Posts Tagged ‘Kansas Board of Regents’
Kansas Regents chair resigns mid-meeting
Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 19 August 2011 21:02
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Former Kansas Board of Regents chair Gary Sherrer resigned suddenly last May citing differences with other board members.

“I found out he was leaving about 10 or 15 minutes before the announcement, and I was shocked,” said board member Dan Lykins, a Topeka attorney, in a press release. “Our board, I thought, got along.”

Sherrer released statement stating that he felt some board members had “a more laissez-faire approach to governance” and that that was detrimental to Kansas’ higher education. He was supportive of a more aggressive approach to the higher education system and that it was causing “philosophical differences” between himself and other board members. Sherrer said that there was too much “mutual disrespect and distrust” between himself and other unnamed regents.

Sherrer closed his statement saying that there were great things happening in Kansas higher education and that he would miss working with the leadership there.

Sherrer had served on the Board since his appointment in 2007 by Governor Kathleen Sebelius and had previously been Kansas’ longest serving Lieutenant Governor.

An ESU alumnus, Sherrer told reporters that a factor in his resignation was KBOR’s refusal to put him on the search committee for the next president of Emporia State. He said that ESU had changed his life and it would have been important to him to head the search committee.

“We chose not to put (Sherrer) on the committee because of his close relationship with ESU,” said Tim Emert, now vice chair of KBOR, “It’s very divisive (at ESU).”

In a KBOR news release on the day of his resignation former vice-chair Ed McKechnie thanked Sherrer for his accomplishments on the board and said that Sherrer left “the system in better shape than he found it. He’s been a friend and we wish him well.”

McKechnie has been appointed to replace Sherrer as Chair. McKechnie hopes to “focus on the vital issues of funding, access, and quality (of Kansas higher education) if the system is to meet the demands of the local, regional, and global market, and the overall needs of Kansans.”

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Faculty want new president to promote, value ESU
Written by Kenzie Templeton
Wednesday, 22 June 2011 21:20
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As the end of President Michael Lane’s term approaches, desirable qualities and personal character traits of Emporia State’s potential next president was the topic of discussion this morning in a meeting with Deryl Wynn, chair of the ESU presidential search committee. Ten faculty members representing various departments met with Wynn to weigh in on the search for candidates.

“This person has to relate to other (university) presidents and to the Regents that this is what ESU is about and not let the big two or three (universities) manhandle Emporia State and make us look like fools,” said Joella Mehrhof, past president of Faculty Senate and professor of health and physical education.

Other faculty said that in order to fully appreciate the university as a whole and to be able to advocate for ESU’s needs at the state level, an ideal president should have previous experience on both ends of education, both learning and teaching.

“It is very hard to have real value for something that you find ridiculous or alien, and I think that’s the danger of getting someone with no professional academic experience,” said Cynthia Patton, associate professor of English.

Rob Catlett, professor of economics, said that students and faculty need to have a greater opportunity to participate in the selection process than they have had in the past.

“We don’t want somebody who is just trying to build a resume,” Catlett said. “What we really would value is somebody who has some vision, who has some listening skills and tries to find a strategic way for us to move into the next phase of what the university might need.”

John Dougherty, internal auditor for ESU, said one of the hardest things a university president has to do is to be able to translate the university’s inner-workings to people in different professional fields and to relate to these same people on a personal level. He said the potential candidate must be able to approach the state legislature without appearing “arrogant and inconsiderate of the pressures on the legislature” and must also make the case that higher education is an investment for the state.

“The president does not own the university, the university existed long before any individual president and the university will continue long after any individual presidents,” Patton said. “Surely there’s some value in that permanence – it would be nice to have a president who believed that.”

On July 1, Edward Flentje, 1964 grad and 2010 Distinguished Alumni, will take over as interim president until the Kansas Board of Regents names a new president.

