It would be difficult to single out any one Kansas gubernatorial appointment as the most important or the one that touches and/or impacts the most Kansans. However, a strong argument could be made for the individuals a governor appoints to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Those serving on the nine-member board oversee the state’s entire higher education system. That includes the operations of Kansas University, Kansas State University, Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University, Emporia State University and the KU Medical Center, as well as the state’s community colleges and vocational-technical schools.

Those serving as regents play a tremendously important role.

The total allocation of state tax dollars to operate these schools is somewhere between $1 billion and $2 billion. The total number of students enrolled just at the state universities probably is between 80,000 and 90,000.

Consider the number of teachers involved, their families, the families of students and thousands of others who, in one way or another, have a connection to one of the state’s universities, community colleges or vocational-technical schools.

Unfortunately, the record of past Kansas governors in appointing regents is spotty — some good and some not so good.

Years ago, when there were few restrictions on whom a governor could appoint, the overall quality of the board was good. It usually was composed of highly respected and talented individuals, people who merited the respect of state legislators and the public, as well as those serving as the chancellor and presidents of the six state universities. In those days, Kansas had a national reputation of vision and leadership in higher education.

Likewise, the state’s K-12 system was considered top-flight, and it’s safe to say that, to a significant degree, the excellence, leadership, vision and operation of the regents universities plays a role in the public’s perception of the value and importance of education at all levels.

Again, the regents have the ability, if not the responsibility, to set the educational standards for the state. For example, if the regents decide higher admission standards will be required at state universities, this has an immediate impact on academic offerings at Kansas high schools.

(As an aside, several distinguished professors at KU have told this writer they do not believe 50 percent of their current students have the necessary academic preparation to merit being students at the university.)

Regents are appointed for four-year terms and can be reappointed for a second term. Three current regents — Chairman Gary Sherrer, Jarold Boettcher and Richard Hedges — are completing their first four-year terms.

Gov. Sam Brownback has the opportunity to reappoint these members or name three new members. It is hoped he will give much thought to his choices. These appointments signal the importance the governor places on higher education. It’s as simple as that.

Will he appoint political cronies, or will he search the state for the very best? Will he appoint men and women with vision, courage and the knowledge required to carry out the important responsibilities of a regent? Names of possible appointees are starting to be floated around the state.

A former regent once told this writer, “I know things are bad (relative to a certain senior individual at a particular school), but what can we do?”

How about making a change?

The challenges facing regents are sure to be greater in the coming years. The demands made on higher education are likely to grow. Finding top-flight chancellors, presidents or deans will become more difficult but even more important.

The rules of the game in selecting regents were changed some years ago, and now, each of the state’s four congressional district must have one representative on the board. No two members of the board can reside in the same county at the time of their appointment, and no more than five members of the board can be from the same political party.

Although there is no formal written policy on this matter, there was a very strong effort some years ago to make sure the majority of board members aren’t alumni of a single state university. Some, particularly at K-State, thought KU had too many.

Regents are not paid a salary, and if they are to do a good job, they need to know what is going on at each of the schools where they are expected to provide guidance. In recent years, it has become evident they don’t know, or that they have relied on university leaders who tell them everything is great.

Some system needs to be developed so regents perform as regents, not just names on a letterhead. It’s an extremely important position that calls for, or demands, extremely able, committed and knowledgeable individuals.

It is up to the governor to demonstrate the importance he places on higher education by nominating highly qualified individuals for the three soon-to-be-open positions.