Welcome Back to KU: Support for Your Success in 2026-27
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the start of the 2026-27 academic year.
Every day, your work advances the University of Kansas mission to educate students, build healthy communities and make discoveries that change the world. I take immense pride in the excellent work I see taking place around me. Our research, instruction and service empower the lives of our students and improve the wellbeing of our state, region and nation.
I recognize your time is incredibly valuable to you and is the most important resource we have at KU. To help ensure we respect your time and effort, I’m sharing resources and information that may help you as the semester progresses and answer questions that may arise.
My hope is that you also approach the year with confidence. We have amazing talent and expertise on our campuses. Regardless of what transpires, we will be able to develop solutions to address what comes our way.
Our Values
It’s so important for us to show respect and appreciation for those around us. Our IRISE values and culture charter of Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship and Excellence set the standards for how we work with one another. We can use every interaction with our students – and with each other – to lift our community in ways that help each of us be our best and do our best.
Freedom of Expression
In a setting as diverse as KU, each of us can expect to encounter ideas, opinions and philosophies that we disagree with or find offensive. Although offensive speech can be hurtful, it is generally considered protected speech under the First Amendment. When it happens, we need to engage in civil and respectful dialogue while also ensuring we do not inhibit or penalize expression protected by the First Amendment. True threats, incitement to imminent violence and unlawful targeted harassment are not protected. KU’s Free Speech website provides resources and information for employees and students. The Kansas Board of Regents also provides guidance in its Statement on Free Expression.
Academic Freedom
Earlier this month, KU’s senior leadership listened to Distinguished Professor Christopher Koliba as he provided insight into the social contract higher education has with the American public. Higher education is essential to an informed citizenry, and our scholars help students develop their critical thinking skills. As a leading research institution, we are privileged to fulfill this contract and explore ideas, pursue research and discuss challenging findings in our classrooms, hallways, and at our conferences. Section 4 of the KU Code of Ethical Conduct offers a glimpse of how the mechanisms of academic freedom enhance our standing and support the social contract with our students, the state and the nation.
Support for Mental Wellness
Members of our community may face challenges we recognize, as well as those we don’t. Please be aware of how coworkers, students, colleagues are doing and offer to connect them to support.
The Support Care and Referral Team, a collaborative effort of Student Affairs and Human Resources, offers care and wellbeing guidance to all members of the KU community. Students also have access to services through Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
In an emergency, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988 on any activated phone, will automatically connect to a crisis call center. You can learn more about the lifeline and resources at the HeadQuarters Kansas in Lawrence or the Johnson County Mental Health Center.
Support for Teaching and Instruction
The Center for Teaching Excellence website offers support and guidance to address your questions about teaching and learning. CTE provides a broad array of programs and resources to help instructors.
The Center for Online and Distance Learning provides free course design, course transformation and implementation services for online, hybrid and flexible courses.
Additional instructional resources and academic career support are available through KU Libraries, Spencer Museum of Art, KU Information Technology and the Office of Faculty Affairs and its programs for faculty development and growth.
Resources, Offices and Policies to Know
KU provides an even wider range of resources to support and guide various aspects of our work as well as support student success and the success of our colleagues. Policies, resources and offices may help you find quick access to helpful information.
A few sites to further highlight this year include:
- Classroom technology support from KU Information Technology
- Title II digital accessibility resources
- The Office of Faculty Affairs
- The fall 2026 academic calendar
- The Religious Observance Calendar
- The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX for reporting incidents of discrimination and harassment, as well as resources for course syllabi
- The office of International Affairs
- KU’s inclement weather policy, and
- Protection of student records (FERPA)
There are many other sites, processes and policies that can help make our decisions easier. If you encounter an issue that is new or urgent and you aren’t sure where to turn, please reach out to your administrative or academic unit leader’s office for guidance. Together, we will work to ensure there is prompt, coordinated support.
Looking Ahead
The start of a new school year is an opportunity to renew our commitment to purpose and our belief in possibility. I’m certain we will see growth, breakthroughs and advances as we serve our students and further our mission. Thank you for all your efforts to prepare for the weeks and months ahead and for the difference you make every day.
Because of you KU continues to do amazing things. I look forward to all we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Arash
Arash Mafi, Ph.D.
Chief Academic Officer, Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor