Update on December 2019 security incident
In December 2019, the university notified the campus community of a security incident involving unauthorized access to a WSU server containing information of former and current students, faculty, and staff. Upon learning of the unauthorized access, WSU’s top priority was to mitigate the effect to and upon our campus community. We immediately secured the server and engaged a leading computer forensic firm to investigate the incident’s scope and impact. This comprehensive review revealed that the affected server contained names, email addresses, dates of birth and, in some cases, Social Security numbers.
Within the next few days, all individuals potentially affected by this unauthorized access will receive a letter to your home address that contains additional details about the incident as well as steps you can take to help protect your information. This letter will also include a hotline number and website where you can ask questions and get details. A sample of the notice mailed to U.S. residents can be found here: http://www.wichita.edu/securityincident.
While the university does not have any evidence of actual or attempted misuse of your personal information, we are offering identity theft protection to all potentially affected individuals at no charge. This includes 12 months of credit monitoring, fully managed ID theft recovery services, and a $1,000,000 insurance reimbursement policy.
We want to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this incident has caused. WSU takes very seriously its obligation to protect the personal information of each and every member of our community and we regret the understandable worry a situation like this causes. We want to assure you that we have taken proactive steps to manage this risk going forward.
If you believe that you may have been affected and do not receive a letter, you may call 1-833-570-0375 for assistance. You may also reach out to David Miller, interim chief information officer, at david.miller@wichita.edu. For your protection, please do not email any details that relate to your personal information.
As a reminder, we encourage you to always use complex passwords, reset your passwords regularly, don’t leave your computer unlocked when away from your desk, and avoid opening and clicking links in email messages that appear suspicious.
Goals? What goals?
How is your progress going toward the goals you set at the beginning of the semester? Are you where you want to be? It’s time for you to be doing a grade and goal check. If you don’t know where you stand in your classes, login to Blackboard and find out. Do you need some resources to help you? Explore this list of FREE existing academic success resources. If you need someone to help you focus and maximize your chances for success, contact a Success Coach or Peer Coach in the Shocker Learning Center.
Interdisciplinary Program Award recipients announced
In order to advance WSU’s Strategic Plan and SEM plan, the Office of Academic Affairs held a competition to propose new interdisciplinary certificates, minors, undergraduate, or Masters programs that will be in high demand and that are focused on addressing the future needs of our students and the community.
There were 12 submissions, with four semifinalists giving presentations on Feb. 14. The winning submission, selected by the committee, was for a Minor in Sustainability Management. Congratulations to Raina Rutti, Kara McCluskey, Gery Markova, Gary Brooking, and Madison Laughlin!
2020 Graduate Student of the Year finalist and winner announced
Please join us in congratulating our 2020 WSU Graduate Student of the Year finalists and winner!
In our second annual scholarship competition, we entered with 27 applications. Ten were selected to move into the final round, including a presentation over their individual top 5 CliftonStrengths, as well as an interview. Five finalists were selected by a panel of faculty and staff members from Wichita State University.
2020 Finalists
- Ashruta Acharya - Masters in Economics
- Sarah Brill – Masters in Counseling in Higher Education
- Shareika Fisher – Doctorate of Educational Leadership
- Tamara Huff – Doctorate of Educational Leadership
2020 WSU Graduate Student of the Year
- Trang Bui – Masters in Educational Psychology: Higher Education/Student Affairs
Our finalists were recognized and celebrated at a luncheon on March 5.
Join Sandy and Student Health for Tuesday Talks
Tuesday Talks with Sandy and Student Health Services will be at first floor RSC tabling on Tuesdays to answer health questions and assist in making appointments. FREE stuff will be available!
Our next Career Readiness workshop is Wednesday
Employers are looking for Wichita State graduates to be Career Ready — meaning you know how to use your talents, strengths, and interests. Being Career Ready means, you can recognize and demonstrate the competencies identified by employers that are crucial to a successful transition into the workplace. Our workshops are designed to help you understand the meaning of these competencies, learn how to identify and exhibit these skills, and how to further develop them.
Join us for Career Readiness: Tech Savvy and Oral/Written Communication from 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, March 11, in 264 RSC.
Call for Poster - Wichita State University Analytics Showcase
The Wichita State University Analytics Showcase invites students to submit a poster for presentation at the first Wichita State University Analytics Showcase on April 17 at the WSU Hughes Metropolitan Complex.
This is a great opportunity to present your data analytics research or applied project to the WSU community, industry and other stakeholders. The Wichita State Analytics Showcase will deepen your understanding of accomplishments in the field of analytics in terms of research advances, curricular programs, analytics software, hardware, and skill-building; and it is a great opportunity to interact with other Data Analytics researchers and practitioners.
