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Engineering Professor Says KU Can Aid State's Economy
Prof. McKinney, chairman of the KU civil engineering department and professor of civil engineering, said if KU could help solve the economic problems of Kansas it would set an example for the rest of the country, and KU would become a real leader.
"I would like to see KU demonstrate to the people of the state of Kansas and to the country that it can make a significant economic contribution to the region in which it exists." Ross E. McKinney said yesterday.
Commenting on his speech given last Thursday before the Midwestern Planning Conference on Science and Technology in Omaha, Prof. McKinney said it was meant to be constructive criticism for KU and other universities present at the conference.
"THE SPEECH WAS an attempt to set forth a way to look at KU and to stimulate others to appraise their schools," he said. Colleges and universities from seven states were represented at the conference.
In the speech, Prof. McKinney called for KU to place more emphasis upon applied research and to give more assistance to the economic development of Kansas.
He pointed out the difference in applied and basic research. "Basic research is concerned with the discovery and study of fundamental information . . . and must be considered as the long-range investment. On the other hand, applied research is concerned with taking basic information and applying it to the solution of specific problems," Prof. McKinney said in Omaha.
"AT THE PRESENT time most of the research at the University of Kansas is basic research and only a small fraction can be classified as applied research. For this reason the potential contribution of the University of Kansas to the economic development of Kansas remains primarily a potential contribution with little chance for immediate action." Prof. McKinney's speech continued.
He called for a balance between faculty with interest in basic research and faculty interested in applied research.
"One of the major problems .
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is the lack of University administrative personnel in the area of applied research for industrial liaison, he said.
PROF. McKINNEY'S speech called for KU to encourage faculty participation in consulting with local industries and that these faculty members be given promotion credit such as is given to those who publish or give recitals.
"EDUCATION FOR education's sake no longer is a valid excuse for a university. A university must both educate and serve. If the University of Kansas will accept the challenge of economic development, there is no doubt that it will succeed. It will not be easy nor will great things be done immediately. By starting to work now the University could produce significant results by the end of this decade; but it must start now." Prof. McKinney's speech concluded.
In the speech, Prof. McKinney called for the state administration to determine how KU could fit into the state plan for economic development.
"Failure of the state administration to accept the universities as full partners in solving the economic problems facing Kansas will result in loss of the most dynamic factor for economic development which exists within the state of Kansas," he said.
Prof. McKinney said yesterday that Kansas has economic problems which must be solved now. He pointed out the state budget director's recommended cut in the 1966 KU budget as illustrating the need for more money in the state.
"The University can help itself by raising the economic level of the state." he said.
"AS EDUCATORS who are involved with KU and its contribution to the area, we must periodically evaluate our position and state our opinions."
Again yesterday, Prof. McKinney called for an office at KU where the small manufacturer could come and talk about his problems.
"I am interested in KU and in Kansas—I chose Kansas as my home and I want to help," Prof. McKinney said.
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William J. Argersinger Jr., associate dean of faculties for research, welcomed Prof. McKinney's comments as a healthy sign of interest and activity. He said there is some question whether the University is the best designed institution to have short range effects upon the economy of its area.
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DEAN ARGERSINGER said there are regions in the country which have great universities and stagnant economies, and other areas where the economy is booming despite the lack of a great university.
"KU's attitude toward research is determined by employment of faculty members, and this is largely determined by the various schools and departments," Dean Argersinger said.
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"If you accept the thesis that the primary function of the University is to stimulate regional economy," he said, "then there must be a greater proportion of faculty members involved in applied research."
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DEAN ARGERSINGER said the assignment of KU's role, which is established within broad guide lines outlined by the Board of Regents, has emphasized an appropriate balance of basic and applied research as an intrinsic part of its total educational mission.
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"I think we have a good balance between basic and applied research across the University. However, there might be a need to readjust the balance in specific areas," Dean Argersinger said.
Christmas Lights Vanish
More than 1000 Christmas bulbs from KU's Christmas decorations have been stolen in the three weeks the ornaments have lighted the campus.
Most of the bulbs were taken Monday night Harry M. Buchholz, superintendent of the physical plant of Buildings and Grounds, said.
Buchholz said he did not know why so many were taken on one particular night, but figured many were being used by people decorating their own trees.
Six thousand light bulbs were placed on Strong Hall, Hoch Auditorium, the Kansas Union, Danforth Chapel, Watkins Hospital, the Chancellor's residence, and the Nurses Home on Nov. 30.
Many of the missing bulbs have been replaced, Buchholz said, but
Buildings and Grounds has now run out of extras and no more bulbs can be added to the strands.
City to Consider Rezoning Request
Lawrence city officials said today that no decision has been made concerning the rezoning request made by a firm wishing to construct a private residence hall at 19th and Naismith Dr.
Several factors such as traffic availability of utilities, and nearness to a retail shopping center will be considered in the decision on the location of the dorm.
The city planning commission will meet tonight for a final decision on the rezoning proposal.
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