Town Hall recap
Jessica Provines, assistant vice president for wellness and director of Counseling and Prevention Services, joined Student Body president Rija Khan for a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday.
Assistant Vice President for Assessment and Retention Alicia Newell, Isabel Medina Kaiser, director of the Office of Disability Services, and nurse practitioner Cynthia Walker of Student Health Services, also answered questions submitted during the town hall.
Khan began the Town Hall with a statement of support for students and Provines reiterated support from the university.
“Tensions are running high due to continued police brutality and racial injustices,” Khan said. “Actions will be taken to make sure our black students, and all students, feel safe, welcome and included at Wichita State.”
- The Student Government Association is in a State of Emergency and authorizing the formation of the Emergency Legislative Council; which will serve as the Acting Senate. The purpose of establishing a state of emergency is to ensure the Association stays in operation, in order to serve students through the Coronavirus pandemic.
- The Senate will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, available on YouTube.
- Walker advised students to communicate and stay connected, sharing positive messages, during difficult times. She also encouraged students to seek out reliable information about COVID-19. Student Health Services has a resource page.
- In response to a question about notification if a student, faculty or staff tests positive with COVID-19, Walker said the Sedgwick County Health Department will work with the student to identify and notify contacts. The person will be quarantined. Student Health Services will be notified of a positive case, but the person will remain anonymous.
- Provines recommended students maintain a routine that includes basic hygiene, good eating habits, activity outside the house and exercise during social distancing.
- Walker said Student Health Services is preparing for the fall semester by encouraging students to make an appointment (316-978-4792) to help social distancing. Students will be asked to wash their hands upon entering Student Health Services and use a face mask supplied to them.
- Provines praised her team at CAPS for moving quickly to serve students online during the pandemic. She said those remote services will continue while it adds safety measures, such as sanitation and barriers to their office for in-person visits.
- Newell said Wichita State CARE Team remains active. Their focus this summer is finding community resources for students who are not on campus this summer. For help, click on CARE Team.
- This fall, the CARE Team will meet face to face with students when safe. Until then, the CARE Team will continue its remote connections with students.
- Medina Kaiser said her office will provide clear face shields for professors and interpreters to help lip reading in classes. She suggested students who use that service should register at disability.services@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3309.
Grad certificate in data science created to meet industry demand
Responding to industry demand for workers with specialized skills, Wichita State is now offering a graduate certificate in computational data science.
The 12-hour graduate program is designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, but others are eligible if they can demonstrate the required knowledge base. The program equips students with in-depth knowledge on data science tools, analytical workflows, machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling.
NSF I-Corps program at Wichita State helps launch Kansas City biotechnology startup
T-Blocks are changing the way primary stem cells are grown. The technology, owned by the Kansas City-based startup, Ronawk LLC and co-founders A.J. Mellott and Heather Decker, is conducting extensive research on stem cells at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
The team participated in last summer’s Shocker Innovation Corps program and went through the required E-Launch training associated with it.
Wichita State helps produce stethoscopes for COVID-19 patients
- Wichita State engineers and the university's 3D printing capacity helped produce stethoscopes quickly when COVID-19 increased demand.
- The stethoscopes are for temporary use and stay with the patient as they enter the hospital and undergo testing and treatment.
- The stethoscopes, workers at Ascension Via Christi said, are excellent quality.
Pictured above: Wichita State University played a lead role in creating temporary stethoscopes for Ascension Via Christi with 3D printers.
Announcing the next Common Read book!
First-Year Programs in Student Success is pleased to announce the 2020-21 Common Read book, “Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings: Dispatches from Kansas,” by Mark E. McCormick.
We are excited to welcome a new class of students using the themes of this book throughout the year! If you have a program, student organization or course that may be interested in using the book, or have any questions, contact First-Year Programs at 978-5420 or Tahrima Musa at tahrima.musa@wichita.edu. See wichita.edu/commonread for more information.
KMUW's digital event will address how the upcoming elections will continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of social life, including how we vote. In partnership with the League of Women Voters, KMUW's Engage ICT will bring together local experts to discuss how the upcoming elections will continue amid the pandemic. Join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9. The live conversation will be streamed from KMUW's Facebook page and at EngageICT.org. Email your questions in advance to info@kmuw.org.
Counseling and Prevention Services stands with the black members of our community
If you are struggling, CAPS is here for you. Set your appointment with a CAPS counselor by calling 316-978-4792 to begin your self-care plan. If you are in crisis, please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
#WSUWeSupportU #WSUNow
Fairmount College issues statement on our current social climate
Statement on our current social climate
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Wichita State University
This last week in America has laid bare that we have much to do as a country, and as individuals, to right the many wrongs against men and women in the African American community. The hurt and anger are real.
It’s not 1968, but it looks like it in many ways. Unjust killings, peaceful protests and citizen advocacy are followed by more brutality, looting and riots.
How can we learn? By putting aside pre-formed beliefs and asking hard questions. But that is not enough. We must listen with empathy to things we find incredulous, repugnant or sorrowful. That’s still not enough. We must hear with our heart and work for change.
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences teaches our students to see both the world as it is and the world as it should be. It embraces the ideals of diversity, equality, peace, justice, and social progress in creating a world that ends discrimination, brutality and racial strife. We support individuals in their right of redress and expression of opinion. Most importantly, we understand that until black lives matter, none of us is equal.
