Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway has picked a new liaison to the Lawrence community.

Jeff Weinberg, special assistant to Hemenway since 1995, will fill that role formerly held by Reggie Robinson.

Robinson left the university last month after he was named president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents.

“I view this as one community, not town and gown,” Weinberg said. “The university affects the entire community.”

Weinberg said gathering comments about KU’s proposed scholarship halls in the 1300 block of Ohio street would be his biggest immediate issue for KU/community relations.

Neighborhood and preservation leaders protested when KU proposed to raze several houses and apartment buildings in the block to make room for the halls. After a year of debate, the buildings were demolished last month.

Weinberg pledged to work with neighbors to gather input on the halls’ design.

“That conversation is ongoing,” he said. “I’ve already talked with many of the principals. There will be a lot of meetings on the issue.”

Weinberg came to KU in 1970 as assistant director of the Office of Student Financial Aid. In 1989, he became assistant vice chancellor for student affairs.

Hemenway said budget constraints kept him from replacing Robinson, who was the chancellor’s chief of staff. Robinson’s duties will be split among other staff members:

l Mary Burg, Hemenway’s executive assistant, will be liaison to KU athletics and coordinate the daily activities of Hemenway and other staff.

l Janet Murguia, executive vice chancellor for university relations, will be Hemenway’s liaison to the KU Alumni Association.

l Murguia and James Pottorff, general counsel, will manage the flow and analysis of policy issues through the Chancellor’s Office.