Kenzie Templeton

 
Lane resigns ESU presidency
Written by Kelsey Ryan
Thursday, 05 May 2011 16:33
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Lane

Lane

Michael Lane has stepped down after four and a half years as Emporia State’s president. He made the announcement earlier this afternoon through BuzzIn. His message stated:

“It is with mixed emotions and after much consideration that I have decided to step down from the presidency of ESU effective June 30, 2011.

“When I interviewed with another campus over fall break last year, it was because I was nominated, and I was curious about the opportunity on a campus that was private. The visit helped Peggy and I realize how much we enjoyed and appreciated the very student-focused environment at ESU as well as the supportive campus and community. The act of visiting the other campus, however, has caused many to question my commitment to ESU.

“I believe this ongoing concern is detracting from the work that needs to be accomplished at ESU.

“I thank all the people of Emporia and Lyon County for your continued support of ESU, and I truly hope you continue to support this critical institution in Lyon County. I also thank the faculty and staff of Emporia State who work diligently every day to support the success of our students. These are the people who make ESU such a special place to study and learn.

“Finally, thank you to the ESU students who make this such a wonderful place to live and work! Peggy and I thank you for your support during our time as president and first lady.”

According to a press release by the Kansas Board of Regents, the regents will hold a special telephone conference call at 11 a.m. tomorrow to discuss the issues related to the ESU Presidency.  A speaker telephone will be available to the public in the Board of Regents office, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 520, in Topeka.

Lane was selected by the Kansas Board of Regents as ESU’s 15th President on September 20, 2006.  He began his presidency on Nov. 1, 2006.

***UPDATE***

Board of Regents announces plans for changes to ESU leadership, Lane plans to join accounting department

After a special meeting of the regents today via conference call, the regents have accepted the resignation of President Michael Lane and set a goal to have new leadership in place at ESU by January 2012.

According to a press release, they have directed Chairman Gary Sherrer and Vice Chairman Ed McKechnie to work with President and CEO Andy Tompkins to select the chair and members of the Presidential Search Committee and to bring a recommendation to the Board.  The Board recommended the Search Committee be comprised of approximately 15 members representing the following diverse array of university and community constituencies:  faculty, staff, student, alumni, endowment, the Board of Regents, and the Emporia community.

Additionally, the Board directed Chairman Sherrer and Vice Chairman McKechnie to work with President and CEO Tompkins to bring a recommendation to the Board for an executive search firm to assist the Search Committee.  The Board also directed President and CEO Tompkins to contact the ESU Foundation to enlist its support regarding search firm expenses.

According to Board policy, when a state university CEO departs, an external management review of the use and expenditure of non-public, unrestricted funds held by the university or an affiliated corporation of the university and under the direction of the CEO and direct subordinates shall be conducted.  Because such a review was conducted in 2009, the Board directed that the review be limited to the period of time following the previous review.

The Board directed Chairman Sherrer and Vice Chairman McKechnie to work with President and CEO Tompkins to recommend to the Board an individual to serve as ESU’s Interim President.

“The Board has an obligation to the University, students, faculty, staff, and the community of Emporia to make this search a priority and to move quickly to ensure a smooth and productive transition.  Our goal is to have new leadership in place by January 2012,” said Regent Gary Sherrer of Overland Park, the Chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents.  “The Board will receive an update and progress report later this month during the May Board meeting.”

Lane has announced that his current plan is to  move into the accounting department as a faculty member in January 2012.

Lane holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Lowell Technological Institute, now the University of
Massachusetts at Lowell, a master’s degree in account from Northeastern University and a doctorate in
accounting with finance as a minor field from Texas A&M University. He is a certified public accountant.

Kelsey Ryan/The Bulletin

 
Regents oppose abolishing Kan-ed
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 07 April 2011 13:15
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The Kansas Board of Regents has opposed recent legislation attempting to remove Kan-ed from the state.

“Kan-ed will be the leader in facilitating statewide technology solutions for Higher Education Institutions, Hospitals, K-12 Schools, and Libraries,” according to the Kan-ed website. The purpose of Kan-ed is to seek further collaboration and information delivery and to keep Kansans competitive in the global technology environment.

