A message to faculty and staff from
Richard Muma, Provost and Acting President
Rick Muma
Dear colleagues:
Welcome to the spring semester and, for those who were away, welcome back to campus. As events often remind us, the greatest constant is change. In that spirit, here are recent university developments and some to be expected this semester:
President Bardo is still recovering from lung surgeries in November and December. Several of us who visit him regularly have seen improvements in recent weeks. At Dr. Bardo’s request, I am serving as acting president during his recovery, while continuing as Provost. I am happy to help out in this way.
The directions I’ve received from Dr. Bardo and the Board of Regents are to continue working with the President’s Executive Team, deans and all of you to keep the university moving forward in his absence.
Here are some notable items as the semester begins:
Student referendum: This week you’ll begin to see a lot of activity around the student referendum to support improvements for academic facilities. You can learn more about it here.
College leadership: Dennis Livesay, former Graduate dean, has assumed his new responsibilities as dean of the College of Engineering. Our thanks to Steven Skinner, who served as interim engineering dean, and Kerry Wilks, who is serving as interim dean of the Graduate School. Searches are underway for deans of the Graduate School and the Barton School of Business, to succeed Anand Desai, who is retiring this summer.
Strategic plan: Meetings are starting up again to continue the evaluation of our current strategic plan and to determine whether improvements or changes are needed. Kaye Monk-Morgan is leading this effort. If you want to find out how you can participate, go to Activation Team.
Enrollment and retention: Focus will continue on our strategic enrollment plan, with new goals being added (international education, returning adults and graduate enrollment management) along with a tool kit to help you implement goals and strategies appropriate to your area. Carolyn Shaw is leading this effort, and more information can be found at SEM Plan.
Construction: A new exterior entrance and learning-and-collaboration space are being added to Cohen Honors College in Shocker Hall. The expanded east side of campus has five buildings under construction, or soon to be under construction, this semester: The Suites residence hall, YMCA/Student Wellness Center, NIAR Crash Lab, Partnership Building 3 and Hyatt Place Hotel. The construction north of Wilkins Stadium is a landscaped drainage area to help contain a 100-year rainfall.
I wish all of you the best for a great semester. I look forward to seeing you around campus.
Rick
Annual self-employee evaluations are due for USS and non-teaching UP employees
Emails to USS and Non-Teaching UP employees will be sent as a reminder that annual Employee Self-Evaluations are due between Wednesday, Jan. 16-Wednesday, Jan. 30. This allows employees to provide input on job performance and accomplishments. Employees can access their self-evaluation through the myPerformance link found in myWSU. For more information, including quick reference guides, training available, and open labs, go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.
2018 W-2 information is available online
W-2 forms for calendar year 2018 are now available. You can find step-by-step instructions here.
Faculty and Staff online W-2 instructions
U.S. Postal Service announces new prices effective Sunday, Jan. 27
Effective Sunday, Jan. 27, the cost for mailing a 1 oz. letter will go up a nickel to 55 cents. The domestic Priority Mail retail flat rate will also see changes.
The Mailing Services price changes include:
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The domestic Priority Mail Retail Flat Rate price changes are:
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WSU Center for Combating Human Trafficking to host 5th Annual National Anti-Trafficking Conference
Wichita State’s Center for Combating Human Trafficking’s (CCHT) 5th Annual Anti-Trafficking Conference will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. This year’s theme is “An Invitation to Courageous Conversations: Exploring the Holistic Responses to Trafficking.”
“As CCHT has advocated against the continued criminalization of trafficking survivors across the country, this year our keynotes offer unmatched expertise on the topic. Speaking from diverse perspectives, it is our hope that their presentations ignite critical conversations in our state and community that continue past the conference.
“Mogulescu is an experienced defense attorney and professor with the Brooklyn Law School who has worked to provide post-conviction relief to survivors of abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
Continuing Education - 5.75 Social Work CEUs; 6.90 Nursing CEUs; Certificates for self-reporting for psychologists, counselors, marriage / family therapists, law enforcement, and attorneys.