Submit your abstract at Analytics Poster. Note that you may use the same abstract that you are using for GRASP. Deadline for submission is Friday, March 13.
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.
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!
20% off the official team shooter shirt
Support the Wichita State men’s and women’s basketball teams by wearing the official team shooter shirt that both teams will wear in their tournaments, now 20% off. Available at the Shocker Store locations in the Rhatigan Student Center, Braeburn Square, Koch Arena and online at shockerstore.com. Go Shockers!
Apply to be a passage 2 success leader
Applications to be a Passage Leader are open until noon Monday, March 16.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is seeking 8-10 students to serve as leaders for Passage 2 Success (P2S). P2S is a four-day retreat for incoming freshment from diverse backgrounds to help in their transition to Wichita State University. The purpose of this retreat is to connect with other incoming students, meet current WSU student leaders, explore Wichita and gain skills to be socially and academically successful.
Please read the position description for expectations, responsibilities and requirements on Handshake.
International Women's Day keynote on March 10
The International Women’s Day keynote speech, “Citizenship before the Women's Suffrage Amendment: African American and Native American, Rights and Resistance,” will be delivered by Professor Kim Warren of the History Department at the University of Kansas at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, March 10) in Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, RSC. The event is free and open to the public.
The event was organized by the Department of Women, Gender, and Diversity Studies in sponsorship with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, League of Women Voters - Wichita, and Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment.
Volunteer opportunity available through Community Service Board
The Community Service Board offers many volunteer opportunities. The volunteer events are rewarding experiences that complement students' academic pursuits, allowing them to engage and develop while helping build a more vibrant campus culture that enhances their journey as Shockers. Volunteer opportunities are listed below.
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Volunteer at Mentoring Monday from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 9, at the Boys and Girls Club.
- Volunteer at Wednesday's at the Diner from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Lord's Diner.
- Volunteer for Senior Saturday from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Larksfield Place.
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. 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.
SAC hosting late night Bingo at Fuzzy's
B-4 you call it a night, stop by Fuzzy's Taco Shop for a fun game of bingo from 8-10 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. Enjoy bottomless chips and dip, and happy hour specials, while playing bingo for a chance to in some great prizes. Only WSU students with a WSU ID are eligible to win.
2020 Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) applications open
Interested in growing as a leader?
Looking to make an impact on campus?
Want to meet other student leaders?
Apply now and attend this week-long experience that will allow you to grow as a leader and expand upon your leadership skills and abilities.
Applications available online at www.wichita.edu/sli. Applications are due March 29.
Shockers for LIfe introduces 'I'm Pro-Life Because...' campaign
Shockers for Life is collected responses from pro-life students to share on social media and around campus as part of its mission to create a pro-life community at Wichita State.
If you're pro-life, fill out the Google Form linked below and fill in your answer to "I'm pro-life because...". Shockers for Life is excited to give you a chance to share your views with other students on campus.
Focus group participants needed for study on swearing and credibility
Ever wondered how swearing affects your credibility? A graduate student in the Elliott School of Communication is looking for focus group participants to discuss the use of swear words in the classroom.
The purpose of this research is to provide information on the positive and negative effects swearing has on the credibility of college instructors. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
For more information, and to RSVP, email Emily Mullins at exmullins@shockers.wichita.edu.
Future health care professionals present Shocker Sleep Week
Come celebrate National Sleep Week with Future Health Care Professionals on March 11-12 in the RSC. Join us in bringing awareness to sleep health by making essential oil sprays for sleep and sleep masks.
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
Family Movie: ‘Inside Out’
After touring the Ulrich Museum of Art at Family Fun Day from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 14, join SAC in the CAC Theater to watch Pixar’s “Inside Out!” The movie will be shown at 3 p.m. in the CAC Theater.
Free crafts and snacks will be provided. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.
Mix & Match 2 for $2.50
Save on bottled beverages when you purchase 2 for $2.50 at Pizza Hut, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, Freddy's or Market at Groundhouse. Valid on Pepsi products 20 oz or smaller; exclusions may apply. Limited time only.
Join WSU College of Democrats and get involved in the election year
Join College Democrats to get involved in this critical election year. We are excited to make 2020 an incredibly active year here on campus and in the broader community. If you are interested in getting involved, we would love to have you.
We meet at 6 p.m. every Thursday in the RSC. Contact us at wichitastatedemocrats@gmail.com or 316-204-8156 for more information.