Student-driven plan to address potential facilities upgrades would positively impact all colleges
Students are working with the university on a new plan for potential upgrades to campus facilities.
Wichita State has been in a phase of collecting feedback from students, as well as faculty and staff, about what can be done to improve our academic and collaborative facilities.
With input from all areas of the university, a list of infrastructure priorities spanning the colleges, as well as Ablah Library, has been identified. See Infrastructure Priorities
Addressing these priorities will:
- Result in bigger, better-equipped spaces for learning, research, collaboration and creativity.
- Help make the services students enjoy more centralized and accessible.
- Help the colleges fulfill their strategic plans.
- Enable the university to better fulfill its mission to empower students in ways that reflect their ever-changing needs for years to come.
But these improvements won't be possible without a student-led, student-supported campaign—and their passing of a referendum for a proposed $6 per credit hour increase to the campus infrastructure student fee.
The university is now working with students from every college on ways to generate student-body support for these improvements, with a referendum scheduled for March 2019.
In the coming weeks, Provost Rick Muma, Student Affairs Vice President Teri Hall and the college deans will be leading discussions so everyone can learn more.
Thank you for your support, and Go Shockers!
Biometric screening added on Wednesday, Nov. 14
As many are aware, the biometric screening on Oct. 23 was unable to accept walk-ins because one of the screeners was out ill. To ensure that everyone who was turned away is able to get a screening appointment, one additional date will be added on Wednesday, Nov. 14 with appointments available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. in the west Shirley Beggs Ballroom on the third floor, RSC.
Some walk-in appointments will be available from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (see guidelines below), but the Total Rewards team encourages anyone interested to book an appointment by logging into the HealthQuest portal. At the time of this writing, about 75 appointment slots remain.
NOTE: HealthQuest points earned at this event will count toward your 2019 premium discount only. These points will not be recorded in the portal in time to qualify for 2018 HSA/HRA rewards dollars.
As a courtesy to other participants, the Total Rewards team is requesting that Plan A participants who currently have an appointment on Tuesday, Nov. 6 instead select an appointment on Nov. 14, if possible. We are making this request so that members on Plans J, Q, C and N, who are subject to the Nov. 19 HSA/HRA rewards dollars deadline are able to attend the Nov. 6 screening.
Strategic Plan Activation Team launch
You came to the party, now it's time to work. Join friends, colleagues and community members at the Strategic Planning Activation Team (AcT) meeting(s) from 2-3:30 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 5).
All AcT meetings will be hosted in the Rhatigan Student Center. Each room will host an “ongoing goal.” Let's maintain the momentum and move Forward, Together.
2-3:30 p.m. Activation Meetings
238 RSC Meeker Room Applied Learning
240 RSC Mayfield Room Interdisciplinary
221 RSC Huxley Room Community and Industry Partnerships
256 RSC Edmiston Room Innovation
202 RSC Shocker '70 Football Room Campus Culture
258 RSC Smoky Hills Room Inclusion
261 RSC Olive Room Assessment / Incentives/Awards
WSU to celebrate first-generation students, faculty and staff
Next week, Wichita State University will pause to celebrate our first-generation students, and our faculty and staff, too.
Those within the Wichita State community who are the first in their family to graduate college (or who are on track to do so) are important to the fabric of our institution, the city of Wichita, and the State of Kansas. Wichita State University has a rich history of service to first-generation students dating back nearly 55 years when we began our first TRIO program.
Our work and service delivery has expanded to include foci on pre-college, undergraduate and returning adult students. Several initiatives have joined the Office of Special Programs (TRIO and GEAR UP programs), in an intentional effort to support our community.
Please take time this week to join the celebration.
First-Gen Celebration Nov. 5-8, 2018
Construction temporarily closes south entrance to Jabara Hall
Waterproofing contractors will be working overhead on Jabara Hall's brickwork today (Monday, Nov. 5) and Tuesday, Nov. 6. As a result, Jabara Hall's southern entrance doors will need to be closed during these days for safety. Alternate entrances and exits are available on the north and west ends of the building during this time.
Pay some parking citations with a donation to the Shocker Support Locker
Food For Fines is an initiative to serve the population of WSU while supporting the Shocker Support Locker. During the week of Nov. 5-7, certain parking citations can be forgiven with a designated donation to the Shocker Support Locker.
For more information and details for this initiative, contact the SGA Office by email at sga@wichita.edu, call 978-3480 or click on Food for Fines.
It's time to move to Banner 9
Are you a Banner user? If you previously attended Banner training and have access to Banner (PROD), you are a Banner user.
It's time to move to Banner 9; Banner 8 will be decommissioned soon! Sign up for the lab, take a tour of Banner 9. A navigation overview is included in the Banner, Reporting, Microsoft Office & Adobe Open Lab. Thursday sessions are posted in myTraining.
