Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address
Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 3), featuring Student Body President Rija Khan and Legislative Response issued by Speaker of the Senate Olivia Babin. President Khan and Speaker Babin will lay out the Association's agenda for the 63rd Session.
We will livestream on the SGA YouTube and will be shared to the SGA Facebook.
Flash Points for Clash of the Colleges today!
Calling all Shockers! Today (Wednesday, Sept. 2) and only today for Clash of the Colleges, flash points can be won! Participate in the Selfies with Sculptures Hunt today to receive points for your college. From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., eight sculptures around campus will have masks on. Visit our website, read the clues, find the sculptures.
Once you find the sculpture, take a selfie with it and tag @NewShocks and #Clash2020. After you find as many sculptures as you can, head over to the Office of First-Year Programs at 115 Neff Hall to receive your final points and a prize. May the odds be ever in your favor!
Drop / refund date extended for full-term courses until Friday, Sept. 4
Wichita State continues to make every effort to promote student success in these unprecedented times. In recognition of the unique challenges this fall semester brings for our students and faculty, an adjustment is being made to the drop / refund date for full-term courses.
Students will have through Friday, Sept. 4, to drop a class without it appearing on their transcript and with a 100% refund.
If you are a federal aid recipient, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid (316-978-3430) before dropping to see how it could impact your financial aid.
To verify if a refund can be given for a book, contact the Shocker Store (316-978-3490). All terms and conditions for financial aid will remain the same for fall 2020.
Perspectives on the Pandemic talk explores rethinking the city and the community today
Cities are places characterized by constant activity, dense social interaction, and innovation fostered in collaborative working environments. With the widespread adoption of social distancing, bans on large gatherings, and remote work as public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, those quintessential urban characteristics have been fundamentally transformed. Will those changes be temporary or permanent? And what will they mean for the future of urban economies, neighborhood life, and inequality in the coming years?
In this presentation, Wichita State University urban sociologist Chase Billingham will address these questions, drawing out many of their implications for important urban processes like social dislocation, economic development, and gentrification. While offering a broad perspective on issues affecting cities in general, the discussion will draw special attention to potential impacts of the pandemic on urban growth, decline, and inequality in the Wichita region.
The talk will be presented via Zoom at 4 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 2).
Billingham is an urban sociologist whose research examines gentrification, economic development, education, and stratification in US metropolitan areas. His work has been published in Sociology of Education, City & Community, Urban Studies, and other outlets in sociology, education research, and urban affairs.
In published academic research and in public commentaries in The Wichita Eagle, Billingham provides a sociological perspective on current issues in urban development and inequality affecting the Wichita region. Along with introductory sociology and core courses in statistics and social theory that are required for sociology majors, Billingham also teaches courses in social inequality and urban sociology.
Wichita State takes suicide-prevention campaign national
As a way to promote suicide prevention, Wichita State University is expanding the #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope campaign throughout the country in hopes of creating positive change in communities regarding mental health and suicide prevention.
In 2015, Wichita State started the #Suspenders4Hope mental health awareness campaign, after receiving a SAMHSA Campus Suicide Prevention grant. In 2018, the #WeSupport Preventing Suicide Training was developed as a way to sustain the grant efforts, and just recently, the #WeSupportU Mental Wellness in the Classroom cards have been released to help instructors tend to their students’ mental health needs.
Now the program is available to others through the launch of a new website and on-demand version of the training.
The program was inspired by a beloved WSU therapist who was well known around campus as Dr. Suspenders, says Dr. Jessica Provines, assistant vice president of Wellness at Wichita State and a two-time therapist suicide loss survivor. Provines’ team decided to play off that theme.
With $1 million gift, Gene and Yolanda Camarena will help students of color succeed at Wichita State University
Gene and Yolanda Camarena are well known for helping underserved Kansas youth improve their lives through education and other causes. Now the Wichita couple is enhancing that legacy with a $1 million gift to Wichita State University to give students of color opportunities they otherwise might not have.
