Save the date: Strategic Communications seminar
Save the date for Strategic Communications' annual seminar. The event is 9:30-noon Wednesday, Oct. 9, on the third floor of the RSC. This year's seminar will focus on communication and planning for the 125th anniversary of Wichita State. An RSVP for the event will be in WSU Today soon.
Funding opportunity from Kansas NSF EPSCoR
Kansas NSF EPSCoR is seeking letters of intent and proposals for First Awards in areas
related to the current Kansas NSF EPSCoR focus of microbiomes as broadly construed
to be aquatic, plant, and/or soil systems. The First Award program helps early career
faculty become competitive for funding from the research directorates at the National
Science Foundation.
Submission Deadlines:
Letters of Intent are due by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25
Proposals due by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25
*Please note - if you are interested in applying, contact proposals@wichita.edu as soon as possible so a grant specialist may be assigned to assist you. All proposals
for external funding must go through the WSU Office of Research.
The full request for proposals with submission instructions can be downloaded as a PDF at http://www.nsfepscor.ku.edu/funding.html
Getting the most out of your benefits webinar – plus HealthQuest credit
To help employees understand their benefits as we approach Open Enrollment, a webinar
through EAP titled, “Getting the Best Value out of Your Health Benefits,” will be
available. This webinar will provide valuable information for employees on how to
evaluate different health plan options, and how to select which health plans are the
best choice for their family. The webinar will be about one hour, and attendees will
be awarded one HealthQuest credit upon completion.
To register for this webinar, select and click on the date and time below to register.
Once registered, all important information on joining the webinar will be sent directly
to your email and you will be able to attend the webinar from your own individual
workstation.
11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18
4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19
Note: This webinar will present general health plan knowledge and is not specific
to 2020 plan changes.
Strategic Planning Update: A year in review . . .
The Strategic Planning Committee is hosting a town hall from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday,
Sept. 19, in 208 Hubbard Hall.
The September town hall will provide an opportunity to share the results of the committee’s
work on input received at the May 2 town hall. All feedback was reviewed, evaluated
and incorporated into the update that will be shared on Sept. 19. The town hall meeting
is open to all members of the campus community, and the Wichita community at large.
Prior to the September Town Hall, please take a moment to review the Strategic Planning
Update. Visit the website and submit your feedback on or before Thursday, Sept. 12.
See Strategic Plan Update for more information.
New Academic Affairs Fellows announced
The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce that Eric Wilson and Chris Stone
will be serving as Academic Affairs Fellows for AY19-20. Eric Wilson will focus on
trends in higher education, exploring ways to enhance diversity and student support
the university. He will present updates on his work in several venues throughout the
year. Chris Stone will facilitate the creation of a Record of Experiential and Applied
Learning (R.E.A.L.) that will complement students’ official academic transcripts by
highlighting their co-curricular experiences.
Academic Affairs supports faculty development across a wide variety of areas through
Faculty Fellow positions. For more information, and for all of the 2019-20 Faculty
Fellows, see the Academic Affairs webpage.
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.
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.
Airline Quality Rating Holiday Travel Forecast: Demand is always higher at the holidays, so find a good price and book early
Dean Headley
Wichita State's Dean Headley, co-author of the Airline Quality Rating, says travelers should book their holiday air travel early this year.
Book your holiday air travel as early as possible (at least eight weeks if possible). Airline prices are holding steady, but with limited seat availability and strong demand seats will fill quickly. That's the advice from Dean Headley, Airline Quality Rating (AQR) co-author and emeritus professor of marketing at Wichita State University.
Demand for airline travel has been strong in 2019, and that demand is expected to remain strong through the holiday travel weeks around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Travelers on U.S. airlines during the holidays usually find that ticket prices are slightly higher closer to the holidays, so booking early is highly recommended to ensure your travel plans.
While industry airline performance quality has been holding steady for the past few years, the travel experience remains stressful and often uncertain. The holidays only add to the stress levels. Higher passenger volumes and the possibility of bad weather should always be factored into holiday travel plans.
“During the past several years, the holiday travel period has continued to be a challenging time for travelers, and with industrywide seat capacity issues due to the Boeing 737 MAX being taken out of service, and the possibility of bad weather, the holiday traveler must be watchful and well-informed to minimize an already stressful travel experience," said Headley.
"December and January typically have the worst on-time arrival percentage and mishandled baggage rates of any month. The best bet for the consumer is to travel as early before the actual holiday or as late as possible afterward, and always leave room for schedule changes, either planned or unplanned," said Headley.
The industry overall
Looking back, 2018 was a good year for airline performance. Actually, 2018 was the best in the past 26 years. The months of January and December of any year are usually the worst for airline performance. Winter months consistently see poorer industry performance because of higher passenger volumes and the greater likelihood for bad weather.
