Now is the time to urge lawmakers to protect the higher education budget

Dear Jayhawks for Higher Education,

On Monday Chancellor Doug Girod presented testimony to the Senate Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee and the House Higher Education Budget Committee. He highlighted KU’s vital mission and the many ways in which KU provides economic growth for Kansas. He also discussed the financial strains created by the pandemic, and he outlined the impact of the state’s disinvestment in higher education: tuition paid by students and their families now contributes more to KU’s basic operational funding than state appropriations.

KU and the Regents universities are asking the Legislature to maintain stable higher education appropriations. Any further decrease will force reductions in vital programs and services for Kansans.

I hope you will review the chancellor’s presentation and reach out to lawmakers who will play key roles in budget discussions. Their names and contact information appear below.

As KU and higher education face unprecedented challenges, your advocacy is critically important.

Thank you for your continuing dedication.

Rock Chalk,

Heath Peterson, d’04, g’09

President, KU Alumni Association