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Committee approves 2.5% operations cut for major universities and adds DEI proviso requiring SFC certification
Summary
The committee approved a $3 million (2.5%) reduction to operations accounts for KSU, KU and WSU, added reporting and administrative reductions for universities, restricted additional one‑year improvement plans for tenured faculty, and approved language holding portions of university funds pending State Finance Council certifications related to DEI/DEICRT.
The House Committee on Higher Education Budget voted to delete $3,000,000 SGF to achieve a 2.5% reduction in the operations accounts of Kansas State University (KSU), University of Kansas (KU) and Wichita State University (WSU) for FY2027. Chair described the motion plainly as “to cut money,” and several members discussed historical funding trends and the committee’s larger budget targets.
Separately, the committee approved language directing KBOR to submit a report on restructuring and reallocation at universities that shows a 10% reduction in administrative leadership expenditures (excluding faculty and support staff). The motion also limits tenure‑related improvement plans by removing the option for an additional one‑year plan for tenured faculty in FY2027 and prohibits tuition increases for academic year 2026‑27 above the prior year’s amount. The reviser (Jill, Speaker 10) clarified the KBOR policy baseline and said the proviso shortens the current 24‑month review timeline.
The committee additionally adopted a proviso that would hold $2,000,000 from each of the state’s 'big six' universities’ operating accounts and appropriate $12,000,000 to the State Finance Council (SFC) for certification related to DEICRT (diversity/equity/inclusion/critical race theory). Jill told members subsection b of the language applies to all state agencies and that the SFC certification would be presented at an in‑person meeting with the secretary of administration and KBOR CEO responding to questions. The motion passed by voice vote; several members requested to be recorded in the negative.
