Board of Trustees

The University of Kentucky’s history is marked by resilience and shaped by an unyielding and compassionate commitment to those we serve. Today, informed by that past, we are focused on the future.

We are the pulse of our state’s economy and the hands that heal its communities. We are the voice of Kentucky’s arts and letters and the power behind discoveries that uplift and advance. The University of Kentucky is fulfilling an ambitious vision established by the President and its Board of Trustees.

This place has been – and continues to be – home to pioneers and providers, bold dreamers and strategic thinkers, who make our vision and work possible. Thanks to the efforts of those who came before us, we are poised to do more and be more for those we serve.

Together, guided by the leadership of the Board of Trustees, we will show the world what Kentucky can do.

UK’s Playbook for Reinvented Operations

UK’s Playbook for Reinvented Operations is the product of the hard and thoughtful work of more than 500 colleagues across the campus and the feedback of thousands of members of our community and beyond. It strongly affirms our commitment to a residential campus experience for our students in a way that safeguards and promotes the health, safety and well-being of our entire campus community.

UK Research

The UK Resumption of Research Phased Plan describes a phased plan of resuming research activity at the University of Kentucky. Restart efforts will be implemented over four phases, with varying percentages of research activity within each phase. This gradual resumption will decrease the likelihood of possible surges of infection and increase the time needed to obtain materials to resume more normal levels of research. The phased approach to resuming research activity will concur with all UK guidelines and will include new safety measures. These plans place public health and safety as top priorities during any phase of resumed research. Supplemental information related to specific areas of human research will be made available through online training and website materials.

UK HealthCare

In April, UK HealthCare began a phased restart approach in accordance with guidance from the state and CDC. The following describes the four-phased approach that UK HealthCare is implementing: Phase 1: Clinic visits, radiology, labs, perioperative and anesthesia; Phase 2: Outpatient and ambulatory procedures; Phases 3 and 4: Inpatient patient procedures. At the same time, in accordance with state guidelines, UK HealthCare is preserving a number of beds, as part of its surge capacity, to address health needs related to COVID-19. In addition, UK HealthCare has established detailed guidelines to protect health workers and patients during the pandemic.

UK Athletics

UK Athletics initiated its phased restart plan on June 8 in accordance with the outline established by the Southeastern Conference’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force. Leading up to the return of student-athletes, UK Athletics began preparing facilities for use and worked to ensure proper protocols were in place. Moreover, the only staff that will be present at voluntary workouts will be athlete development and performance staff essential for the safety of student-athletes, including strength and conditioning staff, athletic trainers and nutrition staff. All other staff, including coaches, will continue to work remotely as they have since the University of Kentucky altered its operations in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HEAL: Helping to End Addiction Long-term

Kentucky is currently ranked 5th in the United States for opioid overdose deaths and has suffered through the opioid epidemic since its inception. That is why researchers from the University of Kentucky's Center on Drug and Alcohol Research — in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet (JPSC) — will lead a project as part of the HEALing Communities study, funded by the largest grant ever awarded to the University. The four-year, more than $87 million study has an ambitious but profoundly important goal: reducing opioid overdose deaths by 40 percent in 16 counties that represent more than a third of Kentucky’s population. We take our role as the University for Kentucky seriously.

LEADS: Leveraging Economic Affordability for Developing Success

Today at the University of Kentucky, we are pioneering new ways to fulfill our mission to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and the people of the Commonwealth we serve. Anchored by this land-grant mission, and propelled by fierce resolve and enduring compassion, we continue to ask ourselves what is possible.