The idea to increase tuition at Kansas University was a relatively recent one designed, in part, to avoid a potential hiring freeze, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Tuesday.
Hemenway told members of the KU Senate Executive Committee (SenEx) he was opposed to a tuition hike until the recent downturn in the economy.
Only when he began expecting a budget cut or, at best, no increase in state funding did he begin a process that could significantly raise tuition rates beginning next fall.
Hemenway explained the timing of administrators’ meetings on tuition in response to concerns voiced by Justin Mills, student body president and SenEx member, who said the “idea came about suddenly” despite figures that have shown for a year that KU’s budget is $50 million behind its peers.
Mills said starting the process late in the semester seemed to exclude students, who will begin finals next week and then leave for winter break.
“We’re not smart enough, Justin, to create a conspiracy here,” Hemenway said. “And even if we were smart enough, I don’t think we’d be organized enough.”
If university funding decreases, Hemenway said he will have to consider actions such as a hiring freeze and eliminating classes.
Provost David Shulenburger is having a series of about 15 meetings with students, faculty and staff to discuss potential “scenarios” for tuition increases. Hemenway will discuss an increase with the Kansas Board of Regents in January, and he will present a formal proposal to the regents in April.
Several members of SenEx which includes faculty, students and classified and unclassified staff said they thought administrators should have included them more in the process to this point.
Mohamed El-Hodiri, an economics professor, urged Hemenway to consult university governance before making a decision. Hemenway assured SenEx members they and others would be involved.
Student Jessica Bankston said she didn’t think students would be opposed to an increase just opposed to a large increase. She said she worried the Legislature would decrease funding for universities if they raise tuition.
Hemenway said he thought a tuition increase could help convince legislators to increase KU’s budget.
“The message we would be sending is we’re willing to do our part in a difficult year, but it’s up to you to get behind higher education,” he said.
The idea to increase tuition at Kansas University was a relatively recent one designed, in part, to avoid a potential hiring freeze, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Tuesday.
Hemenway told members of the KU Senate Executive Committee (SenEx) he was opposed to a tuition hike until the recent downturn in the economy.
Only when he began expecting a budget cut or, at best, no increase in state funding did he begin a process that could significantly raise tuition rates beginning next fall.
Hemenway explained the timing of administrators’ meetings on tuition in response to concerns voiced by Justin Mills, student body president and SenEx member, who said the “idea came about suddenly” despite figures that have shown for a year that KU’s budget is $50 million behind its peers.
Mills said starting the process late in the semester seemed to exclude students, who will begin finals next week and then leave for winter break.
“We’re not smart enough, Justin, to create a conspiracy here,” Hemenway said. “And even if we were smart enough, I don’t think we’d be organized enough.”
If university funding decreases, Hemenway said he will have to consider actions such as a hiring freeze and eliminating classes.
Provost David Shulenburger is having a series of about 15 meetings with students, faculty and staff to discuss potential “scenarios” for tuition increases. Hemenway will discuss an increase with the Kansas Board of Regents in January, and he will present a formal proposal to the regents in April.
Several members of SenEx which includes faculty, students and classified and unclassified staff said they thought administrators should have included them more in the process to this point.
Mohamed El-Hodiri, an economics professor, urged Hemenway to consult university governance before making a decision. Hemenway assured SenEx members they and others would be involved.
Student Jessica Bankston said she didn’t think students would be opposed to an increase just opposed to a large increase. She said she worried the Legislature would decrease funding for universities if they raise tuition.
Hemenway said he thought a tuition increase could help convince legislators to increase KU’s budget.
“The message we would be sending is we’re willing to do our part in a difficult year, but it’s up to you to get behind higher education,” he said.
The idea to increase tuition at Kansas University was a relatively recent one designed, in part, to avoid a potential hiring freeze, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Tuesday.
Hemenway told members of the KU Senate Executive Committee (SenEx) he was opposed to a tuition hike until the recent downturn in the economy.
Only when he began expecting a budget cut or, at best, no increase in state funding did he begin a process that could significantly raise tuition rates beginning next fall.
Hemenway explained the timing of administrators’ meetings on tuition in response to concerns voiced by Justin Mills, student body president and SenEx member, who said the “idea came about suddenly” despite figures that have shown for a year that KU’s budget is $50 million behind its peers.
Mills said starting the process late in the semester seemed to exclude students, who will begin finals next week and then leave for winter break.
“We’re not smart enough, Justin, to create a conspiracy here,” Hemenway said. “And even if we were smart enough, I don’t think we’d be organized enough.”
If university funding decreases, Hemenway said he will have to consider actions such as a hiring freeze and eliminating classes.
Provost David Shulenburger is having a series of about 15 meetings with students, faculty and staff to discuss potential “scenarios” for tuition increases. Hemenway will discuss an increase with the Kansas Board of Regents in January, and he will present a formal proposal to the regents in April.
Several members of SenEx which includes faculty, students and classified and unclassified staff said they thought administrators should have included them more in the process to this point.
Mohamed El-Hodiri, an economics professor, urged Hemenway to consult university governance before making a decision. Hemenway assured SenEx members they and others would be involved.
Student Jessica Bankston said she didn’t think students would be opposed to an increase just opposed to a large increase. She said she worried the Legislature would decrease funding for universities if they raise tuition.
Hemenway said he thought a tuition increase could help convince legislators to increase KU’s budget.
“The message we would be sending is we’re willing to do our part in a difficult year, but it’s up to you to get behind higher education,” he said.
The idea to increase tuition at Kansas University was a relatively recent one designed, in part, to avoid a potential hiring freeze, Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Tuesday.
Hemenway told members of the KU Senate Executive Committee (SenEx) he was opposed to a tuition hike until the recent downturn in the economy.
Only when he began expecting a budget cut or, at best, no increase in state funding did he begin a process that could significantly raise tuition rates beginning next fall.
Hemenway explained the timing of administrators’ meetings on tuition in response to concerns voiced by Justin Mills, student body president and SenEx member, who said the “idea came about suddenly” despite figures that have shown for a year that KU’s budget is $50 million behind its peers.
Mills said starting the process late in the semester seemed to exclude students, who will begin finals next week and then leave for winter break.
“We’re not smart enough, Justin, to create a conspiracy here,” Hemenway said. “And even if we were smart enough, I don’t think we’d be organized enough.”
If university funding decreases, Hemenway said he will have to consider actions such as a hiring freeze and eliminating classes.
Provost David Shulenburger is having a series of about 15 meetings with students, faculty and staff to discuss potential “scenarios” for tuition increases. Hemenway will discuss an increase with the Kansas Board of Regents in January, and he will present a formal proposal to the regents in April.
Several members of SenEx which includes faculty, students and classified and unclassified staff said they thought administrators should have included them more in the process to this point.
Mohamed El-Hodiri, an economics professor, urged Hemenway to consult university governance before making a decision. Hemenway assured SenEx members they and others would be involved.
Student Jessica Bankston said she didn’t think students would be opposed to an increase just opposed to a large increase. She said she worried the Legislature would decrease funding for universities if they raise tuition.
Hemenway said he thought a tuition increase could help convince legislators to increase KU’s budget.
“The message we would be sending is we’re willing to do our part in a difficult year, but it’s up to you to get behind higher education,” he said.
