Colleagues,

During the 2025 session, the Kansas legislature enacted the Fostering Competitive Career Opportunities Act (SB 166). Signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in March, it requires the removal of unnecessary postsecondary degree requirements from hiring considerations for state employment positions, including staff positions at state universities.

The purpose of the law is to address a phenomenon called “degree inflation” — the practice of making hiring decisions based solely on a postsecondary degree as an indicator of career readiness, instead of considering relevant work experience. This new law does not apply to positions for which a postsecondary degree is a justifiable necessity, and it also does not impact any instructional, faculty or unclassified academic staff positions.

KU's HR Talent Acquisition team will be reviewing required qualifications for each Unclassified Professional Staff (UPS) and University Support Staff (USS) job description prior to posting to determine if a postsecondary degree is required or if an equivalency statement needs to be added. Job descriptions for currently filled positions will not require revision at this time.

The State of Kansas has defined the following work experience levels for positions that should no longer necessitate a degree requirement. HR will be using this as a framework for rebuilding required qualifications in position postings, as necessary.

If you have any questions about how we will be reviewing required qualifications in light of this new Senate Bill or possible changes to the online Job Title Table, please reach out to us at hrdept@ku.edu.

Rock Chalk!

Terri Osborn
Assistant Vice Chancellor
Talent Acquisition Team
Human Resources
hrdept@ku.edu
785-864-7140

1246 West Campus Rd., Room 103
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
hrdept@ku.edu
785-864-4946

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university’s programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or online and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or online.

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