FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 21, 2023
Regents approve budget ask in support of initiatives helping Kansas families and businesses
Unified appropriations request will be submitted to Governor
(Topeka, Kan.) – The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) today approved a unified appropriations request for the state’s public higher education system. The request includes $147.0 million in one-time funding and $154.3 million in recurring support. The Regents focused their request on projects that prioritize student affordability and academic success and will help build a robust talent pipeline for the state, especially in high demand occupations.
"Higher education is essential to the prosperity of Kansas and its communities," said KBOR Chair Jon Rolph. "The Regents had a vigorous and productive discussion about funding priorities and developed an ask focused on the most impactful projects for Kansas families and businesses. We look forward to working with the Governor and Legislature to continue to leverage our higher education system to build a vibrant economy and quality of life in our state."
The unified appropriations request includes projects that will facilitate affordability and success across the system, including an increase in need-based student financial aid to bring Kansas up to the average of other states in the region, investment in student success and retention, and a concurrent enrollment pilot project. Workforce projects include an effort to address the state’s nursing shortage and support for community colleges and technical colleges to continue expansion of apprenticeships and business partnerships.
The Board also approved several institution- and sector-specific projects that will leverage the unique capabilities of each college and university to grow the Kansas economy. These include a $75 million one-time request that will match private gifts and a federal grant to construct a cancer research facility at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a $25 million one-time request with a private match for Kansas State University’s Ag Innovation Initiative.
Please see the Fiscal Year 2025 KBOR Unified Appropriations Request for additional details about the items included in the appropriations request.
The Regents’ strategic plan, Building a Future, guided the Board’s discussion and adoption of the appropriations request. Building a Future focuses the work of the Kansas public higher education system on helping Kansas families, supporting Kansas businesses and advancing the state’s economic prosperity.
The unified request will now be sent to the Governor’s budget office.
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at (785) 430-4237 or
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About the Kansas Board of Regents
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.