Andy Tompkins, president and CEO of KBOR, testified before the House General Government Committee saying that Kan-ed should be a celebrated success story and not a cut program.

“If successful, this legislation would make Kansas the only state in the nation without a statewide educational network, and it results in no savings to the state general fund.  The widespread support of Kan-ed by its users was clearly evident at this morning’s hearing, and I truly hope committee members take their compelling testimony to heart,” Tompkins said in the hearing.

Kan-ed was set in place by legislation in 2001 and is administered by KBOR. It offers high speed internet access through deals brokered with local Internet providers as well as offering video conferencing capabilities and aids distance learning. It also provides institutions with access to outside databases, said Tompkins in the hearing.

“Kan-ed provides an opportunity for our small colleges to combine with other Kansas educational institutions to share services together at a price we could not obtain individually,” said Jerry Smith, the executive director of the Associated Colleges of Central Kansas, in a press release for KBOR.

The program aids the most with the facilities that have the least access to internet. It has connected 443 institutions across Kansas, 238 of those being schools, according to the website.

House Bill 2390, the bill to eliminate Kan-ed, would terminate all the established contracts of these institutions as well as the programs funding. The program is funded through the Kansas Universal Service Fund at $10 million annually. This number has not changed since the inception of the program.

Tompkins said that cutting the program would offer no savings to the state and if allowed to continue would help follow Gov. Sam Brownback’s “Road Map for Kansas” by giving more areas access to broadband internet connections. Cutting the program would also affect jobs in Kansas.

In a review of the program done by the Technology Excellence in Education Network they found that Kan-ed offered great distance learning opportunities and found that students benefited from having other points of view that they would not normally receive.

Tompkins said Kan-ed offers “high quality, cost effective, high-speed broadband access” to people anywhere in the state.

Study Findings from Pennsylvania State University Broaden Understanding of Body Weight.

Food Weekly News January 12, 2012 According to the authors of recent research from University Park, Pennsylvania, “The objective was to determine the relationship between dietary energy density (ED; kcal/g) and measured weight status in children. The present study used data from a nationally representative sample of 2442 children between 2 and 8 y old who participated in the 2001-2004 NHANES.” “Survey measures included 24-h dietary recall data, measurement of MyPyramid servings of various food groups, and anthropometry. The relationship among dietary ED, body weight status as calculated using the 2000 CDC growth charts, and food intake was evaluated using quartiles of ED. Additionally, other dietary characteristics associated with ED among children are described. Specific survey procedures were used in the analysis to account for sample weights, unequal selection probability, and the clustered design of the NHANES sample. In this sample, dietary ED was positively associated with body weight status in U.S. children aged 2-8 y. Obese children had a higher dietary ED than lean children (2.08 +/- 0.03 vs. 1.93 +/- 0.05; P = 0.02). Diets high in ED were also found to be associated with greater intakes of energy and added sugars, more energy from fat; and significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables,” wrote J.A. Vernarelli and colleagues, Pennsylvania State University. here cdc growth charts this web site cdc growth charts

The researchers concluded: “Interventions that lower dietary ED by means of increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing fat consumption may be an effective strategy for reducing childhood obesity. J. Nutr. 141:2204-2210,2011.” Vernarelli and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Nutrition (Dietary Energy Density Is Associated with Body Weight Status and Vegetable Intake in US Children. Journal of Nutrition, 2011;141(12):2204-2210).

For additional information, contact J.A. Vernarelli, Pennsylvania State University, Dept. of Nutr Sci, University Park, PA 16802, United States.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of Nutrition is: Amer Soc Nutrition-Asn, 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

 
KBOR releases economic impact report
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 31 March 2011 13:48
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The Kansas Board of Regents, under recent financial pressure by the state, has released a report regarding their impact on the Kansas economy. The report, titled “The Impact of the Kansas Board of Regents System to the State Economy” and produced by Ernest Goss of the Goss Institute of Public Research in Colorado, outlines the benefits that KBOR has upon the state’s economy.

