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KANSAN.COM
NEWS
Meet Jack Cline, KU's federal lobbyist in D.C.
MATTHEW GWIN
@MatthewGwinUDK
When Jack Cline, former Marine and Harvard graduate, was approached four years ago to be a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., for the University of Kansas, he knew the fit was right. The University's research on cancer hit home for Cline and was a driving force for him to get to work.
"The hook for me was KU's primary focus on cancer research." Cline said. "Personally, cancer research is a priority because my daughter died of cancer."
Cline, whose daughter Chloe died of leukemia before her second birthday, has made cancer research a priority, helping the University earn National Cancer Institute designation and millions of dollars in funding for research toward a cure.
Cline said meeting with the people behind the research excites him most of all.
"That's my favorite thing, interacting with [KU] students and researchers." Cline said. "That's where the ideas come from and where discovery emerges — from these fantastic and talented young people. There's not a moment when I'm on campus where I'm not excited about going to a lab on West Campus."
Cline spends his days on Capitol Hill communicating to legislators about the University's priorities.
"I'm kind of the eyes and ears of the University on Capitol Hill," Cline said. "Before each vote, I reach out [to the Kansas delegation] and express KU's position on the legislation."
While Cline - who previously spent five years as a lobbyist for the University of Massachusetts - has experience in federal lobbying for higher education, the University only recently placed a lobbyist on Capitol Hill.
Upon arriving to the University five years ago to find no lobbyist in place, Vice Chancellor Tim Caboni made a point to change that.
"One of the things we did when I arrived was take a close look at federal relations," Caboni said. "We knew that many of our AAU (Association of American Universities) peers had offices in Washington, D.C. That was not the structure [at the University] before I arrived."
With that in mind, Caboni and Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little decided to expand
to the nation's capital.
"The decision was made that to have the best representation possible — and consistent representation in Washington, D.C. — that wed want to find someone in the [D.C.] area and open an office, essentially, in the Beltway," Caboni said.
Four years ago, during a visit to D.C., Caboni started asking around about education lobbyists and found Cline. Caboni said the people he spoke to said Cline was well respected. When Caboni approached Cline about being the University's lobbyist, Cline said he was excited for the opportunity.
"I jumped at the opportunity [to come to KU] and it has been a great upgrade," Cline said. "It really was a natural fit."
Cline said he ultimately works for the benefit of students, whether that means welcoming students participating in the Washington Internship Program or lobbying for federal aid and grant dollars.
"In many ways, Jack represents not just the University but the interests of every Kansas student," Caboni said.
Caboni said Cline has gone above and beyond in representing student interests.
"Having Jack as part of our team is one of the things about which I'm most proud," Caboni said. "When you ask someone [in D.C.] who represents the University of Kansas, it's Jack. He has been just an incredible asset to the institution."
Cline said that despite his proximity to Capitol Hill, he refuses to get caught up in politics.
"One thing I want to emphasize is that this is a nonpartisan job," Cline said. "I'm not a Republican or a Democrat. I'm a Jayhawk."
CONTRIBUTED Jack Cline is the University's lobbyist.
"Glee" star discusses disability awareness during campus talk
— Edited by Rebeka Luttinger
CASSIDY RITTER
@CassidyRitter
Lauren Potter, also known as Becky Jackson on Glee, paid a visit to the University on Oct. 20 to discuss disability awareness. Potter is diagnosed with Down Syndrome and has been speaking about disability awareness throughout the country.
Here are the three main takeaways from Potter's visit:
she was able to achieve hers.
1. Follow your dreams:
Potter started her speech by saying: "Now there were some people who told me I would never be able to [act]". However, with her parents' support, a dance teacher who allowed her to be in dance class and an opening on Glee,
"I loved being part of a team," Potter said. "I also learned that being an actor is very long work and sometimes very long hours, but you know what? I was in heaven."
3. Fight to ena bullying;
2. Join Best Buddies:
Potter says being a "buddy" can make a difference. Best Buddies is a program that connects University students with high school graduates who have "intellectual and developmental disabilities", according to their website. This program provides friendships that help students with disabilities feel more included on campus.
Potter was a victim of bullying and campaigned with actress Jane Lynch — who played Sue Sylvester in Glee
— to end the use of the "R-word."
Potter said being an actress has given her an opportunity to speak out against bullying people with disabilities.
"We all need to stand up for each other so we can live in a world where people can go to school, go to work and not be afraid," Potter said.
"I think it's really important to get conversations like this started across campus," said TJ Blake, a junior from Hutchison and Vice President of development with Student Union Affairs.
KU gets grant for program to help students with disabilities
ALANA FLINN
@alana_flinn
The program, called KU Transition to Postsecondary Education for Youth With Intellectual Disabilities, was proposed by Mary Morningstar of the School of Special Education to the education department this summer.
After months of waiting, the University has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education that would fund a program for students with intellectual disabilities.
KU Transition would have a curriculum designed to help students with career development, according to the proposal Morningstar submitted. The curriculum includes classes like 21st Century Skills and Adult Roles and Responsibilities.
The grant would fund KU Transition for five years, with the chance to renew it if the program be successful.
Omar Rana, Student Senate director of diversity and inclusion, worked with Morningstar this summer while she developed the application for the program. He said it's the first of its kind at any public University in Kansas.
Senate passed a resolution at the first full Senate meeting of the semester in support of the program.
Rana said this grant is a huge honor, and Student Senate needs to set a positive example by working with KU Transition.
"We need to take the initiative, do ability training and
let other students know these students are on campus and it's a special and amazing thing for our campus and our state" Rana said. "Schools all over America apply for these and very few get it. [Student Senate] took that stand to support the program and we need to honor it."
As the program is finalized, Rana said the University may attract more students with disabilities.
"I think this will be a huge change because there are currently no students with these types of intellectual disabilities, and I'm hoping most students will react positively to this." Rana said. "There will be a whole new set of Jayhawks on campus."