THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
INSIDE Jayhawks remember the late John McCain p. 2
The University Daily Kansan
Band Day canceled for first time in 71-year history p. 7
vol. 137 // iss. 5 Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018
Budget talks continue Faculty say proposed solutions to university budget shortfall not adequate
White nationalist symbols surface HAILEY DIXON, LARA KORTE AND NICOLE ASBURY @KansanNews
Bob(Jiatong) Li/KANSAN Interim Provost Carl Lejuez talks about budget in Eaton Hall on Monday Aug. 27.
NICOLE ASBURY AND LARA KORTE @KansanNews In the latest budget conversation, Interim Provost Carl Lejuez updated University of Kansas faculty and students on the current standing of the University’s budget and announced the next initiatives in dealing with the $20 million cut. The conversation was introduced by Chancellor Douglas Girod, who listed issues such as state funding being part of the problem, pointing to a $31 million reduction in state government fund-
ing last year. “It was clear this year if we hadn’t made some changes we would be in debt,” Girod said. Following open remarks from Girod, Lejuez took to the podium to break down how the University came to the point of needing a $20 million budget reduction. At the moment, the University has $11 million in the central reserves, which represents about 2.57 percent of the base budget, or overall funds provided by state funding and tuition payments. “When you think
about our budget, this is a pretty risky level of saving,” Lejuez said. As of now, the University’s academic units — which include departments like the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering — have planned to reduce their budget by an estimated total of $12.4 million. As of this month, 36 percent of the reduction has already been paid by academic units, Lejuez said. Much of that reduction will likely come from reducing faculty or leaving empty positions unfilled.
The other estimated $7.6 million of the overall cut is to be paid off by service units at the University — 68 percent of which has been paid as of Aug. 15. Both service and academic units are expected to pay 100 percent of their cut by December of 2018. As part of the strategic plan to get the University’s budget back on track, Lejeuz said he wants to improve facilities on campus, raise faculty pay and address benefits like travel and research funds. At the moment, the
Multiple stickers depicting symbols of a fringe internet movement were found on campus Tuesday afternoon. Stickers depicting the Kekistan flag — a meme that originated on 4chan, an anonymous website often linked to racist and white nationalist views — were placed near entrances to Blake, Bailey and Wescoe Halls. Jill Hummels, communications manager for the Office of the Provost, said the administration is aware of the stickers and they are being removed by Facilities Services. “They are in locations where they are not supposed to be,” Hummels said. “It’s less about content; more about that [the stickers] are defacing the property.” Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Carl Lejuez said the stickers were discovered last week and have been continuing to pop up around campus. “This is a hard thing in that we can’t respond to everything that happens but it is important that we are proactive in being clear about what our values are and what’s important to us and showing that and sharing that in our actions,” Lejuez said. Lejuez also said he understands that seeing these stickers “can be distressing.” In addition, the Provost Office tweeted on Wednesday, Aug. 28 reaffirming the University’s values. “It fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected,” the tweet said. “As an institution that educates leaders, students are encouraged to speak up, expose hate and denounce it.”
SEE BUDGET • PAGE 3
Nicole Asbury/KANSAN A sticker depicting the fictional land of Kekistan, a white nationalist meme trend, appears to have been ripped off on the doors of Blake Hall.
young people want to live, work and eventually raise a family. To do this, I will invest in education from Pre-K to K-12 to college to the workforce. By investing in higher education, including technical and trade schools, and job training programs, young people in Kansas will have the skills needed to enter the workforce. Kansas faces a problem with out-migration—especially with our young people. I want to make Kansas a safe, welcoming place to all people. It’s how we attract new people and businesses to the state and keep them here. It’s also how we improve the quality of life and grow our economy. We also must make sure we offer a quality of life second to none. That means good schools and jobs, but it also means quality communities, roads, healthcare and digital access. KANSAN: How are you expanding job growth in rural and urban areas? Kelly: I first moved to Kansas 32 years ago because of the opportunities available to my young family. But in the past eight years, those opportunities have disappeared. We must turn this around. We can do this by invest-
ing in our rural communities, funding our schools, and improving roads and hospitals. Expanding Medicaid would have a significant impact on our state — creating thousands of good-paying jobs. Every Kansan should have access to a high quality of life, regardless of their zip code. And for too long, rural Kansas has been left behind. The failed policies of the Brownback administration made matters worse. In the last eight years, we’ve seen hospitals close, schools close, industries relocate, highway projects cut or delayed and families move due to lack of quality housing. We can and must do better. That’s why I put together a comprehensive plan to strengthen rural communities and expand Kansas’ unique rural economies. My plan focuses on developing housing, investing roads and broadband infrastructure, supporting healthcare, incentivizing tourism and supporting agri-business. KANSAN: What do you think the government’s role should be in free speech issues at college campuses? Kelly: I am a staunch supporter of free speech and respect the rights of
Q&A with Laura Kelly, candidate for Kansas governor
Associated Press Democratic candidate for Kansas governor Laura Kelly is congratulated by supporters in Topeka at a watch party, after she won her party’s nomination for governor during the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018. HAILEY DIXON @_hailey_dixon After Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach narrowly defeated incumbent Governor Jeff Colyer in the primary election earlier this month, Kobach is set to face Kansas Democratic Sen. Laura Kelly in the general election on Nov. 6. With Kobach and Kelly preparing for the election, the Kansan issued questions to both candidates on issues relating to students. Kobach’s campaign did not respond to the Kansan’s five email and phone
call requests. The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Answers were shared in an email with the Kansan. KANSAN: If elected governor, what is your plan in regards to higher education and funding? Kelly: I have a vision of education in Kansas that spans from early childhood to K-12 to higher education — because every step along the way is important for our students. When the Brownback administration made mas-
sive cuts to our colleges and universities, it resulted in higher tuition. This year, I successfully partially restored this funding to higher education. As governor, I will continue to work with the Board of Regents to address the rise in tuition and provide relief for Kansas students and families. We must make college more affordable for our students and their families. KANSAN: How do you plan to retain young professionals and graduates in the state? Kelly: I want to make Kansas a place where
college students, and all Americans, to speak their minds openly and freely. KANSAN: Do you have any plans to tackle issues related to gun control and concealed carry on college campuses? Kelly: I have always been a supporter of the 2nd Amendment, but I also recognize the need to balance that right with keeping our students and communities safe. That’s why two years ago, I voted to ban guns on campuses, as well as in hospitals and adult care homes. I voted this year to prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence from possessing a gun. That’s why I was named a “Gun Sense Candidate” by Moms Demand Action. It’s especially important for those of us who support gun rights to lead this mission to find common sense ways to keep our students and teachers safe from gun violence. As governor, I’ll bring everyone together — law enforcement officials, school officials, mental and public health experts — to find common ground and meaningful solutions to this problem.