MANHATTAN — The spring semester begins next week at Kansas State University with some uncertainty as the federal government shutdown continues.
While it isn’t impacting students borrowing federal financial aid, K-State President Richard Myers, a guest on KMAN’s In Focus Monday, said it has the potential to impact research conducted at the university.
The ripple effect could be problematic if the shutdown persists for a long period of time. However, Myers says for now, the impact is minimal. In addition, the Kansas Board of Regents will continue to press the Kansas legislature to restore the $85 million in cuts made in previous years to higher education. Myers says the funding cuts have caused K-State to make some difficult decisions.
Myers says restoring those state cuts would have a positive effect on rising tuition and afford them the opportunity to be more competitive in terms of compensating its faculty and staff.
In terms of recruiting, Myers says that remains a challenge as the colleges and universities nationwide continue to face declining enrollments. With an 80 percent in-state student enrollment at Kansas State, Myers says it’s become clear moving forward that increasing recruitment efforts out of state is a priority.
Enrollment numbers for the spring semester won’t be released until next month, but Myers is not anticipating much change from the fall. Classes resume Jan. 22.
