FHSU University Relations

Gov. Sam Brownback announced today a reduction of 2 percent for the Kansas Board of Regents system for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Fort Hays State University is included in the reduction.

He said reductions, called “allotments,” of 2 percent for higher education and 1.5 percent for K-12 education would produce savings of $44.5 million for the state general fund.

“Even with the allotments, Fiscal Year 2015 funding for higher education remains $20 million above FY 14 funding,” the governor said. “State aid for K-12 funding in Fiscal Year 2015 remains $177 million higher than FY 14 funding.”

The allotments will take place on March 7.

Dr. Mirta M. Martin, president of Fort Hays State University, said the reduction to higher education funding was not welcome news. “I thank Gov. Brownback for his original intention to hold higher education harmless,” she said. “He understands, as we do, that by the end of this decade, 71 percent of the jobs available in Kansas will require more than a high school education, which means higher education is essential for a thriving economy.”

She said Fort Hays State would take the steps necessary to deal with the 2 percent cut.

“I concur with Kenny Wilk, chair of the Regents, who called for no further cuts after hearing the governor’s announcement,” she said.