Your daily dose of news, notes and links from around Kansas University.

• KU’s ongoing capital campaign continues to chug along, even though it hasn’t really officially begun.

I’ve heard more than one person at KU call this the “loud silent phase” of the campaign.

And here’s this week’s example of activity on that front.

A letter from KU’s political science department asks potential donors to help contribute to fund the Washington, D.C. Internship program.

The university is looking for $250,000 to continue the 27-year-old program that has sent more than 500 students to full-time spring internships in Washington.

The potential donors got a letter from political dignitaries like Bob Dole, Dan Glickman, Bill Graves, Stephene and Dennis Moore, Mark Parkinson, Jim and Linda Slattery and Todd Tiahrt.

“Today, we ask you to consider supporting the Washington, D.C., Internship Program,” the letter says. “A permanent endowment will ensure the longevity of this essential program and provide the annual support that will enable the department to continue inspiring Kansas students for decades to come.”

There’s even an easy way to contribute online.

I’m still waiting to hear a number of different things about the campaign — one of which is the goal they hope to reach. Namely, will we be undertaking the first billion-dollar campaign in school history? Time will tell…

• KU has the power now to grant honorary degrees after getting the blessing of the Kansas Board of Regents back in June 2010.

And now, they’re looking for folks who might deserve a few of them.

Beginning in May 2012, KU will award four honorary degrees — in the fields of science, laws, letters and the arts.

A committee will accept nominations from the university community until August, the committee will forward the recommendations to Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little, who will submit nominations to the Kansas Board of Regents, with the plan to award honorary degrees at commencement.

It’s an interesting idea, and I’ll be trying to learn more about it in the coming days, so stay tuned for more information.

• Here’s an opportunity to help with a story I’m working on detailing the realities of KU budget cuts.

I’ve been asking a number of folks from around the university what it’s like to do more with less, and I’m hearing some good responses.

Three years with no salary increases haven’t made many folks happy, and the cuts are being felt all over.

But I’m curious — how have KU budget cuts affected your life? Let me know…

• Even when the summer days stretch out to their longest, Heard on the Hill is still here. That means I need your tips. Keep sending them to ahyland@ljworld.com.