Kansas Regents Change Social Media Guidelines May 15, 2014

Topeka Capital Journal:

The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously passed a revised version of its controversial social media policy Wednesday, but faced continued criticism from academics who condemned it as an attack on free speech.

Regents chairman Fred Logan said the new version is narrow in scope and offers strong protections for free speech and academic freedom, while giving universities guidance on the relatively new question of social media.

“I think this is good public policy,” Logan said.

The regents made a number of changes to their original policy based largely on feedback from university employees who were sharply critical of it. The changes include adding language referencing First Amendment rights and current Supreme Court case law.

But faculty who filled the boardroom to observe the vote, many of whom wore red stickers bearing the words “Free Speech,” said the revisions don’t go far enough.

They expressed skepticism the revisions would protect their constitutional rights and said the regents continue to brush off their concern that the policy allows Kansas’ state universities to fire employees over controversial speech expressed on social media.

“It’s unfortunate that punitive measures have been connected to lawful speech,” said Ron Barrett, a University of Kansas engineering professor who also serves as head of the Kansas conference of the American Association of University Professors.

More:http://cjonline.com/news/2014-05-14/faculty-critical-regents-revised-social-media-policy

Room and Board Rates Likely to Increase at Kansas Schools Next Year November 8, 2013

(AP) – Room and board costs at Kansas’ six public universities would increase next year under a proposal before the state’s Board of Regents.

The Lawrence Journal-World that under the proposal, the traditional arrangement of two residents per room and a typical meal plan would increase 2.5 percent next year at the University of Kansas.

Students would see increases of 4.5 percent at Kansas State University; 3.6 percent at Emporia State; 3 percent at Pittsburg State; and 2.1 percent at Fort Hays State. The proposed increase at Wichita State is not comparable to previous years because the school has a new housing facility.

The Regents will take final action on the rates during their December meeting.

Brownback Names KCK’s Murguia to Kansas Board of Regents June 27, 2013

Murguia

Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has named KCK Commissioner Ann Murguia to the nine-member Kansas Board of Regents.
The Regents is the governing body for the state’s public universities.
The Governor also made two other appointments to the Regents Board.
Helen Van Etten is an Audiologist with the Topeka Public School District.
The other appointment is Shane Bangerter, a lawyer who has offices in Dodge City.
““Shane, Ann and Helen bring a great amount of experience and talent to the board and I am excited they’ve agreed to serve our great state,” Brownabck said in a news release.
Murguia ran unsuccessfully for mayor this spring. She lost the run-off to Mark Holland.
Murguia’s appoint gives the Kansas City metro area two voices on the Regents Board.
Johnson County attorney Fred Logan assumes the Chairman’s position on July 1.
“The Governor has appointed three great Regents. Shane Bangerter’s community college trustee background will be a tremendous asset. Ann Murguia has an outstanding record of civic and public leadership in Kansas City, Kansas and the greater Kansas City area. Helen Van Etten is a passionate supporter of higher education,” Logan said.

Brownback to Announce New Regents Picks Today June 27, 2013

(AP) – Gov. Sam Brownback is traveling to Kansas State University to announce his appointees for three upcoming vacancies on the nine-member Board of Regents.

The governor planned to make the announcement at a news conference Thursday on the Manhattan campus.

The appointees will succeed Christine Downey-Schmidt, a former state senator from Inman; Dan Lykins, a Topeka attorney; and Janie Perkins, a Garden City school district administrator and former mayor.

The Board of Regents oversees the six state universities, 19 community colleges and six technical colleges.

Brownback recently signed a new state budget in which lawmakers cut funding for higher education. He and the current regents have expressed frustration with the Legislature’s decisions and have vowed to work to restore the cuts next year.

Regents Approve Kansas Higher Ed Tuition Hikes June 19, 2013

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The Kansas Board of Regents has approved tuition increases at public universities that will have some students paying nearly 9 percent more this fall.

The increases approved Wednesday by the board are expected to raise an additional $34 million during the fiscal year beginning in July.

The universities want to boost faculty salaries and pursue other initiatives, but the increases in tuition also would partially offset cuts in state funding enacted by legislators.

Out-of-state graduate students at Pittsburg State University would see the biggest increase at 8.8 percent. The smallest increase, 3 percent, would be for out-of-state veterinary medical students at Kansas State University.

For undergraduates from Kansas, tuition would rise 7 percent at Kansas State and almost 5 percent at the University of Kansas.