Implementing Kansas House Bill 2105 by July 1

Dear Colleague,

I hope the start to your summer has been relaxing and rewarding.

As previously communicated, Kansas House Bill 2105 takes effect on July 1, 2024, and since its passage we have been working diligently to meet important compliance requirements.

This new state law impacts various aspects of our campus practices, policies and procedures; as we work through these together, we cannot lose sight of our responsibilities to provide equal opportunity, to create a safer and respectful campus environment, to foster freedom of expression, and to facilitate success for each member of the Jayhawk community.

Several administrative offices have been making changes to campuswide practices and activities. This communication is intended to make sure every employee understands the role you have in helping the university achieve compliance with the law at the unit and department level.

We recommend that you refer to our guidance page for details, noting this resource will be updated as more information becomes available. Please review all resources provided and reach out to partnering offices (i.e., Human Resources, Office of Faculty Affairs, Enrollment Management, Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance, the Office of Policy Administration and the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging) with questions or for guidance. More detailed information is available online; a summary of the important activities that need immediate attention are:

• Employee Searches and/or Promotions
  • Do not use or develop new evaluation rubrics, screening materials, interview questions that include diversity, equity and inclusion.
  • Performance goals related to diversity, equity and inclusion need to be reviewed for revision or removal. Promotion and Tenure unit guidelines also require review.
  • Enroll in HR Search Training if participating in future hiring.
• Training, Programming and Professional Development
  • Any training that includes topics of nondiscrimination, diversity, equity, inclusion, race, ethnicity or bias must be reviewed by the Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance and be publicly available online. Training covering such subject matters will not be available for registration in MyTalent without materials being approved. Some trainings may be discontinued.
• Policy, Procedure, Process and Content Review and Compliance
  • Review all unit level policies, procedures, websites, materials for diversity, equity and inclusion, as they relate to the law and work with the Office of Policy Administration to make updates accordingly.
  • Familiarize yourself with all new policies issued and process changes around the law.

Next Steps

As you become more familiar with the new requirements of HB 2105, our leadership team will continue to work on providing updates to the website, an FAQ page and resource documents. Leaders from certain offices will provide more specific communications, guidance and outreach regarding changes required by the law.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all students, staff and faculty regardless of the identities we each hold. Our institution upholds the principles of fairness and nondiscrimination in all our practices and policies. We are striving to navigate any changes required by the law while continuing to foster an environment of respect and belonging for each member.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to maintaining a welcoming, accessible and respectful campus environment as we make sure we comply with the law. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact the Office of the Provost, provost@ku.edu.

Thank you for all you do for KU.

Respectfully,

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor