September '23 Updates from University Governance

University Governance

Dear all,

We hope that you are settling into the fall semester! Time is already flying by. University Governance is getting underway, hosting its first senate meetings and solidifying memberships. Student Senate has had a lot of interest from the current class of freshman and recently held their orientation for new senators. Our University, Faculty, and Staff Senate committees are all in the process of getting their charges finalized and approved, so look out for upcoming work from these bodies.

Senate Meetings

We have a series of important speakers lined up for Senate meetings this fall! Attending Governance meetings is a great opportunity to hear from campus leaders and gain insight into how University Governance functions. See below for the upcoming schedule and meeting information.

Faculty Senate

Thursday, Sept. 14, 3:15 p.m. – Barbara Bichelmeyer, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor

Join via Zoom: https://kansas.zoom.us/j/97818722442

  • Meeting ID: 978 1872 2442
  • Passcode: 916411

University Senate

Thursday, Oct. 5, 3:15 p.m. – Ada Emmett, University Ombuds

Join via Zoom: https://kansas.zoom.us/j/97871612506

  • Meeting ID: 978 7161 2506
  • Passcode: 956978

Staff Senate

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 12:00 p.m. – Nicole Hodges Persley, Vice Provost of DEIB

Join via Zoom: https://kansas.zoom.us/j/98043421602

  • Meeting ID: 980 4342 1602
  • Passcode: 442266

Staff Satisfaction Public Forum

Staff Senate and Provost Bichelmeyer are hosting a public forum to present recommendations and next steps to improve staff satisfaction at KU. This is the final formal event in campus’ response to the 2022 Docking Institute USS and UPS Employee Satisfaction Survey. The recommendations, created by an Advisory Team of KU staff, are informed both by data from the survey and by the unique perspectives of our staff. We hope to see you there!

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2-3 p.m.

Watson Library 3 West Reading Room

Join via Zoom: https://kansas.zoom.us/j/7858640274

  • Meeting ID: 785 864 0274
  • Passcode: 2023

Excused Absence Policy (USRR 2.2)

Last spring, University Senate passed an updated policy on excused absences after many years of work in this area. We know that this policy update may have been missed by some at the end of the academic year, so we want to remind you of these changes. Please see the excused absence policy workflow shared in the spring for guidance in managing absences.

 

As always, please contact your senate president or the Governance Office if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

Rock Chalk!

 

Victor Gonzalez, Faculty Senate President

Chris Wallace, Staff Senate President

Turner Seals, Student Body President

DaNae Estabine, Student Body Vice President

Kristin Villa, University Senate President