I just spoke with Provost Shulenburger, and asked him if I could relay
this information to you. I have asked the Provost to make certain that
the information I am communicating with you is accurate.  He will reply to
this message with any changes/clarifications, as he determines are needed.

This request from the Legislature to KSU, was, indeed, made of the
University of Kansas - it was faxed from the Regents Office
to KU last week and our "deadline" for compliance is Friday. The Provost
tells me that his sources tell him that this request is likely coming from
an individual in the KS Legislature, not a committee or subcommittee, and
that the Legislature does not have to reveal from what individual
(presuming that this is from  an individual, and not a larger body) this
request was made.  Provost Shulenburger said that "Legislative research
will not tell who the inquiry is coming from."

Provost Shulenburger has told me that he is not sending this request to
department chairs; instead, he has done a "text search" for the words
homosexuality and bisexuality in KU's catalog.  Provost Shulenburger is
providing to the Legislature the titles of two courses, one in the
Journalism department at KU-Lawrence, and one course at the Medical Center
in KC (a course on medical ethics).

I asked the Provost if the Legislature has a right to ask for this
information; he has told me that the Legislature does
have a legal right to ask for and receive this information; however, they
will violate academic freedom if they try to interfere with the course
content of any courses offered.

Provost Shulenburger said that he believes this isn't going to go anywhere
- meaning that he believes this information will not lead to anyone's
academic freedom being violated.  Even so, this kind of request, however
benign in intent (and especially when we don't know the author(s) of the
request), functions as social control - it functions to send a
message that those of us with this kind of content in our courses are
being watched. It especially serves this function when we are not told for
what purposes this information is being requested.

I want to praise and thank Provost Shulenburger for complying with this
request minimally (since, by law he must comply), by not sending this
request to department chairs and for his swift response to my concern -
our concern. I hope that we will be able to get to the bottom of this
issue and find out who wants to know this information and for what
purposes.