Anonymous wrote:^ I'm the Kansas poster. Of course higher education suffers here. Everything suffers here. We endured Sam Brownback for almost 8 years and he, along with ultraconservatives in our state legislature, almost destroyed Kansas. Average citizens fought to take our state back in the 2016 elections and we are still fighting in 2018. Higher education has been cut repeatedly and intentionally. These people do not want an educated populace. Brownback has gone to work for Trump now, but he left a clone to finish out his term so our prospects are not great in the governor's office. But our legislature is more moderate and hopefully even more so after November 2018.
Having said that, The University of Kansas is still an excellent institution - at least in engineering, business, and a few other colleges within the university. The William Allen White school of journalism and mass communications is also very good.
KU makes up for higher education cuts by reducing programs, hiring less qualified faculty, raising tuition, increasing student fees, and relying on the private sector to bolster the strong engineering and business schools. For top students, KU is an excellent value and it has now restricted admission, sending lower performing KS students to other Kansas Regents universities.
KU is absolutely worth a look if the student is interested and motivated to navigate a larger state school. DH and I are both alums and we have fared well, though we have stayed here in Kansas. I cannot speak to what a student's prospects are otherwise, but students come to KU from around the world, so there must be some worth to a degree.
I came back to post because I feel it is very important for people to understand that higher education has absolutely suffered under an extremist governor and Legislature. This is a lesson for America that cannot be ignored. But it is also worthy to note that Kansans are a tough lot. We are not all ignorant rednecks and we are working hard to take back our state. It's not Harvard, but KU is the pride of the state. Frankly, I think all the cuts to hiigher education motivated many former Jayhawkers to get involved in our 2016 elections and will continue to motivate us in 2018.
I realize this is not the political forum, where I sometimes post, but it is impossible to have a fair conversation about The University of Kansas without addressing the elephant in the room, which is the Kansas economy as a result of Sam Brownback.
Anonymous wrote:PP - Question from a fellow former Jayhawk: what sandwich shop was in the space where the Oread Hotel is now? Glass Onion? I’m having trouble remembering what was where from when I was at KU decades ago!
Anonymous wrote:Kansas is completely broke these days. I would be very worried about sending my kids there given the state of their economy. Public higher ed has to suffer there.
Anonymous wrote:Kansas poster here w/DS at KU. DH & I also have KU undergrad degrees.
KU Honors Program is very good, so are Engineering and Business schools - new buildings for both, as well.
Kansas is on a slow road to recovery after Sam Brownback, but the next governor will likely be Kris Kobach, who is a million times worse. Moderates are working to take our state back in the legislature, but much depends on the August 2018 Republican Primary. If Moderates hold the line, then economic recovery in the state should continue. Higher Ed funding is abysmal, but that may improve over time - once again depending on the make up of our legislature.
KU is very greek-oriented, but there are other options for social life.
Lawrence is a fantastic college town and almost a suburb of Kansas City at this point. Jayhawk basketball speaks for itself.
I believe KU is offering in-state tuition for students with a 30 on the ACT or higher and probably some kind of GPA requirement. This is new for the coming school year so be sure to ask about it.
Overall, KU is worth a visit. My DS is happy there, very involved with many activities, and receiving a solid education at a very low cost when considering his scholarships.