More information on move to Banner 9
CHP Week celebrates students, faculty and staff
CHP Week is today (Monday, Nov. 5) to Friday, Nov. 9, and is a celebration of students, faculty and staff in the College of Health Professions. We encourage everyone to attend the events, hang out with fellow CHP colleagues and enjoy the spirit of WSU!
Rick Ament of the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center will be the CHP Week keynote speaker at 5:30 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 5) in the CAC Theater. He will discuss health care services the center offers, his journey toward becoming the director of the center and his accomplishments during his time there.
Participants can come early to take their picture with WuShock at the CHP Week photo booth! Doors open at 5 p.m. Visit wichita.edu/chpweek for a full list of CHP Week activities.
For a list of events, go to CHP Week.
Retirement party today (Monday, Nov. 5) for Chuck Bouska and Becky North
Save the date for a retirement party for Chuck Bouska and Becky North from 3:30-5 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 5) in 233 RSC. It will be come-and-go with remarks at 4 p.m. Please come wish them well in retirement!
Bouska has worked for the State of Kansas for 40 years, recently in ITS Application Development.
North has been in ITS Application Training for 14 years.
Administrative Processes & Procedures Information Sharing, Q&A event on Nov. 8
Administrative assistants, executive assistants, college business managers and more are invited to attend the Administrative Processes & Procedures Information Sharing and Q&A session at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in 209 Hubbard Hall.
View the agenda and register for this informative session on myWSU > myTraining.
You're invited to the Shocker Season Starter
Celebrate the start of the Shocker basketball season with Shocker Season Starter from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 6, in the Shocker Hall courtyard. There will be face painting, food, photo booth, games, music and prizes to show off your Shocker spirit!
It's all free for students with a WSU ID. Come enjoy and win some swag to rep your spirit at the basketball game against Louisiana Tech.
Contact Student Success: First-Year Programs at first.year@wichita.edu or call 978-5420 with any questions.
Submit your spring events for the Welcomefest listing
Welcomefest takes place during the first two weeks of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Springfest, Shocker Resource Fair, Syllabus Party, RSC Unplugged and more!
You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including a printed guidebook. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.
Please note, Student Involvement reserves the right to deny or terminate any events that are not planned completely or are deemed inappropriate for Welcomefest and/or the people in attendance.
To register your event, go to Spring Welcomefest. If you have questions, contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.
Scholarship available for future math and science teachers
Do you know a high school senior interested in teaching math or science? Encourage them to apply for Klose Scholars Day. A number of scholarships valued at up $20,000 will be awarded at this annual event on Friday, Nov. 16.
For more information on the Klose Scholarship. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Nov. 1. For questions, contact CAS Scholarship Coordinator Andrew Myers at andrew.myers@wichita.edu or call 978-7864.
WSU faculty and staff are invited to Join the WSUAA's Mug Club
The Wichita State University Alumni Association is excited to introduce a new Shocker group — the WSUAA Mug Club, dedicated to the idea that great beer and good times should be shared with Shocker alumni, faculty / staff, family and friends.
With a special toast to our partners, Wichita Brewing Company and Credit Union of America, Mug Club members will receive a commemorative branded mug like the one pictured in the photo above, and we promise it will serve you well. For just $25 for WSUAA members, WSU faculty, staff and students, and $50 for other WSU alumni and friends, the Mug Club provides these lifetime* membership perks:
- Your own commemorative branded mug to identify you as a member
- Invitations to WSUAA Happy Hours, brew launch parties at WBC and other events
- A savings of $1 on each WBC beer purchase** at the company's east location at 535 N. Woodlawn Blvd., #375 and on Wichita's west side at 8815 W. 13th Street
- A complimentary first beer*** on us in your Mug Club mug
The official form to join the club is online at Shocker Mug Club.
A kickoff event for Mug Club members is slated for 6:30 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 5) at Wichita Brewing Company's east event venue location. WuShock, members of the WSU cheer squad and WSUAA staffers will be there for the opening festivities.
Proceeds from WSUAA Mug Club memberships will help fund WSUAA scholarships and continued program development.
Questions? Contact Tate Blanton at the WSUAA at tate.blanton@wichita.edu.
*Membership is for the lifetime of the program
**Excludes high gravity beers and other special offers
*** Some restrictions apply
YMCA portraits available for download
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by the YMCA portrait photoshoot recently. Those photos are now available for color and black and white download at wsu.news/FreePics.
These photographs are made possible as a courtesy, thanks to the collaboration with the Office of the President, Strategic Communications and photography major students Dale Small and Hugo Zelada-Romero.
