“The truth of the matter is, the governor likes Kansas University better than she likes Kansas State University.”

This statement, made recently by a person interested in KU, may or may not be true, but it nonetheless raises an interesting point.

Competition among colleges and universities is intense, particularly among schools within a given state. In Kansas, for example, loyal alumni and supporters of KU, KSU and Wichita State University all want to tout the strengths of their respective schools and point with pride to the accomplishments of those associated with those schools.

Each school has particular strengths, and it is wrong to think one school is better than another. One university might have more departments or schools or more of this or that, but each university is good. Why can’t everyone win the ranking or “like” game?

Why shouldn’t the governor “like” every Kansas college or university? Why do partisans like to suggest or claim she likes one school better than another? Shouldn’t the governor be a strong fan and advocate for all of the state’s institutions of higher learning? Why can’t every school be a “winner” in its own respect and in the service it provides to a particular segment of the state’s population? Why force individuals to choose sides?

The point of bringing up this matter is that although competition and pride is great, why is it that people seem to enjoy putting down or belittling peers or competitors in a given field, such as universities within Kansas?

KU, KSU and WSU all are good schools. Each has particular strengths that rank high in national surveys. Kansans should be proud and supportive of all Kansas Board of Regents universities and recognize their particular contributions to the state’s higher education system. One institution may be more comprehensive, but that does not automatically make it a “better” school.

It’s highly doubtful that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius ever has told anyone, at least in public, that she likes one state university better than another. She might find one school or one administrator more cooperative, more helpful or more visionary. However, this shouldn’t be looked upon as the governor liking one school better than another even though some highly partisan alumni, faculty member or administrator would like to make such a statement to boost his or her own ego and try to downgrade a competitive institution.