_Higher education reporter Mark Vierthaler is in Wichita at the annual Board of Regents retreat. He’ll be posting updates throughout the day._3:20 p.m. updateWICHITA – Duane Goossen, Kansas budget director, helped clear up some of the confusion about the requested budget cuts.The state asked universities to offer proposals including a 2 percent cut this year and a 5 percent cut next year. There are, however, no firm plans to impose those cuts.Funding for the regents comes out of the state’s general fund, which also funds K-12 education, medicaid and other programs. Goossen said the state can’t cut K-12 or medicaid – almost two-thirds of general fund expenditures.That’s why higher education could take a hit. Goossen said it would be impossible to make up the anticipated shortfall through cuts alone, requiring the state to look for ways to boosting revenue.Although he stopped just short of saying this year’s 2 percent cut would happen for regents universities, Goossen did say cuts to cabinet-level agencies were extremely likely. Goossen said nothing was guaranteed for the next budget year.”We’re just asking them to prepare in case this happens,” he said. “It doesn’t mean (the cuts) will happen.”Community colleges talked a bit about their plans, saying staffing would most likely be hit. Universities are up next after the break.12:45 p.m. updateWICHITA – Take a guess what the topic of discussion over lunch was? The Amethyst Initiative, of course.As we reported today, KU declined to sign on to the petition requesting a discussion on lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.The subject was on the tip of everyone’s tongues, however, talking about the pros and cons of lowering the drinking age. No one in Kansas had signed the position last time I checked – tough Avila University in nearby KCMO has.Budget talks will start at 1 p.m. with community and technical colleges speaking first.11:30 a.m. updateWICHITA – The state will use a recent grant to study the best way to move adults who have received their GED into post-secondary education. Regents President Reggie Robinson said the need for adult learners in Kansas was an important issue for the regents to look at.According to a study done by Adult Learning in Focus, 1,120,219 working-age adults (18-64) in Kansas have not completed college. Of those, 448,306 have completed some college but don’t have a degree.”This is a pool ripe to be developed,” Robinson said.10:15 a.m. updateWICHITA – Regents members are tackling questions that could be used to create a public agenda for higher education.Questions include: ¢ Are we satisfied that high school graduation expectations are aligned with college preparation expectations? ¢ Are we satisfied with the level of participation in the Kansas higher education system? ¢ Are college retention and completion rates satisfactory? ¢ Do individuals that complete academic programs possess the skills necessary for future success in work and life? ¢ Are the programs, resources and incentives of higher education aligned with the workforce demands of Kansas?The regents are examining data collected on everything from Kansas high school graduates going directly to college to retention rates and using this to inform what issues are facing Kansas.Work began on the questions last year. Even now, however, the regents are debating how long it will take before they officially recognize these issues as part of a final strategic plan.Regent Christine Downey-Schmidt said she didn’t see any way the board could look at these questions in-depth without spending up to a year on each one. Regent Jerry Boettcher said he would be fine with setting the goals, then telling the universities to meet them.The board will take a closer look at the first question in September.”This is harder than it may seem,” Regents CEO Reggie Robinson said. “Don’t underestimate what this is. It’s not easy.”WICHITA – The regents technically started their meeting last night, but chairwoman Donna Shank said it was mainly cocktails and discussion of the upcoming agenda.A brief rundown on what’s happening today:¢ Regents will talk a little bit about upcoming issues facing higher education in Kansas. President and CEO Reggie Robinson said it was more setting the table for future discussions and no real decisions would be made. A big piece of the discussion will be the recently-passed Higher Education Act.¢ How to handle tuition prices and deferred maintenance issues, especially in tough economic times, will also find a place in the board’s discussion this year.¢ Proposed budget cuts are on the table as well. Regent’s universities – Kansas University among them – will give their proposals to the board for consideration. This is the big issue.On another note, Regent Gary Sherrer who heads up the qualified admissions task force, told me the task force’s meetings with university leaders have been promising. Although he said there weren’t going to be any earth-shattering recommendations, some sizable suggestions will be made.