Proquest Lunch-n-Learn highlights new library resources
University Libraries is hosting a lunch-n-learn for faculty, staff and students from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov, 6) on the lower level of Ablah Library.
Arta Kabashi of Proquest will highlight several of the more than 70 primary source databases that were recently added as a subscription by the library. These databases cover a wide range of diverse and interdisciplinary areas including anthropological fieldwork, African American studies, human rights, historical newspapers, Native American studies, human rights, women's studies, border and migration studies, environmental studies, global issues, American history, British history, LGTB studies, immigrant letters and diaries, and many more. Incorporating primary sources into research is the focus of the presentation.
Lunch will be provided by Proquest, and registration is required. For more information and links to Proquest databases, go to Proquest. To sign up for the lunch-n-learn, go to Lunch-n-Learn.
Fire alarm tests to be conducted for the remainder of 2018
WSU Fire Safety and contractors will conduct annual fire alarm tests in all campus buildings now through the end of the year. During these required fire alarm tests the alarm may sound for several minutes.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding while the necessary and required tests are completed.
Graduate School event – Three Minute Thesis 3MT®
Come celebrate the inaugural WSU Graduate School showcase of student oral presentations of original research for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Oral Showcase Competition. Note the time change to 3-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in 306 west Shirley Beggs Ballroom, RSC. Students were selected to participate through a 3MT Graduate School video submission competition and nomination process.
The first-place winner will attend the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools meeting.
More information on the competition
Accessibility Training now available for students
All instructional and enrichment content in WSU classes needs to be accessible, and that includes content students present to other students. To address faculty concerns about delivering this necessary training, WSU is now offering accessibility training for students.
Currently training is available in accessible face-to-face presentation, accessible conference presentations, and the creation of digital documents. More training is coming soon.
If you have students who will give presentations in class and / or handing out (in person) or posting (online) documents for other students to read, please consider asking them to complete these trainings. They are fully online, take about 30 minutes each, and students can prove to you they took the training by showing you the digital credential they earn, or by printing off a certificate of completion.
These trainings do not expire, so students who complete them for classes this semester will still have viable digital credentials in later semesters. Trainings can be found at Accessibility Training and questions can be directed to Instructional Design and Access at IDA@wichita.edu.
Join us on an international journey with ACIREMA
Paperwork. Money. Language barriers. Have you ever wondered what international students go through when coming to the United States?
Studying in another country is an exciting experience that comes with many challenges. International students make up about 10 percent of WSU's student body. Wouldn't it benefit us to better understand their experience in coming here?
ACIREMA (America spelled backwards) is a hands-on workshop that will walk you through many of the challenges international students encounter on their quest for an American education. The first of four workshop sessions will begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, on the second floor, Rhatigan Student Center.
For more information about ACIREMA and to register, go to ACIREMA.
‘How Do I Find Data and Statistics' workshop on Nov. 14
University Libraries is holding the workshop “How Do I Find Data and Statistics?” from 4-5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 in RM 217 Ablah Library. Discover library databases and open websites for data sets, census data and statistics in this very helpful workshop!
This is one in a series of Savvy Researcher workshops this semester. The workshops in this series are open to WSU students, faculty and staff.
For more information about this workshop and others in the series, visit Savvy Researcher. To RSVP, go to Nov. 14 library event. Seats are limited, so sign up today!
SAC presents ‘What do you celebrate?'
As the holiday season approaches, many prepare their turkeys and holiday trees, but have you ever wondered what these holiday celebrations look like around the world?
Join Student Activities Council and many culturally-based student organizations at WSU to celebrate the holidays held in other countries, cultures and faiths through music, and performance. This event will be held from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, on the RSC first floor.
Women of WSU announces Nov. 14 luncheon
Sometimes you just need to take a break from the usual and share lunch with a friend! Come to the November luncheon from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, in 233 RSC. Follow the link November Luncheon via Marketplace to register and purchase the lunch, which will be a baked potato bar for $11.
If you are planning on bringing your own lunch, you can still use the link to register. If you are paying by check, RSVP to angela.schultz@wichita.edu by Monday, Nov. 12.
Help students get career ready
Helping students develop skills inside and outside of the classroom that employers are looking for is important for preparing them for life after graduation. Students should be looking at the career competencies employers are looking for and working on strengthening them prior to graduation.
If students are needing professional work experience in their field, they should explore cooperative education and internship opportunities. Students can also create a profile and look for jobs on the online career database, Handshake, on the Career Development Center website.
College of Fine Arts Advising Center invites you to open house
The College of Fine Arts Advising Center invites you to an open house from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in 319 McKnight. The center has centralized its academic advising program to better serve students.
Tour our new advising center, talk with our advisors and enjoy refreshments!