"Data shows industry performance scores generally improving from year to year," said Headley. "We are settling into a reduced carrier system that challenges travelers to be savvy. With strong demand for fewer seats and fewer airline providers, it presents an opportunity for the airlines to perform better. It also decreases the recovery options if something goes wrong with planned travel."
In 2018, the best-performing airlines across the combined AQR categories were Delta, JetBlue and Southwest. Hawaiian was best in on-time performance. Delta was best in avoiding denied boardings. Spirit was best in baggage handling. Southwest had the lowest rate of customer complaints.
The worst-performing airlines across the combined AQR categories in 2018 were Frontier, American and Spirit Airlines. Frontier had the worst on-time performance and worst rate for denied boardings. American had the highest rate of mishandled baggage. Frontier also had the highest rate of customer complaints.
What's ahead?
According to Headley, airline mergers and consolidation continue to add new dynamics to the industry and generally shrink consumer choice options. The success of these new blended carriers in combining operations remains a work in progress. Add to that the Boeing 737 MAX being taken out of service for airlines that use that aircraft, and you have a potential for seats and/or routes to be unavailable.
"If you look at past AQR data (http://airlinequalityrating.com), you will find that combining two very large airlines does not necessarily result in improved performance, and usually takes several years to settle out," said Headley. "Mergers brought performance problems and took longer than predicted to accomplish. Recent mergers have learned from earlier efforts, but it still takes time to fit all the new pieces together. Passengers often are confused and unhappy during this adjustment period."
Airline fees for added services are a reality, so consumers need to be aware and plan for the added costs that their choices might bring. Unbundled services available a la carte are significant revenue producers for airlines that have proven essential to airlines bottom-line profits. Only about 75 percent of airline industry revenues comes from fares. The other 25 percent comes from other sources like seat upgrades, baggage fees, reservation change fees and food sales.
"Ticket prices may appear to be reasonable to slightly lower, but when the fees hit you, you truly feel that the overall cost of travel has gone up," said Headley. "A year ago, the average price was $380, but with $55 in fees for checked bags, carry-on bags and seat assignments, that ticket seems noticeably more expensive. At holiday time, when the travel involves tickets and fees for an entire family, the costs add up quickly. At some point, a traveler needs to make the call as to whether that holiday air travel is worth the price and the hassle."
Some tips
- Be flexible in your travel plans to get the lowest fare. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (particularly midweek or Saturday) or certain hours of the day (e.g., early morning flights or overnight "red eyes.") Plan as far ahead as possible. Flights for holiday periods may sell out months ahead of time, although in many cases you can find a seat if you elect to travel on the holiday itself, e.g. Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day.
- Using a travel agent can help explore the options available. A small fee up-front is often worth it when plans go wrong. Having an experienced travel agent on your side can help de-stress the situation and save the day.
- When selecting a flight, remember that a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, because of "ripple" effects throughout the day. If you book the last flight of the day, you could get stuck overnight. Allow plenty of time to make connecting flights. Leave extra time between connections if possible, just in case flights are delayed and flight schedules get changed.
- If you have a choice between two connections and the fares and service are equivalent, choose the one with the less-congested connecting airport. This reduces the risk of misconnecting. Also consider potential adverse seasonal weather when choosing a connecting city.
- Consider paying by credit card, which provides certain protections under federal credit regulations. When a refund is due, the airline must forward a credit to your card company within seven business days.
- As soon as you receive your itinerary / confirmation, check to make sure all of the information on it is correct, especially your name, the airports (if any of the cities have more than one) and the flight dates. You will need to show a government-issued photo I.D. when you fly. It is important that your name as it appears on the ticket is the same as it appears on the I.D. you will be using.
- Airlines don't guarantee their schedules, and you should realize this when planning your trip. Re-check the departure and arrival times of your flights a few days before your trip; schedules sometimes change.
- Certain items should never be put into a piece of luggage that you plan to check in to the baggage compartment. Small valuables, cash, credit cards, jewelry or expensive cameras should not be placed in checked baggage. Critical items such as medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers, manuscripts, heirlooms and fragile items such as eyeglasses, glass containers and liquids are things that should be carried on your person or packed in a carry-on bag. Pack as light as possible. Ship packages or luggage ahead of time so last-minute schedule changes don't put your belongings at risk of being lost.
- At final check-in, verify that the agent checking your bags attaches a destination tag to each bag. Check to see that these tags show the three-letter code for your destination airport.
- Check in early (as early as 24 hours is allowed online). You can lose your entire reservation if you are not at the gate 10-15 minutes before scheduled departure time on a domestic flight (longer on international flights). If a flight is oversold, the last passengers to check in are the first to be bumped, even if they have met the check-in deadlines.
- Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. Overbooking is not illegal, and most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for no-shows. Passengers are sometimes left behind or bumped as a result. If you're not in a rush to arrive at your next destination, you can voluntarily give your reservation back to the airline in exchange for compensation and a later flight. But before you do this, you may want to get answers to some questions like: When is the next flight on which the airline can confirm your seat? If the original airline re-booking is unacceptable, will they re-book you on another airline? If you need to stay overnight, will the airline provide other amenities such as free meals, a hotel room, transfers between the hotel and the airport, and a phone card? Before agreeing to accept a travel voucher as compensation for being bumped, ask about restrictions. Many vouchers have blackout dates during peak periods.
- If you are bumped involuntarily, the Department of Transportation requires each airline to give all passengers bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights, and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't. Those travelers who don't get to fly as scheduled, are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash. The amount depends on the price of their ticket and the length of the delay.
- For more information about how airlines perform, more travel tips, and advice about flyers rights, go to http://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.
Given the stress of travel and the airlines efforts to fill every seat on every flight, manners and consideration for other travelers’ shared space needs to be part of the traveler's holiday spirit. Being a self-reliant, informed and prepared traveler is your best protection against the hassles of travel by air.
The national Airline Quality Rating for 2020 (covering the performance results of 2019) will be released in spring 2020.
Accessibility Tip of the Week: Know the terms
Accessibility has a vocabulary all its own, and it’s important to know how accessibility terms are used.
- Accessibility: Done in advance to improve access for populations of students.
- Accommodations: Done in response to the identified needs of an individual.
- Timely: Sufficient time to allow all individuals to receive the same benefit and achieve the same level of achievement.
- Equally Effective: Communicates the same information in as effective a manner as the original.
Curious about accessibility at WSU? Check out the university’s accessibility webpages at Wichita.edu/accessibility.
Annual Mini-Wellness Fair coming Sept. 11
Find out about Health and Wellness services on our WSU campus at the Mini-Wellness Fair! Join us from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept. 11), on the north lawn of the RSC. Students will be able to get freebies, information, and a chance to win prizes in our drawing!
Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge 2020
We are happy to announce our upcoming 20th MINDSTORMS challenge at WSU in March 2020. Shocker MINDSTORMS program at Wichita State includes several events designed to encourage students of all ages (K-12 and adult) to explore, experiment and experience STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics teaching and learning in a hands-on constructionist environment.
The annual Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge is a collaboration among WSU's College of
Engineering and College of Applied Studies, and local industry professionals. The
challenge provides young students with the opportunity for practical application and
exhibition of math, science, programming, and engineering skills, as well as promoting
teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Participating in Shocker MINDSTORMS challenge is free, and we are also providing a
free training session for new coaches from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at WSU.
Please encourage your teachers to attend this training session to understand the rules
and programing skills needed for this MINDSTORMS challenge. This challenge is only
for elementary and middle-school students. Thirty-three teams (362 kids) participated
in the last year’s event.
For more information, go to Shocker MINDSTORMS.
A Conversation with Schuyler Bailar
Spectrum LGBTQ & Allies and LGBTQ+ Shocker Ambassadors are co-sponsoring A Conversation
with Schuyler Bailar will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in 265 RSC.
Since being recruited for the Harvard Men’s Swim team in 2015, Bailar has told his
story to audiences across the country in over 100 appearances, including on The Ellen
Show, The Olympic Channel, 60 Minutes, at the CIA, the NCAA and scores of conferences,
companies, and schools. His talk has inspired many to achieve their dreams while also
finding better comfort and grounding in who they are. For more information, contact
the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or visit wichita.edu/odi.
Join CAPS for the Autism Spectrum Support Group
Go through the semester with a community of support. Connect with other students on the spectrum, build a social group, and learn skills to promote your social and academic success. No appointment needed. Hope to see you there!
Check out wichita.edu/caps.
Joint senate meeting set for Sept. 17
Join the USS and UP Senates at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 208 Hubbard Hall, for their joint meeting. All meetings are open to the campus community.
Safe Zone LGBTQ+ Training is canceled
Safe Zone for today (Tuesday, Sept. 10) has been canceled. Please sign up for the next session at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.
Safe Zone is a dynamic, interactive session that includes activities and discussions around inclusive language, the process of coming out, the power of the straight ally, understanding sexual identity, how to respond to homophobic incidents, resources and much more! The goal of this training is to educate as well as create and sustain a welcoming and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ campus community. This training establishes an identifiable network of supportive people who can provide support, information and a safe place for LGBTQ+ persons within the Wichita State community.
WSU faculty and staff please register on MyTraining. If you do not have access to MyTraining, register at the following link Safe Zone training. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or visit wichita.edu/odi.
