Info for

One KU Alignments

In October 2024, the Chancellor directed all members of the KU University Cabinet to consider how their units could be best organized to align the full strength of our campuses behind shared strategic priorities in support of One KU. By working together more intentionally, we can focus our collective resources on clear goals in research, education, and service.

To guide this work, in the summer of 2026, the Strategy Office and Human Resources developed the One KU Alignment Life Cycle. The life cycle provides a consistent framework for planning and implementing organizational changes while remaining flexible enough to accommodate the unique needs of each unit. It consists of three key stages that help units move from assessment and design to implementation and continuous improvement.

The One KU Integrations Working Group is also collecting updates on the One KU alignment status of each unit. You will find progress updates below.

Alignment Life Cycle (pdf)

Alignment Status Updates

Alignment Life Cycle

1. Unit & HR Support Team Execute One KU Organizational Redesign Journey (nonlinear)

Define reporting lines, review job titles, descriptions, & compensation.

Review organizational spend, compensation needs, budget structure & processes

Partner with unit to complete life cycle activities.

Map current state, define purpose, mission, vision, culture,
strategic direction.

2. Cabinet Approves One KU Organization Redesign

3. Unit Executes Roadmap Engaging Appropriate Partners to Support One KU Organization Redesign (nonlinear)

HR provisions necessary access, finalize updates to HR/Pay & Workday systems to reflect new structure.

Continue provisioning HR & IT access, position description review, title review, comp review, training.

Update website & supporting resources to reflect One KU redesign.

Review org level spend, assess compensation needs, understand budget structure & processes, space needs, investments etc.

Monitor/measure support services to improve sustainability & drive collaboration across campuses.

One KU Alignment Statuses

A table providing updates on the One KU alignment status of units at KU. Column one contains the unit name, column two contains the broad alignment status, and column three provides a more detailed status update.
Unit	Alignment Status	Current Status Update
Analytics, Institutional Research, & Effectiveness	Complete - Organizationally aligned as a One KU Unit	In 2025, AIRE transitioned to become a One KU central data office, combining the strengths of the KU Lawrence AIRE team and the former Enterprise Analytics team at the KU Medical Center. During 2025, AIRE leadership conducted organizational assessments and strategic planning exercises to establish the best organizational structure to serve all KU campuses as the central data, data governance, analytics and effectiveness office, delivering high quality services with integrity, respect and excellence. AIRE's One KU organizational structure is now implemented, along with a new vision. AIRE leadership is now developing draft team charters, an AIRE One KU transition roadmap, and an agile three-year project roadmap reflecting our prioritized projects with partners.
Civil Rights & Title IX	Complete - Organizationally aligned as a One KU Unit
General Counsel	Complete - Organizationally aligned as a One KU Unit
Human Resources	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access	Continuing to work on policy alignment across all units with separate procedures, if needed, for separate system requirements; one area is finished with their reorganization; another area is almost finished (one hire to complete, one reclassification pending); two other areas are still evaluating how to bring everyone together. Titles and compensation adjustments (if any) have not started.
Research	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access	Continuing progress toward a One KU Office of Research through alignment of leadership, operations, systems and services across campuses. • One KU Research Administration Council continues work across functional areas in various stages of operational integration to align policies, practices and workflows. • Most units have been integrated or aligned under individual functional leaders with One KU responsibilities. • One KU Research Strategy & Impact unit on deck to begin more formal structural/functional optimization in summer/fall 2026. • Title, position description and compensation review underway in phases. • myResearch system expansion on track, with myAgreements module scheduled to go live in October 2026. Updates available on the One KU Research website.
Operations	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access	The majority of units across operations have been aligned under individual functional leaders with One KU responsibilities, with some related title and compensation adjustments still pending completion. There are no additional One KU organizational re-alignments planned at this time however, in cases where roles are vacated, opportunities for further expansion of the One KU structure are considered and implemented where practical and appropriate, which includes updates to position descriptions and responsibilities. An example of this occurred recently in Emergency Management, where responsibilities were shifted between multiple positions, including a backfill, to create the opportunity to begin to provide business continuity related support for the Lawrence campus. In addition, functional unit leaders (both those with One KU and campus-specific responsibilities) are focused on identifying and implementing best practices, consistent processes, and/or system consolidations across campuses to drive efficiencies and cost optimizations.
Finance	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access	Completed employee survey and had a 50% response rate. Asked questions regarding workload, misaligned processes, professional development/growth, and ideas to improve the organization. Hosted a town hall to discuss survey themes, how they inform org design, and next steps will be held in mid-August. There are three full day leadership workshops scheduled between August and October for alignment work.
Chief Academic Officer	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access	The Ombuds Role Review Committee has met three times in June and July. Next meeting scheduled for early August with the goal of having a report complete and submitted by end of August.
Chief Health Sciences Officer	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access
Strategic Communications	Complete - Organizationally aligned as a One KU Unit	Functioning as a One KU office; supporting strategic framework communications, leadership announcements, and change-management messaging across the university.
External Affairs	In Progress - Defining org structure, roles, job descriptions and access

Affiliates:

A table providing updates on the One KU alignment status of units at KU. Column one contains the unit name, column two contains the broad alignment status, and column three provides a more detailed status update.
Unit	One KU Alignment Status	Current status update
Alumni Association	Complete - functioning operationally as One KU Office
Endowment	Complete - functioning operationally as One KU Office
Athletics	Complete - functioning operationally as One KU Office

Last updated 8.11.26. For additional information, contact the member of the One KU Integrations Working Group who represents the applicable unit.