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K-State Today

Division of Communications and Marketing
Kansas State University
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Manhattan, KS 66506
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vpcm@k-state.edu

January 29, 2024

KBOR approves uniform notice of non-reappointment policy

Submitted by Ethan Erickson

Dear K-State community,

The Kansas Board of Regents has approved a new notice of non-reappointment, or NNR, policy for non-tenure track faculty and staff across all KBOR institutions.

KBOR approved the policy at its January meeting. The existing policy for tenure-track faculty will remain unchanged.

K-State will assemble a working group including shared governance representatives to develop recommendations for President Richard Linton that include the removal of the current NNR language from the University Handbook and the development of a K-State Policy and Procedures Manual chapter supporting the required policy updates. The university must update its policy to be effective for new hires before July 1, 2024. The policy is effective July 1, 2025, for all other employees regardless of their hire date.

The draft NNR policy was first introduced at KBOR in December 2023 with the goal to align all KBOR institutions to a maximum 90-day notice period for non-tenure track employees. A review of existing NNR policies across all KBOR institutions identified some disparate processes, specifically regarding the notice period.

The January KBOR agenda includes the complete policy edits.

If you have additional questions or comments about the approved alignment of NNR after reading the frequently asked questions below, reach out to hr@k-state.edu.

Sincerely,

Ethan Erickson
Vice president for administration and finance

FAQ (can also be found on HR's NNR page)

Why did KBOR amend the policy on non-reappointment?
The Kansas Board of Regents recommended changes to the board policy on non-reappointment of university employees other than tenured and tenure-track faculty in order to standardize notice requirements across institutions.

Who is impacted by the change?
The board policy on non-reappointment includes procedures for two employee groups: tenure-track faculty and all other classes of employees. The existing policy for tenure-track faculty will remain unchanged. Recommended policy changes will impact all other classes of employees, including employees on regular appointments (unclassified administrative or service) and non-tenure track faculty on regular appointments.

Employees on term or temporary appointments are not subject to the proposed policy amendments.

When will the new policy go into effect?
The policy was approved by the Board of Regents during its January 2024 meeting. K-State must update its policy to be effective for new hires before July 1, 2024. The policy is effective July 1, 2025, for all other employees regardless of their hire date.

What is the university's approach now that amendments to the KBOR policy are approved?
K-State will establish a working group to develop a recommendation to the president, which will include removing the notice of non-reappointment language from the University Handbook and creating a chapter in the K-State Policies and Procedures Manual.

Will these changes impact the annual employee contract process?
The contract process will remain as-is with plans to further review and align in the future.