WSU Today: Dec. 4, 2018

Donate to the Shocker Support Locker at the University Holiday Reception

Holiday Reception and Shocker Support Locker Dec. 7, 2018

Faculty and staff are cordially invited to attend the University Holiday Reception from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in room 305, Shirley Beggs Ballroom, Rhatigan Student Center, as we prepare to close the semester and to acknowledge the accomplishments and milestones for the year. Enjoy refreshments and engage with colleagues in various interactive games and activities.

Everyone also is welcome to bring a donation for the Shocker Support Locker. We will collect the following items for the locker:

Proteins: Peanut butter, canned chicken / tuna, beans, canned chili, nuts

Fruits: Canned fruits, applesauce, tomato juice, raisins, dried fruit

Grains: Pasta, rice, cereal, noodles, oatmeal

Meals & Mixes: Baking mixes, soups, instant potatoes, mac and cheese, Hamburger Helper, spaghetti sauce

Snacks: Granola bars, crackers, popcorn, pudding

Please RSVP at Holiday Reception by tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5). 


Financial processing deadlines for December

Financial Operations

As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, the university will officially be closed until Wednesday, Jan. 2.

To ensure all financial processing is completed for the month prior to Holiday Closedown, the following items must be received by the office listed, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14:

  • Invoice Control Documents (ICDs) - Office of Purchasing
  • Payment requests associated with a purchase order - Financial Operations Office/Accounts Payable
  • Inter-Organization Transfer Documents (IOTDs) and Correction Requests - Financial Operations Office/Accounts Payable

Travel Reimbursements (TRs) must also be final approved in the Travel Expense Management (TEM) system no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14.

Transactions received after the above dates may not be processed until January 2019.


Wichita State will be closed Wednesday in honor of President George H.W. Bush

Morrison Hall with flags at half staff

Wichita State University will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5) in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.

All classes will be canceled, and Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has designated Wednesday as a paid legal holiday for state employees.

Employees who need to be at work Wednesday to maintain university operations should coordinate with their supervisors.

This is the final week of classes at WSU, so Wednesday is normally a day when some students turn in final projects, make presentations or take exams.

Provost Rick Muma said: “I recognize this will be a hardship for some students and instructors. Faculty members with classes scheduled Wednesday should contact students to make it clear what needs to be done by students to complete their work for the semester.”

The university will resume normal operations on Thursday.

WSU previously observed legal holidays for deceased presidents Reagan in June 2004 and Ford in January 2007.


Last call for excellence award nominations 

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.


Space is available in the Campus Safety: Active Threat Incident Planning training class on Thursday, Dec. 6

Active Threat training Dec. 6, 2018

Space is available in the Campus Safety: Active Threat Incident Planning training class from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in 256 Rhatigan Student Center. To register for training, go to myTraining through myWSU.

Providing a safe and secure environment for the WSU community continues to be a top priority. “Campus Safety-Active Threat Incident Planning” is a live training initiative to enhance WSU's proactive approach to ensure a safe campus environment and to prepare our faculty, staff and students in case of an incident of campus violence. 

It will focus on two areas: 1) what to do in an active campus threat incident, and 2) how to identify and report behaviors of concern.

If you have questions, contact mytraining@wichita.edu.


Seeking participants for a paid study about computer monitor resolution

Participants are sought for a paid study investigating the effects of computer monitor resolution on user performance and experience.

Do you play computer video games or digitally create / edit illustrations, photos, textures or animation? We are seeking computer users 18 and older to participate in a research study about computer monitor resolution.

The study will take place in McKinley Hall and last about 90 minutes. Participants in the study will earn $25 or six SONA credits if enrolled in a WSU psychology course.

If you are interested in participating, take a few minutes to take the screening survey. If you qualify for the study, you will be contacted by the researcher to schedule a time to participate.

Questions can be directed to Christal Haskins at cahaskins@shockers.wichita.edu.


Faculty training and help setting up spring classes

IDA training

There are faculty training opportunities available to faculty this Friday, Dec. 7. There will also be help available for any instructor who wants to set up spring classes in Blackboard.

To sign up for faculty-focused training in Word or Excel, or to attend the “Spring Class Clean-up / Improvement” time, go to myTraining. All events can be found on Dec. 7 in the training calendar.


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.


LGBTQ Faculty Staff Association is formed

LGBTQ event Dec. 6, 2018

The LGBTQ Task Force and Office of Diversity and Inclusion are excited to announce the formation of the LGBTQ Faculty Staff Association. 

