In advance of the HLC site visit, March 3-4, 2025, all syllabi must be uploaded to the repository by Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. 

In alignment with regulations from the U.S. Department of Education, KU’s syllabus policy requires that all courses have a syllabus on file with the university. Each syllabus must include the required elements of the syllabus policy, including course-specific information and resource and policy information. During the HLC site visit, the review team will assess the degree to which KU adheres to these standards and assumed practices.  

Based on feedback from the mock site review and an internal audit of 10% of submitted syllabi, Academic Affairs has provided recommendations for instructors to consider when preparing spring 2025 syllabi. Some of these recommendations include:

• Creating syllabi within Simple Syllabus. KU's internal audit found that syllabi created in Simple Syllabus were 97% to 100% policy compliant.

• Including a link to Academic Success' Student Resources and ensuring that all required policies and resources are included in syllabi.

Additional guidance is available through the Center for Teaching Excellence. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

We are devastated to share that a KU staff member was killed in a northeast Kansas car crash on Saturday, Nov. 30. William “Bill” Novotny, a team leader in Facilities, had worked for KU custodial since 2014.

A celebration of life was held Sunday, Dec. 8. Anyone wishing to show support for the family is encouraged to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign established to help with family expenses. KU staff have been in touch with the family to ensure connection with the KU Benefits office.

We extend our deepest condolences to Bill’s family, friends and colleagues, and will keep his wife, Taylar Kathryn Deere-Novotny, and their 3-year-old daughter in our thoughts. 

Beginning Jan. 8, 2025, travelers from the United States and many other countries will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before visiting or passing through (transiting) the United Kingdom (UK).

The new requirement is intended to enhance border security and applies to all travelers, including children and those from visa-exempt countries. Visit KU Travel Services to learn more.

The Chancellor’s Annual Holiday Celebration will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Kansas Union Ballroom, 5th Floor.

Employees are invited to celebrate the holidays, relax with colleagues and reflect on the year with Chancellor Girod. There will be food, entertainment from the School of Music’s Intergenerational Choir and a chance to win one of several door prizes.

Free parking will be available in the Mississippi Street Garage at 1261 Oread Ave.

To relax and recharge before finals week, the Office of Faculty Affairs invites all KU faculty and academic staff to the second annual Faculty Finals Fest from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Dec. 11 and Dec. 12 in 145 Strong Hall.

In celebration of their efforts and dedication throughout the semester, faculty and academic staff can stop by to enjoy free refreshments, snacks and giveaways while connecting with colleagues. RSVPs are encouraged.

Operations has published a new webpage with a step-by-step guide for submitting maintenance service requests. The webpage includes a video guide and written directions for submitting requests through Maximo.

Anyone can submit a maintenance request for common shared spaces within buildings or spaces intended for personal use, such as office or lab spaces. For questions about service requests, email kuoperations@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.

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