Murray State University

Dr. Robert Hughes said the United States is failing in virus containment efforts because of citizens and leaders treating COVID-19 as a political issue. He pointed to Germany, where he said Chancellor Angela Merkel is letting scientists take the lead, as a model for a proper response to the pandemic.

Kentucky is projected to have 8,522 fewer full-time students in its public colleges and universities compared to the last academic year, a decline of 6.1% that would result in a loss of $40.3 million.

The judge-executive issued a statement saying the county “remains committed” to addressing concerns regarding the Robert E. Lee statue within the bounds of the law.

The monument was installed in 1917 with funds from the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The university's statement follows calls from academic departments and others affiliated with MSU to remove the Confederate memorial.

Previously, the university's English and Philosophy Department and an assistant football coach also wrote letters to the county judge-executive requesting the removal of the memorial.

Professor Timothy Johns said he’s had black students who may feel like “second-class citizens” after seeing the statue on the square. He said the statue is also offensive to black soldiers who are willing to die for their country.

Murray State University Assistant Football Coach Sherman Neal first called for the monument's removal in a June 1 open letter to county and Murray city leadership.

A video posted to social media shows a man assaulting protesters with a chemical spray during an evening march on June 2 in Murray in a second day of protests in the city related to the recent killings of unarmed black people across the country.

The flag drew coverage from national outlets and prompted a response from Kentucky’s branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People expressing opposition to the flag being raised.

The emergency cash relief includes $6.3 million for Murray State University and $1.3 million for Hopkinsville Community College.

Students are expected to be out of the dorms by March 27.