A little more than half of the Camarenas’ gift pledge, $520,000, will provide high-impact scholarships to 20 Hispanic and Black students each year for the next four years. Wichita State will match that investment in full as part of its mission to provide affordable and accessible educational opportunities to underserved students.
The gift was unveiled at a news conference yesterday (Aug. 31) on the WSU campus.
The Camarenas chose the name Shocker Adelante Scholars to describe recipients of their scholarship program. Adelante means “to move forward” or “to get ahead” in Spanish. In addition to scholarships, the couple’s gift will:
- Provide mentoring and tutoring services to help scholarship recipients succeed.
- Support recipients who have an entrepreneurial interest by underwriting their participation in Wichita State’s new Microenterprises Program.
- Create a Visiting Professor program to augment the university’s efforts to recruit a more diverse faculty.
- Hire a full-time diversity recruiter in the Admissions Department to boost enrollment of students of color.
Based on their own experiences as college students from diverse backgrounds, the Camarenas said they recognize the financial and cultural barriers students of color can encounter.
“We also understand the lifelong positive impact a college education can have on each student as well as their extended families,” said Yolanda Camarena, a Wichita State graduate. “Our goal is to provide students of color a level pathway to a college degree and the ability to participate equally in all the opportunities our country has to offer.”
She added: “We firmly believe that a more diverse and inclusive environment at Wichita State will be beneficial to all students as they learn, live and work together on a campus that mirrors the workplaces and communities that they will become a part of. Our hope is that their college experience will be one of both learning and understanding. Learning those skills needed to continue their chosen field of work and understanding that the diversity of cultures, ethnicity, language and experiences will be of great benefit as they become an integral part of a country that grows more diverse every day.”
The Camarenas met with Wichita State President Jay Golden, Provost Rick Muma and WSU Foundation President Elizabeth King to discuss the university’s goals to strengthen diversity and inclusion.
“I appreciate the strong endorsement of Gene and Yolanda Camarena of our vision to make the college experience more affordable and inclusive for all students,” Golden said. “Their generous gift in money, time and ideas exemplifies the strong partnership our university continues to have with our diverse community and our state.”
King remarked: “In addition to their extraordinary financial gift, Gene and Yolanda Camarena are eager to share their wisdom and experience as we prepare these deserving students for rewarding careers and service to our community. Wichita State is truly grateful for their vision and collaboration.”
Yolanda Camarena is a graduate of Wichita State and completed a Master’s in Public Policy and Education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Gene Camarena is a graduate of the University of Kansas and completed a Master’s in Business Administration at the Harvard University School of Business.
2020 Shockers Vote! Turbo Vote Competition
The Shockers Vote! Coalition invites your organization to participate in the 2020 Shockers Vote! Turbo Vote Competition. Registration for the competition is open now on ShockerSync.
The competition will run from Sept. 7-21. Each group will be given a unique URL to track how many students you are able to enroll in Turbo Vote as they register to vote. The group with the most voter registrations will be given a cash prize of $500. The application for your organization to compete is 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.
Questions? Contact Maggi Hole at student.orgs@wichita.edu.
It’s Food For Fines time!
It’s Food For Fines time! Food For Fines is an initiative to support the Shocker Support Locker, while providing a cheaper opportunity for students to pay parking citations. All of the information about this initiative as well as the necessary form and parking quiz can be found at Food For Fines.
Financial Wellness & Money Management Blackboard Course
Here at the Office for Student Money Management in Student Success, we believe that all students should graduate with financial confidence! Through this course, students at Wichita State University will develop personal finance goals and learn the basics of financial literacy which will support their decisions during and after their time at the institution.
The course is FREE and may be completed in two hours if done in one session. Students will also receive a certificate of achievement. To self-enroll into the Blackboard Organization, scan the QR Code or go to Financial Wellness.
If you have questions, contact us at osmm@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3254.
Are you interested in joining Shockappella?
Have you thought about joining an A Cappella group, but did not have enough time in your schedule to make it a class? Join Shockappella! We are holding auditions now until September 3 and would love to add more talented singers and vocal percussionists to our group. Auditions and practices will be held virtually throughout the school year and any performances will be virtual as well.
