Actions earlier this week by the Kansas Senate Ways and Means Committee, which shifted funds from Kansas and Kansas State universities to other state-aided schools counter to the advice of leaders at the two universities, raise two major questions:

Do the thoughts or plans of the chancellor, president, provosts and deans really mean anything or carry any weight with state legislators?

Do state legislators, as a group and particularly several in leadership positions, have a sound understanding of the importance of excellence from K-12 through higher education and what it takes to achieve that excellence?

There are bound to be serious debates and differences of opinion relative to the proper level of funding for education, but here in Kansas, this debate seems to be an annual, almost year-round exercise.

The level or availability of money, state tax funds, plays a significant role in this debate, but taking money out of the debate, there seems to be an even more powerful element in the overall public education conversation.

Have any recent chancellors, presidents, governors or members of the Kansas Board of Regents delivered powerful, effective and meaningful messages about the importance of education? Has the state had any truly effective, highly respected individuals speaking out for education?

This question could be asked relative to the entire nation. Where are the education and academic leaders such as the late Father Theodore Hesburgh of Notre Dame or the late Clark Kerr, president of the University of California? These men, and a few others like them, merited and commanded the respect of national leaders, state lawmakers and the public.

Who is there in Kansas today who state legislators pay attention to when it comes to their ideas about education? There are individuals who, by the titles they carry, are supposed to be listened to and respected, but do they really carry any weight?

The late Franklin Murphy made a tremendous impact at KU, in the state and throughout the country and former Kansas State President Jon Wefald did an amazing job in turning around that school. But where are such leaders today?

Father Hesburgh not only turned around Notre Dame but he also was a true national figure. He was engaged in national affairs and held 16 presidential appointments that involved him in major social issues such as civil rights, atomic energy, campus unrest, challenges arising out of the war, Third World development, immigration reform and many other difficult issues.

He was called to Washington on numerous occasions to offer advice about academic affairs.

The same can be said for Kerr because both leaders had courage and high public profiles and were willing to take risks. They were men of action, not merely words and they were strong enough to take the sure-to-come criticism and attacks spurred by their stands on various issues.

Kerr is quoted as saying, “The university is not engaged in making ideas safe for students. It is engaged in making students safe for ideas. Thus it permits the freest expression of views before students, trusting to their good sense in passing judgment on these views. Only in this way can it best serve American democracy.”

In a much lighter vein, and perhaps later in his career, he also said, “The chancellor’s job had come to be defined as providing parking for the faculty, sex for the students and athletics for the alumni.”

Maybe Kansas cannot attract a Kerr or Hesburgh, but why not try? What are the goals of Gov. Brownback or the regents, who the governor appoints, relative to higher education? Why can’t Kansas become a national leader in its support of education — K-12 and higher education? Is there any reason Kansas should be comfortable or accepting of anything less than excellence at all levels of public education?

Should funding levels be based on the personal likes or dislikes of a legislator rather than on what’s best for the state and students?

Progress in all of these matters is going to require strong, highly respected chancellors and presidents, visionary regents (sound appointments by the governor) and state legislators who understand and support the necessity of a superior public education system.

Unfortunately, selfishness and jealousy among the state universities has created a split, fractured impression about higher education with the general public, alumni of the schools and state legislators.

There is not the respect and cooperation among the state universities that existed years ago. There is not a united message about education. And there is no powerful, respected voice for education.

In today’s environment, accepting “average” is not going to get the job done.

Neither will accepting average people in important positions get the job done. Kansas deserves and needs the best!