In the days ahead, and as we seek to understand one another and connect as members of one human family, let’s reflect deeply, listen with our soul, seek to understand, and work for stronger and more caring community. Let’s stay safe and do what’s right.
To learn more of Wichita State’s viewpoint, go to https://wsu.news/injustice.
Porcaro’s expertise featured in story about online learning
Mark Porcaro
The COVID-19 pandemic forced colleges and universities to move their face-to-face courses to remote and online formats. Instructors heroically worked to ensure continuity of learning for their students.
Considering this shift online, Mark Porcaro, executive director of Online Learning at Wichita State University and WCET Steering Committee member, reflected that learning isn’t all about where it takes place.
Porcaro’s post on WCET Frontiers is available here.
Stay up-to-date with University Libraries
Keep up-to-date on when, where and how to use library resources on our website. For questions, send us an e-mail at librarystaff@wichita.edu or call us at 316-978-3481.
University Libraries provides online checkouts
To check out library materials, place a hold using the Libraries’ online catalog at https://libcat.wichita.edu/
Instructions:
You may place requests for materials at any time and they will be paged every two hours during our hours of operation. We will notify you via email when your holds are ready. Please note that holds placed for items at the McKinley Chemistry Library and Thurlow Lieurance Music Library will take longer to retrieve.
To pick up your holds, please stop at the Circulation Desk in Ablah Library. Your materials will be held in a locker adjacent to the desk. Upon showing your Shocker ID card, Libraries staff will provide you the information needed to retrieve your materials. The process in place is designed to provide contactless checkout of your materials.
June 9 Tuesday Talk to discuss the ‘Real You and Masculinizing Hormones’
In celebration of Pride Month, June's Tuesday Talks will cover topics of health and the LGBT+ community. At 2 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, June 9), Sandy Hill, DNP, APRN, Nurse Heather, and WSU students will discuss the “Real You and Masculinizing Hormones.”
Miss the previous Tuesday Talk discussing the transgender process and becoming the real you? Find it here.
Room reservations in the Rhatigan Student Center
The Rhatigan Student Center is now taking reservations for meeting rooms within the building. RSC meeting rooms will be set in a semi-permanent room set based on specific room size and an altered capacity with consideration given to the need for six-foot social distancing within each room. This semi-permanent room set gives staff the ability to maintain, clean and secure each room between meetings.
For more information on room set-ups, please visit wichita.edu/eventservices. To make a reservation, call 316-978-3475 or email letsmeet@wichita.edu.
Wichita State professor uses Minecraft to create virtual field camp
Will Parcell, a Wichita State University professor, created a virtual version of geology field camp. The camp will use Minecraft so students can map the terrain. The terrain will be based on actual locations in Montana and Wyoming.
Tuesday Talk originally planned for June 2 now on YouTube
Celebrating Pride Month, our Tuesday Talks will cover health topics and the LBGT+ community. Join Nurse Heather and WSU students Rexy Que, Jess Prudence and Claire Powell for a discussion about the transgender process and becoming the real you.
Shocker grad: 'We know Wichita State always will be there for us'
Allison Schulte is a spring 2020 Wichita State University graduate who majored in strategic communication in the Elliott School of Communication.
Allison is from Wichita and attended Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School. Students in public information writing evaluated Wichita State’s remote learning response to COVID-19, and this blog is a product of that project.
Dell Back to School Special at the Shocker Store
Take advantage of Dell’s Back to School Special at the Shocker Store! Now through Oct. 31, purchase an in-stock Dell or customized unit from the Shocker Store with a value of $499 or greater and receive $100 cash back. Purchase in-store only. Submit proof of purchase to www.identit-e.com/dellpromo2020. Email shockerstore@wichita.edu for additional details.
Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes extends hours and opens for play
Starting today (Monday, June 8), the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Full menu will be served 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and select menu (fried appetizers, cold sandwiches and beverages) will be available between 2-4 p.m. ‘
Also starting June 8, bowling, billiards and darts open back up with added measures for social distancing, as well as disinfecting procedures after each use.
Extra discount on clearance merchandise in the Shocker Store
This week in the Shocker Store, take an extra 10% off their already-marked-down clearance items! Sale is in RSC store only. Store hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Bonus Discount Fridays for Rewards members
Members of the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Eat.Drink.Play. Rewards program can enjoy Bonus Discount Fridays during the month of June! Each Friday, add 5% to your existing rewards discount. Not a member? Joining is free and easy, visit us today!
Try the Burger of the Month
Stop by the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in June to try their Burger of the Month, the Hangover Burger! It’s topped with a fried egg, bacon and American cheese. Try it before the month ends!
Wanted: Volunteers to help with 2020 bicycle and pedestrian count event
Volunteers are needed to help manually count bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 sites in the Wichita Metro area. The annual event, sponsored by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will be held Sept. 24 and 26.
This important event relies heavily on the commitment of community volunteers to gather data about how our network of paths and lanes are being used.
According to Tricia Thomas, WAMPO Communication’s Manager:
“One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.”
As such, this event is the only source for regional-scale bicycle and pedestrian data. The results of this data are then used to guide investments throughout the regional transportation system.
So please consider volunteering! This annual event is a real opportunity for local residents to become involved in a piece of the regional transportation planning process. As we know, bicycle and pedestrian investments stimulate the economy, public health, and the overall quality of life in a variety of ways. Communities that invest in these facilities inherently attract people and businesses so it’s good for everyone! Register to volunteer here!