Education Policy, Business and Technology

Kentucky's University Senate opposes terms of $10M deal for free enterprise center

Inside Higher Ed: Is a gift that can be taken back at any time a gift at all? That's what faculty members at the University of Kentucky are asking in light of a proposed $10 million center for the study of free enterprise, to be funded by the Charles Koch Foundation and Kentucky resident John Schnatter, of Papa John's Pizza fame.

After a split vote by the Senate Council, the full University Senate voted this week in a symbolic motion to endorse the center's academic mission -- but not its terms. Of particular concern is a stipulation by Koch and Schnatter that their gift, to be doled out incrementally over five years, must be reviewed annually and may be revoked at 30 days' notice. That potentially leaves the university on the hook for the center or -- worse, some faculty members say -- sacrifices researchers' academic freedom.

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