As the 16th chancellor of the University of Kansas, Robert Hemenway is the chief executive for the university, which spans the main campus in Lawrence, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, the Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kan., and its clinical branch in Wichita. He’ll take your questions on Wednesday.

Dayna38

What is your favorite building at KU and why?

justthefacts

The lawns etc. around campus are really not in as good condition as private businesses, e.g. the banks around town. There are weeds etc in almost all areas. This is the case every year, not just now (with the high heats of late).

Would it really cost the University more money to do it right? I bet you could do away with the grounds keepers and simply hire the work out to the same people taking such good care of private business’ lawns, for less money all around (if you count the benefits and workers comp. you have to pay for employees)!

And the same goes for other “in-house” work (i.e. facilities). Give the private sector some of the University’s business; I bet you’ll get a better job done, and for less money.

kujayhawk7476

Chancellor Hemenway, first of all, thanks for all you have done to make KU one of the best institutions in the country these last 10 years. BTW, I loved the song about “the Hill will bring you back”, sung at my daughter’s graduation last May.

Anyway, I am concerned about the announcement of the loss of research dollars made a week or so ago. What steps are being taken to recapture the dollars and assure something like this doesn’t happen again? The publicity has been very negative.

simplifying

Does KU have a plan for dealing with installing solar voltaics, greywater systems, use of electric service vehicles, wind power systems, thrombe walls, etc. on any of its campuses?

Kuku_Kansas

Thank you for fielding my question Chancellor Hemenway. I’m a 3-time KU graduate…Rock Chalk!

What is your favorite building on KU’s Lawrence campus?

What would be deemed your least favorite, if any, on KU’s Lawrence campus?

Here’s to another great year!

imagold

There was another “performance problem” with the enroll and pay system yesterday when hundreds of students were trying to enroll in classes. Supposedly KU was expected to receive one million hits yesterday. If we know what our volume will be, it seems we should have a system in place that can handle a bit more than what is expected. Why is KU apparently unable to have a computer system capable of handling enrollment, bill paying, checking class schedules, etc. at the same time?

dhill00

It seems to me that the response KU made to the lost research grant involving the CEBC was careless. They decided to point fingers, instead of acknowledging their mistakes and trying to make up for what had been lost. Can you explain why there has not been a bigger effort to correct the wrongs as opposed to saying nothing is wrong?

spanningtime

Chancellor Hemenway,

When is the University going to get on board with other institutions, municipalities, state and federal government, ect…and create a functioning GIS(geographic information system) which ties in maps, building infrastructure, utilities, traffic monitoring, fire safety, accurate survey planning information, and homeland security? The University of Kansas being a top rated school, you would think we would be leading the pack on this system.

j4708

In follow-up to the previous question, any comments on the recent letter to the editor that questioned the priorities of KU in regards to appealing to the NCAA for leniency while not appearing to be filing any appeal to the NSF?

Moderator

Hi folks: This is Joel Mathis and Laura Berger, moderating the chat today. Chancellor Hemenway has just joined us, and we’ll begin now. Welcome, Chancellor Hemenway.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Hello everyone. Looking forward toit.

Kansas_Supporter

Thanks for taking my question on the Bioscience Initiative. As a KU grad and KU Endowment contributor, I find it truly unfortuate to lose out to KSU in our own backyard. Please elaborate on your action plan to transition KU from a wishful dreamer to a viable candidate for benefits under the Kansas Economic Growth Act. Thanks, Stephen

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

I am notsure what you mean by “losing out.” KU competes for and wins millions of dollars to support research in the life sciences. This year we will dedicatejust under l00 million dollars in bio-science research labs. We have received funding from the bio-science authority and we will be submitting proposals to the authority in the future. We have applied for and received scores of patents and research disclosures.

j4708

It was unfortunate that the NSF review resulted in an early termination of the NSF grant. Do you believe that the newspaper was accurate in its report of these events? And, if so, do you support the cavalier attitude expressed by some of the administration in their quotes to the newspaper?

