Check back to this page frequently for updates on campus operations and KU’s COVID-19 response, as well as the latest messages from the offices of Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara A. Bichelmeyer.

Campus COVID-19 Messages Archive

Taking COVID-19 impacts into account in all upcoming evaluation processes.
Message from Vice Provost Chris Brown
December 9, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence Faculty, Deans, Directors, and Department Chairs

University to Pause Vaccine Mandate following Federal Injunction.
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
December 7, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence Staff, Faculty, and Affiliates

KU to implement employee vaccine mandate to comply with federal order
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
October 22, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates

Managing Instruction and the Impact of COVID
Message from Chris Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Development
August 27, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Faculty, Staff and Graduate Teaching Assistants

Thoughts on Preparing to Welcome our Students and Course Format Questions
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
August 20, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Faculty, Staff and Graduate Teaching Assistants

Vaccinated students eligible for incentives, including free tuition
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 13, 2021 | Audience: All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students; KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates

University to reinstate indoor mask policy on Lawrence, Edwards campuses
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 6, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates; All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students

What to Know for Fall 2021
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
August 6, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants

Returning to Campus for the Fall Semester
Message from Mike Rounds, Vice Provost for Human Resources, Public Safety and Operations, and Chris Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Development
August 6, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff and Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants

University recommends all individuals wear masks in indoor public spaces
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
July 28, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates

University to roll back Lawrence and Edwards campus event approval process
Message from Wendy Bridges, Director, Office of Event Management and Protocol and John Stipetich, Emergency Management Specialist, Office of Public Safety
June 2, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates; All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students

Masks no longer mandatory on Lawrence, Edwards campuses
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
May 27, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates; All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students

KU to lift outdoor mask mandate
Message from Mike Rounds, Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Public Safety & Operations
May 14, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates; All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students

Adjustments to pandemic safety measures for research, scholarship
Message from Vice Chancellor for Research Simon Atkinson
April 20, 2021 | Audience: KU Research Community

KU to offer new COVID-19 vaccine clinic at KU School of Pharmacy
Message from Protect KU
March 25, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates

Updated guidance about vaccines for KU employees
Message from Protect KU
March 22, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates

Planning for Fall 21: In-person Classes and Activities (Student Message)
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
February 26, 2021 | Audience: All KU Lawrence and Edwards Students

Planning for Fall 21: In-person Classes and Activities (Faculty & Staff Message)
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
February 26, 2021 | Audience: KU Lawrence All Staff, Faculty and Affiliates; KU Graduate Teaching Assistants; KU Graduate Research Assistants; KU Graduate Assistants

Update on COVID-19 vaccine availability for higher education
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
February 23, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and affiliates

Guidance on Absences
Message from Susan Klusmeier, Vice Provost for Academic Success; Chris Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Development; Tammara Durham, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
February 15, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and affiliates; Graduate Teaching Assistants

Public health bans issued to students from five fraternities
Message from Tammara Durham, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
February 12, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and affiliates

Our plans for Commencement this spring
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
February 9, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and affiliates

Event Management and Protocol
Message from Wendy Bridges, Director of the Office of Event Management and Protocol, and Joseph Monaco, Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs
February 2, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and affiliates

Welcome Back, Jayhawks!
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
February 1, 2021 | Audience: Students, faculty and staff

Preparing for Fall 2021
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
January 15, 2021 | Audience: Faculty, staff and GTAs

COVID-19 tests required for students, faculty, staff returning to Lawrence campus this semester.
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
January 13, 2021 | Audience: Students

Congratulations on Achieving a Milestone!
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
December 11, 2020 | Audience: Students, faculty and staff

Reflecting on the fall semester
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
November 25, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty Faculty and Staff

End-of-semester student support 
Message from Vice Provost of Student Affairs Tammara Durham and Vice Provost of Academic Success Susan Klusmeier
November 11, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Instructors

COVID-19 testing options for the remainder of the fall semester 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
November 10, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

An update on our current fiscal year shortfall and the challenges ahead 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
October 30, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Staff

Travel over winter break 
Message from Mike Rounds, Vice Provost for Operations; Chris Brown, Vice Provost for Faculty Development; Jennifer A. Roberts, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies; Charles A.S. Bankart, Associate Vice Provost for International Affairs
October 29, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Staff

