100 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (101)

Updated 10/10

MISSION STATEMENTS AND PHILOSOPHY

University of Kansas Mission Statement

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university that serves as a center for learning, scholarship, and creative endeavor. The University of Kansas is the only Kansas Regents university to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), a select group of 62 public and private research universities that represents excellence in graduate and professional education and the highest achievements in research internationally.

Lawrence Campus

Instruction. The university is committed to offering the highest quality undergraduate, professional, and graduate programs, comparable to the best obtainable anywhere in the nation. As the AAU research university of the state, the University of Kansas offers a broad array of advanced graduate study programs and fulfills its mission through faculty, academic, and research programs of international distinction, and outstanding libraries, teaching museums, and information technology. These resources enrich the undergraduate experience and are essential for graduate-level education and for research.

Research. The university attains high levels of research productivity and recognizes that faculty are part of a network of scholars and academicians that shape a discipline as well as teach it. Research and teaching, as practiced at the University of Kansas, are mutually reinforcing with scholarly inquiry underlying and informing the educational experience at undergraduate, professional, and graduate levels.

Service. The university first serves Kansas, then the nation and the world through research, teaching, and the preservation and dissemination of knowledge. The university provides service to the state of Kansas through its state and federally-funded research centers. KU’s academic programs, arts facilities and public programs provide cultural enrichment opportunities for the larger community. Educational, research, and service programs are offered throughout the state, including the main campus in Lawrence, the KU Medical Center with services in Kansas City and Wichita, as well as the Regents Center at the Edwards Campus and other sites in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Topeka, Hutchinson, and Parsons.

International Dimension. The university is dedicated to preparing its students for lives of learning and for the challenges educated citizens will encounter in an increasingly complex and diverse global community. Over 100 programs of international study and cooperative research are available for KU students and faculty at sites throughout the world. The university offers teaching and research that draw upon and contribute to the most advanced developments throughout the United States and the rest of the world. At the same time, KU’s extensive international ties support economic development in Kansas.

Values. The university is committed to excellence. It fosters a multicultural environment in which the dignity and rights of the individual are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity, and disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance. (December 1992)

The Mission of Kansas Athletics

Kansas Athletics is committed to being a model for collegiate athletics, unparalleled in excellence and is the standard against which all other collegiate athletic programs are compared.

Kansas Athletics is inextricably linked to The University of Kansas as we both share a single unifying goal: Unparalleled Excellence.

In the classroom, in our athletic competition and within our community of collegiate sports, Kansas Athletics will be a national leader – never a follower – in setting the highest standards for competitive excellence, ethical behavior and fiscal integrity.

We will create a stimulating, multi-cultural environment that nurtures the human potential, the mental well-being and spirit of every student-athlete and athletics staff member, while enhancing the University of Kansas’ commitment to disciplined inquiry, intellectual diversity and uncompromising integrity.

CORE VALUES

The University of Kansas considers intercollegiate athletics to be an integral part of the University, as its existence provides students, faculty, alumni and friends an opportunity to share in the life of the collegiate community.

As part of our mission, we will advance the University’s role, ensuring athletics will be conducted in harmony and conformity with the University’s educational mission, while continuing the proud heritage of athletic success that stimulates pride among our constituents and supporters.

These are the core values of Kansas Athletics. They are an intrinsic part of our history. They guide our conduct today and ingrain in us the values of Kansas Jayhawks for tomorrow.

Accountability

Kansas Athletics will hold itself to the highest standards of accountability. We expect all of our constituencies to do the same. We will move aggressively to take positive and forward-looking action, with a strategic focus on achieving our goals in both the short and long term.

Compliance

We play by the rules. We will follow both the spirit and the letter of the law regarding our athletic endeavors and our dealings with University officials, the Big 12 Conference, the NCAA and governmental bodies. We expect everyone who engages in the Kansas Athletics experience in any way to do the same.

Culture of Equality

We will embrace diversity throughout our organization. We will hire and recruit without regard to age, ancestry, disability, gender, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status.

Culture of Quality

We will provide for our student-athletes outstanding coaches, mentors, facilities, equipment and opportunities.

Integrity

We are honest in our relationships with student-athletes and their families, coaches, staff, opponents and fans. We will engage only in behavior that reflects the highest levels of integrity and sportsmanship.

Leadership

Kansas Athletics will lead and nurture leadership in its student-athletes, staff, coaches and administrators.

Respect for our History and Traditions

The legacy of Kansas Athletics is proud and strong, filled with historical victories and compelling examples of excellence. We will respect and honor our outstanding tradition.

Unparalleled excellence

We are committed to winning.

§ Academically, we will excel in the classroom.

