News
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.
Wed, 08/05/2020
COVID-19 tests required for students, faculty, staff in Lawrence
An important part of a successful fall semester is helping to keep our KU and Lawrence community safe by minimizing exposures to the COVID-19 virus. One way to do this is to identify those among us who have the infection, even without symptoms, as we all return to campus. We will accomplish this by using a simple, non-invasive, saliva-based test for students, faculty and staff on re-entry to campus.
Wed, 07/29/2020
2020 Commencement rescheduled for spring 2021
I am writing to let you know we have ruled out the possibility of hosting a Commencement ceremony during the fall semester. Instead, we will target spring 2021 to celebrate the 2020 graduates with a Commencement ceremony on Mount Oread.
Wed, 07/08/2020
Our opposition to new federal guidance on international students
Yesterday, Provost Bichelmeyer shared with you a new federal policy regarding fall enrollment for F-1 students in the Student and Visitor Exchange Program. I write today to assure you that the University of Kansas joins peer institutions nationwide in strongly condemning this new federal policy. Moreover, I want you to know we are coordinating with our peers in both the Association of American Universities and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities to encourage federal lawmakers to reconsider this truly mean-spirited and unworkable policy.
Mon, 06/29/2020
Introducing the Protect KU plan and two new planning teams to inform Lawrence campus reopening
Today I write to share two new components of our reopening plan. First, we have published the first iteration of what we are calling the Protect KU plan, which will serve as our roadmap for a thoughtful, science-based return to campus. Additionally, we are creating two new planning teams – which will include faculty, staff and students – to help inform decision-making in the weeks ahead.
Fri, 06/19/2020
KU to implement temporary salary savings plan, additional measures to address budget shortfall
Today we are announcing our latest steps to address this unprecedented budget challenge. Our decisions continue to prioritize equity and reflect our commitment to protecting KU’s most vulnerable populations. As a result, we believe these are the appropriate next steps to ensure KU’s health, limit drastic impacts to employees, and allow KU to continue its mission well into the future.
Mon, 06/15/2020
Our plans to return campus this fall
Last month, we shared with you a document titled Guidance on Reopening Campus, which detailed our guiding principles for reopening campus in a measured, stepwise fashion. Today we write to share the newest components of our plans for the fall semester on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.
Wed, 06/10/2020
Tune in for the Chancellor’s Weekly COVID-19 Update series
For the rest of the summer I will host weekly Zoom updates during which I will share the latest news regarding our work to reopen campus for the fall semester. These weekly discussions will be pre-recorded and shared with campus each Wednesday via email and posted on our Chancellor’s Weekly COVID-19 Update page.
Tue, 06/02/2020
A message to the KU community regarding racism in America
We are emerging from a week of heart-wrenching conversations about the toxic impact that racism has on all of our communities.
Fri, 05/29/2020
Reaffirming our commitment to our university's values of inclusivity and respect
We join many across the country today as we recognize and reflect on many issues in our society that result in challenging and difficult times for our underserved and marginalized populations.
Tue, 05/26/2020
Announcing the retirement of a senior leadership team member
Diane Goddard, our chief financial officer and vice provost for finance, will be leaving KU after a 36-year career in various roles across the institution.
Thu, 05/21/2020
An update on Lawrence and Edwards financial challenges
In recent weeks, Provost Bichelmeyer and I have communicated with you regularly, and we have appreciated your feedback. With your help, we continue to plan for various scenarios that position KU to resume on-campus operations in some capacity this fall. Today, I write to share additional updates regarding KU’s situation and the challenges we face.
Wed, 05/20/2020
Guidance and next steps on reopening campus in the era of COVID-19
We have created a new document titled "Reopening of KU campuses in the era of COVID-19." This document summarizes steps we’ve taken so far and explains guiding principles and next steps for reopening campus for the fall semester.
Mon, 04/27/2020
Next steps toward addressing the impact of the pandemic
Today I write to share updates about KU’s situation and the financial challenges we face.
Thu, 04/23/2020
KU to distribute nearly $7.6 million in CARES Act funding to students
The University of Kansas will distribute $7,594,823 in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding directly to students who have significant need and are facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tue, 04/14/2020
Chancellor to host second virtual University Update on April 16
I write today to invite you to join me and other KU leaders for our next virtual University Update on Thursday, April 16 at 4:30 p.m. This discussion will focus on healthcare in our region, including the work our KU Medical Center and The University of Kansas Hospital are doing as part of the regional response.
Tue, 04/07/2020
Dave Cook named vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development
I am pleased to announce Dave Cook, vice chancellor of the Edwards campus and dean of the School of Professional Studies, will become our new vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development.
Wed, 03/25/2020
Carl Lejuez named provost at UConn
I am writing to let you know that one of our leaders will be departing the University of Kansas for a new opportunity. Earlier today, Carl Lejuez was named provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Connecticut. Carl will begin his new role at UConn later this spring.
Tue, 03/24/2020
An update related to student safety and well-being
Today I join Director of Athletics Jeff Long to provide you an update on a matter related to student health and well-being.
Wed, 03/11/2020
A very important note regarding COVID-19
KU leaders have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. We know that some members of the Jayhawk community have been in areas with reported cases, and we don’t expect to be immune from this virus.
Thu, 03/05/2020
News regarding student safety and wellbeing
The safety and wellbeing of students, faculty and staff is our paramount responsibility as university leaders. With this in mind, we write you today to share troubling developments involving a contracted massage therapist and some of our student-athletes.
Mon, 03/02/2020
Update on coronavirus
As the circumstances surrounding the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve, I would like to update you on how the university is working to keep our community healthy. For updates, visit the university's dedicated coronavirus webpage.