Become a WSU Microsoft Office Power User
Nearly 50 WSU faculty and staff have achieved Power User status! Would you like to join them? Attend a suite of ITS lead Microsoft Office trainings within one year and become a WSU Microsoft Office Power User. You will receive a certificate, your name listed on our website, and a lot of useful knowledge. Feel free to try a training session or two, or complete the full suite for a certificate.
For more information, visit Power User. Questions? Contact Ali Levine at ali.levine@wichita.edu.
Financial Operations expands partnership with Ellucian
Financial Operations is excited to announce we have expanded our partnership with Ellucian to include the Chrome River Travel and Expense system. This system is fully cloud-based and will replace our current TEM system, which is no longer supportable because of its reliance on ‘end of life' software.
Chrome River's Travel and Expense system allows travelers (or delegates) to create, submit and approve expenses anytime, anywhere and on any device. The PCard and Invoice modules will further streamline departmental and accounts payable processing, including the elimination of much, if not all, of the paper routing forms, and will further use online approvals and history viewing. Be watching for periodic updates and sneak peeks into the software.
Supervisors are asked to help with 2019 Open Enrollment
With less than 25 percent of enrollment submitted, the Open Enrollment window to submit 2019 elections during is now halfway over! Supervisors will begin receiving email updates this week if members of their team have not submitted 2019 elections. The Total Rewards team is asking all supervisors to help spread the words to all staff and faculty that Open Enrollment is mandatory.
REMINDER: All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2019 elections by the deadline Wednesday, Oct. 31. Those who do not will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA and all other coverage types waived effective Jan. 1. Log in to the Member Administration Portal at https://sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections, even if you don't plan to make any changes from 2018.
The Total Rewards team has developed many ways to learn about 2019 plan changes and get help completing your online enrollment! See how we can help you get enrolled for 2019!
- Registration is required for KDHE webinars. Register online at: https://sehp.healthbenefitsprogram.ks.gov/benefits
- Registration is required for HR lab sessions. Register in myTraining at myWSU.wichita.edu
- For a full listing of Open Enrollment events & resources, see the Open Enrollment website.
Total Rewards is hosting an in-person presentation at 2 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 16) in 264 RSC. There also is a KDHE webinar scheduled for 1 p.m.
What's happening with WSU Tech's free tuition program?
WSU Tech and Wichita Community Foundation will share the latest happenings of the WSU Tech and Wichita Community Foundation Wichita Promise Move scholarship program at the Student and Partner Recognition event and press conference at 4 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 16) at the WSU Tech Hangar, National Center for Aviation Training, 4004 N. Webb Road.
On June 11, the Wichita Community Foundation (WCF) announced the creation of the Talent Ecosystem Fund, a strategic initiative of WCF to invest in Wichita's workforce issues, talent development, and lifelong learning. The first gift of $500,000 was given to WSU Tech to create the Wichita Promise Move scholarship program. The Wichita Promise Move is designed to increase Wichita's skilled workforce by removing barriers that keep individuals from getting trained.
The scholarship promises paid tuition and fees, training in a high-demand career field, personal career coaching and a guaranteed job interview. Since the scholarship is only open to residents who live at least 75 miles outside of Wichita it also pays relocation costs, provides an apartment in downtown Wichita throughout their training with transportation to and from class, a living stipend, and a potential sign-on bonus when they complete the program.
WSU Tech opened applications for the scholarship on July 21, for two aviation programs, aviation sheet metal assembly and process mechanic (paint). Today, there are 32 students from across the United States who have moved to Wichita to take advantage of this opportunity with the fourth and final class of around 15-20 students arriving later this month.
University Libraries hosting Statista webinars during October
Have you heard about Statista? University Libraries is hosting a number of training webinars in October for the new statistical database, Statista, in 217 Ablah Library:
Noon-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19
10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 25
This exciting new resource provides immediate access to more than one million statistics and facts from over 22,000 sources on over 80,000 topics, including media, business, politics, society, technology, health and education. Ready-made charts and infographics can be downloaded in multiple formats for presentations and research papers or embedded in web pages.
The webinars are open to all faculty, staff and students. Registration is requested, but not required. For more information about Statista and to sign up for one of the October webinars, click here.
Join the Door Decorating Competition for a chance to win a staff party
Shocktoberfest is a time to celebrate Shocker Pride! Student groups from all over
campus will be competing and participating in events like Wu's Birthday Bash, Hunger
Games, Dodgeball and Songfest. Departments can join in on the fun by participating
in the annual Door Decorating Competition. Winning departments will receive a catered
staff party valued at up to $100. The deadline to enter is tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct.
17) and all doors must be decorated by the end of business on Friday, Oct. 19. For
information about the competition and to apply, go to Shocktoberfest.
Heffner, host of ‘The Open Mind' on PBS, to speak at WSU
The host of “The Open Mind” on PBS, Alexander Heffner, a journalist, writer, commentator and educator, will be the keynote speaker at the Elliott School of Communication's annual CommWeek held at Wichita State University this month.
