Doug Girod talking with students on the KU campus.

2021 Chancellor's Updates

Calendar year 2021 video updates hosted by Chancellor Girod.

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Federal vaccine mandate, Sen. Bob Dole

DEC. 15, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod discusses the suspension of KU’s employee vaccine mandate due to a federal injunction, the passing of Sen. Bob Dole, 2021 enrollment, and the renewal of our Alzheimer's Disease Research Center's national designation.

Updates from the Office of Research

DEC. 7, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson to discuss KU’s efforts to grow the university’s research enterprise. Topics include the recently announced Racial Equity Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity Awards.

Updates from KUIT, School of Music

DEC. 1, 2021 -- Dave Cook, vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development, joins guests from KUIT to discuss cybersecurity and the transition from Blackboard to Canvas. Additionally, School of Music Dean Bob Walzel provides an update on teaching, performances and community engagement.

A chat with Police Chief Nelson Mosley

NOV. 4, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with KU Chief of Police Nelson Mosley, who joined the university earlier this semester. The two leaders discuss Chief Mosley's first few weeks on the job, his plans for KU Public Safety, and opportunities and challenges for KU in the area of public safety.

Student enrollment data and trends

OCT. 19, 2021 -- Chancellor Girod visits with Enrollment Management team members to discuss 2021 enrollment, which increased 0.2% over last year due largely to a 7.6% jump in first-time freshmen, an 11.6% increase in transfer students, gains in international students, and strong retention rates.

Sexual assault prevention and education

OCT. 5, 2021 -- The Chancellor discusses sexual assault prevention and education, as well as KU’s investigatory and sanctions process. Guests include Jen Brockman, director the Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center, and Demetrius Peterson, director of the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

NSF visit, Research Rising, Bird Loomis

SEPT 28, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Chancellor Girod provides a campus COVID-19 update and discusses new Police Chief Nelson Mosley, the recent visit by NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, our Research Rising strategies and award deadlines, and the passing of Burdett Loomis.

Campus vandalism and Research Rising

SEPT. 13, 2021 -- In this week’s episode, Chancellor Girod discusses the vandalism of the “Native Hosts” art installation on campus and visits with Simon Atkinson to discuss the university’s Research Rising initiative.
 

Student vaccination and KUMC research

SEPT. 9, 2021 -- The Chancellor provides an update on KU's student vaccination efforts and visits with Robert Simari, executive vice chancellor of KU Medical Center, for an update on several specific research programs at KU Medical Center.
 

 

Student support services

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.

Semester preview and new student support

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.

Student vaccination incentives

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.

KU's new indoor mask policy

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.

Lied Center updates, public health news

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.

How KU drives economic development

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.

Orientation for new students

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.

Personal responsibility and masks

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.

Growing the research enterprise at KU

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.

Kansas Athletics

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.

The Jayhawk Welcome Center

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.

Reflections on the academic year

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.

Safety measures for research, travel

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.

Academic success and student programs

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.

Vaccine rollout

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.

Kudos for rankings, research, KU Debate

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.

International scholars and study abroad

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.

A chat with new CFO Jeff DeWitt

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.

The one-year anniversary of COVID-19

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.

Budget planning and financial challenges

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.

Vaccines, plans for the fall

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.

Budget challenges and donor support

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.

Vaccines, public health bans

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.

Commencement, state budget

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.

Campus entry testing, regional data

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.

Watkins Health Services, student support

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.

Federal funding and policy affecting KU

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.

Regional trends, mandatory testing

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.