“The Regents system not only produces the skilled employees Kansas businesses and industry rely upon, the system also contributes to enhanced quality of life and economic development,” said Gary Sherrer, chairman of KBOR.

The report states that “for every one dollar the state invests in higher education, it receives nearly $12 in return,” which according to Sherrer, is a “sure way to boost the Kansas economy.”

According to the report, the Regents’ system produced $7.3 billion in overall economic impacts on the state economy in 2010 and $3.4 billion of that was in wages and salary.

Another $485 million in state and local tax collections were also contributed. In addition to the monetary benefits 95,327 jobs were also created.

The report shows that by impacting the overall higher education in the state that KBOR lowers joblessness and boosts income. The report also indicates that 388 of 394 industries in Kansas benefit from higher education spending – that is 98-percent of the industry in the state.

In addition, the report also displays the positive impact universities have on their communities because of the draw they have for culture, entertainment and publicity for the local areas they reside in.

There are 32 public colleges and universities affected by KBOR and state funding, including Emporia State. ESU’s overall impact on the state economy was also released with this information.

ESU contributes 2,800 workers to Lyon County’s job base, $78 million to the state economy, $90 million to state wages and salaries and more than $10 million in income for self-employed individuals and volunteer work according to the press release.

“Emporia State University is an integral part of not only the state’s economy but the economy of Emporia and Lyon County as well,” said ESU President Michael Lane.

The report also shows the combined impact of ESU and Flint Hills Technical College, another KBOR supported institution. It estimates the impact to be $192 million to Lyon County.

Charlie Heptas

TOMS Shoes Announces Its 3rd Annual One Day Without Shoes.

Health & Medicine Week March 15, 2010 In an effort to bring attention to the impact a simple pair of shoes can have in a child’s life, TOMS Shoes announces its third annual One Day Without Shoes campaign that asks everyone worldwide to go barefoot on April 8th. Barefoot events around the world from Venice to Little Rock, Dubai to London have already been planned, with more in the works (see also TOMS Shoes). in our site toms shoes coupon code

On April 8th communities and individuals will be spreading awareness about the importance of shoes in parts of the world where children’s feet are exposed to debilitating diseases. So many of the world’s children in developing countries grow up without shoes, having to walk miles to get food and water, medical help, and attend school (which often require shoes as uniform). A leading cause of disease in these areas is soil-based parasites. see here toms shoes coupon code

One Day Without Shoes participants can pledge their commitment, join and organize events, and connect with likeminded participants online at www.OneDayWithoutShoes.com. The website will also provide an outlet for individuals to share their videos, photos, and experiences spending One Day Without Shoes. Every person who RSVPs for an event on www.OneDayWithoutShoes.com will have the option to be entered to win a spot on a TOMS Shoe Drop (some limitations apply). Winner will be announced on May 10th. One Day Without Shoes t-shirts will be available for purchase from Threadless at www.threadless.com/loves/tomsoneday starting March 22nd.

Blake Mycoskie, TOMS Shoes’ founder and Chief Shoe Giver, says, “A shoe company asking people to go barefoot? I know it’s odd, but we are so excited for people to once again join us in One Day Without Shoes. We ask people to go the day, part of the day, or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience what millions of children endure every day. Awareness and empathy are the catalysts of change.” The problem is large but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. Join TOMS Shoes on April 8th and walk barefoot to support One Day Without Shoes.

For more information visit: www.OneDayWithoutShoes.com

 
Proposal in Topeka aims to abolish regents, board of education
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 24 February 2011 13:55
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A proposal in Topeka by the House Committee on Education would require an amendment to the state Constitution in order to abolish both the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas State Board of Education, both of which are protected under Article 6 of Kansas’ Constitution. In place of these institutions would be a Secretary of Education, a cabinet position appointed by the governor.

Nile Dillmore, House Representative for the 92 district, said the governor would appoint an “education czar” that would oversee both K-12 and higher education in place of KBOR and KSBE.

“I am always wary when we are condensing too much power into one hand, and this proposal does just that,” Dillmore said.

