Continuing our efforts related to executive orders and federal guidance

Colleagues, 

The past month has seen a flurry of federal executive orders and legal actions that have created tremendous uncertainty for higher education, specifically in the areas of research and diversity, equity and inclusion. 

In recent weeks, KU leaders have hosted multiple town hall discussions and shared written guidance focused primarily on our research community. We have aggregated this information on campus-specific sites for the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses and will continue sharing new information at these sites in the days ahead. 

With regard to diversity, equity and inclusion, on February 14, the U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague Letter, calling on federally funded institutions to eliminate the use of race in all aspects of student, academic, and campus life within 14 days. Failure to comply could place an institution’s federal funding in jeopardy. While the Dear Colleague Letter is not a law, it does communicate the new administration’s interpretation of law and enforcement priorities. 

KU’s leadership team is assessing all university activity pertaining to “admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life" as called for in the letter. We are monitoring this area and will provide updated information as it becomes available. We will be reaching out to relevant unit leaders for their assistance in these ongoing assessments and any necessary actions. 

The combination of executive orders, legal activity and the Dear Colleague Letter continue to generate questions, and we continue to work with our legal, government relations and administrative teams to clarify what is required. In the meantime, if you have questions, please submit them through this multi-campus form or email them to the relevant campus leader. Your input will be used to inform future communications and town halls across our Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses in the days ahead. 

Respectfully, 

Douglas A Girod 
Chancellor 

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer 
Chief Academic Officer & Provost 
Executive Vice Chancellor for KU Lawrence & Edwards 

Steven Stites 
Chief Health Sciences Officer 
Executive Vice Chancellor for KU Medical Center