Sebelius announces plan to improve Kansas’ universities
Foundations for the Future to enhance universities’ ability to carry out academic mission

Following up on a pledge made during her State of the State address, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled her proposal for improving the state’s universities by addressing the mounting deferred maintenance crisis.

Her multi-year plan, called Foundations for the Future, would provide $575 million for repairs and upkeep, with the focus being on facilities that enhance the academic mission of our state’s universities.  It also calls for new accountability measures to prevent future maintenance backlogs, and can be accomplished without a tax increase.

“Our state depends on its universities to educate the Kansans who will one day lead this state, and whose skills will attract employers to Kansas.  We must make sure our universities are able to attract the best and the brightest, and that they are able to carry out their academic mission,” said Sebelius.

Foundations for the Future has four elements:

• Restoring the Crumbling Classrooms initiative by using growing state revenues to pay off bonds five years ahead of schedule.  This would free up $15 million per year, which would double the amount available for repairs from this initiative.
• Providing $300 million to Regents universities over six years for repairs to campus facilities.  Funds would be derived from a surcharge on Kansas Turnpike tolls.  This would be implemented over seven years and would not exceed five percent a year ensuring tolls remain well within the national average.
• Making $200 million in low-interest revolving loans available from the Pooled Money Investment Board.  Regents universities would be responsible for repaying these loans over time.
• Requiring new accountability measures for all future facilities.  All newly-acquired buildings would be required to have a maintenance endowment, with the state being responsible for endowing facilities acquired with state appropriations, and the universities being responsible for endowing facilities acquired with donations, grants or other resources.

“This plan is responsible and focused, and it allows us to enhance the academic mission of our universities now and in the future,” said Sebelius.  “I look forward to working with legislators, Regents and Kansans on implementing this plan so we can create a brighter future for our students and for our entire state.”

Attachments:
Foundations for the Future Background (pdf)
Questions on Foundations for the Future (pdf)

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