Wichita State will be closed Wednesday in honor of President George H.W. Bush
Wichita State University will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5) in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.
All classes will be canceled, and Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has designated Wednesday as a paid legal holiday for state employees.
Employees who need to be at work Wednesday to maintain university operations should coordinate with their supervisors.
This is the final week of classes at WSU, so Wednesday is normally a day when some students turn in final projects, make presentations or take exams.
Provost Rick Muma said: “I recognize this will be a hardship for some students and instructors. Faculty members with classes scheduled Wednesday should contact students to make it clear what needs to be done by students to complete their work for the semester.”
The university will resume normal operations on Thursday.
WSU previously observed legal holidays for deceased presidents Reagan in June 2004 and Ford in January 2007.
Meritrust at Braeburn Square branch opening Monday, Dec. 10
Meritrust's new high-digital-touch branch at the Wichita State University Braeburn
Square on the east side of campus is scheduled for opening Monday, Dec.10.
“We're proud to be offering this new location to serve the university community and
our membership,” says James Nastars, Meritrust President/CEO. “The new Meritrust at
Braeburn Square branch allows us to better serve the students, faculty and visitors
of the campus and the businesses nearby, while building upon our long-term support
of Wichita State's growth and investment in the future.”
Braeburn Square is located near the intersection of 21st and Oliver in northeast Wichita.
The Meritrust branch is opening near the Shocker Store and – opening in summer 2019
– Fuzzy's Taco Shop. Nearby are Airbus, Marcus Welcome Center, Law Enforcement Training
Center, new residence halls and the planned Student Wellness Center and YMCA.
Wichita State branding will be featured prominently throughout the branch, and it
will have an emphasis on digital technology. This focus will include Interactive Teller
Machines (ITMs), allowing members to have a more interactive experience with their
finances.
Two interior ITMs will be housed within the location, allowing members to make financial
transactions and providing 24/7 access to Meritrust card-holding members within a
vestibule for eATM deposits and withdrawals.
Another drive-up ITM will provide members an enhanced drive-thru experience during
business hours and 24/7 deposit and cash withdrawals.
The ITM technology of the new branch will complement the four Meritrust ATMs currently
located on campus, providing options for convenient banking access for students, faculty,
staff and visitors. ATMs can be accessed at the Rhatigan Student Center, Shocker Hall,
The Flats at WSU and Koch Arena (during games).
The new Meritrust at Braeburn Square branch is the next step in a longtime partnership
between Meritrust and Wichita State. Meritrust is heavily involved on campus, and
through a three-year $324,000 gift to the university, Meritrust is helping bring the
Professional Edge career development program and financial literacy curriculum to
Wichita State students in the Barton School of Business. Through this program, students
are able to identify career paths and opportunities, learn how to interact with business
professionals and develop their skills in professional networking, resume writing,
communication etiquette and financial literacy. Meritrust is also a supporter of Wichita
State Shocker athletics.
A ribbon-cutting celebration date for the new branch will be planned for early 2019.
Meritrust at Braeburn Square
Address: 4510 E. 19th Street, Wichita
Braeburn Square, located near 21st and Oliver on the east side of Wichita State's
campus
Branch Hours
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
Live Teller via vestibule ITM
9 a.m. to noon
24/7 self-service deposits and quick cash available after-hours via the vestibule
machine.
University schedule for the 2018 Holiday Closedown
The holiday closedown period at Wichita State University will commence at the end of the day on Thursday, Dec. 20, and reopen on Wednesday morning, Jan. 2.
The state paid holidays are Monday, Dec. 24; Tuesday, Dec. 25; and Tuesday, Jan. 1. For more information, go to Holiday Closedown.
President Bardo thanks campus and statement from Regents
John Bardo
President Bardo sincerely appreciates the outpouring of support and well wishes he has received from Shocker Nation and beyond in the few days since he shared the information that he is being treated for a lung condition.
