Mount Oread Messenger: October 19, 2020

The $710K contract that could alter KU Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Mount Oread Messenger]( Good morning! Today's main story is about a $710,000 consulting contract that, depending on how the findings are used, could fundamentally change the way KU operates. Here are some key things to know: - The firm contracted to do this work is called rpk GROUP and is based in Maryland. - KU and rpk GROUP signed a contract in mid-June for 9 months of work totaling $710,000. - KU Endowment, the university's independent fundraising arm, is footing the entirety of the bill. - rpk GROUP was given a no-bid contract for the work, meaning KU didn't put out a formal solicitation (AKA a Request for Proposal) for other firms to submit proposals. Here's what the firm will examine through March 2021: • Academic portfolio and efficiency/productivity analysis • Market scan and analysis • Finance and budget review • Administrative services review *** This contract and how the firm's work will ultimately be used by KU administrators has been a source of concern for faculty and staff members for months — I talked with two faculty leaders for the story, so make sure to read it and find out more about why so many are apprehensive (sorry for the clickbait). That's all for today, see you on Wednesday! [KU]( [The 9-month, $710K consulting contract that could alter how KU operates]( The University of Kansas in June entered into a nine-month contract with a Maryland-based higher education consulting firm tasked with examining virtually every aspect of KU’s operations, from academics to administrative offices. [Read the full story here]( IMAGE OF THE DAY [KU Football]( West Virginia Mountaineers safety Alonzo Addae celebrates after making an interception during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. KU started Saturday's game out strong with a 10-0 lead, but ultimately lost 38-17. (Ben Queen/USA TODAY Sports) IN OTHER KU NEWS [New COVID-19 death in county raises total to 15; KU adds 12 new cases of COVID-19]( KU on Friday confirmed 12 more cases of COVID-19 since data was last released Wednesday, bringing the school’s cumulative case total to 1,083. The university's next data release will be on Tuesday. [KU ]( [KU receives $7.8M federal grant to expand Bioscience and Technology Business Center]( Local and state leaders hope a multimillion-dollar federal grant awarded last week could help create hundreds of bioscience jobs in Lawrence and help launch a new innovation district on the University of Kansas’ west campus. [Lied Center]( If you enjoy the Mount Oread Messenger, you can [subscribe to receive it here.]( To reach Mount Oread Messenger author Conner Mitchell, please email cmitchell@ljworld.com or call 785-832-6388. Tips can also be submitted at [Conner's tip form]( or at his secure email address,[connermitchell@protonmail.com](mailto:connermitchell@protonmail.som). [SUBSCRIBE TO THE LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD HERE]( This message was sent by the Lawrence Journal-World. You are receiving this because at some point in the past you shared your email address with the Journal-World To opt-out of emails like this, click the link below. [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Lawrence Journal-World PO Box 888, Lawrence, KS 66044