The keynote address is scheduled for 7-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at the CAC Theater on the WSU campus. Following the address, Heffner will hold a Q&A session. This event is open to students, faculty, staff and the public free of charge.
Heffner's keynote speech, “Civil Discourse in an Uncivil Age: The Quest for a Post-Partisan Citizenship,” will cover, according to Heffner, “the effects of divisiveness on discourse and governance and the impact of social media, fake news and filter bubbles that polarize information intake.”
DSI observers – We need your help
The Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI) is quickly approaching and will be
held on Saturday, Nov. 17. The $64,000 Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships are awarded
through the DSI process to three high school seniors to attend Wichita State in the
fall of 2019, and we need your help in selecting the next Gore Scholars!
Observers are WSU faculty, staff and community members and are present in each room
to score the student participants in two activities - an interview and a consensus-building
activity.
There are two times observers can choose from – a morning session from 7:30-10:30
a.m., and an afternoon session from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Of course, you can always volunteer
for both!
If you're interested in serving as an observer, please go to wichita.edu/dsiobserver for more information. Contact Mandy Harmon, associate director in admissions, at
mandy.harmon@wichita.edu with questions.
Graduate School Professional Development Series workshop set for Oct. 18
Fran Cook from the Office of Research will present “Clear, Concise and Successful Proposals” from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18, in 301 Rhatigan Student Center. This workshop will provide grant-writing tips and resources. Funders and their reviewers want proposals that are clear, concise and consistent. Learn some hands-on approaches to improving your grant-writing skills and helpful strategies for responding to a variety of funders and funding opportunities.
Soykan's recently published recording receives rave reviews
Betul Soykan, assistant professor of violin at WSU, recently published a recording titled “War to Peace,” by Centaur.
Soykan performed works by Prokofiev, Ferguson and Messiaen. The recording was reviewed by “Fanfare Magazine” for their next issue. The album was placed in the “Not To Be Missed” category.
Huntley Dent states in his review for the Prokofiev Sonata, “Soykan-Andrade create an air of gray soulfulness, if I can put it that way, which is haunting. Ever since the classic recording of the sonata by Oistrakh and Richter, performances have gotten edgier, more abrasive and more extreme. I think Soykan and Andrade come closer to Prokofiev's intention by focusing, especially after the first movement, on the melodic nature of the score.”
Colin Clark wrote, “In terms of competition in the Ferguson's Second Sonata goes, I can offer Soykan and Andrade no finer compliment than to suggest their performance share shelf-space with Tasmin Little and Piers Lane's excellent traversal on Chandos.”
It's on iTunes now or CD hard copy to be ordered by Amazon and Centaur site.
WSU alumni have strong showing at Wichita startup competition
Wichita State alumni and entrepreneurs had a strong showing at the recent Get Started Wichita competition.
Four of the five finalists have ties to WSU, and the winner – Jennifer McDonald, founder of Jenny Dawn Cellars – is a graduate of the Launch Prep accelerator program between WSU and e2e.
Get Started Wichita is a competition in which entrepreneurs pitch ideas and prospective business models to judges on a panel.
Let students know about this exciting opportunity
Hello Shockers,
Shocker Women's Basketball is looking for an energetic, positive and self-motivated Wichita State student to emcee at our women's basketball games this season! This position will assist with in-game promotions, interact with fans and create energy throughout the game.
The responsibilities and duties of this position include but are not limited to, memorizing a script as well as being able to think quickly on your feet and adapt to new situations while interacting with the crowd. The time commitment for this position is the ability to work all game days, including holidays if needed.
Please share this opportunity with students and encourage them to attend tryouts from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19, at Charles Koch Arena. If you have questions, contact marketing1@goshockers.com.
Go Shocks!
Know the services provided by TRIO Disability Support Services
The TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) program is here to serve you. DSS is a federally funded program that assists and advocates for undergraduate students with disabilities through academic support, resources and services, enabling them to persist and graduate from Wichita State University.
DSS Program provides the following services:
- Academic advising throughout your academic career
- Adaptive computer lab
- Career advising & Graduate School information
- Financial advising & scholarship opportunities
- Grant aid information
- Study skills workshops
- Tutoring services
For more information please go to TRIO DSS or 158 Grace Wilkie Annex, 978-5949.
2018 Ad Astra Film Studies Conference coming Oct. 17
The 2018 As Astra Film Studies Conference (AAFSC) is being held from 8:15 a.m.-4:20 p.m. (tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 17) in 261 and 256 Rhatigan Student Center. The book signing by keynote speaker Laura Kirk is at 11:30 a.m.
AAFSC coincides with the start of the 16th Annual Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, and Communications Week, sponsored by the Elliott School of Communication at WSU.
Conference themes include film criticism, film in education and filmmaking/makers.
AAFSC welcomes students, faculty, staff and members of the local community.
Registration is recommended, but no fee is required. Entry is on a first-come, first-admitted basis.
Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance to host event in RSC
The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance will host The Consortium of Title IX and Equity Officers in Higher Ed on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 22-23, in the Rhatigan Student Center.
The theme is “Accountability, Advocacy and Action: The Role of an Equity Officer.” Speakers will include attorneys from the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office, Martin Pringle Law Firm, Husch Blackwell and Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service in Washington, D.C.
Various universities will be represented. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to attend. Sessions are free and open to everyone. Food will be provided.
Please see Featured Links section at www.wichita.edu/oiec to register and obtain more information about the consortium.
Take advantage of savings on National Boss' Day
Happy National Boss' Day! Be a boss and run a 5K. If you sign up today (Tuesday, Oct, 16), you will get $5 off the 5K Pumpkin Run on Saturday, Oct. 20. Sign up now at 2018 Pumpkin Run.
Nominate students by Oct. 31 for next year's Transition Mentor staff
Student Success: First-Year Programs is seeking nominations for next year's Transition Mentor staff! We are looking for exceptional students who are passionate about WSU and want to help welcome new students to our campus. Transition Mentors are responsible for transitioning students to WSU beginning in the summer with Orientation and mentoring new freshmen through the fall semester.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to make nominations now through Wednesday, Oct. 31, at www.wichita.edu/TM or email Shareika Fisher at shareika.fisher@wichita.edu.
Anthropology Symposium to be held on Saturday, Oct. 20
You're invited to attend an Anthropology Symposium featuring Distinguished Jackman Lecturer Thomas A. Crist from 1-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, in 208 Hubbard Hall. Crist is the Harold T. Clark Jr. Professor of Anthropology and Anatomy and Professor of Physical Therapy Director of Utica College's Forensic Field School in Albania and Romania Bioarchaeologist and Forensic Physical Anthropologist.
Feel free to bring family and friends who are interested in anthropology. The event is open to the public and admission is free. If you have questions, contact anthropology@wichita.edu or call 978-3195.
WSU Police thank you and ask for continued support for the Shocker Support Locker
The WSU Police Department thanks those who have contributed food and non-perishables for the Shocker Support Locker so far this fall, but the need is ongoing. The response has been great, but the need continues.
Between now and Halloween, the WSU Police Department challenges students, faculty and staff to continue to donate canned food and non-perishables for the Shocker Support Locker. The Shocker Support Locker runs low fairly often, and there is a need now for some students than ever before.
If you want to make a difference, give your donation to any uniform officer on campus or bring donations to the University Police Department.
If you want an opportunity to win a WSU mug or WSU Police Department challenge coin as part of a raffle at the end of the drive, just leave your name and phone number with the officer or at the University Police Department when making a donation of any size.
WSU Cops support Shocks and they challenge you to do the same!
Students, faculty and staff are welcome at the Shocker Support Locker
The Shocker Support Locker was founded in 2015 by the WSU Student Government Association to relieve food insecurity among WSU community members. Today, the locker provides both nonperishable and fresh food items, as well as hygiene products, professional clothing and textbooks.
Individuals who would like to use the Shocker Support Locker must be currently enrolled at Wichita State as students or currently employed faculty or staff. If you fit this criterion, you are welcome to use the pantry once per week and may take up to 10 items per visit.
For more information or questions about the Shocker Support Locker call 978-3480 or visit Shocker Support Locker.
Dining Services invites you to take guest satisfaction survey
Tell us how you really feel! Take our “Voice to Vision” survey to share your opinion on everything from Shocker Dining to Freddy's in the RSC. Surveys are available until Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Event recap: Black & Yellow Day – Oct. 8
On Monday, Oct. 8, 175 prospective students and their guests attended the first Black
& Yellow Day of the academic year. Students browsed the Shocker Experience Fair and
talked with departments and student life areas to start their day. Luckily, the rain
held off until after all visitors in attendance went on a campus tour. Following the
tour, the students and guests attended academic sessions and interactive sessions
in the afternoon. They had the opportunity to eat lunch in Shocker Hall, take a photo
with WuShock, and closed out their day by learning about the next steps in the process
to becoming a Shocker from one of the admissions representatives.
A new aspect to Black & Yellow Day this fall was the Admitted Student Breakfast.
All students who had registered for the event and were admitted for fall 2019 were
invited to attend a special breakfast before the program began. The breakfast allowed
students to meet others who are already admitted to Shocker Nation; plus, they received
a special T-shirt specifically for admitted students.
The next Black & Yellow Day will be held on Friday, Nov. 2, and is open to high school juniors and seniors, as well as transfer students. Interested students should go to wichita.edu/visit and click on "Admissions Events" to register. Questions? Contact Jessica Kyle, SAS advisor and event coordinator, at jessica.kyle@wichita.edu.
Wichita State baseball set for Fall World Series
The annual Wichita State baseball Fall World Series will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday,
Oct. 18, at Eck Stadium. The series will be three games, and each game will be nine
innings. Admission is free.
Game two is slated for 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, and game three is scheduled for 1
p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21. The annual SCREAMage, which is sponsored by the Wichita Mom's
Blog, is set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20.
The WSU roster will be divided into two teams, the Black and the Yellow.
If inclement weather cancels a game, the makeup date will be Monday, Oct. 22. In
addition, times for all games are subject to change based on weather conditions.