Uncategorised - Page #31

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university that serves as a center for learning, scholarship and creative endeavor. The University of Kansas is the only Kansas Regents university to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of fifty-eight public and private research universities that represent excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally.

Instruction. The University is committed to offering the highest quality undergraduate, professional and graduate programs comparable to the best obtainable anywhere in the nation. As the AAU research university of the state, the University of Kansas offers a broad array of advanced graduate study programs and fulfills its mission through faculty, academic and research programs of international distinction, and outstanding libraries, teaching museums and information technology. These resources enrich the undergraduate experience and are essential for graduate level education and for research.

Research. The University attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. Research and teaching, as practiced at the University of Kansas, are mutually reinforcing with scholarly inquiry underlying and informing the educational experience at undergraduate, professional and graduate levels.

Service. The University first serves Kansas, then the nation, and the world through research, teaching, and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The University provides service to the State of Kansas through its state and federally-funded research centers. KU's academic programs, arts facilities, and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. Educational, research and service programs are offered throughout the state including the main campus in Lawrence, the KU health-related degree programs and services in Kansas City and Wichita, as well as the Regents Center and other sites in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Topeka and Parsons.

International Dimension. The University is dedicated to preparing its students for lives of learning and for the challenges educated citizens will encounter in an increasingly complex and diverse global community. Over 100 programs of international study and cooperative research are available for KU students and faculty at sites throughout the world. The University offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and the rest of the world. At the same time, KU's extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values. The University is committed to excellence. It fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.

Pittsburg State University, a comprehensive regional university, provides undergraduate and graduate programs and services to the people of southeast Kansas, but also to others who seek the benefits offered. This is accomplished by the unique combination of academic programs in the four colleges of the University Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Technology. The University is equally committed to fulfilling its statewide mission in technology and economic development by facilitating partnerships with secondary and postsecondary educational institutions, businesses and industries.

The University supports an organizational and interpersonal structure that actively encourages individuals to achieve their potential. The University provides programs and services that create opportunities for students and other individuals to develop intellectually, ethically, aesthetically, emotionally, socially and physically. The University provides intellectual leadership and multicultural experiences that contribute to the preservation of the heritage of the region and the enhancement of its inhabitants. Finally, the University recognizes the world as interdependent and, thus, seeks to promote a broad and interactive international perspective.

The University fulfills the traditional academic missions of teaching, scholarship and service. Excellence in teaching is the primary focus of the University. The University recognizes that active scholarship and creativity add vitality to teaching, expand and refine the knowledge base and are instrumental to the professional development of the faculty and staff. Programs of professional and community service promote and strengthen University endeavors. Pittsburg State University fosters a campus culture of assessment and accountability that supports strategic planning and the continuous improvement of its academic programs and administrative processes.

The mission of Kansas State University is to foster excellent teaching, research, and service that develop a highly skilled and educated citizenry necessary to advancing the well-being of Kansas, the nation, and the international community. The university embraces diversity, encourages engagement and is committed to the discovery of knowledge, the education of undergraduate and graduate students, and improvement in the quality of life and standard of living of those we serve.

Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution serving students and the people of Kansas, the nation, and the world. Since its founding in 1863, the University has evolved into a modern institution of higher education, committed to quality programs, and responsive to a rapidly changing world and the aspirations of an increasingly diverse society. Together with other major comprehensive universities, K-State shares responsibilities for developing human potential, expanding knowledge, enriching cultural expression, and extending its expertise to individuals, business, education and government. These responsibilities are addressed through an array of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, research and creative activities, and outreach and public service programs. In addition, its land-grant mandate, based on federal and state legislation, establishes a focus to its instructional, research, and extension activities which is unique among the Regents’ institutions.

Through quality teaching, the University is committed to provide all students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, understanding, and skills characteristic of an educated person. It is also pledged to prepare students for successful employment or advanced studies through a variety of disciplinary and professional degree programs. To meet these intentions, the institution dedicates itself to providing academic and extracurricular learning experiences which promote and value both excellence and cultural diversity. K-State prepares its students to be informed, productive, and responsible citizens who actively participate in advancing cultural, educational, economic, scientific, and socio-political undertakings.

Research and other creative endeavors comprise an essential component of K-State's mission. All faculty members contribute to the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, applications, and products. These efforts, supported by public and private resources, are conducted in an atmosphere of open inquiry and academic freedom. Basic to the pursuit of this mission is the University's commitment to broad-based programs in graduate education at both the master's and doctoral levels.

Faculty, staff, and administrators share their expertise through service to the university and disciplinary organizations, via outreach, engagement, and extension-related activities. Their work provides support to numerous projects related to the goals, missions, or aspirations of the departments, colleges of the university, and to the members of the professional community. Through outreach and engagement initiatives, partnerships are established with various stakeholders to translate knowledge and basic research into applications that address public needs. These service activities are integrally related to the land-grant mission.

Extension is governed by Kansas statutes that empower elected county councils and district governing boards with authority and responsibility to assess needs and conduct a local educational program in cooperation with Kansas State University and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A network of local extension professionals and volunteers link Kansas State University faculty, the National Cooperative Extension System to the USDA which produces high-quality educational programs.

The Kansas Board of Regents shall pursue measurable continuous improvement in the quality and effectiveness of the public postsecondary educational system in Kansas, while expanding participation for all qualified Kansans. To achieve that mission, the Board will demand accountability, focus resources, and advocate powerfully.