Article 6 of the Kansas Constitution states that the KSBE shall be comprised of 10 elected members and the nine members of KBOR shall be appointed by the governor.

Peggy Mast, House Representative for the 76 district, said a Constitutional amendment would require a supermajority vote in both the House and Senate and would ultimately have to be a referendum of Kansas voters.

Mast said the proposed abolishment of KBOR and KSBE is “definitely not on anyone’s radar screen – it’s not a legitimate issue that’s going to be introduced this year (and) if it is, I’m going to be surprised.”

Kip Peterson, director of government relations and communications at KBOR, said that the Regents have not yet formally taken a position on the proposal.

Dillmore said he has not seen anything in the proposal that outlines the justification for replacing KBOR and KSBE with a Secretary of Education, but called the proposal a “bad idea.”

“There’s really nothing in the proposals that I have seen that appear to have any positive impact on either our school curriculum for K-12 or addressing any apparent needs at the Regents level,” Dillmore said.

According to a document written in 1964 by Fred Ellsworth called “The Hectic Birth of the Board of Regents,” prior to 1925, the universities and colleges in Kansas were overseen by a four member Board of Administration made up of the governor and three salaried members.

The document states that then Gov. Jonathan Davis removed the Chancellor of KU, Ernest Hiram Lindley, from his position at the school for disputing “interference in University affairs by partisan politicians.” As a result, individuals in Kansas began to advocate for the creation of a separate Board of Regents.

Mast said the last amendment to the state Constitution was passed last year allowing individuals with mental illness to vote in Kansas.

Kenzie Templeton

 
Regents task force proposes standardizing general education syllabus
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 24 February 2011 13:51
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Jim Williams, vice president of student affairs and Emporia State’s representative for task force commissioned by the Kansas Board of Regents to review transfer credits between community colleges and universities.

Jim Williams, vice president of student affairs and Emporia State’s representative for task force commissioned by the Kansas Board of Regents to review transfer credits between community colleges and universities.

A task force commissioned by the Kansas Board of Regents to review transfer credits between community colleges and universities has proposed a plan that could potentially include standardizing the general education core syllabus across the board.

“It’s very difficult to put something into place that’s black and white and simple to follow,” said Jim Williams, vice president of student affairs and Emporia State’s representative for the task force. “But again, the commitment is there to, as a system, make sure we communicate with what the concerns are and get those concerns addressed. That’s one of the main focuses of this task force – to keep consciousness, and it’s working.”

But Gary Alexander, vice president of academic affairs for the Kansas Board of Regents, said he does not agree with the idea.
“One of the issues in this country is that we have a wide variety of universities with different strengths, different faculties… this is not something that can be done from the top down. The faculty are the owners of the curriculum,” Alexander said. “So simply standardizing a curriculum is not necessarily the answer to the transfer issues.”
Nikki Wetstein, freshman athletic training major, said she took a biology class in high school that was supposed to count for college credit, but she was told by her adviser that the class would not transfer to ESU.

“It ended up transferring so I didn’t get credit for that – I only got 11 credit hours this semester (even though) I took 15,” Wetstein said.
Carly Herring, freshman elementary education major, said that she took Composition I and II in high school and they both transferred without any problems.
“I think we do a very good job (of accepting transfer credits). If a student is entering with an earned associate’s degree, we have responsibilities to say that the general education is complete,” Williams said. “We are continuing to make efforts to make sure that the students can see the transfer data base, which is on our registrations page, that’s constantly kept updated about how a course you might take at one school would transfer to our institution.”
Williams said that ESU does a “great job” of working with several community colleges in the surrounding area, such as Butler County and Kansas City Kansas and Johnson County to help those students know which classes to take if they are attempting to get a degree in elementary education. ESU is looking to expand this outreach to additional two year institutions.
Alexander said that the task force would meet again in March to give recommendations to KBOR to help with the problems of transferring credits.

