KU highlights university impact during Capitol event

State representatives Barbara Ballard, KU associate vice provost for student success, and Paul Davis meet with members of KU’s Unclassified Professional Staff Association during the group’s visit to the Statehouse on March 10. Another group representing about 20 academic and administrative units visited the Kansas Statehouse Thursday to discuss with legislators the benefits KU provides across the state. R. Steve Dick/University Relations

Jayhawks flocked to Topeka on Thursday as representatives of nearly 20 academic and administrative units visited the Kansas Statehouse to discuss
with legislators the benefits KU provides across the state.

“KU in the Capitol” provided legislators with information and the opportunity to speak with students, administrators, faculty and staff. KU displays filled the first-floor rotunda and adjacent wings, highlighting KU’s outreach efforts and the impact the university has on all Kansans.

The event was organized by the State Funding Team of the KU Marketing Council, a universitywide effort to develop an integrated marketing communications plan for KU.
Although “KU in the Capitol” was the first event of its kind to coordinate a broad spectrum of units, other KU representatives have made their presence felt in Topeka this session, including Chancellor Robert Hemenway, KU’s Classified Senate and the Student Legislative Awareness Board.

Members of KU’s Unclassified Professional Staff Association visited the Statehouse in Topeka March 10 to help draw attention to the need for support of higher education.
They brought a message of concern about funding for higher education in Kansas and stressed the benefits that result from strong educational institutions.

This is the second year UPSA members have coordinated a visit to the Statehouse.