§ Athletically, we will compete and win with a watchful eye on the well-being of both our student-athletes and our institution.

§ Ethically, we will play by the rules. Period.

§ Fiscally, we will acquire the resources necessary to enable our student-athletes and coaches to compete at the highest level and to achieve unparalleled excellence.

§ Socially, we will provide our fans with an unsurpassed customer-service ethic and the best game-day experience in collegiate athletics.

Objectives

Integrating the guidelines and regulations established by the University of Kansas, the Big Twelve Conference and the NCAA, Kansas Athletics is guided by the following objectives:

• To develop and maintain mutually supportive programs of excellence in both academics and athletics in order to benefit the state and its people, as well as the students, faculty, administrators and alumni of the university.

• To employ coaches and other administrative staff members who are capable of performing as professionals in an educational community where high standards of integrity and ethical behavior, as well as sportsmanship, are expected of its members.

• To recruit student-athletes who are academically prepared for University work.

• To provide opportunities for both men and women by developing and sustaining programs that help all student-athletes achieve their maximum potential, both academically and athletically.

• To operate its athletics program in a manner that does not detract from the student-athletes’ educational opportunities.

• To offer an appropriate academic support program and tutoring services to all student-athletes.

• To enhance graduation rates with a goal of 100% graduation rate within five years of matriculation for student-athletes completing four years of eligibility.

• To operate its sports programs at the highest possible level of intercollegiate athletics competition and to seek affiliation with institutions demonstrating a similar commitment to academic excellence and institutional integrity.

• To promote character development in student-athletes, including cooperation, teamwork, leadership qualities, group loyalty and values.

• To train student-athletes in legitimate means of displaying good sportsmanship, competition and the will to win, and thereby contribute to the development of institutional morale, loyalty and school spirit.

• To develop both short and long range financial plans consistent with and supportive of the overall program objectives mandated by the University.

• To produce the revenue necessary to offer and maintain a comprehensive intercollegiate athletics program that utilizes both high quality facilities and state-of-the-art equipment.

• To develop a sports medicine program with the necessary facilities and medical personnel to enhance the physical fitness and skill of the student-athletes, as well as to promote the recovery of those who are ill or injured.

• To provide educational substance abuse programs for all student-athletes, as well as counseling for student-athletes who have abused alcohol or controlled substances.

• To provide a means by which institutional alumni and the public at large identify with the University for mutually beneficial purposes.

• To associate with donor groups that support the intercollegiate athletics program, maintain control of all donations and expenditures of funds that are handled by these groups and follow appropriate audit and information procedures consistent with Conference and NCAA guidelines.

The policies, procedures and practices, which are needed to carry out these objectives, follow and constitute the body of this Manual.

A Code of Ethical Conduct for Coaches, Support Staff and Administrators

The Code of Ethics adopted by Kansas Athletics represents the principles and standards which should guide coaches, support staff and administrators in maintaining the highest professional level of ethical conduct. Each employee will sign a statement acknowledging having read the Code and subscribing to the Code prior to July 31 of each year. Coaches, support staff members and administrators of Kansas Athletics will:

1. Be accountable to the highest standard of honesty and integrity. All activities should be consistent with the educational purpose of the University and within set rules of Kansas Athletics.

2. Embrace a primary concern for the health, safety and personal welfare of each student-athlete.

3. Support and encourage the student-athlete in academic studies and in meeting educational goals.

4. Treat student-athletes and fellow staff members as individuals who possess dignity and worth, and the ability to be self-directed.

5. Accept responsibility for assisting student-athletes in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills for success.

6. Lead by example by following the rules; counsel student-athletes to do the same.

7. Adhere to the rules and regulations of the University of Kansas, Kansas Athletics, the Big 12 Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); avoid actions that violate the legal and/or civil rights of others.

8. Inform prospective student-athletes of all program expectations and University requirements.

9. Take an active role in the prevention of and treatment for drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.

10. Perform their duties on the basis of careful preparation, ensuring information disseminated is current and accurate.

11. Adopt a professional lifestyle characterized by a strong personal value system consistent with the mission of Kansas Athletics.

12. Inform the student-athlete of the nature and/or limits of confidentiality; share information about the student-athlete only in accordance with Athletics and University policies and appropriate laws, when given permission, or when requested to prevent personal harm to themselves or others.

13. Accurately represent the competence, training, and experience of themselves and their colleagues.

14. Honor all professional relationships with student-athletes, colleagues, officials, media, and the public, and avoid conflicts of interest and exploitation of those relationships, especially by outside parties.

15. Ensure that employee complimentary ticket use meets policy requirements as provided in Kansas Athletics Complimentary Ticket policy (407C).