The Kansas Board of Regents issued this statement last Wednesday:
"The Regents are aware that President Bardo is in the hospital and send him best wishes for a full and speedy recovery. The Board and KBOR President Blake Flanders will remain in contact with President Bardo and will support the rest of the Wichita State leadership team until he can return to campus. The Regents will also work with Provost Rick Muma to ensure that the management of the University continues to operate smoothly."
12 Days of Christmas Sale continues today (Tuesday, Dec. 4)
Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store's Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from now to Saturday, Dec. 8. Or shop the sale online at shockerstore.com.
New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion or while supplies last.
The new sale items for today (Tuesday, Dec. 4) are buy one, get one 50 percent off board games and puzzles (second item must be of equal or lesser value).
Parking update for Study Day and Finals Week
On Friday, Dec. 7, 100 stalls in lot 19E on the east side of Eck Stadium, will be blocked for a luncheon event at Marcus Welcome Center until 2 p.m.
This is also Study Day and ePermits will note be required in the green or green / yellow lots only.
During Finals Week from Saturday, Dec. 8, to Thursday, Dec. 13, parking will be enforced as usual.
Shuttle Bus schedule update
The shuttle buses at WSU will not run Friday, Dec. 7. Shuttle bus service will start at 6:30 a.m. during finals week, Monday, Dec. 10- Thursday, Dec. 13.
Shuttle service will be discontinued from Friday, Dec. 14, through Monday, Jan. 21.
Game Day specials all day Saturday, Dec. 8
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is your Shocker Basketball headquarters! For each men's basketball game, they will have a different game day special, honored all day long. On Saturday, Dec. 8, you take $1 off full-size salads!
‘Democracy on Tap: The Fate of Century II'
Join KMUW at the final Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap of 2018 for a discussion on the fate of Century II. “Democracy on Tap: The Fate of Century II” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Roxy's Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas.
Our expert panel consists of three members of the Century II Citizens Advisory Committee, plus Music Theatre Wichita's Mitch Southerland. We'll discuss the future of the iconic building, and what's at stake. Admission is free, and so are the appetizers. Learn more at EngageICT.org.
Engage ICT on Tuesday, Dec. 11
Campus Post Office to provide limited hours during the holiday closedown
As in previous years, the Campus Post Office will provide only limited hours during the holiday closedown. No deliveries will be made to university departments, and departments may come to the Campus Post Office to collect incoming mail during the times listed on the chart here.
The Campus Post Office will not accept any bulk or automated mailings. The final day any mass mailings will be processed before the holiday closedown is Tuesday, Dec. 18.
No sales will take place at the service windows at the times shown, and any mail to be metered on a university account may also be brought to our office by 11 a.m. to be sent that day.
Additionally, no sales will take place at the service windows. This includes passports, USPS, UPS and FedEx services.
No passports will be processed during the holiday closedown and no stamp purchases will be provided through state accounts.
Campus Post Office Holiday Information
Seeking participants for a paid study about computer monitor resolution
Participants are sought for a paid study investigating the effects of computer monitor resolution on user performance and experience.
Do you play computer video games or digitally create / edit illustrations, photos, textures or animation? We are seeking computer users 18 and older to participate in a research study about computer monitor resolution.
The study will take place in McKinley Hall and last about 90 minutes. Participants in the study will earn $25 or six SONA credits if enrolled in a WSU psychology course.
If you are interested in participating, take a few minutes to take the screening survey. If you qualify for the study, you will be contacted by the researcher to schedule a time to participate.
Questions can be directed to Christal Haskins at cahaskins@shockers.wichita.edu.
Dave Stallworth statue unveiled
A statue of legendary Wichita State men's basketball player Dave Stallworth was unveiled
in front of Charles Koch Arena on Dec. 1 in front of his teammates and fans.
The statue and fund-raising were final tributes from his teammates – and fans of the
1960's era teams – to ensure Stallworth's contributions to the university and community
were remembered. With Stallworth leading the way, the Shockers won their first Missouri
Valley Conference title and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1964. They
became a regular in the national rankings and packed fans into what was then known
as the WU Fieldhouse.
Dave Stallworth rose from humble origins. Born in Dallas, Texas and raised by his
mother, Doris, he learned the game of basketball on the outdoor courts of the South
Oak Cliff housing projects but went on to play it on some of the world's biggest stages.
