Shockers United: The plan to slowly allow more people on campus
A letter to the campus community:
As noted by Provost Rick Muma earlier this week, the spread of COVID-19 has required us all to adapt to a new and unprecedented reality. We have been forced to examine how we work and how we live in a world where what was acceptable yesterday is dangerous today. And while modern technology has perhaps made this somewhat simpler in practice, it has by no means made it easier to accept.
As our state begins to implement Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas, we too are beginning to develop and implement plans for the university’s short- and long-term future. This plan – Shockers United – is a culmination of seven working groups across campus, each comprised of students, faculty and staff, and each tasked with examining a different facet of university operations that must now be modified to a new normal as we seek to coexist with and thrive in spite of this virus.
We have divided this plan into three phases:
- Preopening: now through May 25
- Reopening/summer: May 26-July 31
- Fall semester: August 2020 and beyond
Wichita State launches new COVID-19 site
Wichita State University has launched a new version of the COVID-19 website. The site, at wichita.edu/covid, is reorganized to make information easier to find. Instead of massive lists of questions, the information has been sorted by audience and by topic. A topics listing on the front page will allow you to jump directly to questions related to the subject in which you're interested, and those URLs can be shared.
All pages of the old site have been redirected to relevant material on the new site.
GRASP 2020 to be available until 5 p.m. today
The 2020 Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects Symposium will be available to view on Blackboard until the end of business at 5 p.m. today (Friday, May 8). If you missed GRASP last Friday, you can still self-enroll and take a look at graduate student research! To self-enroll: log into Blackboard, then follow the link below and click the "+Enroll" button.
'My (Home) Research Experience' by Graduate Student Council today
Have you ever been curious about how your peers conduct their research? Their methods? Their work environments? How they balance between their family and excel sheets?
Please join Jacob Armstrong, the Graduate Student Council President, as he shares his research experience from 3-4 p.m. today (Friday, May 8), right before Graduate School's Happy Hour! Link to the live stream will be published on GSC's Facebook post.
Department of Education releases final Title IX regulations
The U.S. Department of Education released the long-anticipated Title IX regulations on May 6, 2020. The new regulations are expected to into effect August 14, 2020. The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance is working diligently to ensure our policies and procedures align with the new federal regulations and Kansas law.
OIEC recognizes this time of change and uncertainty, and remains committed to its mission. Wichita State University will continue to provide a high level of service and resources to stop, prevent, and remedy sexual violence, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking, as well as other forms of sex/gender discrimination.
Please contact OIEC at oiec@wichita.edu with questions.
Shocker Innovation Corps now accepting applications for the online summer 2020 cohort
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
This summer cohort will be held completely online. With the university continuing classes online for the summer term, we want to offer the flexibility of attending the E-Launch sessions online. Visit www.shockericorps.org to find out more information or to apply.
Shocker engineers create deicing device
A team of two Wichita State University students is working to solve a problem many motorists face in the winter.
Scraping frost from your automobile windshield before you can safely drive can be time-consuming and unpleasant, but a new device called Shiver could make it a little easier. WSU engineering students Rafael Bini Leite and Jefferson Vieira are developing a device that attaches to the windshield and has built-in sensors capable of detecting ice on the windshield, allowing motorists to clean and remove it effortlessly before it builds up.
“The basic concept of it is what we’ve started with, and we’ve seen in applications that it works. We are bringing it into the automotive industry to be able to use in cars’ windshields,” Vieira said.
Meet a Shocker: Vinay K. Kadarla, Ph.D in Chemistry
Vinay K. Kadarla is one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring/summer 2020 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
The May 5 Tuesday Talk with Sara and SHS is on YouTube
For this week's Tuesday Talk, join Sara Friesen, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Nurse Heather, WSU graduate student Alan Nguyen, and WSU student Sarah Myose for a discussion about mental health! We talk about stigma, different cultural approaches, and more. View it here.
KMUW and 1A Across America will discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the US food supply chain
KMUW's Engage ICT is once again teaming up with 1A Across America. 1A's Sasha-Ann Simons will join us as guest host for Digital Democracy on Tap as we discuss the US food supply chain. COVID-19 hotspots have developed in meat packing plants and other businesses, making the food supply chain less certain. We'll talk about where our food comes from, how it's getting to us now, and what might change this year and beyond.
