WSU Today: Nov. 27, 2018

Shared governance discussion groups schedule for December

During the town hall meeting in September, the university gathered feedback on four strategic priority areas. Priority No. 1 is to advance a culture of shared governance built on trust and integrity. 

The university will hold discussion groups to bring faculty, staff, administration, and students together to discuss how we all can make an impact through shared governance. This will be a guided discussion to share with each other, learn from one another, and generate thoughts about shared governance at the university.

The discussion group will go through a process to:

  • Identify the current perception of shared governance at the university.
  • Identify how faculty, staff, and administration participate in shared governance.
  • Identify who you think makes decisions, who is consulted, and who must approve decisions that are made.
  • Vision what shared governance could be at the university.

There will be 11 discussion groups scheduled at varying times as shown below:

Wednesday, Dec. 12: Noon-1 p.m., 2-3 p.m., 3:30-4:30 p.m., 5-6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 13: 10-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1:30-2:30 p.m.; 3-4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14: 9-10 a.m., 10:30-11:30 a.m., Noon-1 p.m.

Please access myTraining on the myWSU Faculty/Staff page to register for a session. You may be asked to change sessions to make sure each session represents a cross-section of the university. 

We will consolidate the input from each discussion group, identify consistent themes, and recommend a plan that will be shared at open forums to ensure that it accurately reflects the input from the discussion groups, and to provide an opportunity for feedback.


Need help getting Blackboard classes and content ready for spring?

Instructional Design and Access will offer a full day of hands-on assistance for instructors who want help setting up their spring classes in Blackboard on Friday, Dec. 7. Whether you teach online, hybrid, or face-to-face, if you use Blackboard to augment your classes, we can help you!  

Our workshop title is “Spring Class Cleanup / Improvement Workshop,” and can be found for sign-up by searching in myTraining.

There are two times to choose from: 9 a.m.-noon, and 1-4 p.m. You are welcome to sign-up to either or both, depending on your need. These workshops will be held in the RSC. Questions? Send them to IDA@wichita.edu.


Here's important news from the WSU Post Office

Campus Post Office

When purchasing items online, please have them sent to your home address and not your work address.

The WSU Policy Manual and the Private Express Statue Title 39 prohibits the campus post office from duplicating services provide by the U.S. Postal Service as your place of abode.


Open Enrollment survey ending soon

Open Enrollment feedback

The Total Rewards team appreciates the feedback that has been received so far. More than 100 responses have come in, all of which will impact our communication and event planning for Open Enrollment 2020.

If you still have thoughts you would like to share, please give just 5 minutes of your time to take a brief survey on your computer or mobile device. We appreciate your time and input! The survey will close at 11:55 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.


Invitation to the Fourth Annual WSU Tech Holiday Market

WSU Tech Holiday Market Dec. 1, 2018

You're invited to the Fourth Annual WSU Tech Holiday Market from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the National Center for Aviation Training, 4004 N. Webb Road.

The market is being hosted by the WSU Tech employees activities committee.

The WSU Tech student commons will be filled with vendors selling antiques, vintage items, crafts, home décor, jewelry, handmade and homemade items and more.

Come and get a start on your holiday shopping!


Celebrate #GivingTuesday with the WSU Foundation

Giving Tuesday Nov. 27, 2018

This #GivingTuesday (Nov. 27), the WSU Foundation will celebrate the many Shockers who support Wichita State University through their giving. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.

Following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, this year's #GivingTuesday takes place today (Tuesday, Nov. 27) and will kick off the giving season by inspiring people to give back.


Ulrich Museum to host event tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 28)

Ulrich Museum event Nov. 28, 2018

Regeneration, a collaboration between the WSU Dance Department and Ulrich Museum of Art will be presented at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 28) at the Ulrich Museum.

WSU Choreography I students will present an original choreographed response performance inspired by the works of eight Iranian artists featured in the Ulrich exhibition Burnt Generation.


Excellence award nominations are being accepted by Office of Research and Technology Transfer

Excellence awards nomination deadline Dec. 7, 2018

Nominations for Excellence Awards in Research, Creativity and Community Research are now being accepted by the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (RTT).

All full-time faculty, including distinguished professors and endowed chairs, who have served at WSU for at least three years are eligible. Faculty who hold an administrative position above that of chair are not eligible.

Previous winners of the award are ineligible to be nominated for a period of five years following the award. Please see the RTT website for additional details and nomination forms. Nominations must be received by Friday, Dec. 7, to be considered.


The next generation of Wichita State alumni is asking for your help!

Shocker Mentorship Network

Wichita State is excited to launch the new Shocker Mentorship Network. Give back in an impactful way – offer your time and talent to help the next generation of Shocker alumni get their start. Easily, on your own time – give back whenever and how often you want, on topics you know well. With your privacy protected – the platform doesn't share your contact info.

Register as a mentor today, visit wichita.firsthand.co and click ‘Give Advice.' Create your profile within minutes by registering with your LinkedIn profile and specifying the types of advice you'd like to offer. Give the next generation of up-and-comers the advice you wish you'd had.

If you're interested in learning how you can use this tool in your program or department with WSU students, contact brian.austin@wichita.edu.


SAC presents Amal Kassir on Nov. 29

Amal Kassir Nov. 29, 2018

Amal Kassir is a Muslim woman, born and raised in Denver to a German-Iowan mother and a Syrian father. She is an international spoken word poet, having performed in 10 countries and more than 45 cities.

Join Student Activities Council at 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 29, in the CAC Theater. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to Student Activities Council.


Mortar Board looking to add new individuals to honor society

Mortar Board

The Fairmount Chapter of Mortar Board is looking to add new individuals to the organization for 2019-20. Mortar Board is Wichita State's exclusive honor society here on campus with ideals in scholarship, leadership and service.

Mortar Board provides high achieving students, in said ideals, a chance to improve on their networking skills, community service experience and a chance to interact with other high achieving students here on campus. If you believe you excel in the said ideals and are interested in the above experiences, please submit an application.


Annual Christmas Organ Concert tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 28)

Christmas Organ Concert Nov. 28, 2018

The next Wednesdays in Wiedemann will feature Lynne Davis performing the annual Christmas Organ Concert at 5:15 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 28) in Wiedemann Hall. Admission is free.


Wichita State selected to play in NIVC

Volleyball in NIVC Nov. 2018

The Wichita State University volleyball team has received an at-large bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC), it was announced late Sunday evening, Nov. 25. The Shockers are one of 32 teams that make up the tournament field. 

Wichita State (13-17) will take on Central Arkansas (26-6) in the opening round of the tournament at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the North Texas Volleyball Center in Denton, Texas. The Shockers and Sugar Bears have never met on the volleyball court. 

The North Texas Mean Green, who were selected as a host for the first and second rounds, will take on Tulsa in the other first round match at 7 p.m. Thursday. 

The winners of each opening round contest will advance to the second round, which will be played at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, in Denton.


12 Days of Christmas Sale continues today (Tuesday, Nov. 27)

Christmas Sale at Shocker Store Nov. 27, 2018

Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store's Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale now to Saturday, Dec. 8. Or shop the sale online at shockerstore.com.

New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion or while supplies last. The new sale items for today (Tuesday, Nov. 27) are $15.99 Wu Dolls and 20 percent off hats.