The World Cup ended Sunday, but its impact on the Lawrence community continues. To sustain the connections forged during Algeria's time in the region, KU International Affairs is working on several initiatives:

To prepare for and celebrate the World Cup, units across KU played essential roles in cultural training, public programming, community language and translation support, and multilingual outreach throughout Lawrence and Kansas City. These units included African and African‑American Studies; Kansas African Studies Center; Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; departments of Spanish and Portuguese; French, Francophone and Italian Studies; Slavic, German and Eurasian Studies; Spencer Museum of Art; and KU Natural History Museum.

Their combined efforts helped prepare the community to welcome teams and fans from around the world, which garnered international attention and opened doors for long-term partnerships.

On July 1, temporary employment for staff hires on the KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses transitioned to a new structure.

Units seeking to hire a Temporary Unclassified Professional Staff employee should work with Human Resources to determine whether the position is a one-time need or provides recurring, intermittent or seasonal support, so that the appropriate classification of Intermittent Temporary Worker can be assigned.

Under the new structure, only temporary positions classified as intermittent or seasonal may extend beyond the initial 12-month assignment. The 999-hour limit will continue to apply to all temporary employees.

This change does not apply to student positions or to temporary employees hired through an external temporary agency.

Throughout the summer, Human Resources has worked closely with units and UPS temporary employees to support the transition. More information about the policy change, including transition guidance for current employees, can be found on the Human Resources website and FAQ materials. Questions can be directed to employ@ku.edu.

Six KU faculty members have been selected to participate in the Big 12 Faculty Fellowship program during the 2026-27 academic year.

The program allows tenured and tenure-track faculty on the KU Lawrence campus to expand their research connections within the Big 12 Conference through a variety of scholarly endeavors, which may include collaborating on projects, consulting with faculty and students, providing lectures or symposia, acquiring new skills or accessing unique archives or laboratory facilities.

2026-27 Big 12 Faculty Fellowship Recipients:

Read more about this year’s recipients in this KU News article.

Hawk Link and TRIO are partnering to celebrate KU’s First-Gen students during First-Gen College Celebration Week, Nov. 8-13. A full list of events can be found on the Hawk Link website.

To be a part of the celebration:

From July 27 to Aug. 3, a planned power outage for construction will take Budig Hall/Hoch Auditoria out of service. During this time, the building’s elevator will not be operating, making a section of the Hawk Route inaccessible. Signs will direct pedestrians to an alternative route that uses Wescoe Hall for part of the accessible path that connects Sunnyside Avenue to Jayhawk Boulevard.

During the power outage, all heating and cooling systems and lighting and general-purpose outlets will be out of service throughout the building, as well as emergency lighting and life safety systems.

Throughout the project, access will remain to Lot 18, which sits behind Wescoe, and the northeast entrance to Anschutz Library. Service is expected to be restored by 5 p.m. Aug. 3.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will unveil its fall course catalog at two preview events this week. The Lawrence Campus preview event will be from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at KU Innovation Park Auditorium. Those interested should RSVP to the Lawrence event. Today’s preview event at the Edwards Campus is at capacity.

At the preview events, lifelong learners, instructors and staff will celebrate the next season of classes and trips. Refreshments will be provided by Wadulisi's Chef Melissa Garrett, who prepares food using ingredients and methods honoring her Native heritage.

The course catalog will go online on Wednesday. Registration opens that day as well. Programs are focused on those 50 or over, but learners of all ages are welcome.

KU is a powerful force for good across the state. Through the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute and Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, KU instructs the first responders who serve the state — the professionals who run toward danger. See how KU keeps Kansans safe in this Created by KU multimedia feature.

Employers who want to receive a printed copy of the 2027 State Employee Health Plan Open Enrollment Guide should submit a request by July 31. All open enrollment material, including the guide, videos and informational flyers, will be available on the SEHP website in September. Open enrollment is from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31.

Kansas City Royals and KU fans can mark the close of summer break at Kauffman Stadium on Aug. 8. Fans can wear their Jayhawk pride while watching the Royals play the Chicago Cubs.

KU Night at the K will feature a Royals and Jayhawk tumbler giveaway for individuals purchasing a theme ticket. Group tickets of 15 or more are also available by calling 816-504-4040 or emailing groupsales@royals.com. The game starts at 6:10 p.m.

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

Kathleen Lynne Lane, Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor of Special Education and director of Human Subjects Research, received the Irvin E. Youngberg Award in Applied Sciences. In the video above, Lane discusses how she helps build systems in schools.

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