KU News Release

KU chancellor responds to passage of state budget

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway issued the following statement in response to legislative passage of a state budget that reduces higher education funding by slightly more than 7 percent for fiscal year 2010.

“While this is still a budget cut, compared to what had been on the table it will be much more manageable. This agreement largely preserves our ability to carry out our academic and research missions, which is important because both of those contribute to the overall strength of the Kansas economy. I’m hopeful we will be able to implement this cut through the measures we’ve already taken, such as elimination of certain filled and unfilled positions, identification of new efficiencies and other belt-tightening moves.

“I want to thank legislators and Gov. Sebelius for recognizing the importance of higher education to the state workforce. This economy is forcing them to make extraordinarily difficult decisions and we appreciate their service to our state. It is also fortunate that Congress and the administration provided millions of dollars in crucial funding for Kansas universities and K-12 schools through the federal stimulus package.”

Note: KU’s FY 2009 budget was reduced by 4.25 percent over what was originally agreed to by the governor and Legislature in 2008. Under the budget passed by the Legislature today, KU’s FY 2010 budget will be reduced by about 7 percent from the original FY 2009 budget.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.