Letter from the Incoming President | Spring 2025

Dear Colleagues,

As I begin my term as Staff Senate President, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each of you. Across the board from creating and maintaining beautiful campus grounds to mitigating unknown risks or building a robust onboarding experience for new employees—your work is essential. Without the collective efforts of staff, the University of Kansas simply would not function. You are the heart of this institution.

As highlighted by previous Staff Senate Presidents, over the past decade, we have endured persistent challenges—budget cuts, staff reductions, and an ongoing expectation to do more with less. The previous 2022 Docking Institute USS-UPS Climate Survey confirmed these sentiments, and the data collected sparked important conversations that informed initiatives to address these challenges. Thanks to the work of our previous Staff Senate Presidents and collaboration with KU leadership, we have made progress in addressing those concerns and pitfalls. As of today, we are currently collecting responses in an updated iteration of this survey. We anticipate that the results will reflect that your previous feedback is not sitting on a shelf— several Staff Senate committees have and are actively using results to explore real, actionable solutions. As the incoming President, I am committed to continue bringing those recommendations forward to the Provost and KU leadership.

We also need to recognize the broader landscape in which we work. Higher education continues to be under pressure from public criticism and political attacks—rhetoric that has intensified over the past year that we continue adapting and responding to today. Universities have been targeted as ideological battlegrounds, and the value of public institutions has been called into question. These challenges affect all of us, not only by shaping public perception, but by influencing policy, funding, and the stability of our workplaces.

Despite these headwinds, I am encouraged by the strength of our staff community and by the initiatives that bring people together. One small but meaningful example is the Jayhawk Thanks program, which is a way to recognize colleagues who have made a noticeable impact in your department or across campus. Whether someone stepped up during a challenging project, brought positivity to your day, or simply made things run more smoothly, taking a moment to say “thank you” helps build the kind of culture we all want to be part of. I encourage you to use this platform. It’s quick, heartfelt, and a reminder that our work doesn’t go unnoticed.

We also have exciting developments on the horizon. The University Senate is currently exploring the expansion of the Tuition Assistance program to include all KBOR universities, which could significantly broaden professional and educational opportunities for staff and their families. It’s a promising step toward making this university a place where people can grow, not just in their roles, but in their futures.

As your Staff Senate, we are here to listen, to advocate, and to lead on your behalf. Our committees are developing policies, enhancing professional development, and collaborating with leadership on meaningful change. But we can’t do it without your voice. Please reach out to your Staff Senators or email us directly—we are stronger when we work together.

I believe in the value of what we do, and I believe that leadership sees that too. With persistence, collaboration, and continued advocacy, we can build a better, more inclusive, and more supportive workplace for all.

With appreciation and determination,

Marissa Marshall

President, Staff Senate