Chancellor's Message

Thank your legislators for investing in higher education
Last month, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring employees of institutions that contract with the federal government to be.

Colleagues,

 

Last month, President Joe Biden issued an executive order requiring employees of institutions that contract with the federal government to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Dec. 8.

 

Per this order, the University of Kansas will now require all KU employees to submit proof they are fully vaccinated by Dec. 8.

 

Because of the scope of the federal order, this mandate applies to all KU employees – including student employees – on all campuses and in all KU affiliates and auxiliaries, unless an employee applies for and receives a religious or medical exemption. Employees who do not comply with the vaccine requirement are subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment.

 

The determination that KU needs to comply with the federal order was made in consultation with federal and state partners, including the Kansas Board of Regents, which has provided formal guidance illustrating the necessity that the state’s three research universities comply with the federal order.

 

KU participates in millions of dollars in federal contracts that fund research, employment and educational efforts — all of which are at risk if we are not aligned with the executive order. For this reason, we cannot be flexible with employees who choose not to comply with the vaccine requirement.

 

Next steps

 

In the days ahead, we will share information on how employees can submit proof of vaccination through a secure upload process or apply for a religious or medical exemption through the applicable Human Resources office.

 

In the meantime, unvaccinated employees need to seek their first vaccine dose immediately. Per the federal order, employees must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8. Because the full vaccination process can take up to six weeks, unvaccinated employees should plan to receive their first vaccine dose as soon as possible. (See the chart below for deadlines associated with each of the three FDA-approved vaccinations.)

 

Unvaccinated individuals are responsible to seek out vaccination opportunities. Vaccines are available at no charge at pharmacies and health clinics across the region. Employees may also look into available options near them at vaccines.gov.

 

I appreciate your attention to this matter as we work to comply with the federal mandate.

 

Respectfully,

 

Doug

 

Douglas A. Girod

 

View this message on the Chancellor’s website.

More Headlines

Giving
KU Alumni Association Creates Lifelong Connections and Prepares Future Leaders

KU students like Shayslyne Campos make meaningful connections every day thanks to KU Alumni Association programs like the Student Alumni Network and KU Mentoring+.

Jayhawks For Higher Education
Encourage legislators to invest in higher education

KU is asking the Legislature for stable base funding to enable KU to keep tuition steady for students and parents, and to ensure students have the support services they need to succeed.

Career
Copy the Leader: Sarah Frazier

Sarah Frazier, j'94 g'24, manages operations for six radio stations in Houston. We sat down with Sarah to learn what leadership means to her.

Career
Copy the Leader: 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a look back at the advice we heard this year from KU alumni leaders.

Jayhawks Give Back
KU Alumna Raising Hope and Funds for Child Cancer Research

What began as a family fight against cancer led KU alumna Kim Stanley on a personal journey of hope and advocacy for children’s cancer research.

News
Jayhawks support their communities with KU Cares Month of Service

Jayhawks in eight different cities came together to give back for the KU Cares Month of Service this November.

Driving with Jayhawks
Driving with Jayhawks: Allen Fieldhouse and KU Gateway projects

Get an inside look at the newly renovated Allen Fieldhouse and updates to the KU Gateway District project on this episode of Driving with Jayhawks!

Career
Copy the Leader: Fred Neis

Fred Neis, N'93, G'97, is a Senior Partner in Health Advisory at Korn Ferry. We sat down with Fred to learn what leadership means to him.

Driving with Jayhawks
Driving with Jayhawks: Watson Library Centennial

Carol Smith, Dean of KU Libraries, joins us to discuss the centennial celebrations around Watson Library, and the future of libraries at KU.

Welcome to the University
of Kansas Alumni Association

Your membership in the KU Alumni Association is the single most powerful way to make all of KU stronger, including the value of your own degree. Through your membership, the Association: