- At the start of the 2000 Kansas Legislature, prospects for
higher education were dim: the current budget faced mid-year
cutting and the fiscal year 2001 budget was poised for an additional
reduction.
By the end, however, university officials termed the session
a success, for these reasons:
- A permanent cut to the base budget was avoided.
- A 2.5 percent merit raise plus an additional 3.4 percent for
enhancement was approved for faculty compensation-fulfillment
of a commitment in the higher education restructuring bill approved
by the 1999 Legislature.
- A $1 per credit-hour library fee was authorized.
- The state match of student technology fees was continued.
- A Faculty of Distinction Program for regents schools was approved,
setting in motion a state contribution to endowment funds raised
for distinguished faculty.
- The Legislature repealed a provision that had removed one out
of every four classified positions vacated by retirement.
However, the session contained some disappointment, said Chancellor
Robert E. Hemenway.
"Most painful for us," said Hemenway, "was the
limitation of unclassified staff salaries to a 2.5 percent merit
increase, and eligible classified staff to a step increase of
roughly the same percentage."
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