Chancellor's Weekly Update

SEPT 1, 2021 -- The Chancellor provides updates on student vaccination efforts, new health-related guidance for instructors, and NCAA conference realignment. Additionally, the Chancellor hosts Vice Provost for Student Affairs Jennifer Wamelink to discuss student support services.

AUG. 25, 2021 -- The Chancellor previews key initiatives for the fall semester, including health and safety, enrollment, vaccinations, the Jayhawks Rising strategic plan, and athletics. Additionally, the Chancellor welcomes Susan Klusmeier and Abby Coffin to discuss student services.

AUG. 17, 2021 -- Andrew Foster, the university's emergency management coordinator, drops by to discuss prizes and incentives available to vaccinated students. The incentives are available to students who have already been vaccinated or who get vaccinated on campus as they return for the fall semester.

AUG. 9, 2021 -- The Chancellor visits with Dr. Steve Stites, vice chancellor for clinical affairs at KU Medical Center and chief medical officer for KU Health System, to discuss the latest COVID-19 data and the university’s recently enacted indoor mask policy.

AUG. 4, 2021 -- The Chancellor visits with Derek Kwan, executive director of the Lied Center, to discuss how the Lied Center has managed the pandemic and the center's plan for the upcoming season. Additionally, the Chancellor discusses NCAA conference realignment and the latest related to masks and public health.

JUNE 30, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Dave Cook, vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development, joins LaVerne Epp, executive chairman of the Bioscience & Technology Business Center at KU, to discuss the university’s efforts to drive economic development and prosperity in Kansas.

JUNE 24, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Chancellor Girod visits with Susan Klusmeier, vice provost for academic success, and Abby Coffin, executive director of the Centers for Orientation and Academic Advising Programs, about this summer's Orientation programs. They discuss changes to the program for this year, feedback from students and families, and how faculty and staff can support the effort.

JUNE 9, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Chancellor Girod discusses the university’s work to return to a full on-campus experience this fall. Specific topics include: admissions, recruitment and orientation; a turning point and shift in responsibility in pandemic response; and policy changes regarding masks.

JUNE 2, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Provost Bichelmeyer visits with Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson to discuss the latest in research at KU. Topics include the University Research Awards celebration, new internal funding opportunities, and improvements to research award management.

MAY 19, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Chancellor Girod visits with Travis Goff, director of athletics, to discuss his first few weeks with Kansas Athletics and the department’s future. Topics include KU football, a financial overview, and plans for hosting guests in Allen Fieldhouse and Memorial Stadium.

MAY 13, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod discusses the Jayhawk Welcome Center, the new starting point for campus visits by prospective students and families. Guests include Heath Peterson, KU Alumni Association president, and Matt Melvin, vice provost for enrollment management.

MAY 6, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer reflect on the past year at KU and also discuss Commencement, fall enrollment, the Kansas Legislature, new Athletics Director Travis Goff and new Head Football Coach Lance Leipold.

APRIL 28, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod welcomes Simon Atkinson to discuss the latest in research at KU. Topics include: adjustments to safety measures for research; changes to travel restrictions; the University Research Awards; and Kristin Bowman-James being named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

APRIL 21, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod welcomes Susan Klusmeier, vice provost for academic success, to discuss the latest in student programming and academic experience. Topics include KU's new tribal relations director, the KU Common Book, and the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

APRIL 14, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer visit with Andrew Foster, emergency management coordinator at KU, to discuss vaccine rollout on campus and in the surrounding communities.

APRIL 8, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss recent graduate rankings from U.S. News and World Report, KU's University Scholarly Achievement Award recipients, our latest Goldwater scholars, Commencement, and an outstanding performance by KU Debate in the national tournament.

APRIL 1, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Charlie Bankart, associate vice provost for international affairs, to discuss how the pandemic has impacted international students and scholars, international travel, study abroad, immigration and spring enrollment.

MARCH 24, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Jeff DeWitt, KU’s new chief financial officer, to discuss Jeff’s previous positions with Washington, D.C. and Phoenix, the reconfiguration of the university’s CFO position, fiscal challenges and opportunities due to COVID-19, and enrollment trends.

