WSU invites your feedback in shared governance
The 2019 WSU Circle process represents a unique opportunity to pause, take stock of our experiences, and inform one another how we can move forward together. Participation in the 2019 WSU circle process is wanted in order to provide feedback to promote future shared governance at the institution.
Next steps will be determined based on the content of the responses provided in the circle process. In the spirit of transparency, a compilation of the circle process responses will be posted via the university website.
Shocker Circles will begin on Monday, Sept. 23, and be held through Saturday, Sept. 28. Registration will close on Saturday, Sept. 21. No notebooks, laptops or materials are needed to participate. All that is needed is your registration.
Register online or visit the Shocker Circle table in the RSC between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 20). Questions, comments or concerns can be emailed to shocker.circle@wichita.edu.
KBOR approves changes to admission standards
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) unanimously approved changes to the admission standards for five KBOR institutions this week. With this approval, high school seniors will be required to achieve a 21 composite ACT or a 2.25 cumulative GPA in high school coursework in order to be admissible to Wichita State. This replaces a previous admission standard that reviewed class rank and ACT, while also requiring a 2.0 GPA in certain pre-college courses for Kansas residents (2.5 GPA for nonresidents).
The change will greatly simplify the application process for high school seniors, and will allow the Office of Admissions team to render faster admission decisions to applicants. Students who are not admissible by the new basic standard will be considered for admission through a holistic process, and will be able to provide information beyond test scores and high school coursework.
The WSU standard will match new admission requirements for Emporia State, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State Universities. Kansas State University and the University of Kansas will each have their own standard.
The official effective date for the changes to qualified admissions is being determined, and the admissions team will notify the campus community as more information becomes available.
There are no changes to the transfer admission standard, which reviews transfer GPA from all previously attended institutions.
For more information, review pages 45-50 of the KBOR meeting agenda.
ICTechXpo and Esports at WSU South on Oct. 18-19
Here’s a great opportunity to learn the latest and hottest in industrial and educational technologies in the Wichita area! Register now for the first ICTechXpo from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, and Esports Exhibition from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, at WSU South.
To register, scan the QU code in the image above, or register on Eventbrite under ICTechXpo. This event is free but you must register, space is limited.
ShockerAlert System to be tested today (Friday, Sept. 20)
There will be a test of the ShockerAlert System around 1:30 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 20) to ensure that campus-wide emergency communication channels are functioning properly.
During the test, you may see messages delivered via digital display boards, TV monitors, the WSU website, email, Alertus, Facebook, and cell phone texting.
All faculty and staff are encouraged to register their cell phone numbers to receive ShockerAlert messages. ShockerAlert will only be used to send emergency messages and to announce campus weather closings. To register your cell phone, go to http://wichita.edu/alert.
ISME Colloquium today (Friday, Sept. 20)
Gary LeMay, Research and Development Engineer at Spirit AeroSystem Inc., will presenting "Algorithm to enhance signal to noise ratio of peel ply at the bondline of out-of-autoclave composite assemblies from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Sept. 20) in 214 Clinton Hall.
Out-of-autoclave materials are an established material system for secondary structural applications and are cured at reduced temperatures and pressures resulting in less compaction and homogeneity. The consequence is attenuation and extraneous ultrasonic signals during inspection.
An algorithm was developed to enhance the signal to noise ratio between peel ply and the bondline in an out-of-autoclave carbon fiber reinforced polymer assembly. Peel ply is a release fabric that may be trapped between the adhesive and the substrate during the bonding process.
Conventional ultrasonic testing techniques cannot consistently achieve signal to noise ratios that meet quantifiable rejection thresholds of peel ply inserts (i.e. defect representation) at each side of the bonded interface.
Ultrasonic pulse echo with full waveform capture was used to inspect a representative reference standard. Waveform post acquisition analysis was used to analyze, and enhance the signal response, between the peel ply inserts and the bondline resulting in the final algorithm.
Mechanical Engineering Seminar today (Friday, Sept. 20)
Hongsheng He
Hongsheng He will present a Mechanical Engineering Seminar from 3:30-4:30 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 20) in 128 Jabara Hall.
Context-Aware Dexterous Grasp Using an Anthropomorphic Robotic Hand
Humans learn to be dexterous by interacting with a wide variety of objects in different contexts. Given object’s physical attributes and tasks, humans can determine a proper strategy to grasp the object.
