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The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service

  
Vol. 11, No. 20  March 29, 2005


IN THIS ISSUE...

...Word from the Associate Director - Extension and Applied Research
...Status of Faculty Positions
...Ray Weil to Deliver Roscoe Ellis, Jr. Soil Science Lecture
...Third Annual Diversity Summit
...Publications Reminder
...Moving Ahead: Preparing the Youth Development Professional Training
...Thank You!
...Riley County Accepting Bids on Vehicle
...Southwest Area Photo Judging Contest
...4-H Marketing Resources
...2005 Agricultural Credit Conference
...K-12 Teacher Graduate Courses Summer 2005
...Master Schedule

...Tuesday Letter Archives



WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH

Following is a letter from Fred that went out to some of our key advocate groups across the state last Thursday afternoon via e-mail. We want you to be aware of this situation that may be developing through the legislative process. We called on our advocates to make contact and provide information to their legislators on our behalf. It is not, and cannot be our responsibility to make that direct contact. Obviously, if a legislator contacts you, you should and must provide the best quality answers to that legislator'
s questions. We must not, however, initiate such contact. Our advocates outside the system must do that on our behalf. If you wish to share this letter with local leaders, you are welcome to do so.  Just remember that you are not to send e-mails or communication on this matter to legislators.

The joint legislative conference committee, as indicated in Fred's letter, is currently meeting and we expect to know the outcome of that compromise on appropriations later in the week. --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@oznet.ksu.edu

----------------------------------------

DATE: March 23, 2005
TO: Supporters of K-State Research and Extension
FROM: Fred A. Cholick, Dean and Director
RE: State Budget

As a supporter of K-State Research and Extension, I would like to ask for your help and support. Via this e-mail, I am asking you to assist us by being an advocate for the system. The system I refer to is Kansas State University, K-State Research and Extension, and Kansas Higher Education in general.

Below is a synopsis of House Bill 2482 and documentation of the impact of the budget bill on Kansas State University and ESARP (ESARP is the statutory language for K-State Research and Extension).

The House Appropriations Committee as a whole passed HB2482, which included:

  • A state university block grant increase of $18 million

  • SB 345 funding of $8.9 million, of which state universities received $3.3 million for faculty salary enhancements

  • Removal of $13.0 million from the state universities' budgets for the 27th pay period funding

  • Cuts of $23.6 million from the individual universities' State General Fund appropriations, which included an $8.8 million reduction to remove 9 months of the 2.5% pay plan (i.e. the House passed a 2.5% pay plan effective in March 2006)

  • Cuts of $13 million from the universities' State General Fund base funding.

  • The impacts specifically on K-State are that the reduction of State General Fund monies:

  • for main campus would be over $4.9 million,

  • for ESARP is $2.2 million, and

  • for the College of Veterinary Medicine is a little over $0.5 million.

  • In addition, there is a reduction in support for the salary policy and for benefits.

  • The Senate Ways and Means Committee as a whole passed its funding bill for Higher Education, Kansas State University, K-State Research and Extension, and the College of Veterinary Medicine and this bill does not contain the reductions that were passed by the House.

    Via this e-mail, I am requesting a call for action. I would ask that you visit with your Representatives and indicate the negative impact the House bill would have on Higher Education, Kansas State University, K-State Research and Extension, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Likewise, I would request that you visit with state Senators indicating support for their budget bill for K-State Research and Extension, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, and all of Higher Education.

    You can reach any Representative or Senator by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking the operator to transfer your call. That number is: 785-296-0111.

    Or, you can e-mail Representatives and Senators.
    Senate e-mails are: (senator's last name)@senate.state.ks.us.
    House e-mails are: (representative's last name)@house.state.ks.us.

    Talking points would be:

  • You cannot support HB2482.

  • The HB2482 reductions for Kansas State University Main Campus (teaching) would be extremely detrimental but campus has the option of increasing tuition to offset this funding loss. However, it does create a question of how Higher Education will be affordable to students in the state of Kansas.

  • K-State Research and Extension and the non-teaching divisions of the College of Veterinary Medicine do not have the option of increasing tuition and, therefore, this HB2482 funding loss would result in cuts in personnel and/or the elimination of programs.

  • Finally, as the Kansas Legislature completes its process, this is extremely time sensitive. It is very important that you contact your legislators this week or weekend, even though this is Easter weekend because the conference committee plans to meet early next week.

    As you receive feedback from your legislators, please share it with me in a brief e-mail note to fcholick@ksu.edu . I really would appreciate knowing their reactions.

    Thank you for your support of Higher Education, Kansas State University, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and K-State Research and Extension.

