Politics
Kentucky campuses asked to complete 90-day sexual violence policy review
Gov. Andy Beshear is asking every Kentucky college and university to review its sexual assault and harassment policies within 90 days and educate board members on how those procedures work. He described the effort as preventative, not a finding that any state institution has failed students.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is calling on colleges and universities across the state to conduct a 90-day review of their policies and practices for addressing sexual assault and harassment, and to ensure governing board members understand the procedures.
The review should cover campus awareness efforts, access to support services, reporting processes and education about retaliation, Beshear said. He framed the request as a proactive effort to protect students, not a response to a finding of wrongdoing at a particular state institution.
“We must be proactive and intentional when it comes to sexual violence,” Beshear said. He said the effort should help students feel safe and know they will be supported if violence occurs.
The call follows national attention to a lawsuit filed last month by a former Cornell University student. The student alleges she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in 2024. The allegations are part of a lawsuit and have not been established as fact in the information available here.
The University of Louisville welcomed Beshear’s announcement, saying it shares his priority of creating a safe campus environment. The university said it looks forward to sharing with the governor’s office and campus community the steps it takes to prioritize the safety of students, faculty and staff.
The request places attention on how colleges communicate options to students, handle reports and protect people from retaliation. Beshear did not identify a deadline date beyond the requested 90-day review period.