Approval of Previous Minutes —

The minutes from September 2, 2025, were sent before the meeting. Hearing no changes, the minutes were approved. 

Faculty Senate Report

Misty said that September was slow except for the interaction with KBOR with their adoption of policies around tenure. Misty reported they met with KBOR on their campus visit on Tuesday. KBOR listened to governance representatives by giving them general information about the state of the university, faculty, and other concerns. We believe this was well received. 

University Senate Report

Poppy DeltaDawn reported the following. Poppy added that they reported the KBOR meeting to the Provost when they met with her on Friday. There was a pre meeting to discuss and plan for the KBOR visit. It was more of a listening session for KBOR and not an interactive dialogue, as was wanted, but we appreciate the chance to update KBOR. We talked about leadership raises, and staff and faculty raises. The Provost gave us an enlightening presentation on Friday. On Thursday Jeff DeWitt will present at University Senate. We are getting the ball rolling on committee work. 

New Business —

Office of Research Structural Changes. Misty asked if the group was aware of the changes in the Office of Research. Some were not aware of the changes. Misty explained that the Office of Research has brought together a group to do strategic planning. The university has hubs funded from grants. There is a desire to merge some of these into the Office of Research. There is some pushback. Some Centers do not think that the Office of Research can provide the level or ability that the Centers can. There is discussion about this new environment where resources are limited. Misty asked for feedback if the larger senate body should look at this issue. Could we get someone to speak with Faculty Senate who is knowledgeable about this? Does this affect the General Research Fund? The senators expressed that they are interested in learning more about this. Misty suggested inviting Shelley Hooks in the Office of Research to come to share some information at the Faculty Senate Meeting.

Compact for Academic Excellence. Do we want to bring the issue of the potential of the Chancellor to take part on a committee with the White House? Misty added that coming from the Federal Government and working there for many years, there are reasons not to do it if you are opposed to the agenda. A reason to do it would be to safeguard resources by having a seat at the table.

A larger issue is this compact that is going to different universities. Most have declined the invitation except for the University of Kansas. The other universities faculty had acted, too. We could take a stance as a faculty. We could let the Chancellor know that the faculty is not a fan of the compact. As a faculty we have some responsibility to say what is good and healthy for the University. There is a protest planned on November 7. The Graduate Student Union put out a statement on their Instagram. UAKU has started a petition to ask Girod to decline the invitation. A link was provided to information on Compact and Higher Education. Misty suggested that she and Poppy create a letter to send to FacEx. A letter to the Chancellor that conveys our stance seems effective. A discussion followed about the tone and content of the letter. Misty will create a letter, Poppy will review and revise, and then the letter will go to FacEx. FacEx can send the letter to Faculty Senate for a vote.

Meeting adjourned.