Questioned by the committee, Sherrer said he thought higher education is moving in the right direction, but added it's going to be an ongoing challenge.
"I'm never going to be an automatic vote on tuition," he said. "At some point, some people might be excluded for financial reasons, and that's not a good statement for a state system to make."
The committee also approved Fort Scott Mayor Richard Hedges; Jarold Boettcher, of Beloit, president of three companies that make agricultural products and distribute plumbing and electrical equipment; and Bill Thornton, of Atchison, vice president and corporate counsel for MGP Ingredients Inc.
Terms for Hedges and Boettcher end June 30, 2011. Thorton's ends June 30, 2010.
Schmidt said the new members are joining the board when it is looking to what is needed for the future in higher education.
"It's not enough to be sure you're doing effectively what's always been done," he said.
Other regents are Chairwoman Christine Downey-Schmidt, of Inman; Dan Lykins, of Topeka; and Janie Perkins, of Garden City.
No more than five members can be of the same political party. Downey-Schmidt, Docking, Lykins and Thornton are Democrats; Shank, Boettcher, Perkins and Sherrer are Republicans; and Hedges is an independent.
The board overseas six state universities, Washburn University, 19 community colleges and 11 technical institutions.
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