Get your coronavirus questions answered by experts at KMUW's next Democracy on Tap
Everyone is talking about COVID-19, so KMUW is joining the conversation at the next Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap at 5:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, March 10) at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas. The event is free and open to the public. Appetizers are provided by Roxy's Downtown, and drinks are available for purchase.
We'll discuss the coronavirus, including how to protect yourself and your family, and the potential impact it could have on our economy. Get your questions answered by doctors, nurses, and other professionals on our expert panel, including Camille Childers with Wichita State University Student Health Services, and Dr. Margaret Hagan, MD, with Infectious Disease Consultants.
The conversation will be streamed live starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at facebook.com/kmuw89.
WSU airline quality expert comments on potential impact of COVID-19 on air travel
Dean Headley
Dean Headley, co-author of the national Airline Quality Rating from Wichita State University, says public concerns over COVID-19 will mostly negatively affect air travel internationally, but will certainly have some impact on domestic air travel as the virus spreads.
“At this point, the biggest impact is on international travel,” said Headley. “Truth be told, there’s a silver lining for those travelers who continue to fly domestically. If the coronavirus results in a reduction in passengers flying commercially, airline performance will likely be better. History shows that fewer travelers helps the system perform better. Of course, the downside for the airlines is they’ll lose money because fewer people are traveling.”
Initially, Headley says the large US airports will likely be affected more than smaller regional airports because they handle most of the international traffic. The hub and spoke system of air travel also presents challenges to all airports in trying to contain the virus.
Leisure travelers are in the process of making their summer plans now, so depending on the spread of the virus domestically, there could be a reduction in leisure travel for the summer, according to Headley. “There’s a lot of complex issues, especially concerning human nature and what people are willing to do despite warnings in terms of air travel and the community spread of the virus,” said Headley.
Looking back, the events of 9/11 come to mind regarding when air travel was considered a risky choice. At this point, Headley says the airline industry shouldn’t suffer as much from COVID-19 as it did following 9/11.
“It took a couple of years for domestic air travel to recover from 9/11,” said Headley. “The coronavirus is scary, but I don’t think it scares the public like 9/11 did. A lot will depend though on what shape the virus takes over the next few months. Airlines and consumers alike should learn from this and be better prepared for next year and the year after that. Unless the coronavirus becomes more widespread in this country, the impact isn’t going to be as serious as post 9/11.”
Legislative Update No. 9
The legislature returned after their turnaround break on Wednesday and worked through Thursday before adjourning on Friday. There wasn’t a great deal of meaningful work accomplished this week, with the exception of some procedural budgetary matters.
Included in those were the full Senate Ways and Means Committee recommendations for higher education. As a reminder, the sub-committee recommended the Governor’s budget which includes $11.9M for higher education 4-year institutions, but also $2.5M for need-based aid (applied to the comprehensive grant) as well as an additional $12.5M for pay increases for state employees, $5M for WSU for creating the National Institute of Digital Transformation and Convergence Sciences, $5M for KSU for a research focus on global foods, and approximately $130k for PSU for a dyslexia program to help K-12 teachers identify dyslexia in the classroom and provide them the appropriate resources.
All of those are to be reviewed at omnibus, which means added at the end of session when the budget picture is a little clearer in terms of expenditures and revenues (potential surplus versus shortfalls). The full committee adopted the sub-committee’s recommendations, but added an additional $300k for FHSU for a military articulation program to be reviewed at omnibus, and an additional $2.5M for need-based aid that would require a $2:$1 match ($2 of private for every $1 of public funds).
Something not tied to the legislative session but that directly impacts the budget prospects for the future are the actual revenue receipts for February were announced. The state received $63.6M (tax and non-tax revenue) for the month of February. For a total year-to-date overview of revenue estimates, the state has brought in $154M above estimates for the year for taxes, and an additional $174M in other receipts, such as insurance premium fees and corporate franchise fees). The healthy state of revenue in Kansas makes the pressure on spending in the budget and passing tax-cut legislation grow by virtue of the fact that it at least appears the State can afford it.
This week, look for pressure to continue to build on passing a tax bill of some kind, anxiety over the future of Medicaid expansion, and the stalemate over the constitutional amendment to regulate abortion will all be issues that create consternation in the short-term heading to end of the regular session at the end of March.
Savvy Scholar Workshops help with all research needs
Free sign-up for Savvy Scholar Workshops is available at libraries.wichita.edu/savvyscholar.
These and other workshops hosted by Wichita State University Libraries take place throughout the spring semester!
History Department's spring lecture explores LGBTQ+ activism in Cold War Germany
The Department of History will feature Dr. Erik Huneke, assistant professor of history, University of Central Oklahoma, presenting “What Difference Did a Wall Make?: LGBTQ+ Activism on Both Sides of the German Cold War Divide.” The talk will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in 218 Hubbard Hall.
Entrepreneurship Research Series is here to grow and protect your business
Free registration for the Entrepreneurship Research Series can be found at libraries.wichita.edu/ers.
These and other workshops hosted by Wichita State University Libraries take place throughout the spring semester!
Add 'Design Thinking' to your list of skills
Learn the process and exercises for Design Thinking at Groover Labs in downtown Wichita at our workshop Thursday and Friday, April 16-17. The workshop enables participants to learn how to effectively manage change, incorporate a consistent process that allows teams to quickly assemble, contribute, and move from one project to the next successfully. It also empowers teams and builds trust within the organization, while curating strategic innovation that encourages ideas and reduces risk.
