Things are getting even more complicated at Kentucky State University.
Just days after one lawsuit challenged a sweeping new state law aimed at restructuring the school, a second class action suit has now been filed—this time by a group of anonymous students who say the legislation itself is unconstitutional, according to reports.
The May 21 filing comes less than two weeks after an earlier lawsuit from students and alumni argued that the same law violated civil rights protections, according to the Louisville Courier Journal.
Now, the latest legal challenge targets the law’s passage, accusing lawmakers of bypassing proper legal procedures.
What the Kentucky State lawsuit says
The lawsuit names a long list of defendants, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education and its leadership, and multiple state agencies. Kentucky State University, its board of regents, Board Chair Tammi Dukes, and President Koffi Akakpo are also included.
“The irreparable harm is intensified by KSU’s unique status as Kentucky’s 1890 land-grant university and only public HBCU, and by the Commonwealth’s longstanding federally recognized commitments to enhance, rather than narrow, KSU’s mission, programs, funding, facilities, land-grant activities, administration, faculty capacity, and student opportunity,” the students’ complaint says.
At the center of both lawsuits is Senate Bill 185, which was signed into law on April 13. The measure introduces major changes designed to stabilize KSU’s finances, including placing the university in a state of financial exigency for up to five years—or until its financial outlook improves.
But those changes are significant.
What does SB 185 plan to do?
Under SB 185, Kentucky State is set to transition into a polytechnic institution, with many liberal arts programs moving online. Starting in the 2026–27 academic year, the university will offer no more than 10 in-person academic programs, with limited exceptions.
The law also expands the authority of the university president, allowing for employee terminations with just 30 days’ notice as part of broader cost-cutting efforts.
University officials say they are not involved in the lawsuits.
In a statement following the second filing, KSU said it did not coordinate with the plaintiffs and was unaware of the action beforehand. The university added that it will continue to follow applicable laws while working with state and federal partners to carry out its mission.
With two lawsuits now challenging the same legislation from different angles, the future of Kentucky State—and how far the state can go in reshaping it—could ultimately be decided in court.
