SUMMER 2026

We’re redefining what Procurement looks like at KU. Our goal isn’t to be the department that just enforces rules, checks boxes, and says “no.” Compliance will always matter (we’re Procurement, not pirates), but if our role ends with compliance, we’re leaving value on the table.

Our focus is shifting from oversight to impact. As higher education faces growing financial pressures, we’re leaning into strategic sourcing, supplier rationalization, and category management to better support KU’s priorities. Under the banner of Procurement Reform, we’re bringing KU-L Procurement and KUMC Purchasing together to create a new One KU Procurement organization.

That means moving beyond policy compliance toward intentional spend optimization by making smarter investments, unlocking capacity, and helping KU operate with greater speed and confidence. It also means thinking and acting as One KU by aggregating demand, consolidating spend, and leveraging our collective purchasing power. As highlighted in previous editions of Rock Shop Jayhawk, we’re already seeing big wins from this approach.

We’re also evolving how we work. We’re investing in capabilities that position procurement professionals as strategic advisors who are commercially savvy, digitally enabled, and comfortable navigating complexity. We’re embracing AI and smarter tools to improve transparency, accelerate decisions, and engage earlier in the process. Think of us less as a checkpoint and more as a co-pilot  where you’re still flying the plane.

From negotiating better pricing and consolidating spend to identifying alternatives, reducing unnecessary consumption, extending asset life-cycles, and simplifying processes, Procurement has many levers to create value. With a unique view across KU’s spend, suppliers, risks, and opportunities, our job is to turn that perspective into smarter decisions and stronger outcomes.

In short, we’re evolving from a compliance function into a value-creating partner. We’ll always be responsible stewards of university resources, but we’ll try not to make you fill out a form in triplicate when you ask for purchasing assistance. Check out the stories below to see how we can help unlock value for KU, or visit the Procurement website.

KU and K-State have partnered to address one of higher education’s fastest-growing technology expenses: Windows PCs.

Procurement and IT teams from both universities — supported by Jayhawks Elevate, KU’s continuous improvement team — developed a unified purchasing strategy that delivers significant cost savings, stronger supplier commitments, and price protection. While all KBOR institutions can participate, KU and K-State are the first to adopt the program.

The initiative began with a joint review of purchasing trends and future technology needs. The teams created a shared catalog of 13 standardized laptop and desktop configurations to meet most academic, research, and administrative requirements. An exception process remains available for specialized needs.

By aggregating demand and negotiating as a single customer, KU and K-State increased Dell discounts from 19% off list price to an average of 61% off list this quarter. The agreement is available to any participating KBOR institution, and also includes a 2% annual rebate on eligible Dell spend, which creates additional funds for future technology investments.

These savings come at a critical time, as industry analysts forecast Windows PC price increases of 35–45% driven by AI-related memory and component costs. Through standardization and coordinated negotiation, KU and K-State have largely insulated themselves from these inflationary pressures.

Standardization also simplifies IT operations and support. Fewer device configurations reduce complexity, accelerate deployment, improve troubleshooting consistency, and enhance service quality for faculty and staff.

This collaboration demonstrates how shared strategy, standardization, and continuous improvement can create system-wide value and long-term stability in a challenging market.

For faculty and staff on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, the Dell standards are available now in Oracle FITC under the “Standard Configurations” section. Departments needing a nonstandard device should work with their assigned Technology Support Center representative. 

Anyone who has attended a KU game knows the experience begins the moment you arrive on campus, and parking plays a key role in setting the tone. To ensure a smooth game-day experience for football and basketball fans, KU Transportation Services and KU Athletics partnered with Procurement to secure external event parking services.

Senior Procurement Officer Luke Raynor led the RFP process, narrowing the field to two finalists and conducting extensive vendor reference checks with professional sports organizations, including the Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs, and peer institutions such as Florida State and UConn. Through strategic negotiations, Luke secured an 8% reduction from the supplier’s initial proposal. As a result, KU has positioned itself with a proven parking partner to deliver a more efficient arrival experience for fans, staff, and campus partners. This effort helps ensure game day runs smoothly from arrival to the final whistle.

