Fort Hays State representative urges legislative help to close funding gap for regional universities

A representative of Fort Hays State University briefed the Ellis County Commission on Oct. 1 about the university's local programs, partnerships with technical colleges, scholarship incentives for Ellis County residents and a request for legislative support to address funding disparities.

The presenter highlighted the “Ellis County Advantage,” a renewable $2,000 scholarship for county students who live on campus, and described partnerships that create pathways from two‑year technical programs into four‑year degrees. The speaker also outlined a funding analysis prepared for the Kansas Board of Regents that estimates Fort Hays would need about $46 million to reach 75% of the per‑student funding that research universities receive.

The university representative said the institution is pursuing expansion of Stroop Hall to support growth in the nursing program, launching telehealth certification for mental‑health providers and developing professional and continuing education credentials to address workforce needs. The representative thanked commissioners for prior support, including a locally funded scholarship for employees.

Commissioners asked about the Forsyth Library expansion timeline; the presenter said work is expected to be complete around March 2026. The university asked commissioners to help tell the institution's story to legislators and to consider legislative support during the 2024 session.