This is the only student-led A Cappella group on campus and we love to see it grow each and every year. We sing songs YOU want to sing and we perform competitively each year at the ICCA (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella) competition.
If you are interested, fill out our audition form and if you have any questions, email us at shockappellachoir@gmail.com. Hope to see you all virtually very soon!
Wichita State graduate Sarahi Aguilera grows into role as voice for immigrants
- Working with community organizers and a trip to our nation's capital inspired Sarahi Aguilera to tell her story of immigration.
- Aguilera wants to attend law school and help people by working in immigration law.
- She is a 2020 Wichita State graduate who, in June, helped organize ICT Standing with DREAMers to support DACA.
Pictured above: Wichita State University graduate Sarahi Aguilera (center) stands next to U.S. Senator Jerry Moran as part of her duties with Sunflower Community Action.
Volunteers needed for a research study
Research Topic/Purpose of the study: We want to understand the impact of kitchen and cooking-based, nutritional education for healthcare students and providers focused on concepts of a healthy diet and cooking.
Procedures: Participants in this study will complete a two hour, six-session cooking class focused on how to help patients cook and eat a healthy diet. Before and after learning, participants will be asked about nutritional and cooking knowledge related to a healthy diet. For participating, you will receive groceries, grocery cards, and recipes from the course!
Time: Participation is expected to last about six weeks.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 18-65
- Must be a healthcare (dental, medical, nursing, communications, public health, athletic training, physical therapy, medical laboratory, psychology, etc) practitioner or student
Location: Wichita State University
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Nicole Delimont at Nicole.delimont@wichita.edu or call 785-249-5533.
Apply now to get involved in research as part of the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM
The Cohen Honors College is excited to accept applications to participate in the First Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM program. The mission of the FYRE program is to introduce research to first-year undergraduates in a practical and accessible way.
Students selected for the FYRE program will be required to enroll in an introductory research seminar course that exposes them to research methods and are matched with research positions in WSU labs actively involved in scholarly STEM research. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 1, 2020.
Learn more about the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM program at a virtual information session led by Moriah Beck at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. RSVP by sending an email to moriah.beck@wichita.edu. Zoom link will be provided upon RSVP.
First-Year Research Experience
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students are invited to complete this questionnaire!
The answers to this questionnaire will be used throughout the Fairmount College's social media accounts to help other students succeed, while adapting to changes on campus.
Questionnaire for liberal arts and sciences students
Are you interested in making a difference for students at Wichita State University?
Are you interested in making a difference for students at Wichita State University?
The Wichita State University Student Government Association empowers students to voice their opinions through the Student Senate and various campus committees. The Student Government is governed by students and committed to student issues and concerns.
Apply today to serve on the Student Senate at wichita.edu/sgaopenpositions.
Student Affairs congratulates first-year student for receiving book scholarship
Student Affairs extends a warm congratulations to Maram Moussa for receiving the Virtual Connections with Student Affairs book scholarship for first-year students. Maram is an electrical engineering major from Wichita.
WSU Theatre and Filmmaking produce a sitcom
WSU Theatre and Filmmaking collaborated this past February to create a three-episode sitcom titled "Thrilled to Announce." Bret Jones, director of filmmaking, wrote and was showrunner for the project.
"We had never tackled something like this but wanted to give it a try as an experiment in educating our students," Jones said. "We filmed one episode per week, which included rehearsal, work with cameras, and in front of an audience."
“Thrilled to Announce” deals with the lives of four actors living in Chicago trying to "live the dream" as they face challenges of no wifi, bad auditions, and love in the apartment. The project involved students, faculty, and staff from the Theatre and Filmmaking departments.
The episodes are on YouTube.
Register for the Engineering & IT Virtual Career Fair - Sept. 14!
The Career Development Center encourages Wichita State Engineering and IT students to register for the Engineering & IT Virtual Career Fair! You have an exciting opportunity to connect with employers who are looking to network with you! Learn what types of employment role each company has in a one-on-one virtual appointment with employers.
