Government Relations
2010 KU State Agenda
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The economic crisis has resulted in a more than $100 million cut in higher education, which will have long-lasting effects on the state's universities and their ability to educate the next generation of workers.
The University of Kansas alone has taken a $36.6 million cut when unfunded mandates are factored in, resulting in an overall drop in state support of 12 percent. This has forced difficult decisions to be made in order to preserve KU's core educational mission.
Additional substantial reductions would have devastating, long-lasting effects on the students of KU, as well as Kansas businesses that rely on a pipeline of educated workers.
KU supports the Kansas Board of Regents' request for a 3-year restoration of $100 million in lost funding. This would begin with an increase of $17 million in FY 2011. This approach recognizes the challenges facing our economy, yet underscores the need for additional resources to preserve the pipeline that provides our businesses with the educated workers they need to prosper.
Also key to preserving excellence is continued funding for the Kansas Bioscience Authority. The KBA provides vital investments in bioscience opportunities that are key to future economic growth. The partnerships between KU and organizations like the KBA maximize the economic development impact of higher education in Kansas.
Educating the workforce of tomorrow
Key to economic recovery is an adequate workforce of trained professionals. Kansas, like many other states, faces shortages of highly qualified individuals in many areas including pharmacists, physicians, nurses and teachers. Additionally, the shortage of professionals in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas is staggering. The problem is complex and KU is working on many fronts to address this issue.
Engineering is one key area where KU is working to increase the number of graduates. Extensive collaboration with K-12 schools to stimulate interest in the field has worked and enrollment is at a 21-year-high. KU's School of Engineering has tripled the number of Ph.D. students, doubled its annual research awards and awarded number undergraduate degrees.
Space shortages due to budget cuts hamper KU's ability to train the additional engineers sought by Kansas companies. KU will continue working with policymakers to identify possible solutions so that major engineering firms in the area aren't forced to look outside Kansas for new hires.
KU is also seeking support for its efforts to train math and science teachers through its innovative UKanTeach program. Enrollment in the program has grown from 33 to 160 students and it recently was expanded to benefit students at Johnson County Community College.
Increasing efficiency in KU operations
Increasing the overall efficiency of KU remains a priority, which is why the university has embarked on a multi-year initiative to identify state laws and regulations that handcuff our ability to operate as efficiently as possible.
More than $9 million dollars has been saved as a result of these efforts, including through the highly successful Purchasing Pilot Project that vested purchasing authority in the university, instead of an agency in Topeka. KU supports expanding these streamlined purchasing rules to all universities, making it possible to achieve further efficiencies in higher education.
KU is also seeking relief from outdated surplus property rules. If approved, this minor change could reap larger benefits for KU by allowing it to get the best return on selling excess property.
Changes to laws governing gifts will also enhance the efficiency of KU. Gifts are sometimes made to KU as opposed to the KU Endowment Association, even though it is clear such donations are intended for investment to advance the university. Proposed legislation will clarify this matter, reducing administrative overhead by no longer requiring separate accounts for these funds.
Improving health care for Kansans
The fight against cancer remains a top priority for KU and others in our state. The drive to obtain National Cancer Institute designation can give the 13,000 Kansans diagnosed with cancer annually access to cutting-edge treatments and care available only at NCI centers.
KU researchers are also undertaking a wide range of efforts that benefit Kansans, including research into diabetes, Alzheimer's, kidney disease, autism and a number of other conditions.
Delivering new treatments depends on the health professionals educated at KU, yet budget cuts have resulted in reductions in the number of students able to be enrolled in areas such as nursing. KU supports funding for graduate medical education at the Wichita and Kansas City campuses and urges policies that recognize the value of telemedicine in delivering health care to distant areas in our state.
Further support for the Kansas Medical Student Loan program is also of vital importance as we work with Kansas communities to encourage physicians to serve in the many medically underserved areas of our state.
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