Will there be public universities in the future?

Several university presidents were asked at a recent event in New York City whether there would be public universities in 20, 50 or 100 years, the Atlantic magazine reported. University of Kansas chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little responded: “In 100 years? Maybe not.” That may be optimistic. The magazine reported that over the past 15 years, per-student state support at KU had declined almost 40 percent. Kansas State University president Kirk Schulz predicted last year that by 2024 the percentage of K-State’s budget supported by state revenue would drop into the single digits, down from about 20 percent now. “Our financial picture will look much more like a private, middle-sized university,” Schulz said. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 6:05 PM.