Minutes after graduation Sunday, members of Kansas University’s Class of 2007 will become KU alumni.

That designation comes with responsibility.

As most graduates will attest, college years go far faster than students can believe and all of a sudden graduates are faced with a myriad of new challenges.

Before they walk away from the campus, the graduating men and women will be receiving much advice, from commencement speakers and others, about what the future holds, their role in trying to make this a better world and many other noble-sounding goals.

There is every reason for these new alumni to be more interested in securing a job and managing financial debts.

At commencement they will be told to remember the sacrifices made by their parents to provide them a college education while others will remember how they held one, two or three jobs in order to scrape up the funds to pay their own way through school. It is understandable why there are so many tears at a college graduation shed by family members, the graduates themselves and others.

Most all of the advice and challenges presented by deans, chancellors and others is well-intended and makes sense.

This writer would like to offer one more suggestion.

Obviously, address more immediate challenges and opportunities and hopefully settle into a rewarding and stimulating lifestyle. At some time, however, take an interest in the health of your university. Don’t think the school is an institution that will rock along fairly well, with some ups and downs from time to time.

There is no room for complacency relative to KU or to think there is some kind of an automatic pilot device to keep the school operating on an even keel.

KU alumni need to pay attention to what is happening on Mount Oread. Graduates have invested time and money in the school and they should want it to become an even greater institution rather than allowing complacency and arrogance to bring about a weaker and less respected institution.

KU alumni need to take more of an interest in how the school is being run, its role in Kansas, its reputation, its leadership, its use of money – both state and private – and what degree of respect it enjoys among state legislators.

They must also pay attention to whether the school is engaged in an effective student recruitment program, the role of the Kansas Board of Regents and whether these men and women measure up to their responsibilities. They must monitor the governor’s support of higher education and the school’s ability to recruit and retain top-flight faculty members and researchers.

The quality of the university’s leadership is critical. There must be vision and courage and the ability to inspire. Nothing is guaranteed in the intense competition among colleges and universities, and just because KU may have had a proud record in past years is no guarantee this will always be the case.

KU alumni and friends cannot be gullible about the growth and success of their school. Kansas taxpayers are the stockholders in the university and they should demand superior leadership and direction of this giant “company.”

Why shouldn’t the same principles apply to a college or university that apply to a business or corporation where stockholders have every right and responsibility to demand superior leadership and vision?

KU is a good university with so many talented faculty members and researchers, but many seem to lack the freedom or stimulation to blossom into their full potential. Few schools enjoy the love, interest and support of their alumni. The future could be bright.

Congratulations to those who will be walking down KU’s Campanile Hill and their parents. Best wishes for the future and please don’t forget to pay attention to the overall health and future of your university.