[Higher_ed_members] Kan-ed Funding UPDATE!!

[Christina Madden]

Dear Kan-ed Membership:
 
I wanted to quickly touch base with you, again, about Kan-ed funding. 
As you may know, the House and Senate have agreed to fund Kan-ed at $7.5
million next fiscal year (July 1, 2008), and the legislation that
contains this funding is currently awaiting the Governor’s approval. 
This funding represents a 25% budget cut to the Kan-ed program. 
Legislators have agreed to consider adding another $2.5 million to the
Kan-ed budget during the Omnibus or wrap-up session, which begins on
April 30.  The Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations Committees
will start meeting next week to start discussing "end of session" budget
considerations.  
 
If Kan-ed funding is reduced by 25%, Kan-ed would have to make
"draconian" cuts to our programs and services.  A 25% percent budget cut
would have dramatic and unfortunate consequences across the Kan-ed
program.  In an attempt to develop a budget based on a worst case
scenario, Kan-ed would have no choice but to look at the following types
of cuts in programs and services.  Kan-ed would have to eliminate our
Enhancing Technology Grant Program (no technology grants for video
equipment), scale back on network operation center services, eliminate
Regents core network support, eliminate one FTE, eliminate Internet2
sponsorship, eliminate conference sponsorships, reduce database funding
by 50%, reduce funding for EMResource for hospitals by 50%, re-evaluate
our contract for program evaluation services, cut back on the
implementation of the new network and connecting new members, and reduce
funding/services offered on the Kan-ed Empowered Desktop or charge a fee
for access to the Kan-ed Empowered Desktop.  
 
Simply put, these are just a few of the major cuts that we would be
forced to make should Legislators choose not to adequately fund Kan-ed. 
It is important to note that Kan-ed has not requested any enhancements
in funding to our $10 million base budget since Kan-ed was first funded
in January of 2003.
 
As we move towards the conclusion of this fast-paced and important
legislative process, I ask that you reach out to your local legislators
and urge them to fully fund Kan-ed at $10 million in fiscal year 2009. 
Between now and April 30, I would urge you to contact your legislators
at their homes to remind them of how important Kan-ed funding is to you
and your institution.  If you don't know who your legislators are, you
can find this information at the following link:
 
http://www.kslegislature.org/legsrv-legisportal/redistricting.do 
 
Of course, please don’t hesitate to share this message with
individuals who you think would help support Kan-ed and maintain our
base budget funding at $10 million per year.  Again, thank you for all
your support.  I look forward to working with you as we continue to move
the Kan-ed network forward.  
 
Take care,
 
Brad
Bradley S. Williams, M.S.

Chief Information Officer
Kan-ed Executive Director
Kansas Board of Regents
T:  (785)-296-8729



Chrisy Madden
Membership Services Coordinator
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka KS  66612
785-296-2238
www.kan-ed.org