To the editor:

In his Oct. 3 Saturday Column, Mr. Simons discussed several topics that he believes will come up at the annual meeting of the Kansas University Endowment Association trustees to be held this coming Friday. Among the topics he raised, none could be more important than “the proper use of endowment funds.” Using those funds properly not only makes KU stronger, it strengthens the fundraising ability of the KUEA. Donors to the KUEA want to believe that their money is producing positive effects and contributing to building a better KU, a better Kansas, and a better society at large.

This is why I ask the trustees to look carefully at how Dale Seuferling, KUEA President, and his staff are using endowment funds. I would especially like them to ask him why KUEA is soliciting funds to assist the Chinese government’s global Confucius Institute program. This program, which KU joined by partnering with the Chinese government to establish a so-called KU Confucius Institute on the Edwards Campus, operates with the mission of working to improve the image of the Chinese government around the world. Is helping the Chinese government pursue this objective “the proper use of endowment funds”? Is it ethical to solicit donations to the KU Confucius Institute without disclosing that any money given simply lets the Chinese government accomplish more with less of its own funding? I hope that the trustees will find the time to ask these questions and provide the public with answers.