Jan. 17, 2003

Contact: Lynn Bretz, University Relations, (785) 864-8866.

STATEMENT: Chancellor's statement on governor's proposed budget

University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway made the following statement in response to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' proposed budget:

I respect Gov. Sebelius for her courage in protecting higher education.

Some may ask why higher education needs protecting. The answer is public higher education in Kansas has been seriously harmed during the past year. Unfortunately, the new budget proposal does not repair any of that damage.

Since last July 1, KU's funding has been reduced by nearly $19 million, or about 8 percent. These cuts have harmed the university and our ability to carry out our broad mission.

We hope the governor and the Legislature will recognize the damage that has been done during the past year, and the damage that will occur in the future, unless we find an answer to these budget problems. Of particular concern is how these cuts will affect the university's capacity -- through our extensive economic development efforts -- to help lift Kansas out of its budget hole.

I appreciate especially the governor's recommendation of a 1.5 percent salary increase for state employees. Our faculty, unclassified employees and classified staff have gone without any increase this year, so that's a step in the right direction.

Another way to address some of the state's funding problems is to eliminate costly, bureaucratic regulations imposed by the state on its universities. The state should consider relieving us of some of the administrative burden that drives up costs and diverts dollars from the classroom.