Stallworth won team championships at three different levels, leading Madison High School to a Texas state title, the University of Wichita to a Missouri Valley Conference crown and the New York Knicks to their first NBA title.
WSU honor students publish research on space mining regulation
Honor students Brittany Wojciechowski, Lucas Webb, Aubrey Koonce and Molly Williams recently published their article "The Need for Strict Regulation of Asteroid Mining," in the European Space Policy Institute's Voices from the Space Community series.
Their article is an outgrowth of research they conducted while enrolled in an Honors Seminar on Philosophy of Space Exploration, taught by philosophy faculty James Schwartz in the summer of 2018.
Shocker Athletics launches fundraising campaign for softball program
Wichita State Athletics has launched its first GiveCampus crowdfunding campaign for the Shocker Softball program.
Money raised will provide the resources needed to fulfill and enhance the look and branding of Wilkins Stadium - the home of Shocker Softball. Our goal to enhance and brand Wilkins Stadium is a high priority for our softball program, which affects every aspect of current and future softball student-athletes. We are launching a capital campaign to achieve the branding goal, and encourage you to get involved.
"We're going to need the support of our community, our fans, alumni, parents and former
student-athletes," said Wichita State head softball coach Kristi Bredbenner.
Crowdfunding uses the internet, email and social media to raise gifts of varying amounts
from a large number of people. The department's goal is to inspire Shocker Nation
to support the softball program by making a donation. There is no donation minimum
and every gift goes toward the project.
Send a letter from Santa
Once again the Campus Post Office will offer eight different letters that you can choose from and have sent to a child. “A Letter from Santa” will be forwarded to the Santa Claus Post Office in Indiana for a pictorial postmarking and then sent to the addressee on the envelope.
Each letter will cost $1.25. The last day to purchase a letter will be Friday, Dec. 14, to allow them to get the pictorial postmark.
The Santa Claus Post Office is the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name, and during the Christmas season thousands of letters are mailed to Santa each year.
The first Santa Claus Post Office opened its doors in 1856. The town's name did not peak interest, however, until 1914 when Santa Claus' 14th postmaster, James Martin, took it upon himself to answer the children's letters.
Soon after, people flocked to the Santa Claus Post Office to get the special postmark; so much that in the early 1930s the U.S. Postal Department suggested changing the name of the town to avoid the Christmas season frenzy. Fortunately, for everyone, that did not happen!
James Martin continued answering letters and eventually enlisted Jim Yellig to aid in helping him write back to children across the world. Today, the nonprofit organization, Santa's Elves Inc, and the Santa Claus Museum, organize volunteers to answer all the children's letters that flood this tiny post office during the holidays. More than 22,000 letters were answered in 2018.
Finals Frenzy deals at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
From today (Tuesday, Dec. 4) through Saturday, Dec. 8, you can unwind at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes with $1.50 bowling games (shoes included) and $3 per hour billiards rental.
WSU research makes news in the Philippines
A Philippine newspaper picked up the story of graduate assistant Alisha Prince doing research with David McDonald. Prince is the student who won our inaugural Three Minute Thesis Competition and is vice president of the Graduate Student Association.
Campus Credit Union invites you to donate toys for Wesley Children's Hospital
The Campus Credit Union is collecting toys to take to the kids at Wesley Children's Hospital. Help us make some awesome kid's Christmas a little brighter and joyful as we look forward to filling the sock! Bring the toys to the Campus Credit Union by Tuesday, Dec. 18.
Students plant ‘Wulip Garden' in Braeburn Square
Despite the wintry weather, students planted new “flowers” on campus this week as part of the Wulip Garden placemaking initiative aimed at creating a unique and inviting environment for campus visitors.
The flowers, called Wulips, are yellow and black blooms made from chicken wire and bamboo. More than 50 students, alumni, faculty and staff collaborated on the project.
WSU nursing student is determined to succeed despite DACA uncertainty
Senior nursing student Flor Maritza Mercado is one of the thousands of people in the United States who is impacted by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).