The first gathering for this new group will be an end-of-semester social gathering from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in 265 RSC. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here


Campus Post Office to provide limited hours during the holiday closedown

Campus Post Office

As in previous years, the Campus Post Office will provide only limited hours during the holiday closedown. No deliveries will be made to university departments, and departments may come to the Campus Post Office to collect incoming mail during the times listed on the chart here.

The Campus Post Office will not accept any bulk or automated mailings. The final day any mass mailings will be processed before the holiday closedown is Tuesday, Dec. 18.

No sales will take place at the service windows at the times shown, and any mail to be metered on a university account may also be brought to our office by 11 a.m. to be sent that day.

Additionally, no sales will take place at the service windows. This includes passports, USPS, UPS and FedEx services.

No passports will be processed during the holiday closedown and no stamp purchases will be provided through state accounts.

Campus Post Office Holiday Information


Central Services will close at noon Friday, Dec. 7

Central Services

Central Services will close at noon Friday, Dec. 7, to count inventory. We will resume regular business hours on Monday, Dec. 10, so please plan accordingly. Thank you for your patience.


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.


Register for Springfest 2019

Springfest 2019

Student Involvement and Campus Recreation invite you to register for Springfest 2019. Springfest is a kick-off for the spring semester for both student organizations and university departments. Located in the Heskett Center gym, this event is a way for WSU students to check out the different organizations we have on campus, as well as discover the amazing resources this campus offers. Along with informational tables, Springfest includes music, inflatables, food, prizes and contests for all students to participate. To register, go to Springfest 2019.


First-gen student finds reassurance in career through WSU

Seth Crawford

Wichita State strategic communications major and first-generation student Seth Crawford always knew that he was meant to go to college.

Read more


Organized chaos by Ashley Estes in Cadman Art Gallery

Ashley Estes exhbit at Cadman Dec. 2018

Organized chaos is an art exhibition presented by student artist Ashley Estes. Her work will be on display till Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Cadman Art Gallery, located on the first floor, Rhatigan Student Center.

This show is a series of paintings where the artist strives to prove that nontraditional artwork has a place in the world just as much as traditional art by depicting colors and patterns found in nature as well as science, and resemble cell structure when viewed through a microscope while remaining abstract.

Join the artist for her opening reception at The Cadman Art Gallery at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7. For more information about this exhibit and others, go to Cadman Art Gallery.


‘Democracy on Tap: The Fate of Century II'

Engage ICT Century II Dec. 11, 2018

Join KMUW at the final Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap of 2018 for a discussion on the fate of Century II. “Democracy on Tap: The Fate of Century II” will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Roxy's Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas.

Our expert panel consists of three members of the Century II Citizens Advisory Committee, plus Music Theatre Wichita's Mitch Southerland. We'll discuss the future of the iconic building, and what's at stake. Admission is free, and so are the appetizers. Learn more at EngageICT.org.

Engage ICT on Tuesday, Dec. 11


Dave Stallworth statue unveiled

Dave Stallworth Statue

A statue of legendary Wichita State men's basketball player Dave Stallworth was unveiled in front of Charles Koch Arena on Dec. 1 in front of his teammates and fans.
 
The statue and fund-raising were final tributes from his teammates – and fans of the 1960's era teams – to ensure Stallworth's contributions to the university and community were remembered. With Stallworth leading the way, the Shockers won their first Missouri Valley Conference title and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1964. They became a regular in the national rankings and packed fans into what was then known as the WU Fieldhouse.
 
Dave Stallworth rose from humble origins. Born in Dallas, Texas and raised by his mother, Doris, he learned the game of basketball on the outdoor courts of the South Oak Cliff housing projects but went on to play it on some of the world's biggest stages.

Stallworth won team championships at three different levels, leading Madison High School to a Texas state title, the University of Wichita to a Missouri Valley Conference crown and the New York Knicks to their first NBA title.

Read complete story


Shocker Dollars at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Shocker Dollars at SSGL

You can now use Shocker Dollars for food purchases in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes. We accept both Dining Dollars associated with residential dining plans as well as Shocker Dollars. Sorry, but Bonus Dollars and Staff Dining Dollars are not accepted. Purchases for play and alcohol are excluded.


12 Days of Christmas Sale continues today (Tuesday, Dec. 4)

Christmas Sale in Shocker Store Dec. 4, 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 from 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, Dec. 4) are buy one, get one 50 percent off board games and puzzles (second item must be of equal or lesser value).