Kentucky State University seeks $40 million for dorm renovations, new health building and federally funded PhD in aquaculture

Dr. Kakpo, president of Kentucky State University, told the House Budget Review Subcommittee that prior state assistance allowed the university to reopen a renovated dorm that now houses 106 students and that the campus still requires major repairs.

"We still have two dorms that need to be renovated," Dr. Kakpo said. He asked the committee for $40 million to renovate the second‑largest and third‑largest residence halls, warning that without the work one large dorm may need to be taken offline and the university could be unable to house students on campus as enrollment grows.

Dr. Kakpo described a request for a new Health Plans building to house the nursing and language programs. He said the nursing program is the university's fastest‑growing program with more than 500 students, and that moving nursing out of an old infirmary into a dedicated building would improve learning conditions.

He also requested a federally funded PhD program in aquaculture, saying the program is nationally prominent and that proposed federal support and scholarships would not cost the Commonwealth. He said the program could generate additional research dollars for the university.

In response to committee questions, Dr. Kakpo described a sequencing plan for renovations that moves students from renovated halls into those being fixed, and estimated campus bed capacity at 1,334 if all dorms are repaired. When a member referenced a December campus incident, Dr. Kakpo said it was an isolated event and described steps the university has taken, including reviewing processes, posting more police officers, hiring additional security, and improving campus procedures.

The subcommittee did not take votes on the requests during the meeting and moved to the next agenda item.