Agenda and Meeting Notes

All Team Agenda – March 3, 2026

• UAKU Status Update
• Legislative Session Update
• Provost Transition

Meeting Notes

UAKU Status Update

Amy Mendenhall, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, shared updates on collective bargaining with UAKU. On April 26, KU sent its “last/best” letter to UAKU. The letter can be read in full on the Faculty Affairs’ Collective Bargaining Updates webpage. The webpage also includes an outline of the university’s bargaining approach to date, its compensation strategy, and a timeline of progress and tentative agreements. The letter gives UAKU a seven‑day window to respond, with a deadline of March 5. If the offer is not accepted, the bargaining process will move into an impasse. Mendenhall explained that impasse procedures are defined in state statute. The process for impasse could last from six months to one year. 

Mike Leitch, Deputy General Counsel for the Lawrence Campus, noted some challenges that could extend the timeline for reaching an agreement during impasse, primarily the difficulty of locating qualified mediators and fact‑finders due to ongoing federal‑level changes. The interim MOU remains in effect, allowing wage increases for promotions and retentions until a full contract is in place.

Legislative Session Update

Julie Murray, Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, provided updates on the state legislature’s budget process and bills that have been passed or are currently under discussion. The House has passed its version of the budget, and the Senate is expected to pass its budget this week. Any differences between the two budgets will go to conference committees for negotiation and resolution. Recent pay increases have typically been finalized during conference negotiations, though it is uncertain whether the plan will include pay increases for higher education institutions. Murray shared that a hearing related to bonding for the School of Architecture’s building will be held soon. She noted that the new budget process complicates capital processes, as previously the governor included all bonding in the budget, whereas now the legislature must handle it.

Provost Transition 

Arash Mafi, Chief Academic Officer, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for the Lawrence and Edwards Campuses, discussed changes underway as part of the provost transition. On March 2, Jennifer Roberts began her position as executive dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Ric Steele, Vice Provost for Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, will serve as Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for the next six months while a broader examination of Academic Affairs is conducted before launching a vice provost search.

Two changes within the Office of the Provost were also announced. Jill Hummels will serve full-time as the director of internal communications, and Faunia Tuma will serve as chief of staff. Provost Mafi acknowledged that the transition has been rapid and affected several offices. He asked for patience as teams adjust, affirming commitments to clarity and continuity. 

It emphasized that strong systems and structures were put in place by former Provost Bichelmeyer, and advanced notice will be provided if anything needs to change over the next 6-12 months. Provost Mafi reiterated his primary focus is strengthening KU’s academic mission by working collaboratively across the university.