Q&A (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
and a long-term implementation. Is it something that can be scaled to what the budget is?
Remember I had three goals, and the third one was resources, generating resources, which is a recognition that most of the things that we want to do would require resources of some type, if we want to expand the research profile, the research programs that requires faculty and staff, and in many areas additional graduate students. If we want to enhance retention, that may require programs on campus for students. So, I think most of those things would require resources. One of the things that we can do at this time of uncertainty — and this is something that is happening — is look at what things seem to work, that there's some good research on retention and graduation rates, recent research in particular, what things seem to work at universities like ours. Which things would make good sense for us to do, so we have a well-developed plan so we can start to work on bit-by-bit. So, you
asked if it can be scaled. it perhaps we can scale it by working on parts of it instead of looking at what all the recommendations might be, and trying to implement them all at one time.
Are you taking about retention and graduation, ideas on how to improve that, as some of those examples?
Yes.
"If we had additional severe budget reductions, could it affect those goals? Absolutely."
How does that run into a budget shortfall? This is something that I'm
progress, that would be anti-the goals that we're talking about. Or if we had less funds for students who need financial aid, or if we had programs that we were going to offer to support student success, if those
not talking about years ahead, the student that's looking at, what's going to happen this winter, this spring, next fall?
If we had additional severe budget reductions, could it affect those goals? Absolutely. Let's say we were talking about next year, if we had further reductions next year, if we had fewer classes for students to get the classes they need to make
BERNADE TTE GRAY-LITTLE Chancellor
Certainly, it's no secret were in a recession and have budgetary concerns across the state. But are there any—again go back to a theme of this interview surprises—are there any unexpected or surprising aspects of what's happening with the budget, with there being mid-year cuts and mid-month adjustments? And were looking at state tax revenues for last
were cut further,
that would certainly
impact those goals.
I think that most of
those things the task
force will look at
doing will be things
that require staff and
resources, in some
way. Certainly the
budget is relevant to
all of this.
month, is that something that you anticipated when you applied?
Well, it's certainly not something I hoped for. And, I can't say that I anticipated it that it would happen here in Kansas, but certainly I have seen this happen in other states and on other campuses, so it's not something that we are alone in — I think it's characteristic that to the extent that I can tell, in Kansas that we have a combination of a tax system of lots of exemptions on one hand, and on the other, a reluctance to enhance revenue through other means. And I think that makes it very difficult to have a combination of those two, very difficult to get the kind of support for education and for higher education that is really needed. And in the long term
- of course it's a concern for the University generally, but I think it's especially a concern because if the state doesn't support higher education at a level that allows us to keep tuition low, then the students who will have the most difficulty are the low socio-economic students who
can't pay the additional tuition. And I think that is played out on places that when a state reduces support, that's the group that hurts the most. And there is also a premium put on recruiting students from out of state, et cetera. So that is one of the reasons I think it's especially troubling.
Well, I certainly wish we would have headlines with athletics that would be more positive than the ones we have because I would prefer that whatever gets into the national media about the University would be more positive, whether it would be academics or athletics. That has been unfortunate. I think, just as our previous conversation indicated, once there is a hint, or even before there's a hint that there's
How does the appearance by athletics in national headlines affect your idea of having an institution that is focused on academics, rather than the negative attention that's been going on with some headlines nationally with athletics?
something awry, or once it gets into the media it kind of blows greatly out of proportion. And I don't think there's very much that we can do to control that.
Why did you feel it important to refute published reports or rumors on Thursday regarding Lew Perkins and athletics?
Well, before the rumors continue, I thought it was worthwhile to say 'there's no grounds for this.' I think if there were a review of Lew Perkins going on, I would know about it. I am not conducting a review — the University is not conducting a review — and I thought it was important to try to put an end to that conversation as soon as possible. There was absolutely no truth to it at all. And it would just lead to idle speculation.
Follow Jesse Rangel at twitter. com/igglephile.