This talk presents the methods to understand physical characteristics of an unknown object, such as fragility, rigidity, texture, and dimensions, and the learning approach to determine the optimal grasping strategy of the object based on a 10 degree-of-freedom anthropomorphic robotic hand. The context-aware grasping robotic system consists of an AR10 robotic hand, a Sawyer robotic arm, a near-infrared (NIR) molecular sensor, an RGB-D camera, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU).
State Employee Health Plan changes effective in October
Effective with the Oct. 4 paycheck, the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) has announced two changes that we want to make you aware of.
Until now, medical and dental deductions occur on both the first and second paycheck each month. Surency Vision and MetLife Supplemental coverage deductions occurred only on the first paycheck of the month. Beginning in October, all SEHP deductions will be taken on both the first and second paychecks in each month. As before, no SEHP deductions will be taken on the third check issued in any month.
What this means for you: The total monthly premium amounts will stay the same for vision and MetLife coverages, but will be split over both the first and second paychecks beginning with the Oct. 4 paycheck.
- Other deductions, including medical and dental insurance, are not impacted by this change.
- Other monthly payments, including optional group life insurance premiums, will continue to be deducted once per month.
The other change will only impact employees who are separating employment from the university on or after October 1. For employees whose last day worked is the 1st of the month, all SEHP coverages will end on the 1st. For employees whose last day worked is between the 2nd of the month and the last day of the month, all SEHP coverages will end on the last day of the month. Deductions will be taken from the final paycheck(s) for all eligible coverage and employee contributions.
Student-led sustainability initiative to be discussed today (Sept. 20)
WSU has adopted a new Sustainability Plan! We need input about student priorities
for sustainability. Join us to discuss student-led sustainability initiatives on campus.
Engage with us at 3 p.m. today (Friday Sept. 20) in 256 RSC.
For more information, email Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu.
Wichita State Esports and the Greater Wichita YMCA come together for a night full of gaming and community engagement
The Greater Wichita YMCA put on a great event recently on Saturday, Sept. 14. More than 450 Wichita area high school students came out to the late-night event.
Wichita State University Esports came out in full support during the event, playing on the mainstage, and coaching students on how to play games throughout the night.
Thank you so much to Wichita State TV for coming out and giving us a great recap of the night.
Pizza Hut Museum to host PUPperoni Pizza Party today (Friday, Sept. 20)
The Pizza Hut Museum is hosting a PUPperoni Pizza Party from 6-8 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 20) for National Pepperoni Pizza Day. Bring your pups, check out the Pizza Hut Museum, and walk the Shocker Pet Pathway around campus. Pizza will be available while supplies last.
Dean of students connects to students with his stroll at Yard Show
Aaron Austin hadn’t strolled in many, many years.
When asked, however, he agreed. Membership in Phi Beta Sigma, in his mind, is a lifetime commitment, even if it means joining students for a stroll during the Multicultural Greek Council Yard Show in late August.
And when the dean of students took center stage, social media heated up with the video footage. Austin joined Phi Beta Sigma in 1994 at Kansas State. He last strolled, he estimates, in 1998.
“Here’s what bothered me – my first kick was late,” Austin said. “Then I kind of got back and got better. Twenty-five years ago, I’d have been much better.”
Read complete story on Aaron Austin.
Grammy-nominated jazz singer Oleta Adams to present master class at WSU
StoryTime Village presents Grammy Award-nominated Oleta Adams in a master class at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 21) in Miller Concert Hall. Admission is free for students with a WSU ID.
A fundraiser for StoryTime Village Literacy Center will be held Saturday evening. A reception will be held at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a program at 7 p.m, at Century II Convention Hall.
Tickets for the master class and concert is $15. Admission to the concert only is $35, and tickets for the dinner and concert is $150. Visit www.storytimevillage.org for details, or email darrylcarrington@storytimevillage.org or priscabarnes@storytimevillage.org.
Be aware of parking lot closure this Sunday, Sept. 22
On Sunday, Sept. 22, the Show N Shine car show will be on campus in lot 1 along Hillside between Memorial and Alumni Drive. Police will start blocking off the lot Friday night Sept. 20, but all vehicles need to be out of the lot by 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21.
2020-21 FAFSA releases on Oct. 1 -- Get a head start on the race to completion
“Failure I can live with. Not trying is what I can’t handle.” —Sanya Richards-Ross, U.S. gold-medal track and field athlete
There is never a consequence for at least completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You may be eligible for an award you never realized! Completing the application early could also make you eligible for some very limited student aid programs. We encourage you to finish the FAFSA no matter what; there is no harm in trying.
The 2020-2021 FAFSA becomes available on Tuesday, Oct. 1. WSU’s priority date for consideration for certain types of aid with limited funding is Dec. 1. That means you have a two-month window to submit your FAFSA online and provide any additionally requested documentation to our office.
Check out the upcoming FAFSA events.
FAFSA events hosted by Office of Financial Aid
Throughout fall 2019, the Office of Financial Aid will be hosting several events, on and off campus, to promote the 2020-2021 FAFSA:
- Shocker Hall FAFSA Completion Celebration – Oct. 8, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- High School Financial Aid Nights & FAFSA Completion Events – More than 25 events scheduled to date in September / October 2019
- Collaborative Efforts with Various Departments across Campus – fall 2019
Additionally, you and your parents are always more than welcome to stop by our office in 203 Jardine Hall for assistance with the FAFSA. Remember, it is always better to finish the FAFSA early rather than waiting until the last minute. Finish your FAFSA marathon strong. Our office family will be among the ones cheering you on to the start of a new academic year!
Have financial aid questions?
- Email: finaid@wichita.edu
- Call: 316-978-3430
- In person: 203 Jardine Hall
WSU students can apply for free registration to NASA Conference
WSU, in cooperation with NASA, Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (TVIW), and
Ad Astra Kansas Science Foundation, is hosting the 6th Interstellar Symposium and
NASA Advanced Propulsion Workshop from Nov. 10-15, in downtown Wichita. This meeting
will bring in experts in the physics, engineering, humanities, and social sciences
of interstellar travel as part of a Congressionally-mandated NASA effort to launch
the first interstellar probe by 2069.
A private gift from Dr. Robert Hampson will fund the registration costs ($125 value)
for a limited number of WSU students to attend the week-long event, including the
Sunday evening welcome reception and all conference meals. Those interested in applying
for free registration must complete the form.
The application deadline is Monday, Sept. 30.
Each entrant must provide a one paragraph statement describing their interest in attending
the Symposium and Workshop. The best applicants will be chosen by the local organizing
committee. This opportunity is open to WSU students of any major or field of study
– both undergraduate and graduate.
Here’s more information about the conference.
For questions about the application process, contact: James Schwartz at james.schwartz@wichita.edu, Nickolas Solomey at nick.solomey@wichita.edu, or Atri Dutta at Atri.Dutta@wichita.edu.
Learn 2 Row with Shocker Rowing
Join us for a Learn to Row with Shocker Rowing at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 21) at the River Vista Boathouse. You can sign up on the day of the event. Cost is $25 per person for lunch, T-shirt and the opportunity to row.
For more information, contact Rachel Tuck at rachel.tuck@wichita.edu.
Call for entries: Creative Crosswalks
Call for entries: Creative Crosswalks
Submit designs to kristin.beal@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.
Four winning designs will be selected by the WSU ShiftSpace Student Group, and will be installed with temporary paint on the crosswalks in front of the Ulrich Museum of Art during WSU Open House weekend Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5-6.
All entrants will be asked to join the WSU ShiftSpace student group via wichita.edu/shiftspace.
Sponsored by the Ulrich Museum of Art and WSU ShiftSpace Student Gallery.
How to survive and thrive when stuck in a bad job situation
It's that time of year where students are starting to apply for internships and jobs. It's important to research the positions before applying to get a better perspective of the company and opportunity. The Career Development Center is a great resource to gather information and seek help if you're in a bad situation.
Read the complete story on how to survive and thrive.
In case you missed it
At yesterday’s Weekly Briefing, a university update included information on KBOR new, Board of Trustees / Wichita State Innovation Alliance meetings, Sheree Utash attending the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board meeting, a WSU / WSU Police partnership, WSU / K-State RN-to-BSN satellite program, and community events.
