Wichita State to hold panel discussion on freedom of expression
Free expression is a fundamental value for an institution such as Wichita State University, Neal Allen, associate professor of political science, maintains.
“We owe all of our students, and all Kansas citizens that we serve, our best effort to include all points of view,” he said. “I believe that democratic government depends on having both involved citizens and trained professionals.”
The open exchange of ideas may not produce a tidy ending.
That exchange, however, is crucial to our nation’s discourse, no matter how difficult the conversation. Wichita State University recognizes the important role universities play and will present a virtual panel on Freedom of Expression from 3-4:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.
Read more about the panel discussion and how to watch
Shockers talk about freedom of expression
Watch Wichita State students talk about what freedom of expression means to them and why it's important. Also, be sure to tune in to Speaking Freely at 3 p.m. today to hear from a panel discussion about freedom of expression on college campuses.
Make your voice heard in SGA Elections
SGA Election Polls open at 8 a.m. Monday, April 5 and close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7. Make your voice heard in this year's election by voting for your senatorial candidate, student body president, vice president candidate, and amendments to the SGA Rules and Regulations. Ballots will be sent electronically to your Shocker email. For more information visit wichita.edu/sgaelections or email us directly at sga.elections@wichita.edu.
Faculty and staff study-abroad spotlights
Would you like to hear more about Wichita State faculty and staff study abroad experiences? All spotlights are now available on our website, including a few that were not previously shared.
'That's a Shocker': Library introduces podcast
University Libraries invites all to enjoy our fun infotainment podcast, "That's a Shocker!" The first episode takes a deep dive on the library's history is out on multiple platforms.
The library website, Spotify, and Anchor FM. How much do you know about where all of the resources and books were stored on campus in the beginning? Make sure to follow the Libraries' social media accounts for updates when a new monthly episode drops.
Next month, we will be using library resources to uncover some mysteries about one of the world's most talked about subjects: unidentified flying objects.
Service-Learning Showcase seeks submissions
The Service-Learning Showcase is a unique opportunity for students who participate in service-learning through applied learning opportunities to showcase their experience through a research or reflective poster about the application of their course work to current community issues. This year the showcase will be held in a digital format and judged by a team of community partner leaders.
The showcase is an open forum for students to interact with faculty/staff, community partners and other students to engage in conversation about Wichita State University's commitment to the public good. Awards are presented in the following categories:
- Outstanding Overall Service-Learning Project — $150 scholarship to winning entry
- Innovation and Creativity in Problem Solving — $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Community Impact/ Community Choice — $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Collaboration and Leadership in Service-Learning — $100 scholarship to winning entry
Submissions are due on April 1.
More information about the Service-Learning Showcase
Applications open for Shocker Leadership Awards
Applications for the ninth Shocker Leadership Awards are now open. The Annual Shocker Leadership Awards are a way to recognize the work of student-led organizations, students, faculty and staff at Wichita State University. Recognized student organizations, university affiliated student groups and individuals may be nominated by a student, faculty member, staff member, or organization; or students may nominate themselves for one of the awards. One application form must be completed for every award for which one wishes to be considered. A nomination must have all parts to be considered by the selection committee. Nominations are due Friday, April 9 at 11:59 p.m.
If you would like to nominate someone on their behalf for an awards, please note that it is the responsibility of the nominator to turn in a complete packet. The nominee (unless they are nominating themselves) would not be responsible for uploading the applications. To submit a Shocker Leadership Award, please click the application linked in each award that you want to apply or nominate someone for.
Freshmen and senior surveys available
The CLA (Collegiate Learning Assessment) and NSSE (National Survey of Student Engagement) assessments are now in progress. Freshman and seniors, if selected to participate, you can find a link in Blackboard. Click on the link to find out how you might be eligible for a $25 QuikTrip or $25 Shocker Dollars card.
Entries now open for 2021 Edible Book Festival
Edible Book Festival is back! University Libraries invites all to join in on this culinary creation contest for a chance to win great local prizes. Enter online by April 1 at libraries.wichita.edu/ediblebookfestival. There you can find contest rules and entry photos from previous contests.
Basic rules are as follows:
- This virtual event features contestants creating edible art based on their favorite literature.
- Four prizes will be given — three based on judging and one on a popular vote.
- Once created, contestants can upload photos to our website by April 1.
- Anyone can then vote for the People's Choice winner April 5-8.
- Winners will take home prizes announced April 9.
2021 LEAD Conference call for proposals
Student Involvement in partnership with the Student Government Association are seeking presentation proposals for our 2021 LEAD Conference taking place on Friday, May 28 in the Rhatigan Student Center. Virtual options available pending university and CDC guidelines.
This year, we are offering four different conference tracks featuring various speakers and topics.
Below are the conference tracks with some general ideas. Please feel free to submit any of those suggestions or include your own.
