Letters to lawmakers urged for education

Topeka The Board of Regents is planning to recruit faculty, students, staff and alumni from the state’s higher educational institutions for a letter-writing campaign to state legislators.

Dick Carter, regents’ director of external relations, said Thursday the letters would tell legislators that writers support higher taxes for state colleges and universities. He suggested the letters arrive in mid-April, before the Legislature reconvenes its wrap-up session. Regent Lew Ferguson of Topeka said letters should be personalized, not form letters.

Fort Hays faculty gets contract approval

Topeka For the first time, the Kansas Board of Regents has approved a collectively bargained contract for faculty members at a state university.

Regents on Thursday OK’d a contract with faculty at Fort Hays State University, the state’s only unionized university faculty. FHSU faculty began contract negotiations with the local chapter of the American Association of University Presidents in 2000.

The contract ratified by members Tuesday awaits state approval. The 3.2 percent increase is funded by the 2001 Legislature.