LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — The University of Kentucky is issuing an apology after administrators mocked an organization for young conservatives in instant messages.
After applying several times of official campus recognition, the national Young America's Organization was frustrated that the process was taking so long, so they filed an open records request to find out why. In the request, they found messages between two UK Employees who work for UK's Office of Student Organizations and Activities. The messages included one that said "Oh Jesus Tap Dancing Christ," and "They are going to be mad they waited forever and I denied them, whoops."
Young America's Foundation Chairman Parker Bowman told LEX 18's Jacqueline Nie that during the process, he tried to give them the benefit of the doubt, but the messages were shocking.
"I think the messages reveal that there was some personal bias put in to this decision, and that they were trying to intentionally trying to keep us away from campus because of who we are and who the foundation is," said Bowman. "We treated them with respect and they were just openly showing disdain for us. When we have done nothing but deal with them in good faith."
The University of Kentucky has apologized to the organization, saying, "We expect everyone, regardless of who they are, where they are from, or what they believe, to be treated with respect."
UK officials tell LEX 18 that the two employees have been reprimanded, but they are still employees.
