Outgoing Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz, recently named president of Washington State University, says Kansas State and the University of Kansas have recently become “a potential target for larger budget cuts by the state.”

The Kansas Legislature has authorized Governor Sam Brownback to make disproportionate cuts to the state’s two research universities – Kansas State and the University of Kansas.

Schulz doesn’t think the Governor should have that
authority. “None of the presidents of any of the higher education institutions in the state are supportive of this disproportionate cutting scheme that has been proposed by the legislature,” he says.

In order to cover the budget reductions already made by the state, Schulz says the university has submitted a proposal to the Kansas Board of Regents asking for a five percent tuition and fee increase for the fall.

Schulz says, “Ultimately at the end of the day, that means that a few more families can’t afford to send their son or daughter, grandson or granddaughter to get a four year degree; and I think that hurts in the long run economically in the state.”

At this point, the enrollment projection for Kansas State is flat, but Schulz believes that with a five percent increase in tuition and fees, that can ultimately change.

“There may be some people who are planning to come and said…well now because of that I won’t be able to make it work financially.”

Schulz officially begins duties as Washington State University in June. The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed retired U.S. Air Force General Richard B. Myers as interim president of Kansas State University.