The university has announced in the past few months several key initiatives, policies and guidelines affecting K-State employees. Please make sure you understand and follow them as the semester gets underway.
Complying with Kansas Senate Bill 125
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
State-sponsored grants or contracts, university positions, mandates, policies, required employee trainings, programs or “university activities” shall not be used to intentionally give preference to individuals or groups, to the exclusion of others, on the basis of race, color, or national origin. “University activities” do not include curriculum, instruction, or research.
Programs focused on interests in particular cultures, heritages, and areas of the world are permitted if they are open to all students regardless of race, color, or national origin. Additionally, educational and cultural observances that celebrate historical events and contributions or promote awareness do not fall under the definition of DEI as long as they are open to all regardless of race, color, or national origin.
Email signature standards
Employees should refrain from using their K-State email signatures for personal (and political) statements (including gender identifying pronouns or gender ideology), as email is a university-provided resource for conducting university business.
Employees may refer to individuals by their preferred pronouns in verbal and written communication outside of signature blocks. Verbal sharing of pronouns during introductions is allowed but should be done with respect and awareness of role and setting and must not be required or institutionalized.
Learn more
Learn more about these policies from Provost Mendez’s July 9 letter, SB125 requires individual action, and the university’s 2025 Government Transition page.
Political Activity Reminder
KBOR Policy on Political Activities Section 13(d) states that personnel are free to express opinions as an individual in their personal capacity and not as a representative of the institution in signed advertisements, pamphlets and related material in support of or opposition to parties and causes. It should be made plain that each person so doing is acting for himself or herself and not on behalf of an institution supported by tax funds. This includes avoiding the use of university stationery and other official university designations. Employees testifying before the Legislature on behalf of outside entities shall notify their institution’s designated representative prior to testimony.
Learn more from the Guidelines and Governance page.
Digital Accessibility: All online content must be ADA-compliant
To comply with the updated Americans with Disabilities Act, all K-State digital/online content, including university websites, mobile apps, and materials housed on third-party platforms, such as Canvas, must meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA standard, by April 24, 2026. This includes public-facing content and authenticated content behind log-in, including digital course materials.
Much work will be needed to remediate current content and learn to create content accessibly in the future. The university is investing in auditing and remediation resources and will offer trainings, workshops and more to help address this during the fall semester.
Learn more about K-State’s Digital Accessibility Initiative.