Kansas Proposes Higher Education Funding Cuts
PITTSBURG, KS.--- Kansas is seeing a shortage in budget money, a total of half a billion dollars. The Kansas House Appropriations Committee has proposed to get that by cutting funding by 4% for Kansas colleges and universities.
"For Pittsburg State, it would equate to about 1.4 million dollars," states Chris Kelley, PSU Media Relations.
The possibility of such a cut has Pittsburg State University officials looking at options.
"It's really to soon to say exactly and specifically what that would mean, but it would obviously put pressure upon our Tuition Committee as we move forward about what that tuition rate would be," says Kelley.
One university director is currently in Topeka lobbying the House committee to avoid the cuts.
"Accessibility is key for us. We work very hard to maintain that affordable tuition," says Kelley.
The proposal doesn't only ask to cut higher education funding, but also seeks a state salary cap, which would limit how much universities can pay.
"It would really stifle our ability to recruit and retain that highest quality faculty and staff," says Kelley.
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President, Blake Benson says these proposed changes could negatively impact Southeast Kansas, calling Pitt State the economic engine of the region.
"Administration and faculty also support businesses, but then they're the ones who buy the big ticket items," says Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President.
Statistic show PSU students spend around $10,000 to $11,000 annually in and around Pittsburg.
"When you multiply that by over 7,000 students, it certainly ads up," says Benson.
For now, these cuts are just a proposal and Pitt State can only wait and see to find out what the state decides.
"We'll continue to strive to move forward," says Kelley.
A Senate committee has also proposed a similar higher education cut. They're version asks for a 2% cut in funding. The governor is looking to not make any cuts in higher education if at all possible. It will take a few months for legislators to make a decision.
"For Pittsburg State, it would equate to about 1.4 million dollars," states Chris Kelley, PSU Media Relations.
The possibility of such a cut has Pittsburg State University officials looking at options.
"It's really to soon to say exactly and specifically what that would mean, but it would obviously put pressure upon our Tuition Committee as we move forward about what that tuition rate would be," says Kelley.
One university director is currently in Topeka lobbying the House committee to avoid the cuts.
"Accessibility is key for us. We work very hard to maintain that affordable tuition," says Kelley.
The proposal doesn't only ask to cut higher education funding, but also seeks a state salary cap, which would limit how much universities can pay.
"It would really stifle our ability to recruit and retain that highest quality faculty and staff," says Kelley.
The Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President, Blake Benson says these proposed changes could negatively impact Southeast Kansas, calling Pitt State the economic engine of the region.
"Administration and faculty also support businesses, but then they're the ones who buy the big ticket items," says Blake Benson, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President.
Statistic show PSU students spend around $10,000 to $11,000 annually in and around Pittsburg.
"When you multiply that by over 7,000 students, it certainly ads up," says Benson.
For now, these cuts are just a proposal and Pitt State can only wait and see to find out what the state decides.
"We'll continue to strive to move forward," says Kelley.
A Senate committee has also proposed a similar higher education cut. They're version asks for a 2% cut in funding. The governor is looking to not make any cuts in higher education if at all possible. It will take a few months for legislators to make a decision.
