The Classified Senate at KU began operating in 1980 after employees petitioned for its creation. Initially focused solely on salaries, the Senate remained independent of the university but over time became recognized as a source for input from classified employees across the university. The Classified Senate's concerns broadened to include salaries, health and retirement benefits, child care, legislative activities, benefits, communications, personnel matters, and working with classified staff organizations at other state universities.

As of 2005 most classified employees at the University of Kansas became University Support Staff (USS) employees.