Wichita State University closed today due to inclement weather
Because of expected inclement weather, Wichita State University will be closed today (Monday, Feb. 15.
All classes are canceled. Students and employees are asked not to come to campus.
If the university plans additional closings or delays, we will communicate that information to your student email today.
New Title IX regulations take effect
Dear WSU community,
Welcome to the spring 2021 semester. Although this semester looks different from a typical spring at WSU, my office continues to operate as usual to serve you by providing information, resources, and assistance as we address reports of sexual harassment and discrimination both on and off campus.
Wichita State University strives to provide an educational and employment environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. On Aug. 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education’s new Title IX regulations took effect. In compliance with these regulations WSU’s Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC) developed and implemented WSU Policy 3.06/Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation for Employees, Students and Visitors to address student, faculty and staff-related matters of sexual harassment and discrimination. Examples include acts of sexual harassment (including sexual assault and rape), any harassment based on sex or gender, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Significant changes required by the regulations that affected WSU’s policies and procedures included:
- Narrowing the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX based on the nature of the conduct and where it happens;
- Requiring live hearings to adjudicate formal complaints; and
- Requiring each party to have an advisor to conduct indirect questioning (cross-examination) at the live hearing.
When allegations of discrimination and harassment are reported to OIEC, we will address each report, reach out to the individuals impacted, and extend an invitation to meet with us to discuss supportive measures and procedural options. Students and employees who retaliate against individuals who report harassment or discrimination may be subject to disciplinary action.
Title IX Reporting Information
Students are strongly encouraged to report incidents of sexual discrimination and harassment to the University Police Department (UPD), the Title IX Coordinator, or any member of OIEC. Reports can also be submitted online. WSU employees, as mandatory reporters, are required to report incidents of discrimination and harassment to OIEC.
You may contact WSU’s Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance:
Sara Zafar, J.D.
Title IX Coordinator
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance
116 Human Resources Center
1845 N. Fairmount Street
Wichita, KS 67206
316-978-3205
Email: sara.zafar@wichita.edu
The following links provide more information regarding reporting options, resources, and other information regarding sexual harassment, discrimination, and OIEC’s procedures.
- Information and Resources
- Resources and Reporting Information
- Rights of the Parties in Sexual Harassment Cases
Sincerely,
Sara Zafar, J.D.
Title IX Coordinator
Community Engagement Institute helps cities use Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grants
Outdoor spaces have grown more important during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the city of Hutchinson is taking steps to make them more attractive.
Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute helped by working with the City of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Parks and Recreation on its Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. The city and the recreation commission used the money to pay for a parks-and-recreation master plan.
Read more about CEI's work with cities
Pop quiz – what did you learn in class yesterday?
How would you answer that question? Do your notes from class even make sense or are they a mess? The more you actively interact with information from class and in your textbooks, the more you will retain. For information from note taking to test taking to reading strategies, visit the Shocker Learning Center in Lindquist Hall, Room 107 or visit the Student Success study skills page to get some quick tips online.
Nominate your GTA for the 2021 SGA Graduate Teaching Award of the Year
Started in spring 2019, the Wichita State University Student Government Association awards the SGA Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and recognize outstanding graduate teaching assistants for their contributions to the mission of Wichita State University.
If you know any outstanding GTAs, nominate them today! Nominations for the 2021 SGA Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year are now open and will close at 5 p.m. March 12, 2021. Click here to nominate your academic advisor today.
Accepting proposals and abstracts for virtual Diverse Women’s Summit
Individual students, groups and community members are invited to submit abstracts and proposals to present papers, posters, art works, dialogues, skits and other projects at the Diverse Women’s Summit. The summit will be by Zoom on March 8. The proposal should be 100-200 words describing the presentation (type, subject, theme and purpose).
Presentations that focus on the following topics will be given priority:
- Research on issues of COVID-19 and special populations
- Citizenship and COVID-19
- Gender-based violence
- The future
Submit your proposal via email to chinyere.okafor@wichita.edu. We will accept proposals and abstracts until Feb. 25. For questions, call Women's Studies' office at 978-3358.
