Kansas lawmakers got an eye-opening look last week at the potential for research at state universities.
Last week's program in Manhattan where approximately 120 Kansas legislators gathered to listen to presentations by representatives of Wichita State University, Kansas State University and Kansas University was a big success.
The purpose of the event was to provide a venue in which Kansas lawmakers could hear officials from the state's research universities explain the importance of research to the state and its people.
The universities have faculty members who are skilled and nationally recognized in many disciplines. Faculty members at these Kansas schools measure up to the best of many other universities throughout the country, men and women who have the credentials to attract large, important research projects.
However, those granting the highly prized research projects, and the dollars accompanying such programs, are not likely to approve such projects unless WSU, KSU and KU have the facilities to carry out the sophisticated research.
The Thursday meeting at KSU provided an ideal opportunity for faculty members and administrators to tell the lawmakers about specific projects that would be good for the state and the universities.
An important aspect of the all-day session was that each project outlined by the researchers was a practical, much-needed program. WSU presenters told about their leadership in studying how to minimize the danger of ice accumulation on aircraft, how to strengthen passenger seats on aircraft and their ability and opportunity to study the materials that will be used in Boeing's proposed new supersonic passenger aircraft.
KSU representatives talked about bioterrorism and how deadly diseases could be introduced into various areas of American agriculture. One example is foot and mouth disease, which, if detected in a feedlot, can result in the need to immediately slaughter tens of thousands of cattle. Consider the effect on the Kansas economy. There were other examples of bioterrorism where diseases such as wheat stem rust, rice blast, pathogenic plant fungi and karnal bunt could cause massive losses.
The KU case focused on research projects at the KU Medical Center and on the Lawrence campus, where significant progress is being made in studies of the causes and prevention of strokes and migraine headaches. KU researchers also are looking at aging and the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
All the presentations were clear and easy to understand. Everyone in the audience could relate to some facet of each report. They might have an aging family member or know someone who had suffered a stroke. They may have flown on an airplane when they were worried about the effects of ice on the wings or feared the possible consequences of diseases that could enter the state's agricultural scene.
Each university needs more space to conduct new, exciting research. Figures were presented illustrating the pay-off of research to the state, to the universities and to the general public, both in terms of dollars and cents and in employment. Nearby states are committing huge financial support for new research facilities at state universities.
Sen. Pat Roberts hammered home the importance of research and economic development. He acknowledged the tight fiscal environment in Kansas, as well as in most other states, but urged Kansas lawmakers to study new, innovative ways for Kansas to help finance badly needed research facilities.
It is not known how legislators will respond to the appeals, but there's no question that university representatives did a first-class job in their presentations.
Those organizing the gathering are to be thanked and congratulated. It is hoped a sufficient number of lawmakers will have the vision and courage to realize the importance of research and find ways to provide the money that will allow Kansas to move into a position of world leadership in research.
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