Samantha Jones

 
Legislature suggests slashing faculty pay
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 03 February 2011 14:38
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Universities across the state are at risk for losing funding for state employee salaries with the proposal of a bill endorsed by the budget committee of the Kansas House of Representatives that would reduce state employee pay by 7.5 percent for the final six payments of this fiscal year.

“I want to assure you that the Regents are seeking to eliminate this amendment as am I… it is likely the bill will end in a conference committee of both House and Senate members,” said Emporia State President Michael Lane in an email sent to faculty and staff.

Lane said that the Kansas House of Representatives, the Senate committee, and the full senate must consider the bill for it to be passed before it would have to be approved by Gov. Brownback.

“I have already expressed my serious concerns to our local legislative members,” Lane said.

Lane said that work will continue to be done to combat the bill and everyone should remember that this proposal is not a done deal.

A press release by the Kansas Board of Regents stated, “Removing dollars from the paychecks hard-working university employees depend upon, and then spending those dollars on building maintenance, doesn’t result in any savings to the state,”

However, on Jan. 31, The Topeka Capital-Journal posted online that Kansas House Republicans have altered the plan to apply only to those that earn more than $100,000.

“I honestly don’t know of a particular solution but there has got to be a better way than to cut wages so much,” said Abbi Moser, junior secondary education in social sciences major.

According to the original release from the Kansas Board of Regents, the action would require that the dollars be spent on campus maintenance projects.

“It’s not really fair to take teachers’ salaries away to build stuff,” said Maggie Witte, junior information resource systems major.

The online post by The Topeka Capital-Journal stated that the original plan would save the state more than $8 million, although the Regents response to the House Appropriations Committee’s action stated that all the money saved by the pay cut would be required to be spent on campus maintenance.

“There is still a long way to go in the rescission process,” Lane said.

By Beth Edmunds

Man jailed for killing chase student.(News)

The Birmingham Post (England) September 29, 2005 A businessman has been jailed for two-and-a-half years for manslaughter after he chased a Birmingham student who was then knocked down by a car and killed. chasestudentloansnow.com chase student loans

Christopher Gray, aged 21, was struck by a car on the Bristol Road as he ran away from Robert Lewis following a scuffle.

Mr Gray, a University of Birmingham student, died three days later from his injuries.

Lewis, of Station Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter but was convicted by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court.

Judge David Matthews said there had been ‘physical contact’ between the two men before ‘a spur of the moment response led to tragic consequences’.

The court heard how Lewis – described by Judge Matthews ‘as man who liked to air his views forcefully’ – had been driving near the Tesco Express store on Bristol Road, Selly Oak, in the early hours of October 23, 2004. chasestudentloansnow.com chase student loans

Lewis grew agitated after he had to brake suddenly when a group of students, who had been drinking, got out of a taxi.

He got out of his car and swore at them and then pushed Mr Gray’s sister, who was acting as a peacemaker, to the ground.

Mr Gray then intervened on his sister’s behalf and confronted Lewis.

Lewis fled the scene without leaving his name or address but was arrested 14 hours later.

Passing sentence, Judge Matthews said: ‘I sentence you on the basis that before chasing him you were subjected at least to some degree of provocation and I sentence you on the basis that you neither intended any serious harm to Mr Gray or gave thought to the peril in which he was being placed.’

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2011 budget stays consistent for now
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 27 January 2011 15:25
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1-27 Lane MUG

The budget for the 2011 fiscal year has been maintained to this point.

“The State’s revenues appear to be holding at a level which will keep the 2011 budget (current year) fully funded,” according to a budget update e-mail from ESU President Michael Lane.

The hiring freeze that went into effect last year is still in effect, but new hires have been made through the opening of positions after the hiring freeze, so they were not affected and some positions were filled with re-managed funds discovered by deans. These positions are also taken care of by specifically targeted funds and can’t be used to fill positions from other departments.

“Whatever was being searched on that date, we shut down the searches for those positions,” Lane said in an interview.

The searches for new hires either replaced previously frozen positions if the need was greater or the funding could be found in a specific area. The restricted funds must stay in the departments in which the area found. Some funding was migrated from one portion to the other.

