KU Strives for Continuous Improvement and Savings Through Jayhawks Elevate
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During the FY2026 Budget Presentation, Chief Financial Officer Jeff DeWitt referenced several initiatives that must be implemented and successful for KU to reach future phases of market pay. One of those initiatives is increased participation in Jayhawks Elevate.
In the last six months, participation in Jayhawks Elevate has been relatively low, DeWitt said. “We need 100% of people to show up. We need everybody’s ideas…and we ask for you to help us.”
Jayhawks Elevate is a continuous improvement program that enables employees to bring their ideas forward on how KU can be more cost-effective, improve efficiency, enhance employee experiences and generate revenue. Whether it’s streamlining financial processes, improving KU resources and services, participation in Jayhawks Elevate helps shape a university that not only meets the standards of today, but sets new benchmarks for tomorrow.
Visit Jayhawks Elevate to see success stories, ongoing projects and to submit your ideas.
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Jayhawks Rising Progress Report is Available for Review |
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Work continues on the Jayhawks Rising strategic plan. Several offices and units have been working over the past fiscal year to address areas of growth and change for the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.
The FY25 Progress Report is available for review online. A few of the advances include:
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Office of Research has received quotes for an integrated proposal management software platform and is working with KU Medical Center to develop an implementation strategy.
- A graduate assistant was hired to develop a data collection and management system to capture KU’s entrepreneurial engagement.
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Healthy & Vibrant Communities
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- KU is participating in JED Campus, which provides guidance on comprehensive systems, programs and policy development to support student mental health.
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Finance and IT, working with Human Resources, created a new yearlong onboarding process that combines resources, tours and peer connections to welcome and orient new employees.
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Enrollment Management and Academic Success conducted a student email audit to support a comprehensive communications plan for students. Enrollment Management also launched an AI chatbot on the Admissions and Registrar’s websites.
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University Career Center secured an enhanced career services platform that will help connect students with career engagement and services earlier in their studies and across all academic unit-based career centers.
- Implementation of degree maps for undergraduate programs is underway through Stellic. Graduate degree mapping will begin when undergraduate program mapping is complete.
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Parking Commission Approved Price Increase |
Faculty/staff parking permits for the 2025-26 academic year are now available for purchase via payroll deduction online in the KU Parking portal. Permits may be purchased with a credit card after July 1, 2025.
Annual permits expire July 31. Be sure to purchase your new permit before August 1 to avoid the risk of receiving a ticket.
The Parking Commission approved a 2.7% price increase to annual and semester permit prices, as well as increases to daily and hourly parking rates for the 2025-26 year. The rate increase was deliberated during an open forum in May.
Visit KU Parking for more information about permit prices and deduction amounts.
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KU Generated $7.8 Billion in Economic Impact for the State of Kansas |
A recent study by global analytics firm, Lightcast, calculated KU's annual statewide impact for fiscal year 2023 (July 2022 - June 2023) at $7.8 billion. This includes the university's activities across operations, construction and research, in addition to the expenditures of KU startup companies, visitors, students and alumni.
Highlights from the study include:
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- $2.90:$1 - Kansas taxpayers gain $2.90 in added tax revenue and public sector savings for every $1 invested in KU.
- $5.70:$1 - Students gain $5.70 in lifetime earnings for every $1 invested in KU.
- $2.5 billion - Income added to the state economy from KU alumni in FY 2023.
- $465.9 million - Amount Kansas taxpayers avoid paying in expenses because of KU graduates.
- $315 million - Income added to the state economy by KU research pursuits in FY 2023.
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87,693 - The equivalent number of jobs in the state supported by KU activities (1 out of 23).
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Supporting Campus Units Through the Project and Change Management Office |
Restored in 2023 and expanded in 2025, KU IT’s Project and Change Management Office supports campus units implementing technology-driven projects that align with university goals. From classroom tech upgrades and cybersecurity improvements to major system transitions, the PCMO provides structure, coordination and support that helps projects stay on schedule, meet key objectives and deliver meaningful results.
The office also leads tech-related change management efforts, helping the KU community stay informed, supported and ready for new technology.
Read more about how the PCMO supports campus projects in KU Today
Need help with a technology-related project?
Submit a request before selecting tools or vendors.
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Reinardy to Serve as Interim Dean of JMC School |
Scott Reinardy, Associate Dean for Student Success, will serve as interim dean for the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications. On Aug. 18, Reinardy will assume responsibility from Ann Brill, who has served as dean since 2004.
We thank Ann Brill for her dedicated leadership and extend our congratulations to Scott Reinardy. Later this summer, information will be shared about the appointment of the search committee for a new dean.
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| University Research Award Spotlight: Kathryn Bigelow |
This spring during the University Research Awards ceremony, Chancellor Doug Girod celebrated some of KU's most outstanding researchers and their impact.
Kathryn Bigelow, associate research professor at the Juniper Gardens Children’s Project in the Life Span Institute, received the Steven F. Warren Research Achievement Award. Hear from Bigelow as she talks about her work developing tools and strategies to promote early language and social emotional development.
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Upcoming Events, Dates and Deadlines |
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Your KU email account is the official channel for important university communications.
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1450 Jayhawk Blvd. | Lawrence, KS 66045 US
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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.
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