FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
UNIVERSITY FINANCES
Top 25
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ate senator Michael Roessler. He thinks the budget cuts have undermined the money raised by tuition.
"Either they are too late or too early," Roessler said. "The worst thing about it is the timing."
Roessler applauds the administration's ambition but wonders about its motivation.
Not using most of the tuition money to save some programs facing elimination would be a big mistake for the administration, he said.
"I think they lost sight of what the University's purpose is," Roessler said.
The deans' challenge
Shulenburger asked school deans several weeks ago to begin drafting proposals for how their departments would use money from a $1 million allotment set aside for start-up costs for new faculty, such as outfitting them with offices and research equipment.
The deans must convince the provost how they would use the faculty increase to help push the University toward top-25 status.
Toni-Marie Montgomery, dean of fine arts, agrees that pumping tuition dollars into the enhancement initiative is a proactive way to deal with the school's budget problems.
If the school uses the money to fill gaps left by the state's budget shortfalls, the University becomes stagnant, losing its
Budgeted uses of tuition money for enhancements:
Technology improvements $2.4 million
GTA salary increase $1 million
GRA benefits $750,000
Added instructional support $250,000
Classroom improvements $500,000
Library improvements $800,000
Other operating expenses $1.5 million
New faculty start-up $1 million
Minority retention programs $150,000
International student services $80,000
Enrollment reserve $170,000
Total: $8.6 million
momentum toward improving. she said.
"Just using funding to plug holes, we will never exceed the level we are now," Montgomery said.
Montgomery's enthusiasm toward the top-25 initiative remains after budget trimming that has left computer labs in the art and design schools without student lab monitors, causing them to close early.
Some argue the money should go to those programs most in need. Montgomery disagrees.
She said this money shouldn't be given to those who "screamed the loudest." Instead, departments should be allowed to submit their input as to the how the money could be used to improve all areas of campus.
"This way is more equitable," she said. "They are giving us the opportunity to have serious discussions. Everyone's input really does matter."
Even if the University doesn't make the top-25 in the following eight years, current students will see benefits later in their careers.
"Being an alumni of an institution that is improving and improving on the national scene is something that is a value to students today, in some ways maybe more valuable than other smaller changes that you might see on campus," Wilcox said.
Skentical faculty members
At a University Council meeting last week,some faculty members expressed doubt about the plan.
The top-25 pursuit seems foolish to Tim Miller, professor of religious studies, considering the budget problems the University faces.
Miller questions whether the University will have anything left to improve upon after the dust clears from this year's budget storm.
"We're badly underfunded, and state funding is going down hill," he said. "Apparently the tuition funding isn't being allowed to fill essential gaps.
"They say it's for enhancements, but I don't see how you have enhancements if you don't have the basics in place."
mgise@kansan.com and Ramsey at kramsey@kansan.com. This story was edited by Amy Schmitz.
Contact Gise at
"People need to realize that legislators are not magicians," he said.
Cuts
Provost David Shulenburger said he expected another diffi-
said.
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Private donations for the master plan will not supplement the state's budget shortfall, Scarfe said. The association solicits private donations for specific uses that state funding would not provide, he said.
Master Plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
tions to the University.
"We can be a part of the solution," he said, "The state can't afford not to invest in higher education."
The master plan is part of the association's KU First campaign, which began last year with a goal of raising $500 million during the next 10 years.
Scarffe said the University would not be able to use the funds for purposes or projects other than those which the donors expressly designated, such as new buildings or scholarships.
Chancellor Robert Hemenway proposed the plan in 1997, and it was developed in 2001. The plan was designed to enhance and unify the entire appearance of campus.
"The chancellor firmly believes that the environment has something to do with University experience," Corman said.
cult year as far as the budget was concerned. Shulenburger said legislators and Kansans should see funding in higher education was an investment for the future.
Corman said the program would be completed in three phases.
Kerr agreed that higher educa
The first phase is construction of gateways, such as the Malott Gateway being built in front of the Visitor Center at 15th and Iowa streets, Corman said.
The gateway comes as a result of a $1 million donation that the Endowment Association solicited from Robert H. Malott, in honor of his parents, the late former Chancellor Deane Malott and his wife, Eleanor. The Malotti made efforts in the 1930s and '40s to beautify campus.
"It's just a sample sign," he said. "We're trying to get opinions. Then we would get those on all the major buildings."
Corman said the third phase of the plan was improving three major areas on campus — Memorial Drive, Jayhawk Boulevard and a new Mid Hill Walk.
The gateway will also include a plaza with seating areas, improvements to the parking lot and new plants.
The second phase of the project is improving signs on campus, Corman said. The first sign was installed in front of Strong Hall this summer.
tion produces long-term benefits, but said Kansans weren't willing to pay for those benefits.
The Memorial Drive plans call for relocation of parking spots, leaving the north part of the drive open for views of Potter Lake.
"People don't want to take a longer view," he said. "They want a promise of no new taxes."
Contact Nothwehr at cnothwehr@kansan.com. This story was edited by Chris Wintering
"It will make it a real beautiful drive like it was originally." Corman said.
Officials have planned a $5 million renovation of Jayhawk Boulevard that would restore rusted water lines, repave the street, eliminate much of the on-street parking and add bicycle parking, sidewalks and plants, he said.
The final improvement is the addition of a Mid Hill Walk. It would begin in front of Murphy Hall at 15th and Naismith streets, continuing north of Malott Hall, south of Wescoe Hall and ending at Watson Library.
The total cost of the plan is $23 million, but both Corman and Scarfe said meeting that goal was a long way off. Scarffe said the $1 million donation from the Malott family was the bulk of what had been collected in the fund-raising campaign. The officials said they hoped to meet the goal of $23 million within the next 10 years, completing phases of the plan when possible.
Corman said the state of campus had declined gradually over the last decade.
Contact Goepfert at goepfert@kansan.com. This story was edited by Ryan Malashock.
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