Jayhawks,

As the Kansas Legislature begins the second half of the 2022 session, I want to share Chancellor Doug Girod’s recent testimonies to budget committees in the House and Senate. His presentations outline KU’s far-reaching economic impact statewide, and I encourage you to review them for background and talking points as you communicate with your local lawmakers. 

As budget discussions progress in Topeka, we will continue to urge the Legislature to restore $45.7 million to state universities’ base-budget funding to get us back to FY 2021 levels so KU can hold tuition flat for a fourth consecutive year and maintain affordability for Kansas students and their families.

We also will advocate for the creation of the University Economic Development Challenge Grant ($195 million) proposed by Gov. Laura Kelly. The grant, administered by the Department of Commerce, would enable universities to match donor dollars with state funds to develop projects that would drive economic growth, thereby increasing KU’s ability to meet workforce needs, recruit scholars to the region, create startup companies, and partner with industry to develop products and services. Chancellor Girod’s presentations to the House and Senate provide important examples of these activities.

Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of KU and higher education statewide. Your voice will be vital in the weeks ahead.

Rock Chalk—

Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09
President
KU Alumni Association