Two departments were “held harmless” by the president, which means that even as new positions arose they could continue their search for candidates to fill them. Those two departments were Marketing and Media and Admissions, because they draw in students and are integral to the continuing of the university, Lane said.

“There are still 18 faculty positions and 20 staff positions that are frozen, if the manager can find the money within their budget to fill a position we have filled that when the petition comes forward,” Lane said.

The tuition increase which created about $1.03 million in revenue was put to different uses around campus including health benefits and other benefits for faculty members and personnel increases.

“It is an appropriate use for the tuition increase. I don’t think we could survive without that tuition budget, most of the increase is used consistently with the universities mission,” said Rob Catlett, professor of economics.

Some students felt that using the tuition increase for faculty and staff hires as well as benefits was worth the extra money.

“Our faculty and staff do so much for the students, and they focus more individually,” said April Brewer, sophomore elementary education major.

Another need the university has is in maintenance backlog. This issue is currently faced by all Kansas universities and the deficit is increasing. The Kansas Board of Regents addressed this issue and discovered that the state’s back log is at $876 million, a $51 million increase since 2008. ESU’s own maintenance backlog represents $57.1 million of this.

According to the Kansas Board of Regents website, despite the fact that this issue has received aid from state funds and federal stimulus, the backlog continues to grow. The estimated amount of money needed to stop the increasing issue would be $92 million but last fiscal year only $52 million was available to the backlog.

Charlie Heptas

 
KBOR’s Sherrer meets with ESU student leaders
Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 20 January 2011 17:26
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Gary Sherrer, Kansas Regents member, listens to students' concerns about the university during an open lunch hosted Tuesday at the skyline Lounge in Memorial Union. Erica Cassella/The Bulletin.

Gary Sherrer, Kansas Regents member, listens to students' concerns about the university during an open lunch hosted Tuesday at the skyline Lounge in Memorial Union. Erica Cassella/The Bulletin.

For Laura Bosiljevac, sophomore political science major and legislative director of Associated Student Government, having Gary Sherrer, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents and an ESU alum, on campus to speak to members of Associated Student Government and other student leaders yesterday was very important.

“He has had experience in leadership and is very supportive of ESU, so it was great for students to have an opportunity to interact with him,” Bosiljevac said.

Students from various leadership roles around campus were given the opportunity to sit down and have lunch with Sherrer and ask him questions about things related to ESU and its improvements in addition to his various stances on leadership.

Sherrer said he was impressed by student governments and their ability to be relentless about issues and that they really could be catalysts for change.

“A lot of students went to Gary because of his experience and success. He is really good at providing the student with a straight answer but also giving them the tools to do critical thinking because there won’t always be one right answer to a situation,” Bosiljevac said.

Sherrer also spoke to business classes throughout the day while on campus. He has experience in both business and in leadership and how to navigate because of the time he has spent on the Kansas Board of Regents.

During the lunch, students asked him what he thought they could do to help bring money to the university and what they thought they could do to improve the campus overall for prospective students. Sherrer said that renovations would help improve the face of Emporia State, much like they had at other Kansas schools.

“You can only patch things for so long,” said Sherrer, referring to the many aging buildings on campus.

Sherrer said he believes that a cohesive public face for the school is important to prospective students, and was amused by Morse Hall and its adjoining dorms being so many different colors of brick.

“How many colors of brick can there be?” Sherrer asked jokingly.

Updating things like the architecture can improve the look of a campus and has helped in other areas such as Pittsburg State, Sherrer said, and ESU is an important school to Sherrer as it is his alma mater.

Bosiljevac has met with Sherrer before at the Kansas Board of Regents office and was glad other students could get the opportunity to meet him and learn from his knowledge of the school system. She said she hopes he has more chances to help other students and leaders at ESU.

“I think it is good for people like Sherrer to come to campus, because they have real world experience and can offer that to students who haven’t had those opportunities yet,” said Esteban Gomez, senior psychology and sociology major.

Charlie Heptas