6
Wednesday, January 13, 1988/University Daily Kansan
Legislature
Continued from p.1
"Qualified admissions is extremely controversial, but there seems to be a little more support because of the endorsement by the Regents," she said.
"One of the chief concerns with the proposal is whether or not we are going about this in the wrong way by
restricting admissions at the universities instead of putting more funding in the public schools." Branson said. "Couldn't beured wouldn't be remedial problems."
Solbach, who has been opposed to the proposal, said he viewed it differently now than when he first heard
about it.
"I thought it was a mistake at the time it was first introduced, but I would like to keep an open mind," Solbach said.
"In my opinion, to a great extent the proposal would still leave admission open.
Although legislators said they were optimistic that a portion of Margin of Excellence would pass, they were less optimistic about a qualified admissions plan.
Governor says education top priority
By James Buckman
Kansan staff writer
Modern demands for increased productivity require that education be assigned top priority, Gov. Mike Hayden told legislators in last night's State of the State address.
Because of that, Hayden said he was endorsing the Board of Regents Margin of Excellence proposal to upgrade university faculty salaries and enhance university programs.
The governor put $41.3 million for the Margin of Excellence program into his budget request for the coming fiscal year in order to increase salaries of teaching faculty members an average of 8.5 percent.
"When students attend a Regents university they must have a highly-facultified faculty and a classroom environment conducive to learning. It is the goal of our recommendations." Hayden said.
The Regents had sought $47 million over three fiscal years. Hayden chose to finance 88 percent of the plan in one year rather than try to commit
future legislatures to completing the program.
Most local legislators said yesterday that they were pleased with the support Hayden gave the program but that they thought it would take time to get the program approved for the program would be as large as promised.
State Sen. Wint Winter Jr., R-Lawrence, said, "The are the best budget recommendations I've seen in six years and probably in history. But I think we have more work to do. . . I'm not satisfied until we get 100 percent."
State Rep. Denise Apt, R-Iola, chairman of the House education committee, said, "Last year was difficult for all of us because we walked in the door and had to make cuts. With the new money proposed this year, we can step forward from the recession and we were in last year because of the recession."
State Rep. John Solbach, D-Lawrence, said Havden's still appearance was too low.
"It was encouraging, but I'd rather start further up the ladder," he said. "I think members of his party in the Legislature will trim more out of it."
Hayden also endorsed the Regents controversial qualified admissions proposal, which would end automatic admission of Kansas high school graduates to the state's universities. Many legislators won't want to end the open admission policy.
"With freshman dropout rates reaching 20 to 25 percent and millions of dollars dedicated to remedial education, reform must be considered," Havden said.
Solbach said that he had mixed feelings on the proposal and that restricting admission could erode support for higher education.
"I think we need to look at the proposal very carefully," he said. "We need to make sure that it is not a plan to reduce education for higher education or more quality education and more quality students."
State Rep. Betty Jo Charlton, D-Lawrence, said that she would not support the proposal and that it appeared to her that the Regents must have been instructed to accept it as a tradeoff for Margin of Excellence.
The Associated Press supplied some information for this story.
Selected Winter Merchandise 50%-75% OFF
Brands Include:
Liz Clairborne • Condor
Norton McNaughton • Genesis
And Much More!
Hours:
9:30 to 5:30 M.-Sat.
9:30 to 8:30 Thursday
1:00 to 5:00 Sunday
PANDOS LABEL FASHIONS FOR UA
945 Mass., Lawrence
331 Payntz, Manhattan
FREE EGGS
BRING THIS COUPON TO CHECKERS AND WE WILL GIVE YOU 1 DOZEN LARGE EGGS FREE!
FREE
EGGS
GRADE 'A' LARGE
1 (ONE) DOZEN
OFFER GOOD 1/13/88-1/23/88
NAME___
ADDRESS___
CITY___
EACH COUPON REDEEMED WILL RECEIVE A BONUS FROM CHECKERS
DAY AFTER DAY! WEEK AFTER WEEK. LOW FOOD PRICES