TRIO Disability Support Services available in person or remote: Apply today
The TRIO Disability Support Services staff and office are available in person and remotely in the Grace Wilkie Annex, Room 158 during normal business hours.
We know online learning is difficult for many. Let us help and support you. Apply for the TRIO DSS program to help you start off spring semester on the right foot.
Learn more about TRIO DSS services at
If you have questions, call 978-5949 or email trio.dss@wichita.edu
Learn more about resources for STI treatments
Previous Tuesday Talks have covered STI prevention methods and testing, but what happens when you have an exposure or diagnosis? Join Nurse Heather Stafford, Amber McArthur from Sedgwick County Health Department, and Sandy Hill, APRN, to talk about STI treatment and the follow-ups involved.
Students can submit entries for Hippodrome video contest
Hippodrome is Wichita State's longest-standing tradition and showcases student talent in a variety of ways. This year, Hippodrome is a video competition. The video competition portion includes a 5- to 10-minute production written, choreographed and acted out by Wichita State students. Performances are judged, and cash prizes are given out in the two categories of live action and animation. To bring the show together, student emcee's charm the audience and introduce video productions throughout the nights.
Performance nights are Wednesday, April 7 and Thursday, April 8.
Students or student groups interested in participating, they can register for the competition at wichita.edu/hippodrome by Wednesday, March 3.
Join the Ella Baker Book Club
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's partnered book club. The programming will occur via Zoom to engage in discussion about "Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision."
Each week, a different set of speakers from the partnering organizations will present important topics from the book and related topics to Black Lives Matter and the #SAYHERNAME movement.
The author, Barbara Ransby, will serve as the final speaker for the book club. At 5:30 p.m. today, the book club will cover chapter one through three.
Join the programming and the discussion, even if you haven't read the chapters. Learn more and register for the book club at wichita.edu/odievents and go to the Ella Baker Book Club Series. For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034 or diversity@wichita.edu.
Workshop explores Writing Professional Documents
The Shocker Career Accelerator invites students to join the Writing Professional Documents workshop at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 22 via Zoom. Professional Career Documents can be confusing, and not something everyone knows how to create. In this workshop, students can explore documents that are part of the employment process. Learn about resumes and cover letters, how to fill out an application, and how to write a letter of recommendation.
Start your rewarding career in higher education
Students who are interested in the Higher Education/Student Affairs (HESA) program are invited to attend the Wichita State University HESA Weekend. It will be held March 19-20 via Zoom. During the weekend, we will introduce you to faculty and current students, and provide opportunities to interview for graduate assistant positions for the 2020-2021 academic year. To register or to learn more about the program and open assistantship positions, visit wichita.edu/HESAgradweekend. If you have any questions, please email wichita.edu/HESAgradweekend.
Attend an informational meeting to learn more about the Student Activities Committee
The Wichita State University Student Activities Committee (SAC) plans and provides more than 60 programs for our fellow Shockers every year, and it's looking for new team members! SAC members get exclusive access to our events, work behind the scenes with entertainers, and are exposed to leadership and career development opportunities throughout their membership.
Register to attend the SAC informational meeting
Connect at the Transfer Student Social
Student Involvement is hosting the Transfer Student Social from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17. This will be a virtual event, and all 2020-2021 transfer students are invited. This is an opportunity for transfer students to get connected with others and campus. There will be icebreaker activities for participants to interact with each other and make those connections.
If you are interested in attending, please register through wichita.edu/sievents. If you have any questions, email traditions@wichita.edu.
Learn how to build your resume
Join the Shocker Career Accelerator for the Resume Building Lab at 2 p.m. Feb. 17 via Zoom. A resume is a crucial document in the job-search process. Whether you are applying for a part- or full-time position, on-campus employment, co-op or internship, graduate school admissions, research, fellowship, scholarships, or volunteer experience, you will need to develop and maintain a professional document to apply for these opportunities. Join this hands-on workshop to help you understand what information is required and the elements of a professional resume to pursue the perfect opportunity for your skillset.
Graduate School Council's virtual meet and greet
Join the Graduate School Council from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, for a virtual meet and greet with fellow graduate students and your Graduate Student Council (GSC) representatives.
