University of Kentucky adopts neutrality policy under anti-DEI bill
The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees has approved a statement of neutrality as required by the state’s new law banning diversity, equity and inclusion on public college campuses.
UK’s statement “prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s political or social viewpoint and promotes intellectual diversity within the institute,” according to meeting materials.
Universities had to be in compliance with House Bill 4, which requires public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System to dismantle and defund all DEI initiatives, by June 27 of this year.
UK’s neutrality statement says it “will be impartial facilitators as an institution of broad perspectives,” and the university’s website will be free of political statements. Additionally, “the university does not take official positions on or issue public statements about societal issues and events that do not directly impact the mission or function of the university.”
The statement was approved by the board on Friday, with four board members abstaining from the vote.
Two members voiced concerns about the impact a neutrality stance could have on the university, asking the board to monitor how neutrality is applied on campus.
“We have a neutrality policy that’s required by state law in an environment where neutral circumstances don’t exist,” Trustee Clark Williams said. “So the threat is that the neutrality policy will cause a drift into some greater discrimination.”
In August, conservative think tank the Goldwater Institute accused UK of being out of compliance with the law, because President Eli Capilouto had created the statement of neutrality but it had not yet been approved by the board.
The university argued it was in compliance, as it had adopted the neutrality stance last August when it disbanded its Office for Institutional Diversity. At that time, the board delegated authority to the president to craft the neutrality statement.
This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM.