KU employees say layoffs are a ‘cruel’ and ‘insensitive’ fix to campus budget crisis - KATY BERGEN, Kansas City Star

Shawn Alexander has taught at the University of Kansas for more than a decade but has never known a time without budget cuts. Since he arrived in 2007, the professor says he’s watched salaries remain largely stagnant, not keeping pace with the cost of living. He’s listened to school officials blame the Legislature and flat student enrollment for financial strains, even as administrative salaries and new construction have steadily grown. He’s seen support for academic travel and research projects dwindle, and campus resources, such as library collections, compromised. “The biggest problem that we’ve had my entire time at this university is being under a period of austerity,” said Alexander, who teaches African and African-American studies. Last week, Alexander and hundreds of other university employees learned that faculty and staff will face yet another blow. https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/kansas/article222945130.html