News
Thu, 01/21/2021
An update on a new KBOR policy
Earlier this week, the Kansas Board of Regents approved a temporary policy that gives universities flexibility in suspending, dismissing or terminating employees in light of the historic financial challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy requires that any university intending to enact suspensions, dismissals or terminations must first present to the Board for approval a decision-making framework. That framework must be submitted to the Board within the next 45 days.
Tue, 01/19/2021
Governor Kelly’s budget recommendations for KU
Last Wednesday, Governor Kelly released her budget recommendations for the upcoming fiscal year. The Governor recommends a $13.6 million cut to KU’s base appropriation, which comprises a $7.6 million cut for Lawrence and a $6 million cut for KU Medical Center.
Fri, 01/15/2021
KU completes transition of Watkins Health Services oversight to regional healthcare partners
After months of hard work, we are pleased to share that The University of Kansas Health System and LMH Health will assume responsibility for medical management and oversight of Watkins Health Services beginning this month.
Wed, 01/13/2021
COVID-19 tests required for students, faculty, staff returning to Lawrence campus this semester
Given how entry testing helped us identify people who may have been unaware of their COVID-19 status and take action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we will again be mandating COVID-19 tests for students, faculty, and staff who plan to be on campus any time before Feb. 12.
Fri, 01/08/2021
Announcing the retirement of University Architect Jim Modig
Jim Modig, our university architect, will be leaving KU after a remarkable 41-year career with the university. This is his final week with the university.
Thu, 01/07/2021
A statement on violence at the U.S. Capitol
This morning we join our colleagues across higher education in condemning the shocking violence that unfolded yesterday at the United States Capitol. We should all be horrified and humiliated by what happened in the very seat of our American democracy.
Thu, 12/03/2020
Attendance at Kansas Athletics events during the second week of December
Kansas Athletics will begin hosting fans Monday, December 7 through Monday, December 14. This time period comprises three men’s basketball games, two women’s basketball games and our final home football game.
Wed, 11/25/2020
Reflecting on the fall semester
As the semester winds down and we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to take a moment to say how thankful I am for your efforts. This has been a semester of great challenges — but also great successes, thanks to you.
Mon, 11/23/2020
Attendance at Kansas Athletics events in early December
I write today to inform you that we will continue to not host fans during the first week of December, which includes all events through and including Saturday, Dec. 5. For contests after that week, we will make decisions about attendance on a week-by-week basis so we can be responsive to the most current circumstances and medical guidance.
Tue, 11/17/2020
Attendance at Kansas Athletics events and the spread of COVID-19 across the region
In light of the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the region, we have determined we will not host fans at any Kansas Athletics home competitions for the rest of November. This includes volleyball matches this Thursday and Friday, our football game this Saturday, women’s basketball games Nov. 25 and Nov. 29, and our football game Nov. 28.
Tue, 11/10/2020
Our salary reduction plan and paid leave during winter break
We write you today with an update on our salary reduction plan and news regarding paid leave during winter break for Lawrence and Edwards campus employees.
Tue, 11/10/2020
COVID-19 testing options for the remainder of the fall semester
As we approach the end of the fall semester, we want to update you on our COVID-19 testing plans through the end of this year and into next semester.
Fri, 10/30/2020
An update on our current fiscal year shortfall and the challenges ahead
Earlier this year, we announced the Lawrence and Edwards campuses face an estimated revenue shortfall of $120 million for the current fiscal year. Today we are able to report an updated shortfall of $47.6 million.
Wed, 10/21/2020
Search process for a new director of the Dole Institute of Politics
I am writing today to let you know that, in consultation with Senator Bob Dole, we have established the search committee that will lead the process of finding the next Dole Institute director.
Thu, 10/01/2020
Our latest enrollment numbers and the challenges ahead
I write to share a few thoughts about our annual 20th day enrollment numbers, which were released today in coordination with the Kansas Board of Regents, and to describe how recent enrollment trends will impact KU.
Fri, 09/25/2020
An update on attendance at Kansas Athletics events
I am writing to let you know we will begin allowing fans to attend Kansas Athletics competitions, starting with the October 3 football game against Oklahoma State, with attendance limits and robust health and safety protocols in place.
