KBOR > News > 2003 > Release

April 18, 2003

Statement by the Kansas Board of Regents regarding legislative action on course content

TOPEKA - On April 17, 2003, the Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved the following statement regarding legislative action as it relates to course content on university campuses:

Recent legislative action has focused attention on the content of courses offered at our state universities – in particular, the content of a human sexuality course offered at the University of Kansas.

We believe that decisions regarding curriculum, particular course content, and other academic matters are best addressed by the policies established by the Kansas Board of
Regents.

The Board has in place a policy that requires each of its campuses to provide mechanisms through which complaints can be investigated and action taken to address legitimate concerns. Each of the universities has such mechanisms in place. Regrettably, the complaint that prompted this legislative action was not submitted to that process prior to that action.

The Board is confident that current policies, which seek to resolve these issues at the institutional level, are sufficient to respond to concerns that may arise regarding these matters.

Given the existence of such policies, we believe the amendment to the Board of Regents state general fund appropriation that seeks to dictate university course content is unwarranted.

We therefore urge Governor Sebelius to exercise her line item veto authority and strike the university course content proviso that has been included in the recently enacted appropriations bill.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dick Carter, Jr.
Director for External Relations
785-296-1486

February 11, 2004 12:31 PM