Preparing for the Spring 2021 Semester 
Message from Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer
October 16, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

An Update on Attendance at Kansas Athletics Events 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
September 25, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Staff

Introducing our weekly short-term forecast of COVID-19 cases 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
September 18, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

What to do if you need a COVID-19 test 
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer and Watkins Health Services Medical Director Pavika Saripalli, M.D.
September 16, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

A reminder of our expectations for you in the age of COVID-19 
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer and Vice Provost for Student Affairs Tammara Durham
September 15, 2020 | Audience: Students

Updating our COVID-19 testing results 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
September 2, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

COVID-19 Information from Watkins Health Services 
Message from Watkins Healthcare Providers
September 1, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Message An update on attendance at Kansas Athletics competitions 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 31, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Updating our COVID-19 test results 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 28, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

County health department removes two Greek houses from quarantine list, adds one 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 27, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Nine sorority, fraternity houses issued quarantine orders by county health officials 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 26, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Latest results of COVID-19 entry testing 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 25, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Course Adaptions Update 
Message from Vice Provost for Academic Success Susan M. Klusmeier
August 24, 2020 | Audience: Instructors

Commitment and responsibility 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 23, 2020  | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Pandemic Medical Advisory Team shares decision-making framework 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 21, 2020  | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Confirming you have completed COVID-19 testing 
Message from Protect KU
August 21, 2020  | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

We Can Do This, But We Have to Commit 
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
August 21, 2020  | Audience: Students

Course Withdrawal-100% Refund Period Extended 
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
August 21, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Updating our community on COVID-19 testing results 
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
August 20 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Relief Options for Faculty Facing Difficulties in Fulfilling Job Duties During the Pandemic 
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer and Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 20 | Audience: Faculty

Additional Course Logistics Info -- New Student Dashboard and more... 
Message from Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 20, 2020  | Audience: Instructors

KU IT is working to prepare the campus tech environment for your arrival 
Message from CIO Mary Walsh and Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 18 | Audience: Instructors

COVID-19 testing updates and reminders
Message from Protect KU
August 12, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

PLS communicate distance learning platform information to students
Message from Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 12 | Audience: Instructors

Health and Safety On Campus
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer 
August 11 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Event registration and approval process for fall semester
Message from Event Management and Protocol
August 11, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Start-of-term syllabus tactics and mask guidance
Message from Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 10, 2020 | Audience: Instructors

Action Needed: Download the CVKey app for access to campus buildings
Message from Vice Provost for Operations Mike Rounds
August 10, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Guidance on Grading Attendance for Fall 2020
Message from Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
August 5, 2020 | Audience: Instructors

Process for Receiving Student Requests for Online Course Adaptions
Message from Vice Provost for Faculty Development Chris Brown
July 30, 2020 | Audience: Instructors

About your fall schedule
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer 
July 29, 2020 | Audience: Students

Details on our $120 million fiscal year shortfall
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer and CFO Diane Goddard
July 23, 2020 | Audience: Faculty, Staff, GTAs, GRAs, GAs

How we are preparing for fall
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
July 21, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Staff

International student status and course designations
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
July 7, 2020 | Audience: Faculty, Staff, GTAs, GRAs, GAs

Fall Semester - Protect KU and you
Message from Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
July 2, 2020 | Audience: Students, Faculty and Staff

Introducing the Protect KU plan and two new planning teams to inform Lawrence campus reopening
Message from Chancellor Doug Girod
June 29, 2020 | Audience: Faculty and Staff

KU to implement temporary salary savings plan, additional measures to address budget shortfall
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
June 19, 2020 

Interim Policy: Requirement to wear face covering
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
June 18, 2020 

Provost shares guidance for instructors preparing fall courses
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
June 15, 2020 

Chancellor, Provost share latest components of fall reopening plan
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
June 15, 2020 

New partnership to assist with updated protocol for accessing KU buildings
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
June 4, 2020 

Retrieving work materials and belongings
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer and Vice Provost Rounds
May 29, 2020 

Engaging together to design the future of KU
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
May 22, 2020 

