Frequently Asked Questions

The KU People First project is a collaborative university initiative aimed at transforming human resources, enhancing the experience of our people, and positioning KU for future success through improved HR systems and practices. Our steering committee and working group of faculty and staff, along with KU leaders, will engage campus stakeholders and work with our consulting partner to:

• Re-imagine the current HR structure and delivery model
• Improve HR processes, policies, and technology
• Enhance HR competencies, skills, and capabilities
• Launch a formal culture and climate initiative within the HR and SSC organizations

Like most other major public research universities, KU is facing significant pressures in recruiting and retaining faculty and staff. The Great Resignation, low unemployment, and the changing demographics of the workforce have created intense competition in the labor market.

We also learned a great deal about how human resources at KU supports our critical recruiting and retention efforts during an assessment that was conducted during the spring and summer of 2022. Based on that assessment, we concluded that we needed to undertake immediate work on elevating HR services at KU or risk losing talented faculty and staff to other universities and colleges.

The KU People First Project will be completed over the course of roughly 18 months spanning 2023-2024 and will include three primary phases:

• During the first phase we will develop a new or re-imagined HR organizational and operational model that aligns to best practices and that supports the HR transformation goals.
• In the second phase we will launch a formal culture and climate initiative within HR, as well as map and re-engineer core HR processes. 
• For the third and final phase we will undertake a rebranding for our HR organization and the Shared Service Centers, and implement the new HR model.

Each phase will run for approximately 5-6 months and, in some instances, may run in parallel with other phases of work. The full timeline and additional details on the process are shown on the main page of this website.

Provost Bichelmeyer is the executive sponsor of this project, and she has commissioned a steering committee and working group to lead this effort.

Committee members and working group members have committed to doing the hard work to re-imagine how HR services are delivered at KU. The working group meets every 2-3 weeks, with regular updates provided to the steering committee every few months.