(July 2006, revisions)
A1 KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY--established at Kansas State Agricultural College on February 18, 1863, under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862--is the nation's first land-grant university. The college accepted the land, buildings, and library of a private school, Bluemont College, and opened its doors in the fall of 1863. The first year of operation, 106 students enrolled.
A2 At that time Manhattan was on the edge of the western frontier, where the final act of a drama involving plains Indians, buffalos, and Old West characters was still in progress. In a real sense, Kansas State University and Kansas, which became a state in 1861, grew up together. Kansas has changed from a state with a predominantly rural population to one which includes a sizable urban population. Likewise, K-State--renamed Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1931 and Kansas State University of Agriculture and Applied Science in 1959--has broadened its scope into most branches of higher learning, especially in graduate work and research.
A3 The growth of the institution has been accompanied by the addition of colleges, divisions, and departments that are useful for carrying out increasingly complex functions of higher education. The university currently is organized into nine colleges, a graduate school, the Bureau of General Research, the Agricultural and Engineering Experiment Stations, the Division of Continuing Education, the Cooperative Extension Service, and the Kansas Industrial Extension Services. Departments have been established as the primary administrative units for the academic disciplines.
A4 Now one of the foremost land-grant institutions in the country, K-State has a commitment both to its students and to the state it serves, a commitment that has had much to do with wise development of the state's physical and human resources. The student body, faculty, unclassified professionals and other employees of K-State make up an integral part of the culture and economy of the community of Manhattan. Representing a wide range of fields, the faculty constitutes an unparalleled source of expertise available to serve all sectors of the state. Equally, in its opportunities for educational, cultural, and recreational activities, the university is a resource of value to the whole community.
A10 The Kansas Board of Regents governs six state universities, and supervises and coordinates 19 community colleges, five technical colleges, six technical schools and a municipal university. The governor appoints nine regents, confirmed by the state senate, for staggered renewable four-year terms. Traditionally, no more than five regents may belong to the same political party.
A11 The Kansas Board of Regents is empowered by the legislature to enact ordinances, by-laws, and regulations for the government of the university. The Regents have the authority to appoint and to remove the president of the university and to determine the allocation of funds to the branches of the university and to set budget policies. Overall physical planning, building programs and priorities, and general personnel policies are significant responsibilities of the Regents.
A20 The legislature has adopted an annual budget and enacted the appropriation bill for support of K-State since 1963. Though matters of internal organization and procedure are usually determined by administrative processes under legislative supervision, many relationships with the state and federal government and matters of broad policy are subject to legislative action.
A30 It is K-State policy to assure compliance with equal opportunity laws for qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era or disabled veteran. K-State also promotes the full realization of employment opportunity for minorities (African American, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans) and women through a comprehensive Affirmative Action Plan. (Revised FSM 5-14-91)
A31 The Affirmative Action Plan covers all aspects of employment relationships including recruitment, hiring, assignment of duties, promotion, tenure, compensation, selection for training, and termination. The plan applies to all units and governs employment of all employees, including student employees, of K-State.
A32 The administration of K-State affirms its support of the principle of equal employment opportunity and charges units within the university to conduct their recruitment and employment practices in conformity with this principle and in accordance with its Affirmative Action Plan.
A33 Responsibility for monitoring the implementation of this plan is delegated by the president of the university to the Affirmative Action Office.
Executive Order 11246 as amended by Executive Order 11375(The complete text of the Affirmative Action Plan is on the Office of Affirmative Action's website at: http://www.k-state.edu/affact/Plan/index.htm.)
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended)
Equal Pay Act of 1963 (as amended)
Title IX of the 1972 amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965
Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974
Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Governor's Executive Order No. 80-47
The Kansas Act Against Discrimination (as amended)
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
A40 Persons may be appointed to classified or unclassified positions without regard to family relationship to other members of faculty or unclassified professionals. If a person is in a position which requires an evaluation on a personnel decision such as those concerning appointment, retention, promotion, tenure, or salary of a close relative, such condition shall be deemed a conflict of interest and that person shall not participate in such a decision, and that person shall not participate in any group or body which is considering any such decision. (BOR 11-20-81)
A41 Employee oath. All persons receiving pay from the state of Kansas must execute before a notary public the employees' oath:
I do solemnly (swear) (affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Kansas, and faithfully discharge the duties of my office or employment. So help me God. (The last sentence is optional.)
A42 Citizenship requirements. It is not necessary for faculty or unclassified professionals to be citizens of the United States, and citizenship is not a requirement for attainment of tenure.
A43 Policy prohibiting sexual and racial/ethnic harassment. Appendix J contains the policy adopted by the university which prohibits harassment based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, military status, veteran status, including Vietnam Era or disabled veteran, relatiliation or other non-merit reasons in admissions, educational programs, or activities and employment (including employment of disabled veterans and veterans).