Important information about international research collaborations
In recent months, the U.S. Government has expressed, and continues to express growing concern regarding the influence of foreign governments, entities, and individuals over federally-funded research. Areas of rising concern currently include theft of intellectual property, failure or alleged failure to disclose conflicts of interest with foreign entities and/or individuals, research collaborations with foreign entities and/or individuals, and participation in and collaboration with foreign talent programs.
While Wichita State University encourages and values international collaborations and is committed to academic freedom and the ability of our researchers and scholars to communicate, exchange ideas, and collaborate with their counterparts around the world, it is imperative that all of us remain cognizant of the Federal Government’s continued concerns and responses to foreign influence and the actions we as a research university must take in response to these realities.
These guidelines, as well as an August 16, 2019, memo issued jointly by Vice President of Research and Technology Transfer John Tomblin and Provost Rick Muma, and future updates and additional correspondence can be found here. Should you have any questions, please reach out to ORTT or the Office of General Counsel. Thank you for the important work you do and for working with us to ensure compliance with these issues and concerns.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO RIGHT NOW:
- Disclose financial interests and outside professional activities in accordance with WSU Policy 3.04 (Commitment of Time, Conflict of Interest, Consulting and Other Employment ). Activities requiring disclosure include support from foreign governments and foreign academic institutions, domestic and foreign consulting relationships, visiting positions at domestic and foreign institutions, investment in start-up or other companies, outside consulting, etc.
- Discuss any invitation for any academic appointment or position at another domestic or international institution (visiting, honorary, or other) with your Dean prior to accepting the appointment.
- Disclose to your Dean and the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT) any involvement in a foreign recruitment or “talent” program.
- Discuss any anticipated foreign travel with your Dean, ITS, and ORTT prior to such travel, to ensure that any information carried abroad is properly secured.
- When collaborating or sharing materials or data with other institutions or organizations, foreign or otherwise, ensure appropriate written agreements are in place, in accordance with WSU Policy 1.04 (Execution of Contracts) and 9.03 (Research and Sponsored Program Authorization). Contracting staff and the General Counsel’s Office can provide guidance on these agreements. REMEMBER: ALL AGREEMENTS MUST BE REVIEWED AND SIGNED BY UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS WITH APPROPRIATE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY.
- Disclose and submit for review any gift from or contract with a foreign source to the General Counsel’s Office, regardless of dollar amount, in accordance with WSU Policy 13.16 (Foreign Gifts and Contracts)
- Promptly disclose any potential inventions or other intellectual property to the university.
Pay attention when driving on campus!
A WSU staff member submitted the following reminder:
After watching a student drive past me this morning (Thursday, Aug. 15) in a golf cart with his cell phone in his hand in front of him, I would like to remind those driving vehicles around campus to do so without using their mobile devices. Please put them down.
State Employee Health Plan August newsletter now available
The State of Kansas Employee Health Plan (SEHP) administers the Health Plan for all state employees, including Wichita State University. Highlights from the SEHP August newsletter are included below:
- Active Open Enrollment for 2020 coming in October
- Open Enrollment materials to be available on the SEHP Website during the week of Sept. 23.
- To compare plans or get recommendations, the Ask Alex coverage recommendation tool for 2020 will be launching online soon at the SEHP Website.
- The Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) is seeking new members for terms beginning Jan. 1, 2020. The EAC is made up of state employees and retirees who advocate for SEHP covered members and make recommendations on their behalf to the Health Care Commission (HCC) regarding benefit offerings and plans. Beginning in 2019, WSU has an EAC representative who advocates on behalf of WSU employees and retirees.
You can access a full copy of the newsletter here.
Purchase Requisition Training using Banner 9 scheduled for Aug. 28
WSU purchasing procedures are reviewed as attendees learn to navigate the Banner 9 Requisition form. Purchase Requisition training is required for WSU staff responsible for entering requisitions into Banner. Current requestors are welcome to attend as a refresher session.
Training is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Register for the session through myTraining located in myWSU.
Check out Welcomefest scheduled events
Welcomefest takes place during the first two weeks of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Welcomefest booklets will be available at Welcome Tables throughout the first days of the semester. We look forward to seeing you out and about on campus!
To download the Fall 2019 Welcomefest Booklet, go to wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions or would like to request a print version of the booklet, contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.
Get ready for the Clash of the Colleges
It's on! The fifth annual Clash of the Colleges will be held Friday, Aug. 23, at Cessna Stadium. Students will participate in relay races, inflatables, contests and competitions between academic colleges to determine who rules the school. Encourage your new students to come out and participate in this event for a night of fun!
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the event and watch the fun and games. Doors open at 4 p.m., and the opening ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Following the activities there will be a food truck rally in the parking lot east of Cessna Stadium hosted by the Alumni Office. It is going to be an evening full of fun!
Learn more at Clash of the Colleges or contact shareika.fisher@wichita.edu with any questions.
Important participation guidelines for Clash of the Colleges
Decorations of all types shall be either non-combustible or adequately treated to
render them fire resistant.
Streamers, garlands, lights and other decorations shall not run along or across halls,
obstruct or restrict aisles, passageways, or corridors; be hung from smoke detectors
or sprinkler heads or obstruct exits signs, fire extinguishers or other fire equipment.
Light strands shall be designated as approved with a nationally recognized testing
laboratory mark and not be excessive.
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following list:
• Latex balloons, silly-string, bubbles, glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed.
• Decorative materials may not be placed on fire doors, smoke doors, light fixtures,
electrical equipment, electrical outlets, circuit breaker panels, etc.
• No hay, straw, loose or baled or corn stalks
• Light strings connected together are limited to no more than three.
