Wednesday, September 27.1967
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
13
Leading state educators challenge higher fee talk
The heads of the state's institutions of higher learning Tuesday endorsed Gov. Robert B. Docking's policy statement on higher education.
At the same time, most took issue with his appraisal that "students going to colleges and universities may have to assume more responsibility in payment of fees."
Docking, in a major policy address at Pittsburg State College last week, set guidelines his administration will follow in the allocation of funds for education in Kansas.
In his remarks, the governor placed a limit on state support to elementary and secondary education, but said college and universities are the state's "primary responsibility."
Although the Kansas State Teachers Association and other educational groups, whose prime interest is in elementary and secondary education, have been critical of the speech, higher education has endorsed it.
Student fees discussed
In a poll, conducted by United Press International, most educators disagreed with the governor over raising student fees.
George F. Budd, president of Kansas State College of Pittsburg, said the point of student fees needed discussion.
"There are a good deal of people saying students need to pay more of a cost of their education," he said. "This is contrary to our
traditional policy in the nation that education is important to the development of the United States."
Budd said he hoped the Governor examines that section further before "we price education out of the reaches of the people who strive to gain it."
Wescoe speaks
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe of KU agreed that student fees should remain as they are, about 25 per cent of the educational costs.
"Any increase in fees does restrict an increase in enrollment," Wescoe said. "The level of 25 per cent seems to be a reasonable one."
The 25 per cent figure was established by the state Board of Regents after a legislative council study recommended such a level.
President Emory Lindquist of Wichita State University said fees should "not be so high as to deter students from entering colleges."
He was joined by Fort Hays State College President M. C. Cunningham and President John Visser of Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia.
Cunningham said he would "hate to get the fees so high it would eliminate students from college."
Loan programs available But, he added, with so many loan programs, more students are able to attend college than ever
before even with the present fee structure.
Visser said it was a real concern "that education remains as inexpensive as possible so that a greater number could attend."
"Our whole nation gains from the education of the students," Visser said. "This idea of students making money from their education I just can't buy, because we all gain from it."
Dr. James McCain, president of Kansas State University, declined to comment on the proposal to increase student fees, however, he said Docking's statement was a "courageous and statesman-like analysis of the situation facing education in Kansas, especially higher education."
Faculties important
The educators had somewhat mixed reactions to Docking's statement that the state must "decide that staff is more important than luxurious buildings."
"I think there isn't any question that faculty salaries are the primary thing," Wescoe said. "We are not in a competitive situation in salary requirements."
Budd, however, said the governor must not discount the need for special laboratories and other special classrooms that make the classroom of 25 years ago no longer adequate.
He noted the governor said some things that "would not be popular in all educational circles," but, "they needed to be said."
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Special College Terms
809 Mass.
VI 3-5432
ANNOUNCING MEN'S INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL FALL INTERVIEWS Thursday, September 28
GREEK COLUMN EDITOR PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRMAN PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN
SCHOLARSHIP CHAIRMAN EXPANSION CHAIRMAN SERVICE PROJECTS CHAIRMAN
... And Committee Positions on these Committees
Applications are available from house presidents or in the IFC office, 112 B Kansas Union. If there are any questions concerning the interviews, call Dennis Taylor, VI 3-5770 or the IFC office, UN 4-3559.
Let's get the most outstanding Greeks into these important positions.