To the editor:

The March 25 Saturday Column was mistaken in its claim that Kansas University pursued with the Legislature a $5 million funding request for the KU Cancer Center without the approval of the Kansas Board of Regents.

In our November meeting, the board formally approved a motion supporting KU’s overall plan, which has as its ultimate goal designation by the National Cancer Institute as a comprehensive cancer center. This endorsement followed a thorough presentation and discussion, in an open session attended by representatives of all regents universities as well as the public and the press.

From the start, KU has gone to great lengths to communicate its plan not only with the regents, but also with legislators, the governor and many partnering institutions. Further, throughout the legislative session, KU has consistently demonstrated effective, collaborative leadership in its advocacy on behalf of the regents universities.

The Kansas Board of Regents takes great pride in the commitment of KU and the regents system to this public health initiative that will extend state-of-the-art cancer care to generations of Kansans.

Donna L. Shank, chair,

Kansas Board of Regents,

Liberal

Editor’s note: A specific $5 million figure for the cancer center did not appear in the minutes of the regents’ November meeting or in their budget request to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.