Every electric light set used must bear the UL or FM label and be identified for indoor
use.
No extension cords shall be used to light strings of lights, only a circuit breaker
protected power strip shall be used.
If you have questions about your decorations, contact EHS Fire Safety at 978-5531
or 978-5803.
‘Technology Takes the Wheel’ Autonomous Vehicle Seminar Series
“Transportation Transformation: An Overview of Autonomous Vehicles,” will be presented from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at the National Center for Aviation Training Student Center, lecture hall, 4004 N. Webb Road. Free admission, but registration is required at www.wichita.edu/autonomousvehicles.
We are headed down the road toward the future of transportation with connected and autonomous vehicles (AV) – one that will greatly impact society, including our cities, rural communities, commerce, and even agriculture. Learn about the AV applications happening now, and the vision and planning taking place to create safe, inclusive and interconnected autonomous transportation systems of the future.
Upcoming seminars are planned for Oct. 11, Jan. 31, and April 17.
Mike Floberg – Director of Innovative Technologies, Kansas Dept. of Transportation
Jim Barbaresso – Leader, Intelligent Transportation Systems Practice, HNTB
Jill Ingrassia – Managing Director of Government Relations and Traffic Safety Advocacy, AAA
Aaron Foster – Solutions Engineer, Navya
Moderator
Bill Roy – Editor, Wichita Business Journal
Last chance to register for the Shocker Resource Fair!
The annual Shocker Resource Fair is a great way to tell new Shockers about the opportunities, programs and resources that your department or office has to offer! The fair will take place from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, on the Shocker Hall Plaza.
Register at wichita.edu/ResourceFair to participate. Registration closes at 5 p.m. today (Monday, Aug. 19). Contact Randi Beggs at randi.beggs@wichita.edu with questions.
Making strong connections each semester is key
If students feel more connected to other students, faculty and staff, they are more likely to continue on their path to graduation. Encourage students to arrive early and stay after class to get to know other students and their professors.
For tips on what to say to professors, students can check out this page on the Student Success website. Students should also attend Welcomefest events to meet their peers and get connected to campus resources.
New! Pcard Reconciliation and Travel processing using Chrome River
Financial Operations recently implemented Chrome River – WSU’s new solution for Pcard
reconciliation and travel processing. If you have any involvement with Pcards, travel
authorizations, or travel reimbursements (including, but not limited to travelers,
approvers, delegates, reconcilers, etc.), we strongly encourage you to attend a Chrome
River Open Lab for hands-on help using the new system. Topics will include: training
resources, approval tracking, and assistance completing Pre-Approval, Expense and
Pcard Reports.
Chrome River Open Labs will be offered weekly beginning Thursday, Sept 5. These trainings
are free and available to all WSU faculty and staff. Seating is limited so sign up
early. Log in to myWSU and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.
For more information, click on Chrome River.
Coming Soon – Invoice!
Solutions to your struggles as a supervisor
Improving Supervisory Skills will be offered from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, for $299. A 40 percent discount is available for WSU students, faculty, and staff. Some restrictions apply.
Supervising a team can be frustrating, overwhelming and thankless. Gerald Graham will coach you in analyzing the differences that can make you an effective or ineffective supervisor. You’ll gain practical insights into common supervision mist6kes and solutions to put you on the road of successful leadership.
* Establishing objectives
* What motivates employees
* Employee discipline
For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 316-978-3118.
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Direct work effectively and lead with conviction
How to Criticize; How to Praise will be offered from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, for $299. A 40 percent discount is available for WSU students, faculty and staff. Some restrictions apply.
This class, taught by John Belt, will guide you on the fundamentals of giving feedback, communicating and coaching for improvement. People don’t realize the impact of giving praise – the right way! Done wrong, the damage is often not repairable. The tips and guidelines in this class will help you succeed.
* How to praise effectively
* Destructive vs. constructive criticism
* Practice – how to do it
For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 316-978-3118.
Donations needed: Career Closet
The Career Development Center is in desperate need of professional clothing for our Career Closet event! Donate your professional dress items now through Wednesday, Sept. 4, to Brennan III, M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesday mornings).
Professional dress items include suits, dress pants, professional shirts or blouses, professional skirts, belts, neckties, briefcases, shoes, cuff links, tie clips, and more. We are not accepting T-shirts, PJs, or undergarments. Professional clothing only. We particularly lack women’s petite and men’s small.
For questions, contact Kim Kufahl at 316-978-6981 or kim.kufahl@wichita.edu.
Food Truck Rally coming Friday, Aug. 23
Enjoy music, yard games, prizes, and some of ICT's best food trucks with delicious menu items available for purchase! The Food Truck Rally from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, in the parking lot east of Cessna Stadium, is the perfect place to wind down after the Clash of the Colleges, and a fun spot if you and some friends are looking for a unique dinner option.
Featured Food Trucks:
- Funky Monkey Munchies
- Kona Ice
- Lolo's Crepes
- Lumpia Palooza
Event updates and prizes can be found here.
University Libraries to have Escape Room during Welcomefest
Are you up for a challenge? Bring your friends to the Learning Center in 125 Ablah Library at either 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, or 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, and try our Escape Room!
Learn if you have what it takes to crack the codes in the 20-minute time limit. All are welcome, but no phones!
To register, go to Escape Room event.
Enjoy lunch at the Food Truck Plaza
Start the new school year off right with lunch from the Food Truck Plaza! Follow the plaza on Facebook (@wichitastatefoodtrucks) and Twitter (@wsufoodtrucks) for any last minute schedule changes. You’ll also find a few trucks at Cessna Stadium on Friday night after Clash of the Colleges!