University of Kansas Seeks Bonds

The University of Kansas will ask the state for $30 million of 10-year bonds to help build a $75 million facility in Kansas City when the Legislature convenes in January.

School officials said the proposed medical education building at the KU Medical Center’s main campus is needed because the current facility is too small and does not meet accreditation standards.

Steve Stites, acting executive vice chancellor at the medical center, said the new, larger building would provide room for 160 medical students, up from the current 120.

KU is competing for students with neighboring states, Stites said, most of which have new or upgraded medical education buildings. A $22 million fundraising effort for the medical education building is under way.

KU is also asking the state to release to it a $26 million refund from the federal government as part of a settlement over payroll taxes.

Gov. Sam Brownback told the Kansas Board of Regents last month to not expect a funding increase for higher education in the fiscal 2014 budget. However, Brownback said funding could be approved for some individual projects at specific campuses.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Higher education bonds Kansas
MORE FROM BOND BUYER