Expert testimony by faculty, staff aids lawmakers
Faculty and staff are encouraged to make every effort to accommodate requests from the state Legislature to testify.
KU does not require its faculty or staff to go through an approval process.
"It's been brought to our attention that not everyone is aware that both the Kansas Board of Regents and the university strongly encourage faculty to assist state legislators when asked to give expert testimony," said Lynn Bretz, director of University Communications. "Already this state legislative session, KU faculty members have testified on myriad subjects, from energy issues and constitutional law to autism and cancer prevention."
Board of Regents regulations require that all regents institutions and faculty and staff give notification of an invitation to testify so the board office will be aware of their appearances. KU also requests to be notified and asks that a copy of the testimony be provided for KU records.
Faculty can notify the regents office and the university by contacting KU's government relations staff. Kathy Damron, director of state relations, mkdtopek@aol.com, should be contacted about statehouse requests, and Keith Yehle, director of federal relations, kyehle@ku.edu, for requests to go before U.S. Congress.
To help legislators distinguish between informed opinions of faculty or staff experts and official positions of the university, individuals are expected to make clear their testimony represents their personal opinions and perspectives. State law requires that faculty members who are consultants and who testify on behalf of an entity to support or oppose action must file a statement of substantial interest.
For additional information, contact Damron or Yehle or the University Communications office, 864-7100.
"Testimony by faculty and staff experts is a powerful way the university can support the state of Kansas," Bretz said.
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