Kentucky State University President Raymond Burse resigned today, ending a nearly two-year tenure as interim and permanent president in his second turn in the position.
A polarizing figure since returning to KSU in 2014, Burse earned national headlines for reducing his own salary to subsidize a wage increase for employees, but later received criticism from faculty for what they called his inconsistent, dictatorial management style.
Last year, Burse said that state budget cuts threatened the school’s ability to stay open, along with falling enrollment and his initiative to cut non-paying students from the school’s student roster.
In a statement, Burse said that he left the campus in better condition than he found it.
When I answered the call to serve as interim president two years ago, I did so with the understanding that my job was to put KSU on solid footing so that the school would not shutter. Under my leadership, KSU is back on the path to excellence.
At this juncture, I have decided that the further demands and challenges of Kentucky State must be undertaken by new leadership. I have come to this conclusion after nearly six months of personal assessments and evaluations, which has resulted in my resignation as president, effective May 27, 2016.
Burse previously served as KSU president from 1982 to 1989.
