University Budget News

Gray-Little urges senators to avoid additional higher education cuts

In written testimony provided to the Senate Ways & Means Subcommittee on Higher Education, Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little outlined how $37.3 million in cuts and unfunded mandates have hampered KU’s ability to provide the educated graduates and research discoveries that will be critical to Kansas’ economic recovery. She urged legislators to avoid additional cuts that would further damage the university’s ability to contribute to the Kansas economy.

Chancellor: Investment in higher education an investment in prosperity

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little testified to the Kansas House Appropriations Committee on how the state's investment in KU is leveraged into significant returns, both in terms of educated graduates and in terms of research discoveries that drive the economy and enhance Kansans' quality of life. She also discussed her priorities as chancellor and outlined some of the effects of recent state budget cuts.

Additional document: Update on deferred maintenance projects provided to the committee

Governor highlights importance of higher education
In addition to the beginning of spring classes, this week also marked the start of the 2010 Legislative Session. State leaders face serious budget challenges, but I was gratified to hear Governor Mark Parkinson begin the session on Monday with a strong endorsement of the benefits universities provide to Kansas.

KU savings, efficiencies outlined in report
Chancellor Gray-Little recently reported on steps KU has taken to streamline operations and practices to ensure the university is operating in a cost-effective manner. She cited savings from a legislated change in purchasing rules that have already totaled $1.76 million, as well as another $1 million in annual savings through consolidation of library purchases.

State budget discussion

KU held its fifth brownbag legislative forum in July to discuss the state budget situation with members of the KU community.

Interim Provost: Furlough policy posted
As the State of Kansas has tackled the ongoing budget crisis, one budget-cutting option that has been considered by state policy makers is the furlough.

The University of Kansas has not yet needed to implement a furlough. We do not anticipate needing to do so in the current fiscal year (FY2010), though it does remain a possibility for FY 2011 or beyond if the economy continues to struggle.

Budget forum on Wednesday, Dec. 2
On Wednesday at noon in Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union, KU’s leadership will hold a budget forum to discuss how the budget crisis is affecting KU, and what they anticipate will happen with the budget for the remainder of FY 2010 and for FY 2011.

Regents demonstrate higher education's importance to business growth
Kansas Board of Regents Vice Chairman Gary Sherrer and Regents President and CEO Reggie Robinson spoke with business leaders in Lawrence about the direct connection between an educated workforce and economic growth. They discussed how 22 of the 30 fastest growing occupations in the United States require some sort of post-secondary education, and how budget cuts at universities will have consequences for the economy. Their presentation is available at kansasregents.org.

Chancellor Gray-Little issues statement on governor's budget cuts
LAWRENCE- University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little issued the following statement today in response to budget cuts announced earlier by Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson:

Interim Provost: Meeting a new budget challenge
This week, Gov. Mark Parkinson will announce additional allotment cuts to the current budgets of all state agencies, including KU and other Regents institutions.  The cuts are due to a $235 million shortfall in state revenues so far this year. It would be the fifth round of cuts in state funding since January 2009.  In this message, Interim Provost Danny Anderson describes what governor’s announcement will set into motion on the Lawrence campus and describes the process KU will follow to make the cuts and protect core activities.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the State of Kansas Budget
As the State of Kansas continues to feel the effects of the national economic downturn, many are wondering how the state budget crisis has affected KU - and what to expect going forward. These FAQs provide answers to a variety of questions about the state budget and KU.

Business Journal: Budget cuts wound University of Kansas Medical Center
The University of Kansas Medical Center is cutting staff and straining its long-term ability to pay physicians as it deals with state budget cuts. But it's full speed ahead toward its No. 1 priority.

KU Med, the University of Kansas' medical research and teaching arm, has taken a roughly 12 percent cut in state financing - about $14.2 million - within the past year as the state has dealt with plummeting revenue.

Interim Chancellor Atkinson: Students, economy affected by cuts
The more than $36 million in cuts and unfunded mandates that the University of Kansas has had to make during the state budget crisis will affect students and the Kansas economy, Interim Chancellor Barbara Atkinson told legislators today. She testified to the Legislative Educational Planning Committee during the panel's hearing on the effects state budget cuts are having on K-12 and higher education.

State budget discussion

KU held its fourth brownbag legislative forum in July to discuss the state budget situation with members of the KU community.

KU signs two new technology contracts that will save university thousands
University of Kansas officials have announced two new technology contracts that will save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year over older information infrastructure purchasing and cable television arrangements.

New revenue figures change budget picture
As you may have read this weekend, the state's new revenue forecast indicates very challenging times ahead for the Kansas economy. This forecast changes the budget situation faced by state agencies and universities.

KU chancellor responds to passage of state budget
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.

New details on KU's budget situation
Like you, I have been closely following the discussions in Topeka regarding the state's budget crisis and how it will impact the University of Kansas.

'Challenging' budget situation discussed at KU faculty, staff forum
University of Kansas Chancellor Robert Hemenway today told 125 faculty and staff attending a budget forum that economies and cooperation universitywide will be necessary to protect academic and research functions in the face of a projected $8.4 million cut in state funding this year and an anticipated $19.2 million cut next fiscal year.

Update on Governor's Budget
On Tuesday, Governor Sebelius issued her recommendations for the current and FY 2010 budget years. We are still analyzing the impact on KU, but clearly the state's poor economic condition has led to budget cuts to higher education.

KU partners with Overland Park firm to perform energy audit, increase efficiencies
After saving nearly $7 million through conservation measures taken since 2001, the University of Kansas now is contracting with a firm to find additional energy efficiencies on campus with a particular focus on upcoming deferred maintenance projects.

Update on Kansas' budget situation
In September, I wrote to you about a request from the State of Kansas to cut 2 percent from the current Fiscal 2009 budget. The request for cuts came as a worsening economy clouded the state revenue picture.

KU Endowment provides record support to University
As every Jayhawk knows, the 2007-08 academic year was filled with victories and accomplishments by our students, faculty and staff.

KU's budget situation
As you all know, the United States is currently experiencing an economic downturn. While the Kansas economy has benefited from high commodity prices and has not been hit as hard by declining home prices, budget forecasters in Topeka remain concerned about the revenue outlook for state government.

KU Bookstores implements cost-saving measures for students buying textbooks
University of Kansas students saved an average of $25 on textbooks for the 2007-08 academic year because of improvements made by KU Bookstores with help from the Textbook Task Force.