Source: Bruce Shubert, 785-532-6226, bshubert@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/media/mediaguide/bios/shubertbio.html
News release prepared by: Jennifer Torline, 785-532-0847, jtorline@k-state.edu

Monday, Jan. 24, 2011

WITH NO HIGHER EDUCATION CUTS, K-STATE BENEFITS FROM GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University is treated well in Gov. Sam Brownback's budget proposal, which does not call for cuts in higher education, university leaders said.

For fiscal year 2012, Brownback recommended no changes to K-State's state general fund operating appropriation. But even with no further state general fund reduction, K-State will face challenges in funding cost increases for group health insurance; the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, called KPERS; and utility costs, said Bruce Shubert, K-State vice president for administration and finance.

"The governor's recommendations are being considered and discussed by the Legislature," Shubert said. "We will work with all involved over the next few months to ensure decision-makers understand the value of their investment in K-State."

Brownback is proposing funding research at state universities, including K-State. The governor wants to allocate funding to the Kansas Department of Commerce for a Regents Research Initiative, which includes $5 million for grants that K-State can use for animal health research. K-State will be required to provide a one-to-one match.

Brownback also wants to allot $1 million in economic development funding to the Department of Commerce for a new program to provide competitive engineering expansion grants.

"We'll be working with the Department of Commerce and involved K-State colleges to better understand how these proposed programs can best be used for our benefit," Shubert said.