To the editor:

Earlier this year I sought to obtain a copy of my KU transcripts for another school. I had assumed that in this very digital age, such a transaction would proceed efficiently. Secure information transfers are routinely done by banks and other businesses. How surprising, then, to encounter the 19th century quaintness of the requirement to present myself in Strong Hall, provide identification and a cash payment there. It was as if I were commissioning a mule team to transfer the documents.

It would have seemed logical for the institution claiming a pre-eminent role in the intellectual affairs of this state to manage such requests at the cutting edge of technology and efficiency. What sort of example does this provide for students seeking degrees in related areas of business and technology? And how does this reflect on faculty and administration purported to guide Kansas to the summit in these arenas?

It is sadly appropriate that the transcript request was for a community college offering the state’s only credible continuing education in wind energy technology. It is well documented that community colleges have matured into a role providing timely and appropriate course work that the university system either cannot or will not provide.

I used to laugh about the “Snob Hill” designation for KU so often heard as I grew up. It seemed the product of jealousy. How sad for my former pride in my KU degrees to transform into sheepish embarrassment at this failure in such a basic area.