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Everyone wishes that the grant was renewed. But this is the way that science works. Scientists develop ideas and submit proposals seeking support for their ideas. The funding agencies operate on a system of peer review, so that everyone’s proposals get rigorous scrutiny. It is not uncommon for a grant to be turned down initially, or to be placed in a category of non-renewal. The scientists involved study carefully the advice generated by the peer review and move forward. The important issue on the CEBC grant is that KU scientists were competitive enough to receive the support in the first place when so few applicants are successful. They have developed patents and inventions from their initial work and they will continue to move forward.

The_Twelve

Chancellor,
In the last few years you have embraced the idea of making KU a “top 25” school in education, at least in word. Yet in your deeds, you only actively support and trumpet the monies raised for athletic programs. When will you begin to show personal support of KU students in their ACADEMIC exellence?
And in your answer–please don’t waffle about how many nationally recognized faculty members KU has. I want to know about your experiences with STUDENTS!

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

I spend a great deal oftime with students. If youwould like to take my class this semester you can register for English 322, American literature. If you would like to go with me in the nexthour you can hear me speak to thehonors program students at Spencer Museum.

Moderator

As a follow-up, a chatter named rbeco posts this question as part of a multi-part query: “EARLY this morning, U.S. News & World Report sent a KU administrators an e-mail message with an advance peek at the magazine’s annual college ranking. My questions is what impact do rankings have on your administration? Do low rankings make you assess things differently?”

moderationman

As an adult who has not finished my degree, do you forsee the day when KU will have more classes available for non-traditional students?

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

KU is ranked by many different organizations. Sometimes we are pleased and sometimes we are not. The consistent response to KU seems to be that it is an excellent university with strong undergraduate programs and a real commitment to student learning. Last year we were cited as one of the 20 best universities in the country in developing programs that gave students a sense of engagement with their university.

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Actually, KU has a number of classes for non-traditional students through its Continuing Education program. We also welcome older students to take courses in the regular curriculum. My experience is that traditional students welcome the presence of non-traditional students in regular classes.

Teapot9

Hey Chancellor Bob,

Im a student here at KU and the rising cost of books is an issue for probably every college student. I was wondering if KU ever thought about adopting a text book rental plan as opposed to buying the books and receiving your deposit back if the books are returned in the same condition they were rented in and assess fees for damaged or lost books?

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

It is a good question. I do not know if we have ever considered a rentzl plan. I would certainly have no objection to it. As a parent with two children in college right now, I share your concern about the high prices.

dhill00

How long do you forsee yourself being the Chancellor of KU?

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

I enjoy my job and I am in good health. I haven’t given too much thought to retirement. I have no intention of staying forever.

legolas1996

Chancellor Hemenway-

The NCAA has charged the athletic program with “a lack of institutional control”. Can you please define the phrase “lack of institutional control”?

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Actually, the NCAA has a seven page white paper that is meant to define “institutional control.” What the NCAA expects is for programs to follow the rules and make sure that the institution is compliant with the NCAA rule book. When we discovered that we were in violation of some of these rules we investigated our mistakes and imposed penalties upon ourselves for our shortcomings. Our visit to the NCAA enforcement staff was to discuss those matters and share our views with the committee.

fletch

The Commission on the Future of Higher Education recently released its final report. One of their more controversial recomendations is for standardized tseting to be implemented by all institutions of higher education. Do you have any thoughts on this or the report in general?

Moderator

We’ll have time for one more question after this. Lots of questions today!

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

I have followed the development of the Commission and its work. It has been somewhat controversial. I would be skeptical of a single standardized test for all ;of higher education. Higher education in the U.S. is strong because of its diversity of approach. We shouldn’t be afraid to test ourselves, but I hope we hold on to the special strengths that we identify with our particular schools.

nschmi04

Are you going to cancel class when KU wins the National Championship in BB this year? It’s a tradition, you know!

KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway

Let’s win the championship and then see where we are. If we do win I hope you will celebrate the victory.

Moderator

Thanks to the chancellor for taking questions. We had a lot of questions today — we’ll try to have him back for addition chats in the future.