The University of Kansas is a major educational and research institution with more than 27,000 students and 1,900 faculty members.
Research is an integral part of the university's educational process.
KU has more than 40 special research facilities, in addition to those in individual departments and schools . The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching classifies KU as a Research University-1 for its commitment to graduate education and research. The National Science Foundation classifies KU as a major university receiving substantial research support. Library collections in Lawrence contain more than 3 million volumes and many microforms, manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Watson Library houses most of KU's general collections in the social sciences and humanities.