Could a recent reappointment decision on the Kansas Board of Regents be part of a political payback?
Whether or not Kansas legislators vote to approve a bond program to provide approximately $110 million to fund major research projects at the state's three largest universities, Kansans interested in the quality of higher education should be pleased to see this innovative method being proposed.
Many individuals have played important roles in devising the unique plan to help Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Kansas University remain competitive with other research universities. However, Kansas Board of Regents Chairman Clay Blair of Kansas City was instrumental and a force behind the scenes in encouraging "out-of-the-box" thinking about how to generate added dollars for badly needed research facilities. Blair, and his predecessor, Bill Docking, have been tireless in their efforts to sell Kansans on the importance of higher education and how excellence in the state's higher education system is essential if the state is to move ahead and remain competitive with other states that are investing heavily in research.
Blair is able to work closely with state legislators to try to get them enthused about the importance of higher education. He also is constantly working with university executives to try to emphasize the importance of accountability and earning the respect of those in the Legislature. Also important is his impartiality.
With Blair's record of involvement and commitment to the betterment of higher education, it is difficult to understand why Gov. Bill Graves reappointed Blair to the board of regents for only one year. The normal term on this important body is four years.
According to some reports, Graves plans to appoint former state senator Dick Bond to replace Blair. Why?
Some suggest this would serve as a pay-off from the governor for the services and support Bond offered in his Senate leadership position. Are there other reasons? There's no question that Blair had provided enthusiasm and innovation to the board. He doesn't hesitate to suggest improvements at the various schools and will question the performance of many on various state campuses. He is constantly thinking about how schools under the regents' umbrella can reach their full potential
Bond enjoyed a fine record in the Senate, but his appointment to the regents surely would bring a much heavier dose of politics onto the board. This is not good. Bond carries political and legislative baggage, some good and some not so good, and it is questionable why Graves appears to be working so hard to dump Blair at the end of his current one-year term and replace him with Bond.
It would be interesting to know the reaction of state legislators when and if this should take place and how they might view future funding requests from the regents. With Graves' term ending this year, he will not be around to see any fallout good or bad if he carries through with the replacement of the highly effective Blair.
It's not a good situation for the regents or higher education.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.