Attention faculty! Sign-up now for CourseLeaf Curriculum (CIM) training
CourseLeaf Curriculum (CIM) is the new online curriculum change system replacing the current paper curriculum change forms. It is the complementary system to our existing online catalog (CAT).
WSU’s CIM go-live kicks off with training for faculty and staff involved in the curriculum change process, submitting and approving curriculum change forms, etc.
Two levels of training will be offered in various sessions Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 6-7. Go to myTraining on the Faculty / Staff tab in myWSU to review the details of each session and register for the one applicable to your role in the curriculum change process.
2019 Biometric Screenings appointment scheduler now open
Biometric screenings for 2019 have been scheduled, and the appointment scheduler is now open. Due to high participation at 2018 screening events, additional screening staff has been scheduled for each of the WSU on-campus screening dates this year! All screening events are held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Walk-ins may be available, but preference is given to those with scheduled appointments.
To avoid a long wait, employees and covered spouses are encouraged to schedule their appointments as early in the year as possible.
Attendees earn five HealthQuest points just for attending, and up to 18 additional points for blood pressure, blood glucose and total blood cholesterol within ideal ranges, for up to 23 points and $230 HSA/HRA rewards dollars! If your metrics are outside of the ideal ranges, you can still earn the same points by participating in the CCE workshops in the HealthQuest portal on blood pressure, blood sugar management, and/or high cholesterol, as needed.
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Tuesday, May 21 |
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Tuesday, Aug 20 |
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Tuesday, Sep 10 |
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Tuesday, Oct 22 |
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To schedule your appointment, register or log in to the HealthQuest portal or call to schedule at 1-888-275-1205, option 3.
Making strong connections in person and virtually is key for students
If students feel more connected to other students, faculty and staff, they are more likely to continue on their path to graduation. Going early to class or staying a few minutes after to get to know their peers and faculty helps students build networks they can use throughout the semester.
For students who want – or prefer – an electronic connection to campus, they can download our app called Navigate (formerly called “Guide”) to their mobile device. This app can help students stay on path by providing individualized guidance on academic success, major and career exploration, holds on their account, payment information, involvement opportunities and more!
Students should search Navigate in the App Store or on Google Play to access the app.
Student Conduct & Community Standards announces updated procedures
Student Conduct & Community Standards has reviewed and updated some of its procedures regarding the student conduct process for individuals and organizations charged with violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
Areas that have been updated include:
- Hearing and Appeal Board Definitions (Section II.)
- Guidelines for Determining Organizational Responsibility for Violations (Section V.E.)
- Formal Resolution Option Procedures (Section VI.D.)
- Student Conduct Board Hearing Procedures (Section VI.D.2.)
- Questioning Procedures in a Hearing (Section VI.D.3.e.)
- Appeal Request Procedures (Section X.B.)
The updated procedure guide is available on the Student Conduct and Community Standards website.
Blue Light Camera Project enhances campus safety
In January 2018, ITS was approved to start an ambitious project to install a camera on all 18 blue light phone pole on campus. Almost half of the project’s funding was made possible by the Student Government Association under the leadership of President Paige Hungate, and the remainder came from WSU funds approved by Vice President Werner Golling.
In November of 2018, we completed the last installation of the cameras and have spent the rest of the project making tweaks in the positioning of the individual cameras (each physical camera has four actual cameras / views) and their aiming. This project had many ITS, Physical Plant and Police Department folks involved who provided expertise, direction, networking configuration, power installation, blue light relocation and assistance to the core team.
University Police Chief Rodney Clark said: “Using technology for campus safety is a growing national trend, and the WSU Police Department is grateful to work with agencies such as ITS and others as student and campus safety is the No. 1 priority for the WSU Police Department.”
Warren Glore, ITS project manager thanks each member of the team, especially Donny Davis, Sheldon Johnson, Joey Hutto and David Snook. These four individuals contributed to more than 85 percent of the completed tasks.