The early bird discount has been extended to Friday, March 20.
WSU partnership with USD 259 creates new opportunities for young men of color
In support of their shared goals, Wichita State University and Wichita Public Schools (WPS) have expanded a partnership to create a stronger system of support for African American and Hispanic students who want to pursue post-secondary education.
The partnership started in 2018 between Wichita State and the WPS program Better Academics and Social Excellence (BAASE). BAASE was created by William Polite, executive director of Diversity and Equity for Wichita Public Schools, and kicked off with nearly 500, 7th and 8th grade scholars with a 3.25 GPA or better, no office referrals and strong attendance. The program aims to create a positive peer group of males of color and encourage scholastic achievement.
Capitol Graduate Research Summit shows benefits of research
Nine Wichita State graduate students joined with graduate students from Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas Medical School and presented at the 17th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit in Topeka on Feb. 26. The research topics included addressing and treating the opioid crisis, potentials for soy use in plastic manufacturing and security for 3-D printers.
Founded by graduate students 16 years ago, the annual summit brings attention to the innovative research conducted by students at state universities and emphasizes the public benefits of graduate students’ research.
Read complete story on research summit
Teen study participants needed
Are you a parent of a teenager?
The INSPYRE research lab is exploring what makes relationships healthy or unhealthy in adolescence
Purpose of this study: To explore perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships in teens
Procedures: After parental consent and teen assent has been obtained, teens will be asked to participate in a survey that gathers information on demographics and perceptions of dating relationships.
Time: This survey will take about 20 minutes to complete.
Eligibility Criteria: Participants must be 13-19 years old, and must be fluent in English.
We provide flexible locations for study participation. Study participation can be done:
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in person at Jabara Hall room 417 @ WSU
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in person at an outdoor public meeting place (Eg: ICT Pop-Up Urban Park, Bradley Fair) *through email
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through mail
Compensation: A small prize will be offered.
Interested? Contact the Inspyre Research Lab at inspyre@wichita.edu 316-978-6180.
F5 Shockers Indoor Cricket Tournament on March 15
The International Students Union is pleased to announce its first Indoor Cricket Tournament. This event will be played starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 15 on courts C and D, Heskett Center. All WSU students, alumni, and faculty are welcome to participate in this event. Each team needs to have a maximum of 8 players to register. The entry fee per team is $40.
In order to register and pay for the tournament please visit our site here.
If anyone has any questions, contact Sam D’Souza on 316-765-2084 or email u246z887@wichita.edu.
We would love to see you on the court!
WSU Opera Theatre presents Mozart's ‘Cosi fan tutte’
WSU's Opera Theatre is pleased to present Mozart's "Cosi fan tutte," a comedic tale of romance and the awkward situations that arise when you put love to the test. Performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 19-21, and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, in Miller Concert Hall.
Sung in Italian with the English translation projected above the stage, the opera is free to all WSU students with your student ID. Please see the School of Music website, stop by the Box Office in Duerksen Fine Arts Center, or call 978-3233 to reserve your ticket.
Tickets
Second annual Edible Book Festival is coming to Ablah Library
The second annual Edible Book Festival hosted by Wichita State University Libraries is coming Wednesday, April 1 to Ablah Library's main floor. Register to submit your culinary creation at Edible Book Festival.
Freddy's fundraiser for refugees
Mu Delta Alpha, hosted by Mu Delta Alpha in Partnership with International Rescue Committee (IRC), is hosting a fundraising event at Freddy’s tomorrow (Wednesday, March 11) at Central and Rock Road, to support the work of the IRC. We wanted to share in case anyone wished to support a Wichita-based restaurant (Freddy’s), and refugees and immigrants at the same time. Be sure to mention you want to support the International Rescue Committee or your payment won’t count toward the fundraiser.
Support the 2020 Dream Run
Date: Saturday, April 11
Dream Run 2 Miles is a fundraising 2-mile run for a scholarship that is provided by Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. and Student Government Association for undocumented students who are not eligible to receive federal student aid. Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. and the Student Organization of Social Work will be hosting this event on Saturday, April 11.
For more information, call 316-347-6158
Registration is $20 for students / faculty / staff (which includes T-shirts)
Registration is $25 for community members (which includes T-shirts)
NOTE: People participating will have to fill a waiver form, so please bring it to the event. We will have extra waiver forms in case you forget to bring one.
Registration deadline for a guaranteed T-shirt will be Friday, March 20, in order to get your shirt on the day of the race. Any registration after that time will not be guaranteed a T-shirt the day of the race, but participants will have an opportunity to pick one up from 1-5 p.m. between April 9-11, in 208 RSC. Final day for registration will be Wednesday, April 8.
The PBR Bulls are back in Wichita at the Intrust Bank Arena April 25
Professional Bull Riders event at the Intrust Bank Arena is Saturday, April 25. This is relevant to WSU students and faculty because it is a family friendly and student friendly fun event!
WSU students, faculty and staff can purchase tickets at a discount. Go to https://selectaseat.com/pbr and use the code WSU20 for 20% off your order.
Donations needed
The Career Development Center is in desperate need of professional clothing for our Career Closet event! Donate your professional dress items now through March 17 to Brennan III, M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesday mornings).
Professional dress items include suits, dress pants, professional shirts or blouses, professional skirts, belts, neckties, briefcases, cuff links, tie clips, and more. We particularly lack women’s petite and men’s small. For questions, contact Kim Kufahl at 978-6981 or kim.kufahl@wichita.edu.