This year, the career fair will be virtual using Career Fair Plus. Click "REGISTER" in Handshake to get started. Once you click "REGISTER" your web browser will be directed you to more information.
Get ready for the fair by attending one of our Virtual Fair Prep Workshops at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 or 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
Engineering and IT Career Fair
Check out the MSW Program at WSU!
Are you looking at grad school programs? The WSU School of Social Work invites you to join us! We are hosting three fall “MSW Info Sessions” to help prospective students discover more about us at Wichita State, and you don't have to be a social work major to apply.
Join this virtual opportunity to discover more about the field, meet faculty, and learn how to apply as a regular program or advanced standing student. The priority deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2021, if you hope to enter in the 2021-22 school year.
If you have questions or would prefer to speak one-on-one, talk to Shaunna Millar, MSW Program Director and Clinical Professor, at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu.
The Zoom log in information for the 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 session is here and the password is socialwork.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Virtual Shocker Resource Fair
Jump into the school year by discovering the programs, resources, and opportunities waiting for you at Wichita State across our amazing campus departments Aug. 31-Sept. 4. Every day, we will feature various campus departments, how to connect with them, and what they can do to help you be a successful Shocker. Interact with our posts to be entered into a raffle to win a prize!
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
BMES Bowling Social
Join BMES for a night of fun with its annual bowling social from 6-8:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 2). The cost is free!
Bowl a game or two, mingle with students and staff, maybe grab a bite to eat! This night will be a blast and we can't wait to see you there.
Discover your antibody test status when you give blood
As an additional health service to our donors, the American Red Cross is testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Red Cross donors can expect to receive their antibody test results within 7-10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Click here for more information,
The next Wichita State University Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Heskett Center lobby.
Schedule your appointment now at RedCrossBlood.org; enter Wichita State or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Wichita State University Opera Theater to present free outdoor concert
The Wichita State University Opera Theater will present "A Cosi Concert" on the grounds of the WSU amphitheater (behind Duerksen Fine Arts Center on the WSU campus) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Admission is free. The concert, open to the community, invites attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets and be comfortably socially distanced on a beautiful Kansas evening.
The concert will feature highlights from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpiece, "Cosi fan Tutte," as well as other great opera arias.
WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of College of Fine Arts Professor Alan Held. The pianist for the evening will be WSU alumna and accompanist Bridget Hille.
Pee for Pizza is CANCELED
Student Health Services has announced that the Pee for Pizza event scheduled for today (Wednesday, Sept. 2), has been canceled because of COVID-19.
First-Generation Student Organization - Struggles and prevention
Come join the First-Generation Student Organization as we discuss challenges when it comes to education and ways to prevent them.
We will also have the pleasure of Mrs. Soutdaly Sysavath MSW from the Wichita Children's Home (WCH) here to share resources that many students can access with the Wichita community. She will have some valuable information to share, so do not miss out.
Students are welcome to join either in person in 262 RSC, or via ZOOM at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. Please wear your masks if you plan to be on campus.
First-Generation Student Organization
Attend First Gen Check-In on 9/10 to connect with campus resources
Calling all First-Gen students! Join us for the opportunity to chat with student service coordinators about any questions or concerns that might have come up so far this semester. Academic, personal or interpersonal, we’re here to make sure you have the tools you need for success!
This event will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, 142 RSC. Participants must register by midnight Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Learn more and RSVP at wichita.edu/FirstGenCheckIn.
Join us for Shockers After Dark!
Join WSU students, faculty, staff, and friends at the Rhatigan Student Center and Shocker Hall for two hours of FANTASTIC FREE fun from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
Activities include tie dye masks, twilight exercise, bingo, karaoke, trivia, yard games and a photo booth.
One hundred fifty students will receive a free glow-in-the-dark shirt.
Participants will be expected to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines.
For more information, contact Student Affairs at 316-978-3021 or visit wichita.edu/studentaffairs.