Big Jayhawk kudos to Ramia Whitecotton for delivering two procurement wins that strengthen value and service across campus.

For Student Housing, Ramia led a strategic sourcing effort that locks in mattress pricing for the next five years, ensuring supply stability and predictable budgeting. The result is nearly $94,000 in anticipated cost avoidance, helping Student Housing truly rest easy with firm mattress pricing.

Ramia also completed an Industrial Gas RFP, securing a re-award to Matheson. Through effective negotiation, she reduced pricing on bulk nitrogen tanks and gas while securing an additional 1% rebate, delivering long-term value for KU.

Together, these efforts highlight strong market insight, skilled negotiation, and a commitment to results that support KU’s operations and financial stewardship.

Thanks to the FMS Team, the Staples shopping experience in Oracle FITC has been improved, making it easier for KU Lawrence/Edwards campus shoppers to find and select office supplies.

The enhancements bring product images, specifications, and descriptions directly into FITC, helping shoppers make informed decisions. This added visibility streamlines ordering, reduces search time, and supports compliant, cost-effective purchasing. Not all Staples products appear in FITC, and users can still access the full Staples catalog through the punch-out process to purchase additional items.

The enhanced Staples experience is available now in FITC for KU Lawrence/Edwards campus shoppers. Special thanks to Judy Hamner, Melissa Stewart, and Ephrom Marks for making this improvement possible!

Tracking capital assets across KU Lawrence and KUMC has long been challenging, with equipment frequently moving between locations and limited visibility into asset whereabouts. Associate Director of Purchasing Hayley Unke-Moore led a competitive RFQ for a modern RFID solution that creates a true One KU asset-tracking system for both campuses.

Using RFID tags and mobile scanning, teams can quickly locate and verify assets in real time, even when items move without formal updates. Automated location and timestamp tracking reduces manual inventory work while improving accuracy and visibility across campuses where equipment is often shared.

The new system will make annual inventories more efficient and achievable while reducing administrative burden. It will launch with Workday at KUMC in fall 2026, followed by KU-L through Oracle FITC, providing a scalable, long-term asset management solution for One KU. Way to go, Hayley!

When a software supplier proposes a steep renewal increase, it’s often linked to a familiar pattern: acquisition by a larger company or private equity firm. New owners frequently focus on growing recurring revenue, leading to higher prices, new licensing models, and the assumption that customers are unlikely to switch platforms due to the disruption involved.

For universities that rely on predictable budgets, these increases can create significant challenges. That’s why early procurement involvement is critical. By engaging procurement before renewals, the university can identify acquisition-driven pricing trends, benchmark against the market, coordinate stakeholders, and negotiate from a position of strength rather than reacting to a last-minute surprise.

The key takeaway is simple: When ownership changes, pricing behavior often changes too. Early procurement engagement helps the university stay ahead of these shifts, avoid budget shocks, and secure sustainable, predictable agreements.

We’re excited to welcome two new members to the KU Procurement team:

Nicole, who joined the team in March, brings more than 10 years of public-sector procurement experience, including strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract administration, and multi-million dollar competitive procurements. Known for her collaborative, customer-focused approach, Nicole has worked closely with finance, legal, operations, and executive leadership to deliver value, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Elissa joined the team in June after seven years supporting KU financial operations, most recently in the Shared Service Center. She has extensive experience with purchasing, vendor support, compliance, and financial processes across university, state, federal, and sponsor-funded activities. A KU MBA graduate, Elissa brings strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to customer service.

Please join us in welcoming Nicole and Elissa!

Help us congratulate Ramia Whitecotton on her election to the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) Great Plains Board. NAEP is the leading professional organization for higher education procurement, helping shape industry best practices and collaboration nationwide. Ramia’s appointment strengthens KU’s voice in regional and national procurement discussions, expands opportunities for collaboration, and helps keep KU connected to emerging trends and best practices across higher education.

Rock Chalk to Ramia for representing KU with excellence!

This is just a glimpse of how Procurement can be your strategic partner in driving value for your department and the university. Visit the Finance Service Portal today, and let us know how we can help.

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