As the region and nation see a surge in respiratory and flu-related illnesses, KU employees are encouraged to take the following prevention measures to minimize the spread of viruses:  

As Facilities Planning & Development continues to switch to electronic key card access for buildings across campus, KU employees are encouraged to update KUID cards that are nine years or older.   

Employees who received a KUID card before June 2017 need to request a new card through the KU Card Center so it can be programmed for access. KUIDs four years or older will be replaced for free.  

To increase safety and reduce costs, FPD has been switching from physical metal keys to electronic card readers for building entry after hours and on weekends and holidays.    

While many buildings across campus already have electronic key card access, FPD plans to expand to more buildings in 2026. Once card readers are installed and access control is updated, the exterior doors will be rekeyed so metal keys will no longer work.  

Unit leaders will be notified when a building switches to card readers and will be provided instructions for updating their employees’ KUID cards. Additionally, an email will be sent to the building’s service alert subscribers. Learn more about signing up for service alerts.  

The Provost Search Committee has selected four finalists for the position of provost/chief academic officer for KU and executive vice chancellor of the Lawrence and Edwards Campuses. The candidates will give public presentations between Jan. 22 and Feb. 4. 

The open sessions will provide opportunities for KU members to engage with each candidate, hear their vision for the university, and share feedback with the search committee. Candidate names will be announced two days before their forum. 

Presentation Dates: 

Finalist presentations will be live-streamed, and recordings will be made available online for 48 hours. The Chancellor has expressed a goal of having the selected leader in place by March 1.

Visit the provost leadership search webpage for more information and updates. 

Known for her thoroughness, problem-solving ability and positivity, Marianne Reed, digital publishing and repository manager at KU Libraries, has been named a December Employee of the Month. 

Reed plays an instrumental role in guiding digital scholarship through her management of KU ScholarWorks, the university's online institutional repository. She supports KU faculty, staff and students in publishing open-access journals, monographs, theses and dissertations through platforms like Open Journal Systems. Reed works directly with editors, authors and graduate students to ensure scholarly content is properly archived, accessible and preserved for the long term. 

Reed’s nominator said she consistently provides high-quality support to KU scholars and improves access and visibility to their research. 

“Marianne’s technical knowledge of digital publishing, focus on quality and unwavering support for others make her an invaluable asset to the KU community who deserves to be celebrated,” they said.  

As a liaison between the university and state regulatory agencies, Tanya Shaw’s ability to develop strong working relationships has made her a critical team player. Her exceptional work ethic, organizational skills and dedication have earned Shaw the recognition of a December Employee of the Month. 

Shaw, an administrative assistant in Facilities Planning & Development, has worked at KU for about 31 years, 18 of those with FPD. 

She coordinates documentation between KU and the Kansas offices of Facilities & Property Management and State Fire Marshal; maintains compliance and project tracking across multiple departments and agencies; serves as the point person for document submittals and related inquiries for OFPM; and oversees annual inspections for all university properties. 

With her institutional knowledge and proactive attitude, a colleague said Shaw is the magic that maintains the workflow between the KU community, FPD and external agencies. 

Read more about Reed and Shaw’s work on the Employee of the Month Winners webpage.

Research at KU furthers strategies to address the urgent challenge of dwindling water supplies in Kansas. Find out more through KU Marketing’s new multimedia experience Mighty Kansas Water, which showcases the storyteling platform Created by KU and highlights how KU creates a better future through research and service. 

Subscribe to receive future features. 

Join Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs for a keynote address that explores if AI and the co-intelligent movement can prevent harm, promote good and safeguard human dignity.  

In his talk “Co-Intelligence: An Ethical Odyssey from Smart to Wise AI,” Nathan C. Walker, a principal investigator of the AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University, will discuss if artificial intelligence, which promises efficiency and innovation, can also enrich the human experience and tap into what makes people wise.  

Walker’s keynote will be from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Burge Union, Forum D. Register to attend. 

Gail Tiemann, wellness coordinator for the Office of Mental Health and Wellbeing, will lead a two-hour interactive session designed for anyone who feels stuck — whether in habits, decisions or goals — and wants a practical, encouraging way forward.  

The workshop “Getting Unstuck: Small Steps, Big Shifts Toward Your Future” will be held in person 9-11 a.m. Jan. 20 in JRP Room 204 and a virtual option will be held 9-11 a.m. Jan. 22. 

Together, participants will explore why feeling stuck is normal, how to identify invisible barriers, and how to take small, doable steps toward meaningful change. They will also learn how to celebrate wins to build momentum and confidence. 

KU employees can register for the in-person or virtual options through MyTalent, and KU affiliates without My Talent access can email wellness@ku.edu to register. 

KU faculty and staff can kick start their 2026 health goals with a series of weekly free yoga sessions. Provided by KU Employee Wellness and taught by a certified instructor, the yoga sessions are for all levels, including beginners.   

Times, locations and instructors will change from week to week. View the spring schedule for full details. The first session is at 4 p.m. Jan. 21 at the Spencer Research Library. Mats will be provided or participants can bring their own.    

KU employees should register through MyTalent and KU affiliates can email wellness@ku.edu to register.   

KU Dining oversees vending machine fulfillment throughout the Lawrence campus. For vending machines that need to be replenished or for other issues, email KU Dining at kudining@ku.edu. KU Dining will send concerns along to the vending contractor.   

Faculty or staff who have nominated a student for a University Award or know of a student who deserves recognition should encourage them to apply by Jan. 22. 

The University Awards are among the most prestigious awards presented at KU. Recipients of the seven awards are recognized during a surprise in-class presentation, and their photos are included in the Commencement Program.  

The Office of the Provost has webpages documenting agendas and notes for leadership groups that meet regularly.  

Now available to read are notes from the summer and fall semester's Deans Council meetings, the newly formed Council of Academic Leaders, and September’s All Team meeting, which includes KU senior leaders and direct reports of the provost.

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.