Welcome to KU!

Checklist for New Faculty
We are so pleased that you are joining the faculty at the University of Kansas! We are here to help as you get started!
Below you will find a checklist of tasks to complete as you begin your appointment at KU.
Please review the full list as soon as possible. This list is designed to help prepare you for your first semester and provide you with relevant resources.
Relocation & Dual Career Services
If you are new to the Lawrence or Edwards campus (or nearby community), Relocation Services can help you get started finding housing, relocating from out of state and abroad, connecting with moving resources and finding KU connections within your new community. Learn more at the Relocation & Dual Career Services site or by emailing relocation@ku.edu.
Complete all Onboarding Paperwork
Once an employment offer has been made, you will receive an email from employ@ku.edu. This email includes your official offer letter. Completing all required forms and paperwork from this and subsequent HR Onboarding messages will ensure timely processing of your employment and access to KU services. You can find the KU HR Onboarding System at this link or email kubronboarding@ku.edu for assistance.
As a part of onboarding, you will set up your online ID, which is your way of accessing emails, payroll, KU equipment, etc.
Employment Accommodations
Please visit the Accessible KU Employment Accommodations website if you require any workplace accommodations. You are also welcome to call 785-864-4946 or email hrdept@ku.edu with any questions you may have.
Check your Inbox!
As you are getting started at KU, beginning in June and leading up to New Faculty Orientation, our New Faculty Summer Connect newsletter is sent weekly, offering brief, timely tips for acclimating to KU. These Summer Connect emails often feature upcoming "How To" trainings on nuts and bolts topics specific to New KU Faculty. Then, each month during the academic year, first- and second-year faculty receive our Early Career Faculty Foundations newsletter with announcements about upcoming events, programming, and news to support and build the foundation of your KU career. Whether your start date is in the fall or the spring, we watch for emails from us about programming and announcements tailored to you.
Purchase a Parking Permit
Parking permits may be purchased at this link. Alternatively, Lawrence Transit offers busing services on and off campus.
KU ID Card
Your KU ID card is your official identification card. Log into KU's Web Card Center and complete the steps to request your KU Card. You can find more details on the KU Card Center's site.
Office Logistics
Discuss workstation equipment and set-up with your supervisor.
- Flexible and Remote Work
- KU IT (desktop support, applications, and access)
- Ergonomics and wellbeing
Review HR Pay
Visit hr.ku.edu to check and update your personal contact information. Find more details on this human resources page.
Connect with KU's Alert System
Alerts.ku.edu is your most reliable resource for campus updates. While on this page, consider signing up for emergency text notifications.
Set up Duo Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a second layer of security that you have to clear after entering your user ID and password into a system. Duo is the vendor application KU uses to provide multi-factor authentication.
MFA is used when you access systems protected by Single Sign On — systems such as Canvas, Enroll and Pay and HR/Pay. You will use MFA when you sign into these and other KU systems.
Learn more at the multi-factor authentication page.
New Faculty Orientation
Right before the fall and spring semesters begin, the Office of Faculty Affairs welcomes new faculty to a New Faculty Orientation. This is a time when you can learn more about the KU community and get to know your peers.
For full-time faculty, Fall New Faculty Orientation is an in-person experience, while Spring New Faculty Orientation takes place live, over Zoom. Most new faculty attend the fall orientation and the spring orientation is available to faculty who are starting in the spring or who were unable to attend the fall orientation.
For part-time faculty, New Faculty Orientation is offered online in the fall and spring. Both of these orientations feature sessions specific to the part-time faculty experience and resources.
Find more details on full-time and part-time new faculty orientations and to register visit our New Faculty Orientation page.
Early Career Faculty Programming
The Office of Faculty Affairs offers programming throughout the year, that is tailored specifically for Early Career Faculty in their first through fifth year at KU. From New Faculty Mentor groups, our "OFA Faculty How To" online webinars, to our spring Early Career Faculty Foundations Workshop this programming is designed to help all early career faculty thrive in their roles.
Learn more and register for Early Career Faculty programming events at this link.
Annual Required Trainings
As KU faculty and staff members, we have a responsibility to help build and support a healthy and vibrant campus community that fosters the well-being of all Jayhawks. The annual required harassment prevention and IT security trainings reinforce a shared understanding of our community values and collective responsibilities.
Learn more about these trainings and register via MyTalent at this link.
Syllabus Resources
Simple Syllabus is a tool to help instructors quickly and easily create, personalize and publish interactive class syllabi. When using Simple Syllabus, instructors can use templates and auto-populated language that meets standards outlined by their academic unit and KU’s Syllabus Policy.
Instructors can access Simple Syllabus within Canvas or directly through the Simple Syllabus Portal.
Canvas
KU is a Canvas Institution. All online courses and many in-person courses have a Canvas component to them. The Office of Faculty Affairs typically hosts one "How-to at KU" focused on Canvas every fall and spring. However, there are many other Canvas resources available to help you get started. You can find those at this link.
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
CTE provides support in such areas as making courses more inclusive, using technology in classes, rethinking curricula, creating a flexible course structure, engaging students in online learning, using collaborative learning, and representing your teaching. You can find many of these resources and more on their Teaching Resources site. While you are there, be sure to check out upcoming programming and opportunities from CTE.
The Center for Online and Distance Learning (CODL)
The Center for Online and Distance Learning (CODL) partners with faculty to help produce online and hybrid courses utilizing innovative teaching & learning technologies. CODL's services support instructors in delivering high-quality learning experiences in their courses. Check out CODL's YouTube channel to learn about the variety of tools available to help you design your Canvas course!
Making Course Materials Affordable
Marking affordable courses, those that use no cost — $0 and low-cost materials — less than $45, is an effort supported by KU Student Senate and campus partners to help students navigate a complex course materials landscape. Learn more about the process at this link.
Grading
The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for the official collection, recording, and maintenance of grades. All grades are posted in Enroll & Pay. Grading system, grading scale, CR/NC and additional policies, definitions, and How-To's can be found on their grades page.
Teaching-related Policies
CTE has curated a list of teaching-related policies that range from student privacy to excused absences, to academic integrity and more. Additionally, the Office of Faculty Affairs hosts a policy resource page, with FAQs and tips on several policies.
Academic Calendar
Review the academic calendar and the final examination policy and schedules for important dates.
Religious Holiday Observance Policy
Guidance and policy on religious observance can be found at this link.
The Writing Center
Wingspan: Center for Learning and Writing Support tutoring, supplemental instructions, peer academic coaching, writing support, workshops and more for undergraduate and graduate students.
KU Office of Research Support
KU Office of Research (KUOR) offers resources to support all facets of research. Visit their page for information on awards management, finding funding, understanding integrity and compliance, and more.
For Researchers
Find Funding: KUOR offerings support in finding external, internal and limited submission funding.
Develop and Submit Proposals: Pre-Award Services and Research Development teams at KUOR can guide and support you in proposal preparation through submission to the funding agency of your choice.
Manage Awards: KUOR's Post-Award team can help navigate financial activities and compliance requirements established by federal law, agency regulations and university policies and procedures so you can focus on your research.
Integrity and Compliance: Research Integrity, a unit within KUOR, works with KU committees, departments and centers across campus to provide administrative oversight of numerous compliance areas.
Training and Resources: KUOR provide trainings and resources related to research development, human subjects research, research administration, lab safety and other topics.
Forms and Policies: Find research-related forms and policies at this link.
HR - International Employment
Human Resources offers a resources for H-1B temporary workers, other immigration statuses, permanent residency, and related services, fees and sponsorships on their international employment site.
Visiting Scholars
The University of Kansas has been approved by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor J-1 Exchange Visitors participating in academic research, teaching, and observation at KU. International Support Services facilitates J-1 Exchange Visitor program sponsorship for international individuals coming to KU with official appointments such as visiting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and fellows, as well as other temporary academic appointments.
