Statehouse Live: Kansas higher ed officials hoping to retain remaining 10 in Big 12

? Kansas higher education officials on Monday contacted their counterparts in Oklahoma and Texas urging them to stay in the Big 12.

“A 10 institution Big 12 Conference appears to be a win-win for all involved,” said Kansas Board of Regents Chair Jill Docking of Wichita. “Our universities, students, alumni, and state would all benefit from K-State’s and KU’s continued affiliation in a Big 12 consisting of the 10 remaining universities,” she said.

“A 10-institution Big 12 would an extremely bright future,” she said. Last week, Colorado and Nebraska said they were leaving for the Pac-10 and Big Ten, respectively.

The regents sent the letter to higher education officials at Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.