs, and if we want to meet our 2030 goals, we need to give them more room to maneuver this year." - CPE President Aaron Thompson

CPE had originally earmarked the money for student success initiatives in its 2020 budget. But given the pandemic, the Council decided to redirect the funds toward response efforts this year, offering campuses more flexibility amid the crisis.

CPE President Aaron Thompson said campuses must still use the funds in support of CPE's strategic goals to improve educational outcomes for Kentucky students and raise the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary certificate or degree to 60% by 2030.

"We can't forsake our long-term objectives, but we can remain nimble and responsive to the challenges at the moment," Thompson said. "Campuses are grappling with incredible needs, and if we want to meet our 2030 goals, we need to give them more room to maneuver this year."

CPE will channel $40,000 to each of Kentucky's public universities. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), due to its size, number of campuses and high percentage of students with Pell Grants, will receive $120,000.

Campuses are required to complete a mid-term report in July and a final report in January that details how the funds were used.