Inspired by KU’s mighty community of creators and its alma mater, “Towering Toward the Blue” represents the connection between the boundless Kansas horizon and KU’s boundless ingenuity. KU’s new brand emphasizes the One KU initiative’s strengths, the university’s significant contributions to teaching, research, higher education and economic development — and how those endeavors improve life for people in Kansas and beyond. To keep KU’s spirited determination top of mind, download free digital flair for your phone and computer. Watch the above video to see how KU serves and empowers Kansans and the world. 

In early March, the University of Kansas will take part in the HLC site visit for reaffirmation of accreditation. The site visit team will meet with members of the campus community to assess programs and activities at KU, as well as how well people know the university’s institutional learning goals. Often called the KU Promise, the learning goals outline the general knowledge and skills we want every student to possess upon graduation: 

Learn how each of these goals is expressed on the assessment website. 

To learn more about the accreditation process and the site visit, go to KU’s accreditation website. 

Four candidates for dean of the School of Pharmacy will hold public presentations in the coming weeks. The name of each candidate will be announced approximately two business days before their respective campus visit. The candidates' public presentations will take place in Room 1020 of the School of Pharmacy building and are scheduled for the following dates: 

The presentations also will be livestreamed through the Provost’s Office website. Members of the KU community are encouraged to attend each candidate’s public presentation and provide feedback to the search committee. Presentation recordings and the online feedback form will remain open throughout the visit process. 

More information about the search can be found on the School of Pharmacy Dean Search site.  

KU offices offer resources to aid faculty and staff in navigating difficult situations. Here are a few of them: 

On Saturday, Feb. 8, an all-day power outage is scheduled for Anschutz Library, Chalmers Hall and Marvin Studios. The buildings will be taken out of service at 6 a.m. with power expected to be restored by 8 p.m. Earlier in the week, a two-hour power outage is scheduled from 6 to 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6. The buildings will be closed during these outages.

While the power is out, all heating and cooling systems, lighting, and general-purpose outlets will be out of service throughout the buildings. Emergency backup power will not be affected and the Hawk Route elevator in Anschutz Library will continue to operate.

To sign up for service alerts for specific Lawrence campus buildings, please visit the KU Operations website. 

Tax season brings a rise in scams. Fraudsters may pose as the IRS through emails, texts or phone calls, claiming issues with your tax return or offering false refunds. They may demand immediate payment or personal details, often through fake websites or urgent threats. Always verify suspicious messages and use trusted tax services.      

If you receive a suspicious email, report it in Outlook or forward it to abuse@ku.edu. You can also report the scam by forwarding it to phishing@irs.gov. Learn more about protecting yourself on KU IT's email security page. 

Deadline: Saturday, March 1 

Nominating employees for the Employee of the Month award is a great way to recognize exceptional university staff members and show appreciation for their contributions. Winners receive a $750 award, a surprise visit from a member of the Provost’s leadership team and become a candidate for the 2025 Employee of the Year Award. 

Eligible nominees must have a half-time or greater appointment in a regular, ongoing position with one year of service at KU or a recognized affiliate. Nominate a colleague via the online nomination form.   

KU IT is launching a network upgrade project to improve wireless connectivity across the Lawrence and Edwards campuses. The upgrade will provide faster speeds, improved bandwidth and enhanced security to over 100 KU buildings.  

During scheduled building upgrades, occupants may experience brief disruptions of 5-10 minutes as Wi-Fi access points are replaced. Major disruptions will be arranged outside business hours in coordination with KU IT Technical Service Centers. 

The upgrade will roll out in phases, with completion targeted for 2027. For questions, contact itcsc@ku.edu. Learn more about KU’s current Wi-Fi offerings.

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.