The conversation will be streamed live from KMUW's Facebook page starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12. Email your questions in advance to info@kmuw.org. 1A airs weekdays from 9-11 a.m. on KMUW 89.1-FM. The program is produced by WAMU and distributed by NPR. If you're unable to attend the live virtual event, all past videos are available at EngageICT.org.
From one student to another: It's OK to grieve
As we enter what feels like week 100 of social distancing, we need to remember that what we are feeling is valid.
To my introverted self, the thought of never having to leave my house sounded amazing, and I was ready to distance myself for as long as necessary. It has not been the vacation I imagined.
Today, I understand the importance of social distancing, and I only leave my house when it’s essential. I’m not enjoying it anymore though. I miss walking around aimlessly in Target for an hour. I miss seeing my friends, coworkers and teachers every day. And I miss being at Wichita State University for my final semester of college.
I’ve noticed a drop in my mood and motivation because I feel like I have nothing to look forward to each day.
I’m grieving. And that’s OK.
Participants wanted for a study about experiences with Spanish and schooling
Experiences with Spanish and Schooling Research Project
Would you like the chance to win a $50 gift card?
Participate in our study. Interviews will last about 60 minutes and will be conducted to examine the school experiences of students from Spanish speaking backgrounds in terms of language and identity.
To participate you must be 18 years or older and have attended a US public school at some point in your academic career. We are looking for Hispanic participants from Spanish-speaking backgrounds, whether you speak Spanish yourself or were just raised in a Spanish-speaking environment. All responses will be confidential.
If you are interested, please contact cizacarias@shockers.wichita.edu or jennifer.pearson@wichita.edu for more information.
Fun Zoom backgrounds and training in how to use them now available
Are you tired of the standard Zoom backgrounds? Or would you like to change yours, but you are unsure how? Wichita State has put together a new training page with tips on uploading Zoom backgrounds along with several new ones for you to try. Check it out at wichita.edu/myzoom.
F45 workouts streaming 24/7
Visit F45challenge.com for F45 workouts streaming 24/7! This is a free service right now, and all you need to do is create an account via the challenge website. Once inside, simply click 'Workout at Home.' This is a limited-time offer, so take advantage of it while you can, and get the sweat and fitness of F45 in your home.
CAPS is online @ShockersCAPS
Get support for your mental health and connect to your community with Counseling and Prevention Services online. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with @ShockersCAPS or with #WSUWeSupportU, and join us for our Facebook Live streams, Keep Calm & Breathe On,at 4 p.m. Mondays and 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and The Day of the Week at 11 a.m. Fridays.
Counseling and Prevention Services
Student Ambassador Society to award scholarship to current Wichita State student
The Student Ambassador Society will award the Amie Montgomery Scholarship of $500 to one current Wichita State student. Amie had a tremendous impact on the lives of other students who knew her during her time as a student at Wichita State University and as a student ambassador.
To find additional requirements and apply for the scholarship, visit www.Wichita.edu/SASscholarship. The deadline for the 2020-2021 school year is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.
Invitation Extended by Councilman Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council, District 1
Attention Shockers!
Do you want to add your voice to conversations about community development happening both near and around our campus?!
Do you know what Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are and how they can help support the needs of WSU’s students, faculty, staff and neighbors?
Do you believe that it is important for those who live, work, or play in the community to have a voice in what happens there?
During the next six weeks, a committed group of community residents will host Virtual CBA Focus Groups to discuss all these questions and more.
Sign up today to participate and have your voice be heard!
JoVE Science Library streaming free for WSU students and faculty
Find innovative instructional streaming collections at JoVE Science Library! Through University Libraries, WSU faculty and students have free access to JoVE through June 15. This online resource has videos on a variety of STEM subjects. More information is available here.
Join Student Health Services for the next Tuesday Talks on May 12
For the next Tuesday Talks on May 12, join Judy Gariepy, APRN, and nurse Heather to learn stretching techniques for working from home. Tune into Facebook Live at 2 p.m. to learn more. Visit our YouTube channel to see the previous Tuesday Talks.