Bleeding crimson and blue
- Edited by Amanda Thompson
Benjamin Falk, Wichita junior, pumps his arm after wide receiver Dezmir Briscoe (74) -yard to outback reception. Kansas lost to Missouri (41) -39 in the final seconds of the game, ending the season with a 5-7 record.
Weston White/KANSAN
INTERNATIONAL Swiss voters ban minaret construction in mosques
GENEVA — Swiss voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on minarets on Sunday, barring construction of the iconic mosque towers in a surprise vote that put Switzerland at the forefront of a European
backlash against a growing Muslim population.
Muslim groups in Switzerland and abroad condemned the vote as biased and anti-Islamic. Business groups said the decision hurt Switzerland's international standing and could damage relations with Muslim nations and wealthy investors who bank, travel and shop there.
"The Swiss have failed to give a clear signal for diversity, freedom of religion and human rights," said Omar Al-Rawi, integration representative of the Islamic Denomination in Austria, which said its reaction was "grief and deep disappointment."
About 300 people turned out for a spontaneous demonstration on the square outside parliament,
holding up signs saying, "That is not my Switzerland," placing candles in front of a model of a minaret and making another minaret shape out of the candles themselves.
"We're sorry," said another sign. A young woman pinned to her jacket a piece of paper saying, "Swiss passport for sale."
Associated Press
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CRIME
Blogger charged in death-threat case
TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey blogger about to stand trial on charges he made death threats against federal judges apparently was paid by the FBI in its battle against domestic terrorism, according to a published report.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Record of Bergen County reported Sunday that Hal Turner received thousands of dollars from the FBI to report on neoNazis and white supremacist groups and was sent undercover to Brazil
Turner also claims the FBI coached him to make racist, anti-Semitic and other threatening statements on his radio show, but the newspaper also found many federal officials were concerned that his audience might follow up on his violence rhetoric.
The newspaper reviewed numerous government docu-
He goes on trial Tuesday in New York, accused of making death threats against three Chicago-based federal appeals judges ...
He goes on trial Tuesday in New York, accused of making death threats against
court records and almost 20 hours of jailhouse interviews with Turner.
The postings included the photos and work addresses of the judges — Richard Posner, Frank Easterbrook, and William Bauer — along with a picture of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in downtown Chicago and notations indicating the placement of "anti-truck bomb barriers."
Turner's FBI connections began in 2003 with the Newark-based Joint Terrorism Task Force and continued on and off until this year, according to
His lawyer, Michael Orozco, has subpoenaed Chris Christie, the former U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and the state's governor-elect, to testify on Turner's
the newspaper. He claims his postings and other inflammatory statements were part of an undercover operation to ferret out violent left-wing radicals.
three Chicago-based federal appeals judges after saying in Internet postings in June the judges "deserve to be killed" because they had refused to overturn handgun bans in Chicago and suburban Oak Park.
In a separate case, Turner was charged with "inciting injury to persons" for urging blog readers to "take up arms" against Connecticut lawmakers ...
ecute Turner for his statements. It was not known whether Christie would be called to testify.
Federal prosecutors and FBI officials declined comment on Turner's claims.
He said last week that he had not yet seen the subpoena, but said "any advice I gave as U.S. attorney regarding prosecutions is something I am not going to talk about publicly."
behalf.
In an affidavit filed with the subpoena, Orozco says Christie knew of Turner's activities between 2002 and 2008 while Christie held his federal post. Orozco says Christie issued a letter saying he would not pros-
"We do not comment on matters before the courts, and will not address Mr. Turner's allegations in the press," said Weysan Dun, who runs the FBI's Newark field office.
Turner said he feels double-crossed by the bureau after
But other documents show federal agents growing more anxious about his extremist views while valuing his ties to right-wing hate groups, the newspaper said. It noted one memo that stated Turner "has proven highly reliable and is in a unique position to provide vital information on multiple subversive domestic organizations."
his June arrest
In a separate case, Turner was charged with "inciting injury to persons" for urging blog readers to "take up arms" against Connecticut lawmakers who proposed legislation to give Roman Catholic lay members more control over parish finances.
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