WSU professors help author national paper on changing grasslands
Since the first Homo sapiens emerged in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago, grasslands have sustained humanity and thousands of other species. But today, those grasslands are shifting beneath our feet. WSU professors Leland Russell and Greg Houseman are two of the authors of a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal – released by the Smithsonian Institution this week – about key changes to these grasslands.
Read more at https://wsu.news/grasslands.
Holiday greetings requests for ITS Telecommunications
Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 2, and most departments on campus will be closed. Now is
the time to submit your request if your department needs a holiday greeting activated.
Please submit the request at www.wichita.edu/services/telecom. Choose “Telephone Request” as the requested service, then choose “Programming” as
the telephone service. Please ensure to include all details in the description.
Only requests received via this method will be processed. Please email telecomservices@wichita.edu or call 978-3535 if you have any questions or need any assistance with this.
WSU Reporting Navigation Training set for Aug. 29
Do you have questions about how to navigate WSU Reporting? Register for the new WSU
Reporting Navigation Training!
• In this training we will demonstrate how to navigate the new reporting tool called
WSU Reporting, run a student report and print a report.
• Most student reports that you have access to in Reporting Services should now be
used through WSU Reporting.
• This training is for individuals who currently have access to student reports.
• If you do not have access but need access for your job duties, please have your
supervisor submit a request to stusecurityaccess@wichita.edu
Please sign up for this training through WSU myTraining; the next session will be
held Thursday, Aug. 29.
Introducing: WSU Profiles
WSU Profiles is a new website feature that lets you build flexible, feature-rich profiles pages that can be used to generate staff listings in a variety of formats for the wichita.edu website.
For more information about WSU Profiles, including training and documentation links, go to the WSU Profiles page or download the WSU Profiles fact sheet in pdf format.
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 from 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. Register for the session through myTraining located in myWSU.
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!
What’s new in Purchasing? The Business Procurement Card Program has changed!
All card types (previously known as the Procurement, iTravel, Enhanced, Standard Plus and Standard Visa) now have the same purchasing power.
Purchases are no longer dependent upon the type of card you hold.
The approval to make a specific type of purchase (example: travel, official hospitality etc.) is between the Accountholder and the Budget Officer.
It is the responsibility of the Budget Officer to communicate any restrictions, over and above that of the program restrictions, to the Accountholder. Program restrictions can be found at www.wichita.edu/purchasing.
BPC cards will still have individual monthly credit limits and per transaction account limitations.
For current Accountholders - it is important that you understand what your current account limitations are and evaluate if they are consistent with the expectations of your Budget Officer. If you need more information please contact the PcardAdmin@wichita.edu.
If you have more than one card, the PCard Admin will be contacting you directly in the immediate future.
It is highly recommended that all current accountholder’s attend a training session as a review for current policies, processes and procedures.
Purchasing is working on having training videos available online. In the meantime, in-person training sessions are available through the myWSU portal. Search for keyword “Visa”, select the session that best fits your schedule and we will see you there!
The most current program information is available on the Purchasing website or by contacting the PCard Admin at 316-978-3080.
New P-Card type introduced!
Departmental Cards - formerly known as Registration Accounts – have been expanded to include all travel purchases and purchases of departmental goods and services
This is a new way for Departments to process business related purchases using one account within the department. There are a different set-up options available. The Budget Officer is responsible for requesting the account, and working with the PCard Admin to establish the card correctly according to what works best for the department.
The new Departmental Accounts will be set up in the Department’s name. The Budget Officer assigns one person to be the “Custodian” of the account. Reconciliation is performed by the “Custodian” of the account through the Chrome River reconciliation process.
Then, the Department has the option of a ‘card present’ or ‘cardless’ solution:
Carded BPC
- A physical card is issued and held by the Department Account Custodian.
- The card is available for check out by faculty/staff to make appropriate business related purchases.
- When the purchase is complete, the card is returned to the Custodian, along with the receipt and funding for the transaction.
- The Custodian could also be the person responsible for processing travel arrangements for the department. This could be for a conference registration, air travel, a hotel reservation or travel booked through Sunflower (including car rentals).
- This card can be used for any normal business expenses where payment by credit card is allowed.
Cardless BPC
- No physical card is given, but rather the number is issued and kept on file with Sunflower to use for all departmental travel related purchases.
- Card is used for any services provided through Sunflower travel.
There are some variations of limitations when setting up the Departmental accounts, therefore signing up for a training session is your best resource for getting the most recent updates.
Purchasing is working on having interactive training videos available online. In the meantime, in-person training sessions are available through the myWSU portal. Search for keyword “Visa”, select the session that best fits your schedule and we will see you there!
The most current program information is available on the Purchasing website or by contacting the PCard Admin at 316-978-3080.
Registration for Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce Training on Sept. 19 is available!
Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce will be held in the RSC on Thursday, Sept. 19. This interactive training highlights the different generations and their workstyles, while providing a space for participants to learn more about their own work culture.
Participants will learn the differences and similarities between the generations, while dispelling stereotypes and celebrating the importance of having a multigenerational workforce. This session meets the core course requirement for the Diversity in Action program.
Click here for more information about the Diversity in Action Program.
This training is free and available to all WSU employees (faculty and staff). Log in to myWSU and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.
Business Continuity tabletop exercise coming Oct. 11
The Business Continuity tabletop exercise is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11, at the Marcus Welcome Center, Armstrong Room. The trainer will lead us in a simulated event to test the business continuity plan for each area. You must bring a printed copy of your plan, along with pencil and paper; we will not be using computers or hand-held devices to access our plans. The report that you need to print is on your Reports tab at the bottom of the page titled “Flash Report”. It is about 10 pages long.
Check in starts at 1 p.m., and the exercise will start promptly at 1:30 p.m. We will serve refreshments, and hope to conclude the exercise by 5 p.m. Please put this on your calendar, as this is not optional, someone from your department is required to participate in the simulation.
Registration information is available below.
To register for the exercise, log in to myWSU. On the Faculty / Staff tab, select myTraining.
- Select the All Training Calendar from the home page OR the Events calendar from the myTraining Options tab.
- Advance to October and click Business Continuity Planning Tabletop Exercise on the Oct. 11.
- After selecting the Request button, you will receive an automatic email to add the session to your Outlook calendar.
If you need assistance, email myTraining@wichita.edu or call ext. 5800.
More information about the Business Continuing Plan is available here.
Refresher training will be held from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Oct. 11, in 124 Jabara Hall. This is an open lab and registration is not necessary. You may come-and-go as your schedule allows. A trainer from Bold Planning will be there to assist you with any challenges you may have in getting your plan ready.
If you have questions regarding your plan or the exercise, contact Ellen Abbey at 978-5864 or ellen.abbey@wichita.edu.
Office hours = Student hours
Successful students ask for help. Often, our students don’t ask because they don’t understand how, or know where to go. One way to help them feel more empowered to ask for help is to reconsider the term “office hours.”
As faculty and staff, we know those hours are when instructors set time aside in their office to help students. But to students, many of whom are first-generation, it may be interpreted as hours that instructors are in their offices working and should not be bothered. You can help students feel more confident in asking for help from their instructors by explaining that “office” hours really mean “student” hours.
All call for WSU Student of the Year judges
The WSU Student of the Year scholarship competition is a competitive and prestigious opportunity for students who have proven exemplary leadership, involvement, and service both to the WSU and Wichita communities. Applications and nominations are now open for students who wish to participate.
We are calling for judges to serve throughout the selection process. The dates and details for each round are below. We are looking for three different sets of judges, so upon indicating interest, please include which round you would be most interested in serving on as well as your second choice.
Round 1: Application Review – Completed by Tuesday, Oct. 1
- This process would be going through the qualified applicants and meeting to decide on which students move onto the next round. We have seen an increase, so we could be sifting through 60-70 applications depending on how many student apply.
Round 2: Interviews – Friday, Oct. 11
- Our judges’ panel will sit through a series of interviews of those selected to move on through the application round. Deliberation and decision on the final court of eight students will follow the interviews.
Round 3: Presentations – Friday, Oct. 18
- This panel will serve as audience to our eight finalists as they present and showcase why they should win the title of WSU Student of the Year and scholarship. There will be two winners this year.
Please send which round you would like to serve on or any questions to Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or call 978-7402.
SGA Open House is today (Monday, Aug. 26)
SGA is hosting an Open House between 1-4 p.m. today (Monday, Aug. 26) in 219 RSC. Come and get to know SGA senators and cabinet members, while enjoying a popcorn and candy bar with movie-themed trivia!
Click here for more information.
LGBTQ speed-meeting lunch set for tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 27)
Bring your lunch and join us for a quick and fun way to meet other LGBTQ+ people on campus at the LGBTQ speed meeting lunch from noon-1 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 27) in 262 Rhatigan Student Center.
This speed-meeting style gives you the chance to have several short conversations with others in the room, and gives you the opportunity to make lots of new friends and build community in a short amount of time.
For more information contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or go to wichita.edu/odi.
Career Connection Root Beer Kegger coming Wednesday, Aug. 28
Join us from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, on the lawn in front of the Rhatigan
Student Center for the Career Connection Root Beer Kegger.
Enjoy a hot dog and an ice cold root beer while learning valuable information about
the WSU Career Development Center. This is also an opportunity to network with more
than 35 employers and find out about their organization and what employment opportunities
they have available! Must present WSU student ID. Dress is casual.
Join SAC for speaker Kristen O'Shea
Get motivated for Back to School by learning more about your strengths and how you can use them to accomplish your goals this year at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, in the CAC Theater. Certified Strengths Coach Kristen O’Shea increases the performance and potential of leaders all over the country using CliftonStrengths® for leverage. She teaches individuals and teams how to use their strengths to their advantage in their everyday life and maximize their leadership potential.
Attention hackers, defenders and hunters on the Net!
Join the WULUG (Wichita State University Linex Users Group) Cyber Security Club. Learn skills from the best in the industry. Test your knowledge with peers. Compete for positions on our interscholastic team. Build your network of friends and contacts. Bolster your resume.
Come to our initial meeting at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, in 203 Rhatigan Student
Center.
For more information, contact wulug@wichita.edu or https://facebook.com/wulug.
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.
Color wall tees are $7 this week
This week at the Shocker Store, color wall tees are just $7! The sale excludes tie-dye tee. Sale is in RSC location only. Come stock up on fun color tees for everyone!