An update on Lawrence and Edwards financial challenges
Message from Chancellor Girod
May 21, 2020 

Travel restrictions update
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
May 20, 2020 

4 points clarifying KU's effort to resume in-person activity
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
May 18, 2020 

Re-issuing phase II of on-campus research with updated opening schedule
Message from Vice Chancellor Atkinson and Vice Provost Rounds
May 13, 2020 

Positioning KU for the long haul
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
May 8, 2020 

Reawakening KU research
Message from VC Atkinson
May 5, 2020 

Restoring the KU community
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
May 1, 2020 

Update on graduate education
Message from Vice Provost Jennifer Roberts
May 1, 2020 

Transition to remote learning: What we learned and tips for success
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 29, 2020 

Applying for CARES Act financial support due to COVID-19
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 29, 2020 

Financial challenges and next steps for KU
Message from Chancellor Girod
April 27, 2020 

University to distribute federal CARES Act support to students
Message from Chancellor Girod, Provost Bichelmeyer
April 23, 2020 

Update to grading and withdrawal options
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 21, 2020 

Grading and Withdrawal Options
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 17, 2020 

Summer youth programs and events to be canceled or moved online
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 17, 2020 

Remote lessons learned and help moving forward
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 16, 2020 

Updated security best practices for Zoom users
Message from CIO Mary Walsh and VP Chris Brown
April 10, 2020 

Federal legislation provides new “emergency leave” categories
Message from VP Mike Rounds
April 10, 2020 

Guidance on hiring freeze
Message from Vice Provosts Mike Rounds and Chris Brown
April 10, 2020 

Graduate education and COVID-19
Message from Vice Provost for Graduate Education Jennifer A. Roberts
April 3, 2020 

Parking refunds
Message from Vice Provost Mike Rounds
April 3, 2020 

Hiring freeze, changes to Commencement, travel restrictions
Message from Chancellor Girod, Provost Bichelmeyer
April 2, 2020 

Chancellor, Provost to livestream University Update on April 2 (VIDEO)
Message from Chancellor Girod
April 1, 2020 

Spring 2020 grading for Lawrence, Edwards
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
April 1, 2020 

Changes to academic policies and procedures
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
March 30, 2020 

Resources for reporting concerns
Message from Vice Provost Mike Rounds
March 27, 2020 

How Jayhawks can help
Message from Alumni Association President Peterson and Endowment President Seuferling
March 26, 2020 

New links for town hall sessions + COVID-19 research funding
Message from Simon Atkinson, Vice Chancellor for Research
March 26, 2020 

Virtual town hall sessions for research
Message from Simon Atkinson, Vice Chancellor for Research
March 24, 2020 

Health order implications for Lawrence and Edwards
Message from Chancellor Girod, Provost Bichelmeyer, VC Cook
March 24, 2020 

Resources for learning and life
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer, VP Durham
March 23, 2020 

Suspension of non-essential research for Lawrence and Edwards
Message from Chancellor Girod, Provost Bichelmeyer, VC Atkinson
March 20, 2020 

Building security
Message from Police Chief Keary
March 20, 2020 

Maintaining community in a time of social distancing
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
March 19, 2020 

A note to the KU community
Message from Senate Presidents
March 19, 2020 

Working remotely and managing stress
Message from Vice Provost Mike Rounds
March 19, 2020 

Classes to remain online, campus to decrease in-person presence
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
March 17, 2020 

Financial policy changes for COVID-19
Message from VC for Research Simon Atkinson
March 17, 2020 

Guidelines for travelers
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
March 15, 2020 

Health planning updates
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
March 14, 2020 

Health planning updates
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
March 13, 2020 

Resources and support for moving classes online
Message from Faculty Development
March 13, 2020 

Graduate education and COVID-19
Message from VP Jennifer Roberts
March 13, 2020 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) impact on research
Message from Simon Atkinson, Vice Chancellor for Research
March 12, 2020 

A very important message regarding COVID-19
Message from Chancellor Girod and Provost Bichelmeyer
March 11, 2020 

Health, wellness, preparation and prevention
Message from Provost Bichelmeyer
March 6

Spring Break guidance
Message from Diana Malott
March 5

Update on coronavirus
Message from Chancellor Girod
March 2