MARCH 17, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer acknowledge the one-year anniversary of KU closing its campuses due to COVID-19 and reflect on KU's efforts to manage the pandemic for the past 12 months.

MARCH 10, 2021 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod joins Provost Bichelmeyer and Jason Hornberger, vice provost for finance, to discuss budget planning for the upcoming year in the context of financial challenges on the Lawrence campus.

MARCH 3, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod joins Emergency Management Coordinator Andrew Foster to discuss vaccine distribution in the region and how it affects the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. Additionally, Provost Bichelmeyer discusses our plans to return to in-person instruction and activity in the fall.

FEBRUARY 24, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss financial challenges due both to the pandemic and other fundamental changes to the higher education landscape. Specific topics include the hiring of new CFO Jeff DeWitt, student recruitment, post-pandemic online programming, employee compensation, and the role of Endowment.

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod discusses the university's efforts to get the KU community included in the state and county's vaccine distribution plans, as well as KU's infrastructure to help deliver vaccines as they become available. Additionally, Provost Bichelmeyer discusses public health bans issued to members of five fraternities and the importance of remaining vigilant in our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

February 10, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod is joined by Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Joe Monaco to discuss plan for Commencement. Additionally, the Chancellor and Provost discuss the fall 2021 semester, vaccines, the state budget, and the Chancellor's testimony to the Legislature.

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod is joined by Chris Wilson to discuss KU's spring entry testing, the current campus environment, vaccine distribution and the latest positivity data in the region.

JANUARY 27, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod joins Jennifer Wamelink and Kory Barrett to discuss a new oversight model for Watkins Health Services. Additionally, the Chancellor and Provost discuss classroom attendance, academic integrity, and a new Regents policy intended to give universities budget flexibility.

JANUARY 20, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Jack Cline, associate vice chancellor for federal relations, to discuss COVID-19 relief funds and policy changes from the Biden administration that affect higher ed. Additionally, Chancellor and Provost discuss Gov Kelly’s budget recommendations for KU.

JANUARY 14, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Emergency Management Coordinator Andrew Foster to discuss COVID-19 trends in the region, mandatory entry testing for the spring semester, and vaccine distribution. Additionally, the Provost discusses expectations for the spring semester.

DECEMBER 16, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost discuss lessons learned from the fall semester and plans for the spring. Topics include: our CFO search; the reorganization of units related to public safety and budgeting; and the restructuring of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

DECEMBER 9, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Kris Krishtalka, director of the KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum, and Saralyn Reece Hardy, director of the Spencer Museum of Art, to discuss how their units are continuing outreach and research during the pandemic.

DECEMBER 2, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Dale Seuferling, president of the KU Endowment, and Heath Peterson, president and CEO of the KU Alumni Association, to discuss how their organizations have adapted to the pandemic to continue supporting KU's mission.

NOVEMBER 24, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod is joined by Mike Rounds and Callie Long from KU Operations to discuss campus operations during the winter break. Specific topics include building access, security and signage; classroom and common area configuration and cleaning; PPE access; medical-grade air filtration; and touchless technology.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost are joined by Andrew Foster, emergency management coordinator for KU, and Dr. David Wild, vice president for performance improvement at The University of Kansas Health System, to discuss the regional surge in COVID-19 cases.

NOVEMBER 11, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod is joined by four guests to discuss how KU is serving students both inside and outside the classroom during the pandemic. Guests include Jason Krone from Recreation Services, JJ O’Toole Curran from the Memorial Union, Sarah Waters from Student Housing, and Paige Freeman from the Office of First-Year Experience.

NOVEMBER 6, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson, as well as Associate Vice Chancellors for Research Belinda Sturm and Kathleen Lynne Lane, to discuss efforts to keep the university’s research enterprise moving forward during the pandemic.

OCTOBER 28, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod looks ahead to the spring semester, with a focus on enrollment, COVID-19 testing, course adaptations, and the on-campus experience. The Chancellor and Provost also share updates on the Bioscience and Technology Business Center’s expansion and our efforts with lawmakers to renew the University Engineering Initiative Act.