Learn more about J-1 appointments and support at this link.
Additional Resources:
New Faculty Orientation
New Faculty Orientation for FULL-TIME Faculty
This Fall New Faculty Orientation for Full-Time Faculty includes those who are new to their role this fall or who joined us this spring.

New Faculty Orientation for PART-TIME Faculty
This Fall New Faculty Orientation for Part-Time Faculty is for those faculty who are new to their part-time role as of this fall.

Upcoming New Faculty Events
New Faculty 2026
Rahul Ajit - Mathematics
Bailey Allred - Life Span Institute
Pearl Avari—Life Span Institute
Gregory Baker - Geology
Lydia Benda - English
Emily Brinkman - Professional Studies
Abby Breyer - English
Zachary Campbell—Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
Jessica Centers - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Jiyoung Cha - School of Pharmacy
HsiangYu Chien - Life Span Institute
Aaron Crawford - Jazz & Commercial Music
Kaylen Dwyer - Libraries
Enhao Feng - Mathematics
Darcy Fredrick - Life Span Institute
Kenzie Freeman - Business
Taryn Gervais - Professional Studies
Dmitry Gimon - Professional Studies
Sien Gong - Mathematics
Diego Gutierrez - Journalism
Lindsay Hyer - Mathematics
Md Mazharul Islam - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
Chad Jackson - Business
Petere Jacobsen - Business
Valencia Johnson - Libraries
Daniel Ketter - Band Orchestral Instrumental Music
Saetbyeol Kim - Business
Yunhyoung Kim - Business
Stacha Leslie - Applied Behavioral Science
Yuziang Liu - Pharmacology & Toxicology
Dongjun Mah - Civil/Environ./Arch. Engineering
Adrienne McKinney - Music Education & Music Therapy
Juan Martinez Zayas - Spanish & Portuguese
Bernou Melisse - Clinical Child Psychology
Lindsey Mirielli - Life Span Institute
Kelly Misko - Band Orchestral Instrumental Music
Jared Mnich - Special Education
Joshua Newman - Education & Human Sciences
Amit Ojha - Civil/Environ./Arch. Engineering
Antonio Orozco Ramos - Spanish & Portuguese
John Paden - Electrical Engineering & Comp. Sci.
Junbeom Park - Business
Holly Rains - Business
Davis Roby - Classics
Judith Rosenbaum-Andre - Journalism
Maria Scott - Journalism
Sarah Sebo - Electrical Engineering & Comp. Sci.
Jungwon Shin - Voice Piano Organ & Church Music
Yuqi Song - KS Geological Survey
Katherine Steefel - Law School
Logan Swenson - KS Geological Survey
Paul Thomas - Libraries
Omer Wasim - Visual Art
Michelle Wilson - Communication Studies
Piotr Wisniewski - Voice Piano Organ & Church Music
Hanhan Xue - Health Sport & Exercise Science
Peter Zuroweste - Architecture
New Faculty: Stay in the Loop!
The Office of Faculty Affairs sends New Faculty a weekly "Summer Connect" email with key information about KU, tips and tricks for getting started, and information on upcoming drop-in office hours and "How to at KU" trainings to help set New Faculty up for success. Links to our Summer Connect are shared below after they go out.
Summer Connect 2026
- June 10: Welcome to KU; Let us Introduce Ourselves!
- June 17: Welcome to Lawrence; Faculty Advancement & Recognition
- June 24: Resources at KU; Faculty Development & Growth
- July 1: KU Benefits; Faculty Relations & Policy
- July 8: Research & Discovery; Focus on Care
- July 15: Teaching Excellence at KU; Focus on Equity
- July 22: A Global University; Focus on Community
- July 29: Community Engagement at KU
- August 5: Student Support at KU
- August 12: Supporting You at KU!