In a few weeks, KU will welcome new and returning students to the Lawrence campus. During move-in, Student Affairs has a variety of volunteer opportunities, providing faculty and staff a chance to connect with students and families and meet other KU employees.   

To sign up for volunteer shifts and for additional information, visit the Student Affairs’ website. 

As shared in a July 1 email from KU Travel Services, the One KU University Business Travel Policy has been approved and published in the Policy Library. The new policy aligned the Lawrence and Edwards campuses and KU Medical Center's existing travel policies, requirements and procedures to ensure consistency and best practices across all campuses. It also ensures KU policy aligns with the State of Kansas and federal requirements. 

Those who plan to travel or book travel for someone else should review the recently approved policy and changes. KU Travel Services has highlighted reminders and key changes for the following areas: 

Travelers who do not follow the new policy or associated procedures may not be reimbursed or may be required to reimburse the university for prepaid expenses, be restricted from future travel, and be subject to other disciplinary action. 

Dorris Mbogo, director of informal resolution in the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, will serve a part-time position as interim university ombuds. She succeeds Ada Emmett, who retired from KU on June 30 after nearly 25 years of service in the Ombuds Office and in KU Libraries. 

Mbogo brings extensive dispute resolution experience, as well as familiarity with the university. She came to the KU Medical Center in December 2020, first serving as director of Equal Opportunity and Academic Compliance Services before becoming the director of the Office of Informal Resolutions & Affirmative Action Compliance, serving the KU Medical Center and the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. She brings prior leadership experience in human resources and employee relations from agencies and organizations in Colorado.  

She holds a doctorate in leadership and organizational development from Ashford University, now part of the University of Arizona Global Campus. In addition to having completed ombuds professional training, Mbogo has certifications in restorative justice, advanced and basic mediation, and professional coaching.  

Mbogo will continue in the role until the Ombuds Role Review Committee finishes its report and a national search for a permanent university ombuds is completed based on the review committee’s recommendations.   

Student Union Activities is inviting campus units and departments to host an informational table and connect with students at UnionFest as it kicks off the academic year. UnionFest will take place from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Kansas Union. 

A longstanding Hawk Week tradition, UnionFest welcomes students to the Kansas Union and provides an opportunity to learn about campus resources, meet new people and win prizes. 

Units and departments interested in participating should complete this registration form by July 24. A member of the SUA team will follow up with additional details. Please reach out to sua@ku.edu with questions. 

Hilltop Child Development Center has openings for August 2026 for children ages 12 months to 4 years old for its early childhood program and from kindergarten through fifth grade for its after-school program. KU’s childcare center, Hilltop, is a nurturing and academically rich environment where children learn from passionate professionals. 

To apply, visit Hilltop’s application and enrollment website. For more information, email Hilltop at hilltop@ku.edu. 

The 2026 Staff Leadership Summit has been set for Sept. 30 in the KU Memorial Union. The summit is a free, all-day professional development opportunity tailored specifically for KU staff. This year’s theme is The Art of Possibility. 

More details to come. 

Employee Wellness’ next Move-N-Learn will be a tour of Counseling & Psychological Services and include information on KU’s robust mental health services for students. The tour will be from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Wednesday, with participants meeting on the second floor of Watkins Health Services.  

KU employees should register for the session through MyTalent. KU affiliates can email wellness@ku.edu to register.  

Chef Raven Naramore will share how to make the most of summer’s freshest ingredients at Employee Wellness’ next Lunch-N-Learn. Naramore will show participants how to make zucchini wraps filled with a street corn salad.   

The virtual session will be held from noon to 12:50 p.m. July 29. KU employees should register for the session through MyTalent. KU Medical Center employees and affiliates can also register online.   

Beginning today, Illinois Street will be closed at Fambrough Drive/11th Street due to construction on the north side of the street. Traffic on 11th Street will not be able to turn onto Illinois.  

As part of the closure, the westbound traffic lane on 11th Street between Mississippi and Alabama streets will shift to the center turn lane to allow for two-way traffic. Drivers will still be able to turn in all directions at the intersection of 11th and Mississippi. The work is expected to last three weeks. See map for more details. 

This spring during the University Research Awards ceremony, Chancellor Doug Girod celebrated some of KU's most outstanding researchers and their impact.

David Farber, Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History, received the Balfour S. Jeffrey Award in the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. In the video above, Farber discusses how he explores the historical and cultural influences that shape American democracy. 

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.

The University of Kansas is a public institution governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.