The University of Kansas is wrestling with how to cut $13.5 million from its budget over the next two years, but the funding reduction will not prompt the closing of the KU School of Medicine's campus in Salina
The KU Medical Center, which operates the school, will have to absorb more than $8 million in cuts. KU spokesman Jack Martin says closing the Salina campus, and scaling back operations in Wichita are no longer on the table.
“There will not be any enrollment cuts in either Salina or Wichita," he says. "They will still see effects, though, from cuts to the broader medical center operations.”
Martin says he can’t specify what those cuts will be. The budget lawmakers adopted included a proviso requiring cuts to be proportional at all KU Med campuses.
Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed that provision Saturday, saying it would have cut the Wichita program too deeply.
In a message to lawmakers, Brownback says KU Med pledged not to reduce student and residency positions in Wichita or Salina. KU’s Jack Martin confirms that commitment.
“In terms of academic program cuts to student positions, residencies, those will only take place at the Kansas City campus," he says.
That means KU Med will trim 31 student positions in Kansas City, including four residencies.