     

    STATUS OF FACULTY POSITIONS
    To check the status of faculty positions that are currently in the search process, see the K-State Research and Extension Job Opportunities website at http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/main/jobs.asp . Click on "Employment Status of KSRE Faculty Positions." Search committee chairs - contact Dorothy Ireland in the Extension Operations Office at direland@oznet.ksu.edu or 532-5787 to keep the information updated. --Stacey M. Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

     

    RAY WEIL TO DELIVER ROSCOE ELLIS, JR. SOIL SCIENCE LECTURE
    "Want Amidst Waste: Agroecosystems in Ethiopian Highland Landscapes" is the title of the 2005 Ellis Lecture.  Dr. Ray R. Weil is Professor of Soil Science in the Department of Natural Resource Sciences and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland.  The lecture, sponsored by the Department of Agronomy, is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, in 1014 Throckmorton Hall.  Refreshments will be served at 3:30 p.m.  For more information, contact Gerard Kluitenberg, Department of Agronomy, 532-7215, or gjk@ksu.edu .

    Dr. Weil will also present a technical seminar entitled "Can a Routine Labile C Test Predict Soil Functional Response to Management?"  This seminar is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 31, in 2002 Throckmorton Hall. --Gerard Kluitenberg

     

    THIRD ANNUAL DIVERSITY SUMMIT
    By now, you should have received an e-mail which invites you to the Third Annual Diversity Summit scheduled for Friday, April 1, in the Ballroom of the K-State Student Union. This year’s Summit will focus on skills-building to advance diversity at Kansas State University. Toward that end, the Summit will offer three professional development workshops: “Learning How to Talk About Race,” “Best Practices in Departmental Efforts to Retain Females and Students of Color,” and “K-State Multicultural Students Speak: What We Want You to Know About Us.” For convenience, each workshop is described in the paragraphs that follow. The agenda for the Summit can be found at: http://www.ksu.edu/ddcd/Agenda.htm .

    We have heard from a number of you and we thank you for your prompt response. However, we have not heard from many others. The answers to some frequently asked questions are:

    1. You can come for part of the Summit and not others.
    2. You can have a vegetarian option for lunch.
    3. The price of the Summit includes a continental breakfast and lunch buffet.

    Please R.S.V.P. your attendance by calling the Office of Diversity at 785-532-6276 or by filling out and returning the registration form which can be found at: http://www.ksu.edu/ddcd/Registration.htm . I hope you will be able to join us for the Third Annual Diversity Summit. --Zelia Wiley Holloway zwh@ksu.edu

     

    PUBLICATIONS REMINDER
    Order forms are due April 1 for CCS materials, June publications and 3rd Quarter publications. An order postmarked, e-mailed, faxed or phoned in will be considered a pre-order if completed by April 1 and designated as a pre-order. (Include that information in the e-mail, online order or mention in the phone call to receive pre-order priority service. Otherwise, regular orders are filled after pre-orders.)

    It is essential that pre-orders for CCS materials be completed by the April 1 deadline, since this discounted pre-printing offer occurs just once each year. We must order these publications from the printer, so we may not be able to fill orders received late. Orders placed at a later time will not qualify for the annual discount. If the Distribution Center stock is exhausted, your office will be directed to order from either National 4-H or directly from the publisher at a higher cost. --Nancy Zimmerli nancyz@ksu.edu

     

    MOVING AHEAD: PREPARING THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
    We invite you to attend the "Moving Ahead: Preparing the Youth Development Professional" training set for April 26 - 28, at Rock Spring 4-H Center.

    Moving Ahead is designed to provide the basic principles and practices of youth development.

    The course will start at 9:15 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26, and end at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Registration cost is $275 and will include all materials, meals, breaks and lodging. Deadline to register is April 1.

    Registration brochure is available at http://4-h.k-state.edu/Agents/MoAd05broch.pdf on the state 4-H website. Contact Diane Mack at: dmack@oznet.ksu.edu for more information. --Diane Mack, Beth Hinshaw, Rod Buchele, Elaine Johannes

     

    THANK YOU!
    Thank you to everyone who sent letters, e-mails, and care packages while I was away. Your communications and gifts were greatly appreciated and helped pass the time while in Iraq. THANK YOU! --Doug Musick dmusick@oznet.ksu.edu

     

    RILEY COUNTY ACCEPTING BIDS ON VEHICLE
    Riley County is accepting bids on a Red 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager minivan with approximately 71,000 miles. A detailed vehicle maintenance log is available at the bidder's request. The van will be available for inspection at 110 Courthouse Plaza, Manhattan, KS. Bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 29. The successful bidder will be notified by May 5. Direct bids and/or questions to:

    Jennifer R. Wilson
    County Extension Agent, Youth Development
    110 Courthouse Plaza, Rm. B220
    Manhattan, KS 66502
    785-537-6350
    jrwilson@oznet.ksu.edu
    --Jennifer Wilson

     

    SOUTHWEST AREA PHOTO JUDGING CONTEST
    Information about the Southwest Area Photo Judging Contest is on the Kansas State 4-H Website. We invite all interested parties to come out to the contest, June 21, Garden City. --Rod Buchele rbuchele@oznet.ksu.edu

     

    4-H MARKETING RESOURCES
    David Henderson, Vice President for Strategic Communications at National 4-H Council, recently visited with Kansas extension professionals and spoke to participants at the State 4-H Ambassador Training.

    David is the force behind the new 4-H Umbrella Statement "4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills" and the new www.4HUSA.org  website by and for 4-H youth.

    Please take time to visit www.4HUSA.org  and register on the site.  Review the 4-H Media Resource section. Many items are available using the umbrella statement. Advertise www.4HUSA.org  in your newsletters encouraging 4-H'ers to register. --Diane Mack dmack@oznet.ksu.edu 

     

    2005 AGRICULTURAL CREDIT CONFERENCE
    The 2005 Agricultural Credit Conference will be held April 26-27, at the Wichita Marriott in Wichita, KS. The conference will address the issues and factors affecting Agrilending. Guest speakers will discuss current agricultural issues in the news, the grain and livestock outlook, and the politics of agriculture. The Kansas Ag Bankers sponsor this conference.

    Registration without late fees is available until April 18. For more information or to register, visit: www.dce.ksu.edu/dce/conf/KABankers/ . --Melinda Sinn sinnpio@ksu.edu

     

    K-12 TEACHER GRADUATE COURSES SUMMER 2005
    The Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom will be offering three K-12 Teacher Graduate courses during the Summer 2005 session. Connecting Your Classroom to Kansas Agriculture and Exploring Internet Resources will be taught on the K-State Manhattan and Salina campuses. The other course, Horticulture and School Gardens, will be offered at the K-State Agriculture Experiment Station in Olathe, KS.

    All full-time Kansas classroom teachers qualify for a tuition scholarship, however, scholarship priority is given to applications received before April 15, 2005. For more information or to enroll, contact the KFAC by calling 785-532-7946 or e-mail ksfac@ksu.eud . --Melinda Sinn sinnpio@ksu.edu

     

    VIEW THE MASTER SCHEDULE OR ADD NEW ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

    Submit corrections to previously submitted items to jzarger@oznet.ksu.edu .

    DATES TAKEN FROM THE MASTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 6, 2005, THROUGH APRIL 12, 2005:

    Wednesday, April 6
    .... Web Author Training: FrontPage2003, Manhattan (317 Umberger), Statewide, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Gerry Snyder gsnyder@oznet.ksu.edu

    Thursday, April 7
    .... Youth Pork Quality Assurance Training, Clay Center, NE Area, 7:30 p.m., Ross Mosteller rmostell@oznet.ksu.edu

    Saturday, April 9
    .... Wilson County Livestock Judging Contest, Fredonia/WL, Statewide, 8:30 a.m., Cheri Nelsen cnelsen@oznet.ksu.edu
    .... Washington County Spring Dairy Show, Washington and surrounding area, 10:00 a.m., Ross Mosteller
    rmostell@oznet.ksu.edu
    .... All-University Open House, Manhattan/KSU, Statewide, Pat Bosco
    bosco@ksu.edu
    .... Finney County Pig Sale, Finney Co. Fairgrounds, Surrounding area, SW, Barbara Addison
    baddison@oznet.ksu.edu
    .... 45th Annual Quality Beef Day, Marysville/MS and surrounding area, NE, 7:00 p.m., Michael Vogt
    mvogt@oznet.ksu.edu

    Monday, April 11, through Wednesday, April 13
    .... New Extension Agent Orientation, Manhattan, Statewide, 12:30 p.m., Stacey Warner swarner@oznet.ksu.edu

    Monday, April 11, through Thursday, April 14
    .... National Extension Conference on Volunteerism, Arkansas, Pat McNally pmcnally@oznet.ksu.edu

    Tuesday, April 12
    .... Pasture Management School, Emporia/LY and surrounding area, 6:30 p.m., Brian Rees brees@oznet.ksu.edu

    Tuesday, April 12, through Friday, April 15
    .... Priester Extension Health Conference, Lexington, KY, National, Mary Meck Higgins mhiggins@humec.ksu.edu

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