Civic, Campus, & Community Leadership (Activism)
- Global Leadership
- Service-Learning
Student Organization Leadership
- Mentorship & Coaching
- Recruiting & Engagement
Diversity & Inclusion
- Inclusive Leadership
- Women & Leadership
Leadership & Self-Discovery
- Leading Your Wellness
- Leadership in the Workforce
- Adaptive Leadership
- Leading through a Pandemic & Moving Forward
We will be selecting up to four presentations per track.
Please submit your presentation proposal no later than April 1.
Submit A Proposal: https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebzmoQfoUr6jp0W
For more information or questions, please reach out to Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or Gabriel Fonseca at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu.
Shocker New Venture applications due April 1
Application for the Wichita State University Shocker New Venture Competition are due April 1. Learn more and submit an application at wichita.edu/snvc.
Trans-athlete to speak for Day of Visibility today
For Transgender Day of Visibility, ODI has partnered with GLSEN Kansas to host an online conversation with trans-athlete and LGBTQ+ advocate Mack Beggs, who will be sharing his powerful story as a transgender athlete in high school at 6 p.m. today via Zoom.
Mack Beggs is a former collegian wrestler trans-athlete for Life University. He was also the first transgender male athlete in high school to win two state titles in the female division, due to outdated Texas policies prohibiting him from competing in the men's division. At 21 years of age, Mack is currently studying arts of human development and social change to be a gender therapist.
In order to attend the Transgender Day of Visibility lecture, you must register for the event. Register for this virtual event at wichita.edu/odievents. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation that you are attending this event. The Zoom address, meeting ID and password will be provided to you in this confirmation email.
Get a free, professional headshot today
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what does your professional profile picture say about you?
The Shocker Career Accelerator is offering free professional headshots to students from 2 to 4 p.m. today in RSC 142. Put on your best professional wear, stop by, and smile. Free. No appointment is necessary. Social distancing, face masks, and Wichita State University COVID-19 policies apply.
Get more information on free headshots
April 2: Mathematical Sciences lecture
The lecture series in the mathematical sciences presents Prof. Georgy Sofronov from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, who will present "Optimal multiple stopping rules and their applications" at 3 p.m. Friday, April 2 via Zoom.
To register for the free lecture, please email lecture.series@math.wichita.edu for the link and password.
View the abstract and a list of upcoming lectures
Join First Gen Success to talk about career development
Are you interested in a job, or maybe looking to prepare yourself for your post-college career? Or perhaps you're still not quite sure what you want to do when you grow up. At Wichita State, there are tools and resources for every stage of your professional life.
Join us on Monday, April 5 for First Gen Success:Career Development. The in-person event will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in Rhatigan Student Center, room 266 (Pike Room), while the virtual session will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. For virtual attendees, the link will be sent in your calendar invite, and both virtual and in-person sessions will be come-and-go.
Learn more and sign up at wichita.edu/FGScareer.
Plan to check out GRASP showcase on Friday
The Graduate School is proud to present a virtual showcase of graduate student research with the 17th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium on Friday, April 2. Please plan to take a moment this Friday to view student presentations. The link for viewing will go live on the GRASP website at 8 a.m. Friday. Judging will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us to celebrate the great graduate student research occurring across campus and the faculty mentorship that supports this.
Join CARE Team to learn about Circle of Control
At 1 p.m. today, CARE Team will be sharing a video by CARE Coordinator Ashlyn Riley, who talks about mindfulness and how to use the Circle of Control to shift your perspective and alleviate stress and anxiety. Find the video at https://youtu.be/vaulU-gcabI, or on CARE Team social media @WSUCareTeam.
Tune in April 8 to watch the Hippodrome
The 93rd annual Hippodrome Video and Talent Competition will be held virtually for all Wichita students, staff, faculty, alumni and community to watch. Students and student groups have submitted 5- to 10-minute videos in the categories of live action and animation in hopes to earn cash prizes up to $500. The talent competition will be hosted in conjunction with the film screening. Performers will take the stage between film screenings; and first--, second-, and third-place winners will take home cash prizes up to $150. Talented Shockers will also be emceeing the performance.
Join us live on Thursday, April 8th to watch and support our talented students! For more information and how to watch the performance, visit wichita.edu/hippodrome.
KU professor gives physics seminar talk
Please join us for our next seminar talk at 2 p.m. today via Zoom. This week’s talk features Dr. KC Kong, from the University of Kansas, and the title of the talk will be “Particle Physics in Computing Frontier." The
Get details on the physics seminar talk
Presentations put 2020 into perspective
Few would disagree that 2020 was a chaotic and confusing year. The next Perspectives series, Reestablishing Reality, will help participants understand what has happened and reorient them to the realities of 2021.
Reestablishing Reality presenters will give their perspectives on motivated reasoning, racial narratives, propaganda and stereotypes, one’s proclivity to share fake news, and science and bias. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will host the series.
