Wichita State University administrators are clear on their goals for applied learning
and research for students and faculty, creation of new technology, formation/acceleration
of businesses based on university research, collaboration across academic disciplines,
support for local industry and economic growth.
President John Bardo and his team are spreading those ideas across campus and throughout the community and state.
In this period of significant growth and change, they know that not everyone places the same value they do on these ideas and that some people feel left out of the conversation.
This summer, in response, the university administration has made several moves designed
to increase transparency and expand communication.
“How do we have a more effective dialogue about what's going on?” said Andy Schlapp,
WSU chief of staff. “How do we listen more effectively? We share what we think is
of interest, but sometimes people don't respond to ideas until they turn into actions.”
On June 28, Wichita State started weekly public briefings (https://wsu.news/Youtube) aimed at highlighting news and detailing important programs and changes. They are held every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. The Public Information section of the newly redesigned https://www.wichita.edu features popular public records, information on Kansas Open Records Acts requests along with a recommended on-line request form, trending topics and an archive of videos and stories.
The goal is to inform and educate university employees, students and the community
about the changes on campus.
“The university emphasizes transparency and openness offering communication in different
mediums,” said Tonya Witherspoon, director of commercial ventures and applied innovation.
“Things are innovating and evolving at a much quicker pace than has ever happened
at the university. “We need to move quickly to respond to our community's immediate
needs. This is not unique to WSU, it is an expectation across the globe.”
The 10 a.m. Thursday briefings, usually held at the Marcus Welcome Center, have featured trending topics on what's going on at WSU, a featured segment on one topic and a time to ask questions.
The first month of briefings has included:
- Aleks Sternfield-Dunn, director of the School of Music, on the formation of Shocker Sound Machine marching band.
- Announcement of a $2.5 million gift from Dorothy and Bill Cohen to the Honors College.
- Sheree Utash, director of WSU Tech, explaining the link between the university and WSU Tech.
- Discussion of enrollment trends and retention efforts during the upcoming school year.
“It's an open invitation to come on campus, whether you are already at WSU or a member of the local community, to hear updates and ask questions,” Tracee Friess, briefings host and director of communication for research and technology transfer, said. “It will be interesting to see the attendance increase as popularity grows, especially when the fall semester starts.”
“How do you inform all the constituent groups?” Schlapp said. “To me, that's the real
challenge that I think anybody in the public sector is facing – the expectation for
speed and moving quickly in this changing world is there, but the need for information
and the need for knowing what's going on is just as critical as ever.”
In the absence of a perfect solution, Wichita State continues to do more to explain
its vision, answer questions and discuss issues and different ideas. This summer's
expanded transparency moves are one part of that process.
“We're trying to create this environment on this campus, and we know it's not going
to be tomorrow,” Schlapp said. “And we know a lot of the things we do may take time
to be successful. If they don't work, we need to be fluid in our actions. That's why
you do things and you change. Debate and discussion on what's the right direction
are good.”