Author Christopher McDougall will join Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion on Tuesday, Sept. 8
The Ulrich Museum of Art is excited to share that author Christopher McDougall will join us for the upcoming Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion on his "Running with Sherman" book.
McDougall will be in conversation with Beth Golay, host of KMUW’s podcast "Marginalia," for the program, which begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Like all Ulrich Virtual programs, the book discussion is free and open to all; however, registration is required to get the Zoom link. Visit our program partner, Watermark Books, for your copy today.
Interested in joining a fraternity or sorority?
The Fraternity and Sorority community at Wichita State University is full of tradition, brotherhood / sisterhood and pride. The decision to join one of our 25 chapters is one that will not only enhance your experience as a Shocker, but will positively impact your life long into the future!
Fraternity and Sorority membership is an incredible way to meet friends who become family and to challenge yourself to be the best you can be! For more information about our chapters, go to wichita.edu/JoinFSL.
To receive more information about how to get connected to our community this semester, complete an interest form at wichita.edu/FSLInterest, and we will reach out to you with more information. For questions, email us at greeklife@wichita.edu.
Your vote makes all the difference in the world! Be sure you are registered to vote. Get started today by visiting wichita.turbovote.org to register here in Kansas or back in your hometown.
Sign up today to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot. Let's show them that #shockersvote.
Questions? Contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu for more information.
Community Service Board (CSB) member meetings
Have you ever thought about volunteering? Join the Community Service Board for a virtual meeting every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5 p.m. During meetings you will have a chance to learn about CSB's service events and about ways you can become involved. All meetings will be held virtually; sign-up at Wichita.edu/CSB.
Still have questions? Email CSB@Wichita.edu.
Leadership Program Applications NOW OPEN
Applications now open for Emerging and Evolving Leaders!
Emerging Leaders: ATTN First Year Students -- This is a great opportunity to continue or start your leadership journey here at Wichita State. This program is interactive and an awesome introduction to leadership opportunities on campus. Apply and get more info at www.wichita.edu/emergingleaders.
Evolving Leaders: Learn about your leadership styles, behaviors, and skill sets. Through this program, students complete inventories such as CliftonStrengths, Myers-Briggs, and others. These inventories typically range is $15-$40 per person, and we offer them for FREE! Apply and get more info at www.wichita.edu/evolvingleaders.
Apply now. Applications are due on Sunday, Sept. 6.
Labor Day weekend hours for the Rhatigan Student Center
The Rhatigan Student Center and some of its departments will have altered hours for Labor Day weekend. Altered hours for Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 can be found at wichita.edu/rschours. The building and all departments will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.
Heskett Center Labor Day weekend hours
The Heskett Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. We will be open from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.
Group reservations with physical distancing at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is accepting group reservations and can handle up to three groups of 15 guests each with physical distancing in place. This allows for a group of up to 45 to visit us for an event with those attending dividing into three groups of 15.
Guests are expected to wear masks and remain within their assigned group. This, coupled with extra measures being taken to sanitize touch points and equipment, makes us a safe option to gather and be
social!
For more details, call 316-978-3479 or email ssgl@wichita.edu.
Build-A-Friend
SAC’s annual Build-A-Friend event is going DIY! Register today for a make-at-home kit complete with your choice of an unBEARably adorable friend, stuffing, and a tiny SAC T-shirt. Then, pick up your kit on Wednesday, Sept. 16, build your friend, and show off your totally PAWsome pal on social media. Be sure to tag SAC when you post!
Register at wichita.edu/SAC, while supplies last. One kit per person with WSU ID, WSU students only. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
SAC Trivia Tuesday
Gone are the days of joining HQ trivia only to get booted on the fifth round. Join SAC on the first Tuesday of every month for a quick HQ/Kahoot style trivia game for the chance to win some awesome e-gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, and event Visa gift cards! This month’s game will be Tuesday, Sept. 8. Prizes of $100 and $50 will be given out each game to first- and second- place finishers, respectively.
Log in from a smart device by going to bkquiz.com/wsutriv. Anyone can play, only WSU students are eligible to win.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.