Bringing Greater Clarity, Structure to Jayhawks Rising

Dear Colleague,

Campus leaders came together at the Provost’s retreat in August to discuss ways to build on our Jayhawks Rising successes and make plans for the future. The discussion focused on how to organize the work of Jayhawks Rising to meet our priorities more effectively and efficiently. The result is a modified Jayhawks Rising framework. 

What is Changing? 

• Five campus goals were established under our institutional priorities. While the Student Success and Research & Discovery priorities had a clear focus, the Healthy & Vibrant Communities institutional priority was so broad it needed to be separated and simplified into three key goals. Moving forward, the five campus goals are as follows: 
  • Grow Research Innovation & Impact (Research & Discovery)
  • Strengthen the Student Experience to Optimize Student Success (Student Success)
  • Create a Campus Community Culture Where All Jayhawks Thrive (Healthy & Vibrant Communities)
  • Increase Engagements with Local & Global Communities (Healthy & Vibrant Communities)
  • Ensure Stewardship of the Institution (Healthy & Vibrant Communities)
• Sixteen objectives were established to address our campus goals. Jayhawks Rising has always had objectives to meet the three institutional priorities. In the new model, the objectives will be organized by the five campus goals. Please refer to the chart below to review the objectives.
• A separate team will work on each campus goal and set targets. Each Campus Goal Team will consist of leaders from across KU Lawrence and Edwards whose work aligns with each goal. While similar to previous objective teams, the Campus Goal Teams are smaller, and members have more direct accountability to the goals and strategies. Working together, they will develop and implement strategies and set metrics and targets that meet the 16 objectives. These teams will set their FY25 strategies, metrics, and targets by the end of this calendar year. Details will be shared with the community in early 2025.
• New leadership structure: A new leadership structure has also been introduced. Like the Campus Goal Teams, it consists of campus leaders with direct accountabilities and includes representation from academics, finance, information technology, human resources, operations and research. This group will finalize the proposed KU Lawrence and Edwards strategies for FY25 and strategic goals by the end of the calendar year and address resource commitments. 

Jayhawks Rising Framework FY2025 

More information, including a downloadable version of this framework, is available on the Jayhawks Rising website. Additional updates will be posted through the end of the year. 

Renewed Focus, Greater Efficiency

The changes outlined above represent an important and exciting shift in how we fulfill our university mission. The institutional priorities have not changed. What has changed is how we see these priorities in action and how we lead to make them our reality. I want to thank our Campus Goal Team members for their commitment to our Lawrence and Edwards community and thank you, as well. Their work and accomplishments – your work and accomplishments – advance our institutional priorities of Research & Discovery, Student Success, and Healthy & Vibrant Communities and help our entire community work toward a greater KU. 

Please do not hesitate to contact jayhawks-rising@ku.edu with any questions. 

Thank you for all you do for KU.

Respectfully,

Barb

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor