Annual required training modules will be assigned to eligible KU employees on Tuesday in MyTalent. These learning courses are designed to reinforce the knowledge and skills needed to support students and colleagues by identifying, reporting and resolving potential issues.  

These required trainings include: 

Some employees, depending on their role, will also be assigned the Campus Security Authority Training module, which must also be completed by Nov. 14.  

An optional recommended course, Fostering Respect and Belonging at KU, will be available as well.  

The Office of the Provost will send an email on Tuesday to KU employees with links and additional instructions on how to access the trainings. 

Deadline: Nov. 14 

KU will participate in the National Great ShakeOut Drill on Oct. 16. Join the campus community in practicing the earthquake response technique “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and be counted in the world’s largest earthquake drill.   

At 10:40 a.m., KU students, faculty and staff who have opted into SMS messaging will receive a Rave notification via email and text message. The Emergency Public Address system will also be tested during this time.     

The drill will last approximately five minutes. Participants can help promote preparedness by taking a few photos during the drill and then emailing them to the Office of Emergency Management. Additional instructions on what to do during an earthquake are available online. 

Nominations are now open for teaching awards of distinction, including the Chancellors Club Teaching awards and the university-wide excellence in teaching awards, as well as the University Faculty Service Award. Departments and schools are encouraged to think broadly and inclusively when considering nominees. 

New this year, the Faculty Service Award will recognize faculty members who have provided outstanding service to the KU community through institutional service at the department, school or college, or university level. Nominations for this award are due Dec. 1.  

Nominations for faculty teaching awards are due on Feb. 2 and include the following:  

Chancellors Club Career Teaching Award 

Chancellors Club Teaching Professorship 

Ned N. Fleming Trust Award  

International Affairs Advisory Board International Teaching Award  

William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence 

Byron T. Shutz Award for Excellence in Teaching 

Bob & Kathie Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award 

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and KU IT is highlighting resources that support secure practices across campus. This week’s focus is Microsoft Copilot, the only AI tool approved for use with university data and sensitive information. 

When opening an AI tool, it is important to "think before you click" and consider the security and confidentiality of the information being entered. Data shared with most public AI platforms can be stored, reused or exposed outside the university, creating risks for confidential or sensitive information. Copilot provides the convenience of AI while keeping work protected under KU’s security standards. 

Accessing Copilot 

Additional tips, examples and best practices for responsible AI use are available on the University AI Guidelines page. 

Questions or comments may be directed to ai_taskforce@ku.edu. 

KU IT will upgrade eligible KU computers from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on Friday evening. To avoid disruption, employees with eligible computers are encouraged to complete the upgrade in advance at a convenient time for them. 

Upgrade steps (allow about 45 minutes): 

Once the computer upgrades to Windows 11, users can adjust these settings to customize their experience: 

Remaining eligible computers will be upgraded automatically on Friday.

Chancellor Doug Girod and Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer will provide the campus community with updates at two separate events this month. 

The chancellor will give the annual State of the University address at 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Jayhawk Welcome Center. For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed at chancellor.ku.edu. Following the address, a TGIT event will be held in The Pub. Registration is not required but appreciated for planning purposes. 

The provost will give the annual State of the Campus address at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27 in the Ballroom of the Kansas Memorial Union. A community connection event with food and drink will follow. Check back in Campus Insider for more details. 

Several campus road closures are planned on or around fall break as crews complete maintenance projects and other planned upgrades.  

Visit the Construction Closures page for the most up-to-date information on construction projects that may impact parking and streets. 

The walkway bridge between the Mississippi Street Parking Garage and the second level of the Kansas Union will be closed for maintenance for the next two weekends. Plans are for the bridge to close from Oct. 11-12 and Oct. 18-19 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Alternative routes into the union include the Jayhawk Boulevard entrance on the fourth level or the Mississippi Street entrance on the first level. 

Effective Nov. 15, the Learning section of MyTalent will receive a new look due to vendor-delivered updates. Individuals desiring a “sneak peek” of the new layout are encouraged to use the slide toggle in the upper right corner of the Learning home page. 

The new experience simplifies the Learning home page, dividing learning content into three general sections: 

The drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner will display additional options and features, including curricula and learning history. To search for training, use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a topic or class. 

Employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new view before Nov. 15. Those with questions should contact Human Resources at  hrdept@ku.edu. 

The company that administers two insurance policies for the KU Teachers and Employees Association has changed.

As of Oct. 1, AmeriLife Benefits is administering the Reliance Standard Voluntary Term Life and UNUM Long-Term Care policies. A notice has been sent to all KU TEA members. The previous administrator had been The Miller Group. 

To ensure continuation of coverage without interruption, KU TEA members’ bank draft information must be updated directly with AmeriLife Benefits. Please call 833-511-2238 no later than Oct. 10 to complete this process. Members may also schedule an appointment online by visiting the AmeriLife Benefits Portal. 

KU TEA provides KU and affiliate employees access to quality insurance products at competitive group rates. All KU faculty, staff and employees, including affiliate organizations, working at least 17.5 hours per week on a yearly basis are eligible to become members. 

To comply with a 2022 directive from the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Institutes of Health has updated its Public Access Policy, effective July 1, to require immediate public access to publications and data resulting from federally funded research.  

KU Libraries has compiled information and resources to help KU researchers comply with the Funder Public Access Policy Guide. While NIH-funded research is the most immediate concern, similar requirements are expected to be in place for all federally funded research by Jan. 1. 

Movetober, a KU Employee Wellness initiative, is underway and the first week’s theme is Move with Jayhawk Spirit. Join Baby Jay for a group walk down Jayhawk Boulevard. Participants should meet at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday in front of the Kansas Union.  

Those who can’t join in person can share their Jayhawk spirit by posting photos of themselves in KU gear in the Movetober Teams channel.  

Running from Oct. 5 to Oct. 31, Movetober encourages movement in all forms. KU employees can participate in person or in teams of three to six people by tracking and logging their movements weekly. Learn more on the Movetober website. 

Discover the cardio and strength training resources available at the Robinson Center during a Move-N-Learn session from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Oct. 15. Led by Dustin Kinsey, a certified personal trainer, the session will feature a guided tour of the Robinson Center Weight Rooms, a free facility open to KU employees.  

Participants will learn how to use equipment safely and effectively, with clear explanations of their purpose and benefits. The trainer will also demonstrate a quick and efficient 20-30 minute full-body strength workout template that is suited for busy schedules and all fitness levels. 

Employees can register in MyTalent and KU affiliates can email wellness@ku.edu. 

KU employees will have an opportunity to try Pure Barre at an upcoming Move-N-Learn session from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Oct. 16. Join Pure Barre Lawrence owner Carrie Barton at the outdoor platform overlooking Potter Lake for a full-body workout designed for all fitness levels. 

The music-driven group class will focus on low-impact, high-intensity movements that strengthen and tone the body. The moves can be modified to meet various fitness levels. Participants should bring water and can bring a yoga mat or beach towel, although yoga mats will also be provided.  

Employees can register in MyTalent and KU affiliates can email wellness@ku.edu. 

Your KU email account is the official channel for important university communications.

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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