The GSC is a university-affiliated representative body for all graduate students across Wichita State University’s colleges. The GSC represents over 2,700 graduate students at WSU through its advocacy, support and community-building initiatives.
While advised and supported by the Wichita State Graduate School and Student Affairs, the GSC is entirely student-run and student-driven. For this reason, it represents a valuable opportunity for graduate students to influence the WSU campus and community. We invite you to hang out virtually and network with the great community of graduate students at WSU. Bring any questions or ideas you may have for the GSC.
Zoom link: http://bit.ly/wsugsc
If you have any questions, please contact Suresh at gsc.eventcoordinator@wichita.edu.
URGE invites you to Advocacy Week
Are you interested in learning how to speak with a legislator? Want to connect with politically active students across Kansas? URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity is hosting a virtual Advocacy Week this year. Hear from panelists, get trained on writing op-eds and virtual testimony, and meet with a legislator. Sign up for Advocacy Week. For any questions please email Sarah Myose at smyose@urge.org.
Shocker volleyball aims to continue momentum into weekend series against SMU
Shocker volleyball takes on Southern Methodist University at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 and 2 p.m. Feb. 20. Wichita State students receive free admission to the match by presenting a valid Shocker ID at the ticket office. Bring the energy to Charles Koch Arena to cheer on your Shocker volleyball team.
Workshop focuses on career prep and professionalism
Shocker Career Accelerator invites students to the Virtual Career Fair Prep and Professionalism workshop via Zoom at 1 p.m. Feb. 16 and 11 a.m. Feb. 17. The Shocker Career Accelerator and other departments hold career fairs throughout the year to get students in front of employers. They can be intimidating and scary if you have never participated in one. Register for this workshop and get the most out of your career fair experience!
Coming up: Mu Delta Alpha Rush Week
Join Mu Delta Alpha Rush Week is still set to start today, Monday, Feb. 15, running through Saturday, Feb. 20. Mu Delta Alpha is a Muslim-interest professional sorority at Wichita State. We encourage our women to become better people, better students and better professionals. Spend some sweet time getting to know us by drinking chai and decorating cookies.
Supplies will be provided. To be eligible for an interview, you must attend at least one Informational and Social. For more information, email lxalzidlani@shockers.wichita.edu.
Phi Sigma Pi Spring informational meetings coming up
Phi Sigma Pi is a gender-inclusive national honor fraternity built on a Tripod of three ideals: scholarship, leadership and fellowship. The Eta Tau chapter at Wichita State was founded in 2020 by Katie Hefner, Talyn Sherman, Manish Mahajan and Jimme Keller.
This semester, we are looking for new members to help us further establish our roots in Wichita and make an impact at Wichita State and in the local community.
Looking for something to spice up your resume? We have officer positions available!
Join us on Zoom to learn how you can get involved, meet new people and enhance your
leadership skills.
Express your interest and join informational meetings
Capitol Graduate Research Summit begins Thursday
The 18th annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit (CGRS) begins this Thursday, Feb. 18. CGRS is a research competition and showcase for Kansas Board of Regents universities to raise awareness of graduate research that impacts the State of Kansas.
In previous years at the research was showcased at the Capitol in Topeka, but this year's competition will be virtual providing everyone, along with the the Kansas Legislature, the opportunity to see this great work. Online viewing begins Thursday morning. Take a moment to visit and see the excellent research being showcased by Wichita State's graduate students.
Office of Student Money Management spring 2021 tax support available
Do you need help filing taxes? While we can't do it for you, we can guide you through the process. The Office for Student Money Management in Student Success partners with Best Coalition from the United Way to offer this free service to support faculty, staff and students.
We are currently only taking virtual appointments. Schedule an appointment with our Peer Financial Coaches at https://bit.ly/osmmappt before the tax deadline on April 15, 2021.
Read more on the tax filing process
25% off select Shocker gear this week
This week at the Shocker Store, take 25% off the Root sportswear brand. Sale is valid in the Rhatigan Student Center store and online at shockerstore.com.