Emporia State says cyber program rollout lagged and will surrender FY26 reappropriations; unveils donor‑funded nursing building

An Emporia State University representative acknowledged to the Higher Education Subcommittee that the institution had difficulty putting federal and state cybersecurity appropriations to work because the program was not yet approved and ready to enroll students. The representative said FY26 funds for the cybersecurity program and a teacher pipeline initiative were reappropriated and largely unspent; the university will not contest the special budget committee’s decision to lapse those funds and intends to present a concrete plan should the legislature restore funding.

“We admit that we didn't have plans in place that were effective, and now we are planning for the next year's appropriation to have those plans in effect and to make sure that that money is spent reasonably and well,” the Emporia State speaker said.

The Emporia State presenter also described an institutional turnaround: after program reviews and reductions in prior years the university eliminated a reported $19 million deficit and has been working to right‑size academic offerings and facilities. The campus opened a new Nursing and Student Wellness Building that the presenter said cost about $22 million and was paid for without state general fund dollars or bonding, attributed instead to private donations and large gifts; the governor and House speaker attended the ribboning event, the university noted.

Legislators pressed for details about demolition plans, the scale of deferred‑maintenance reductions and Moody’s rating changes; the Emporia State representative said demolition/renovation work and private fundraising remain priorities and committed to follow‑up on specific financial metrics. The committee recorded no formal motions or votes on these matters.