Each presentation will be delivered by Zoom, and will be open to the public. For more information, visit Reestablishing Reality.
Free dental screenings on April 2
The AEGD program will be hosting free dental screenings at 1 p.m. April 2 at Student Health Services. Appointments are required, so call 316-978-4792 to reserve your spot.
PBS features Provines, Suspenders4Hope
Dr. Jessica Provines, assistant vice president of wellness and director of Counseling and Prevention Services, appeared on the first episode of PBS Kansas' "Cause for Hope," showcasing her work with #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope in preventing suicide in the Wichita area. After seeing success with the iconic Suspenders4Hope shirts and #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide training at Wichita State, #WeSupportU has partnered with Kohl's Cares and Ascension Via-Christi to help bring the suspenders to local schools and the greater Wichita area. Learn more about #WeSupportU at Suspenders4Hope.com.
Join Wu's Big Challenge
We invite you to complete Wu's Big Challenge, and we ask participants to complete five hours of community service and submit their hours to receive a Wu's Big Event t-shirt and other goodies from the Community Service Board. Participants will also be entered in a raffle to win prizes throughout the semester. Volunteer hours may be completed virtually, in person, or both. You decide what works best for you. To learn more and to register, visit Wichita.edu/CSB. Please email CSB@Wichita.edu with any questions.
Neighbor challenge coming to Wichita State
National Good Neighbor Day is Sept. 28 and was created in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter to raise public awareness that being a good neighbor can help build strong, thriving communities.
Do you know your neighbors on campus and out in the community?
To kick it off, there will be a focus on neighboring that entire week and a Good Neighboring BINGO game. Challenge yourself, a group, or department with a game of Good Neighboring Bingo. The effort is being coordinated bytThe Office of Engagement, but other student groups, departments, organizations, businesses and individuals are welcome to join in and add their own spin. More details to come. If you would like more information on the plan or to join in some of the online planning meetings just email Naquela.pack@wichita.edu.
Ulrich accepting paid internship applications
The Ulrich Museum of Art on the Wichita State University campus is accepting applications from Wichita State students for its paid internship program, which offers valuable experience in the everyday workings of a university art museum. These internships offer students interdisciplinary and experiential learning that is informative on both intellectual and practical levels. Tasks may include assisting with research for exhibitions, cataloging works of art, helping with publicity, participating in exhibition installations, working on programs, and giving exhibition tours. Internships for course credit in fulfillment of curricular requirements are available in coordination with many academic departments.
To apply, please email a current resume accompanied by a cover letter to either Ksenya Gurshtein, curator of modern and contemporary art or Jana Erwin, head of education, summarizing your past experiences related to art and museum work, your goals for the future, and an explanation of why you would like to intern at a university modern and contemporary art museum. Please note: We strongly recommend visiting the museum's exhibitions and exploring this website before writing the cover letter. The application deadline is April 30, 2021.
Boats & Bikes now hiring
River Vista Boats and Bikes is now hiring. Join us at 1 p.m. April 2-3 on zoom to learn more about working for Boats & Bikes. Zoom session link is bit.ly/rowinghiring, password: 755225. Questions? contact us at boats&bikes@wichita.edu.
$25 Adidas quarter-zip at the Shocker Store
This week, you can score a great Adidas quarter-zip for just $25 at the Shocker Store. Originally priced $49.99. Rhatigan Student Center location only. No other discounts accepted.
Volunteer to thank healthcare workers
The Golden Shockers, a team of four college students, is hosting a community service project to show appreciation and gratitude for healthcare workers for all their efforts during the pandemic. We intend to collect thank-you messages from a lot of people virtually, and we will then hand-write each card. Cards will be physically delivered to the hospital on Saturday, April 17.
Submissions will be collected until 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 10. It will only take a quick second out of your day!
Contact the project coordinator Michelle Huynh at Mxhuynh2@shockers.wichita.edu with questions.
University senates, SGA to vote on proposed shared governance policy revision
During the past year, the immediate past presidents of the Faculty Senate, Unclassified Professional Senate, and University Support Staff Senate, as well as the current president of the Student Government Association, have been drafting a revision to the university’s shared governance policy to clarify the purpose and define the principles of shared governance. Specific changes to the current policy include new language on the principles of shared governance, the process to include constituent groups, and support for constituent group leaders. The committee, along with its respective senates and associations, are circulating this draft to gather any final feedback, endorsement, or concerns prior to each senate and association considering endorsement of the policy by April 8. Feedback can be shared with Jeff Jarman (Faculty Senate), Julie Scott (UP Senate), Matt Houston (USS Senate), and Rija Khan (SGA). Should the elected constituent bodies endorse the proposed revisions, the policy will be presented to the president’s executive team in May for review.
Dates for Votes:
- Student Government Association: April 14
- Faculty Senate: April 19
- Unclassified Professional Senate and University Support Staff Senate: April 20th