Thanks to Captain Corey Herl and Randy Sessions from the WSU Police Department for their guidance on positioning and aiming of the cameras. The installed cameras have already been used multiple times and have made some investigations by the PD easier.
An extra special kudo goes out to David Snook and the Telecommunications team. These folks went the extra mile when it was discovered that conduit going to several blue phone systems had been crushed and we could not pass new fiber optic or Ethernet cables through them. Their innovation on using existing wiring and modems allowed those cameras to be installed without digging up and replacing the crushed conduit under parking lots and streets. This action has saved hundreds of thousands of dollars.
According to Glore, we believe the campus is a much safer place to be now that these cameras are in place. As was brought out in meetings with the team, the telecom technicians while working on the installations were questioned by “the persons on the street” who wanted to know about the cameras. They received the appreciation and thanks of multiple students and faculty / staff for working on this very important project.
It is now a standard practice that any new blue pole system installed on campus will also have cameras installed because of the insistence of ITS and especially John Rankin. We believe another nine or more poles will be installed on the Innovation Campus in the next few months and years.
Thanks to all who have had a part in this project.
Save the date for annual GRASP Symposium
The Graduate School invites you to “Save the Date” for the annual 15th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium on Friday, April 26. Go to www.wichita.edu/grasp for deadlines and details.
Student Involvement Open House set for Thursday, Jan. 24
Discover how to get involved at Wichita State University by visiting the office of Student Involvement (SI). SI is home to dozens of leadership programs and opportunities, service experiences, campus events and more than 450-plus student organizations. The Student Involvement Open House will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, in 216 Rhatigan Student Center.
Stop by our open house to meet the staff and student leaders that make this all possible, take a tour, grab some free popcorn and discover what your next experience at WSU will be.
Questions about this program, email us at getinvolved@wichita.edu, call 978-3022 or send us a message through social media.
‘In the Wake’ opens this week at the Ulrich Museum of Art
Conceived as a contemporary response to the Fall installation of seascapes by Frederick Judd Waugh, In the Wake features a selection of film and video from the museum’s collection that employ water as a central theme.
The Ulrich encourages students, faculty and staff to join members of the community at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24 for the Spring Exhibition Opening Party, featuring art, music, refreshments and fun.
For more information call 978-3664, email ulrich@wichita.edu or download the Ulrich app from the App Store and Google Play today!
Discovering study locations through Innovation Fellows
Maggie Brown is a sophomore aerospace engineer major and is one of a only six Wichita State students chosen as a University Innovation Fellow.
University Innovation Fellows (UIF) is an organization that is funded through Stanford University that’s all about creating positive change throughout university campuses.
‘Wings of Wichita’ by Mason Bivens in Cadman Art Gallery – Main Space
“Wings of Wichita” is an art exhibition presented by student Artist, Mason Bivens an Aerospace engineer. His work will be on display from today (Tuesday, Jan. 22) to Friday, Feb. 1, in Cadman Art Gallery, first floor, Rhatigan Student Center. Join the artist for his opening reception at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at Cadman Art Gallery.
“Wings of Wichita” illustrates the snapshot of the rich history of aircraft designed, built and tested here in Wichita. This gallery of realistic, archival ink drawings captures the beauty of flight and the passion required to bring these magnificent machines to life. The aircraft represented are diverse in design, purpose and era, with popular highlights including the B-29 “Doc,” Beechcraft Starship, T-6 “Texan,” and Cessna Airmaster.
For more information about this exhibit and others, go to Wichita.edu/CadmanGallery.
Graduate WSU Student of the Year
Do you know a graduate student that has shown exemplary leadership, involvement and service? The WSU Graduate Student of the Year Scholarship is awarded to one outstanding graduate student who exemplify these to both the WSU and Wichita communities.
Candidates must meet the following criteria: Must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, Must be a graduate student currently enrolled in at least three credit hours at Wichita State.
Please nominate a student by submitting their information to lead.grad@wichita.edu.
For more information, contact Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.