Open Records Request

The Kansas Open Records Act grants you the right to inspect and obtain copies of public records created or maintained by public agencies in Kansas. The Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215, et seq., as amended, declares that it is the public policy of Kansas that, generally, “public records shall be open for inspection by any person.” Public records are defined as “any recorded information, regardless of form or characteristic, which is made, maintained or kept by or is in the possession of any public agency.” The Kansas Board of Regents is a public agency for the purposes of this Act.

Examples of open public records maintained by the Kansas Board of Regents:

Policies adopted by the Kansas Board of Regents
Minutes/Records of open meetings of the Kansas Board of Regents, once approved by the Board
Salaries of Kansas Board of Regents officers and employees
Kansas Board of Regents and state university budget documents

You have the right to...

Request assistance from the agency's Freedom of Information Officer at any time.
Receive a response to your request within three business days of the date the request was received; the response may inform you that it will take additional time to produce the records.
Inspect and obtain copies of public records that are not exempted from mandatory disclosure by law.
File a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General if you feel your request for public records is wrongfully denied.

Your Responsibilities

You may request existing records – written, photographic, or computerized. The Kansas Open Records Act does not require an agency to create records, answer questions or prepare reports.
You must put your record request in writing, and you must provide proof of your identity, if requested.
You may not use any list of names and addresses in public records to solicit the purchase of services or property.
You may be required to pay reasonable fees, not exceeding actual cost, for copies of records, mailing costs, and staff time spent in processing your request or helping you to access records.

Requesting a Record

Regular office hours on all business days are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Records may be inspected during those hours. The Kansas Board of Regents office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. We ask that you submit a written request to obtain copies of public records. No specific form is required. Please include the following information in your request:

Your name,
mailing or email address, and
specific description of the records you are requesting. (Make your request as specific as possible to expedite the process.)

Mail your request(s) to:

Gage Rohlf
Official Record Custodian
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612

Fax your request(s) to: 785.430.4233 with the subject line: Open Records Request

Email your request(s) to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line: Open Records Request

Record fees shall be charged in advance and work on the request will not commence until payment is received. Original agency records shall remain in the possession and control of an agency staff member during inspection and/or duplication.

Delayed and/or Denied Request(s)

All efforts will be made to process your request for public records as soon as it is received. However, some requests may be delayed or denied if: More information is needed in order to identify or retrieve the records; legal issues must be addressed to determine if the records may be closed or released; the requested records are archived or stored off site; or the volume of records requested is large and will take time to duplicate.

Requests may be denied in whole or in part if: The requested record does not exist, the requested record is exempt from mandatory disclosure by law, the request is unclear and more information is needed, the request “places an unreasonable burden in producing public records;” or the custodian of the records “has reason to believe that repeated requests are intended to disrupt other essential functions of the public agency.”

If the request is delayed you will receive a written explanation for the delay within three business days of the date your request was received. If your request is ultimately denied for any reason, you will also be notified of that fact within three business days or, if it takes longer to make that determination, as soon as that outcome is decided or known.

If you request records containing names and/or addresses, or other information that the law restricts in some way, you will be required to provide written and signed certification that you will not use those records for purposes prohibited or limited by state law.

Denial of a person’s inspection or copying request must be explained in writing and a written citation to the laws being relied upon must be provided if the person requests such an explanation.

Copies of radio or recording tapes or disks, video tapes or films, pictures, slides, graphics, illustrations or similar audio or visual items or devices shall not be furnished unless such items or devices were shown or played at a public meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents or other public body.

Charges and Fees

Fees shall be charged and paid by the requester in advance. These fees shall apply to the provision of access to or copying public records. Fees for copies shall not exceed the actual cost incurred by the agency, including the cost of staff time required to comply with a request. Fees for providing access to computer records shall include the cost of computer services, including staff time required. In accordance with this provision and the Kansas Open Records Act, K.S.A. 45-215 et seq., the following fees shall be charged for providing access to or furnishing copies of public records:

Staff time will be charged at the rate of pay for the person(s) whose time is used in order to assist and/or respond to a specific record request
Copies of records produced at the Board office in excess of 5 pages--$.25 per page
Copies or records produced by outside vendor-- actual cost
Mailing of Record--actual cost
Certification of record--actual cost
Additional fees; any other costs actually incurred by the agency as a result of complying with a record request may be charged to the requester

Exceptions to the Open Records Act

The Kansas Open Records Act recognizes that certain records contain private or privileged information. The Act lists several exceptions including, but not limited to:

Student Records
Personnel records of public employees
Medical treatment records
Records protected by attorney/client privilege
Records closed by the rules of evidence
Records containing personal information
Notes and preliminary drafts that have not been discussed at an open public meeting
Criminal investigation records

A list of exceptions may be found in K.S.A. 45-221, but other state and federal statutes may also restrict access to certain records. One pertinent example is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (also known as the Buckley Amendment) which protects student records. Nothing in the Open Records Act supersedes federal or state law that mandatorily closes specific types of records, such as the FERPA.

If a record is only partially exempted from disclosure, the designated record custodian shall redact the exempted materials and make available the materials that are subject to disclosure. Records that are exempt because they pertain to an identifiable individual are subject to disclosure only if the identity of the individual can be protected.

Additional Information

Additional information about the Kansas Open Records Act can be obtained here. If you have questions about the Act or the Kansas Board of Regents’ policies under it, contact John Yeary, the Kansas Board of Regents Freedom of Information Officer, at 785.430.4239 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Notice of Non-discrimination

"The Kansas Board of Regents does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy should be directed to the Board of Regents General Counsel, 1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 520, Topeka, KS 66612-1368, phone 785.430.4240 or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education."

Page 31 of 38