Send first-gen students to TRIO Student Support Services
Student Support Services (SSS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to students from First Generation (FG) and Limited Income (LI) backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.
The free services include individualized tutoring, academic advising; textbook loans; assistance completing financial aid application; and scholarships exclusively for student participants.
Please refer prospective students to our program in Suite 309, third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall. For more information, go to Student Support Services or call 978-3715.
Ulrich Museum invites public to Fall Exhibition Opening Party
Wichita State’s Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to join us for an exploration of
its newest suite of exhibitions on display this fall. The Fall Exhibition Opening
Party will take place from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 at the museum.
Ulrich receptions are a conversation, a gathering, an engagement of artists and art
enthusiasts intertwined with music, fine fare, and possibility.
This season's new exhibitions are:
Teachable Moments: the XXII Faculty Biennial
Clay Currents: The Wichita National Ceramics Invitational
Solving for X=Accessibility: GuideBeacon
The Fall Opening Exhibition Party is free and open to the public. For more information
call 978.3664 or email ulrich@wichita.edu.
20 / 20 with Justin Stahl this Saturday, Sept. 14
20 / 20 with Justin Stahl is the beginning of shows leading to the Wichita Wurlitzer
centennial in 2026. The show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, in Century IIs Exhibition
Hall, presents a variety of music since the Wurlitzer premiered.
Use WSU for discounted tickets at www.wichitatix.com.
Justin Stahl is a native of Beech Grove, Indiana. He has entertained thousands of
patrons of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in the last eight productions of their
annual Yuletide Celebration by playing the 3-manual, 24-rank Wurlitzer installed at
the Hilbert Circle Theatre. Justin has also performed in Birmingham, Detroit, Boston,
Joliet, and Erie. Earlier this year, he appeared at Rochester, New York, and has just
announced his second Australian tour in summer 2020, with additional shows in Tasmania
and New Zealand.
The Wichita Wurlitzer, originally installed at the "Crossroads of the World" in the
Times Square New York Paramount Theatre in 1926, came to Wichita in 1968. 2019 is
the Wichita Wurlitzer's 51st year in the heart of America. Of more than 10,000 instruments
built, Wichita is home to the finest example ever conceived and achieved. Like all
instruments, the music performed is limited only by the artist’s imagination.
Shocker Volleyball opens home season with Shocker Volleyball Classic this week
Wichita State Volleyball opens the 2019 home season against AVCA preseason top-10
teams in BYU and Texas, as well as the Rams of VCU for the Shocker Volleyball Classic.
Don't miss out on our 90s Night, T-shirt giveaway and autographs! Purchase tickets
at goshockers.com/tickets or by visiting the WSU ticket office in Charles Koch Arena.
Thursday, Sept. 12
7 p.m. Shockers vs BYU -- First 1,000 fans will receive a Shocker scrunchie for 90s
Night
Friday, Sept. 13
4:30 p.m. BYU vs Texas
7 p.m. Shockers vs VCU — First 2,000 fans will receive a Shocker Volleyball T-shirt courtesy of Rotek Services
Saturday, Sept. 14
Noon - VCU vs BYU
7 p.m. - Shockers vs Texas — Poster giveaway and postgame autographs
Enjoy 60 cent deals for the RSC's 60th Anniversary
To celebrate the RSC’s 60th Anniversary, the RSC is offering some great $0.60 deals
at various dining options! Valid all week Sept. 9-13, you can enjoy the following:
- 60 cent wings at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes (minimum 4)
- 60 cent cookie with purchase at Chick-Fil-A
- 60 cent cake pop with purchase at Starbucks
- 60 cent scoop of custard with purchase at Freddy’s
- 60 cent small fountain drink with purchase at all first floor food court locations
Here’s more information on this and other RSC 60th Anniversary-related activities.
Free photo booth for RSC 60th Anniversary
Celebrate the RSC turning 60 with a free WSU themed photo booth from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, on the RSC first floor. Here’s more information on this and other RSC 60th Anniversary events.
Wear Your Suspender Days
Prevention Services is inviting all members of the WSU community to wear their #WSUWeSupportU suspenders shirts on Fridays in the month of September to bring added awareness during Suicide Prevention Month. The suspenders are a reminder that we hope to be a community that supports each other.
KC Chiefs game with Outdoor Adventures
Join us in Kansas City, Missouri to watch this Kansas City vs Texan football throwdown on Sunday, Oct. 13. We will leave Wichita at 7 a.m. and head to the city to arrive with adequate time to get started before the game. We will return to Wichita around 7 p.m. Bring your sunscreen and wear your favorite team's swag. Register by Sunday, Sept. 29 at Outdoor Adventures.