Sun, 09/20/2020
Remembering Reggie Robinson
It is with a heavy heart that I write you regarding Reggie Robinson, one of our most accomplished and beloved Jayhawks, who passed away this weekend at the age of 63.
Fri, 09/18/2020
Introducing our weekly short-term forecast of COVID-19 cases
Last Friday, we launched a new COVID-19 dashboard to share metrics such as positive cases, positivity rates, and Student Housing quarantine and isolation data. Today I am writing to present another new tool: a short-term forecast that projects total positive cases and new positive cases within the KU community two weeks into the future.
Fri, 09/11/2020
New tools for sharing COVID-19 data
Last Wednesday, I wrote you regarding our latest COVID-19 testing results and explained how we are pivoting from mass entry testing to a new testing strategy for the rest of the semester. In that message, I also explained that we would launch a new approach to share testing results and related data. I am pleased to share that approach with you today.
Tue, 09/08/2020
Remembering Chancellor Budig
I am sad to report that former Chancellor Gene Budig has passed away at the age of 81. He leaves behind his wife, Gretchen, their three children and five grandchildren, and countless Jayhawks whose lives he touched.
Fri, 09/04/2020
An update on the search process for a new CFO
Last spring, we announced that Diane Goddard, our chief financial officer and vice provost for finance, will be retiring at the end of this semester after 36 years with KU. I am writing today to let you know we have established the search committee that will lead the process of finding our next CFO.
Mon, 08/31/2020
An update on attendance at Kansas Athletics competitions
At the advice of the Pandemic Medical Advisory Team, we will begin our fall athletics season without fans in attendance. This includes our first home football game Sept. 12 against Coastal Carolina and all Kansas Athletics competitions at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena, Rock Chalk Park and Rim Rock Farm through September.
Fri, 08/28/2020
Updating our COVID-19 test results
We’ve updated our latest data from our COVID-19 entry testing results for faculty, staff, and students returning to campus.
Thu, 08/27/2020
County health department removes two Greek houses from quarantine list, adds one
Last night, I wrote to inform you that Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health had issued 14-day quarantine orders for residents of nine of our sorority and fraternity houses, and was in the process of issuing an order for a tenth house. Today I am writing to let you know that the health department has removed two chapter houses from last night’s list and added a new one.
Wed, 08/26/2020
Nine sorority, fraternity houses issued quarantine orders by county health officials
Today I am writing to inform you that Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health has issued 14-day quarantine orders for residents of nine of our sorority and fraternity houses, and is in the process of issuing an order for a tenth house.
Tue, 08/25/2020
Latest results of COVID-19 entry testing
We have posted the latest results from our community COVID-19 saliva testing. As of Monday evening, 222 people have tested positive out of 19,452 entry test results received, for a positivity rate of 1.14%.
Sun, 08/23/2020
Commitment and responsibility
As we embark on a fall semester unlike any in history, I write to reiterate a straightforward reality: We cannot do this without you.
Fri, 08/21/2020
Pandemic Medical Advisory Team shares decision-making framework
Earlier this summer, we created the Pandemic Medical Advisory Team – comprising nine of the region’s top medical doctors and public health officials – to help inform our decisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the primary tasks of this team is to develop a data-driven decision-making framework to shape decisions regarding campus operations in a way that prioritizes health and safety. I write you today to share this decision-making framework.
Thu, 08/20/2020
Updating our community on COVID-19 testing results
I want to share some information and updates with you now that we’ve reviewed some initial results from our testing efforts as our community returns to campus. We have posted initial results from our community COVID-19 saliva testing. The results show the total tests administered and positive results for both students and faculty/staff, along with positivity rates for each group.
Fri, 08/14/2020
KU creates Task Force on Community-Responsive Public Safety
We are creating the Task Force on Community-Responsive Public Safety. This new task force will be charged with reviewing KU Public Safety policies, practices and procedures; examining best practices and proposals for change; and making recommendations regarding potential improvements to ensure respectful, transparent and community-responsive public safety services.