OCTOBER 21, 2020 -- In this week's episode, Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer visit with Alex Barajas, a psychologist with KU Counseling and Psychological Services, to discuss mental health issues and resources available to the community.

October 14, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer visit with Kevin Smith, dean of KU Libraries, to discuss how that unit is serving students and faculty this year.

OCTOBER 7, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Jamie Shew, county clerk and county election officer, and Logan Stenseng, the Student Senate's government relations director, to discuss voting in the upcoming election. Specific topics include registration deadlines, methods to vote, polling locations, and resources for additional information about voting.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 -- In this week's episode, Provost Bichelmeyer visits with Stuart Day, dean of the Edwards Campus and the School of Professional Studies, to discuss the latest developments at the Edwards Campus.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 -- The Chancellor visits with Jeff Long, director of Kansas Athletics, to discuss how the pandemic has impacted Kansas Athletics, college athletics and individual student-athletes. The two leaders discuss student-athlete eligibility, KU's record-high student-athlete GPA, and gameday experience.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Chris Wilson and Dr. David Wild from The University of Kansas Health System to discuss KU's recently released dashboard and other data-sharing tools.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod visits with three deans - Paige Fields, Ron Ragan, and Rick Ginsberg - to discuss planning, successes and challenges in their respective schools.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost are joined by Dr. Pavika Saripalli, chief of staff for Watkins Health Services, to answer questions about testing protocols. Topics include: the difference between quarantine and self-isolation; close contacts; and nasal swab tests versus saliva tests.

August 27, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost are joined by Susan Klusmeier, vice provost for academic success, and Tammara Durham, vice provost for student affairs, to discuss academic success, Hawk Week and additional topics related to the student experience.

AUGUST 19, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost discuss KU's new mask policy, mandatory testing for staff and students, and plans for football. Additionally, they discuss the new Task Force on Community Policing and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Council.

AUGUST 12, 2020 -- The Chancellor is joined by Mike Rounds, vice provost for operations, to discuss KU's efforts to reopen campus and prioritize health and safety. Mike discusses personal protective equipment, testing and contact tracing, sanitation, reconfiguration of spaces, masks, and personal responsibility.

AUGUST 5, 2020 -- Provost Bichelmeyer is joined by Chris Brown, vice provost for faculty development, and Dea Greenhoot, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, to discuss KU's efforts to provide high-quality learning opportunities this fall in hybrid, face-to-face and remote settings.

July 29, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer are joined by Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research, to discuss the university's Research and Discovery design team and, more generally, efforts to enhance KU's research enterprise.

JULY 22, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost are joined by Mary Walsh, chief information officer, and Chris Gregory, senior director of strategic alignment & marketing, to discuss the Jayhawk Cloud and other KUIT resources.

JULY 15, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss masks, testing and contact tracing, plans for students to self-isolate, and local hospital capacity.

JULY 8, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss the Protect KU plan and describe the role of the Pandemic Medical Advisory Team. Additionally, the two leaders discuss possible scenarios for the fall semester, as well as recent state and county orders regarding masks.

JULY 1, 2020 -- The Chancellor is joined by Vice Provost for Operations Mike Rounds and Emergency Management Coordinator Andrew Foster to discuss the Protect KU plan -- which will serve as our roadmap for a thoughtful, science-based return to campus -- and two new planning teams to inform decision-making in the weeks ahead.

JUNE 24, 2020 -- The Chancellor and Provost discuss fiscal recovery plans, including the temporary salary savings plan for employees making more than $50,000 per year. The Chancellor and Provost also discuss an AAU survey of student preferences for fall 2020, as well as updates on state and federal funding and how they impact our projected $120 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.

JUNE 17, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss the university's recently announced VSIP program, changes to the fall academic calendar, contact tracing and technology, and expectations for instructors designing courses for the fall.

JUNE 10, 2020 -- Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer discuss the challenges we face heading into the fall, as well as recent national and campus protests related to racism, inequality and injustice.