KBOR update
We’d like to start today’s briefing with a Kansas Board of Regents update. On Wednesday, the Regents approved Wichita State’s fiscal year 2020 city-county mill levy budget request.
KBOR approval of this year’s nearly $8.5 million budget came after an extensive reviewal and approval process involving the WSU Board of Trustees, Wichita City Council and Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners.
These funds will mostly be spent on student scholarships and capital improvements in addition to programs and initiatives that benefit campus and the broader community. We want to thank every stakeholder for their continued belief in, and support of, the university and its vision and mission through the mill levy.
A detailed breakdown of the budget is available at kansasregents.org.
Also, on Wednesday, KBOR approved an honorary doctorate degree, on behalf of the university, for WSU alumnus Mark Parkinson in recognition of his work for the benefit of all Kansans—and for his generous support of Wichita State students.
We congratulate Mr. Parkinson for embodying Shocker excellence in his many successes in business, health care, philanthropy, civic engagement—and as a role model for our students.
Board of Trustees / Wichita State Innovation Alliance meetings – Sept. 20
In addition to KBOR news, we want to let everyone know about meetings for the WSU Board of Trustees and Wichita State Innovation Alliance, which will take place tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 20. The Board of Trustees will meet from 9 to 11 a.m., and the WSIA from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., both in the John Bardo Center, room 164.
The Board of Trustees at Wichita State supports the educational undertakings of the university through the management of its endowment and the 1.5 mill levy.
The WSIA Board is a nonprofit organization that serves as the governing entity for Wichita State’s Innovation Campus.
The agendas can be found on their websites, and both meetings are open to the public.
Dr. Sheree Utash attends American Workforce Policy Advisory Board meeting
On Wednesday, Dr. Sheree Utash, president of WSU Tech and vice president of Workforce Development at WSU, attended the third meeting of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board in Washington, D.C. This prestigious board is made up of 25 members including the CEOs of Apple, Walmart, Lockheed Martin and other leaders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Wednesday’s meeting included discussions on the progress made toward the goals it set at its inaugural meeting in March, which include:
- Developing a Campaign to Promote Multiple Pathways to Career Success
- Increasing Data Transparency to Better Match American Workers with American Jobs
- Modernizing Candidate Recruitment and Training Practices
- Measuring and Encourage Employer-led Training Investments
To stay up-to-date with Dr. Utash’s involvement on this national board, visit: wsutech.edu/americanworkforce.
WSU / Wichita Police partnership
Wichita State and the Wichita Police Department recently announced an additional partnership made possible thanks to a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant will be used to house a certified firearms examiner, and software and technology to identify ballistics at WSU’s Law Enforcement Training Center.
This technology, known as a National Integrated Ballistic Information Network—or NIBIN—machine will allow Criminal Justice faculty, and our partners in area law enforcement, to analyze shell casings by tapping into a national database. This is the only NIBIN machine in the area, and its location at WSU will help law enforcement link gun crimes in an expedited manner.
In addition, criminal justice and forensic science students will have the opportunity to observe this analysis—giving them a valuable firsthand look at processes and technology they may use in their future careers.
We’re pleased by this additional partnership and the benefits it will bring to law enforcement, our students and our community’s safety.
WSU / K-State RN-to-BSN satellite program
To combat an increasing national shortage for qualified nurses, Wichita State and Kansas State University have recently joined forces.
The universities have started the planning phase of a program that will give students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Health and Human Sciences at K-State and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from WSU’s College of Health Professions.
Students will enroll in K-State's College of Health and Human Sciences for the first three years, and, if accepted into WSU’s nursing program, will be WSU students on the K-State campus for the following two years.
A memorandum of understanding was signed by administrators of each university on Aug. 30, to officially initiate the planning phase, which will culminate in an application to the Kansas State Board of Nursing for the satellite program.
Going forward, we’re excited to work with our K-State partners in growing the number of nursing professionals necessary to meet the health care needs of communities across Kansas.
For more details about this partnership, check out the Sept. 17 story at wichita.edu/news.
Community events
Finally, we want to let you know about three upcoming events.
On Sept. 12, the Ulrich Museum of Art held its fall opening. Among its fall exhibits is the 22nd Faculty Biennial, which represents the breadth of creative work and research undertaken by the School of Art, Design, and Creative Industries faculty. This year's exhibition, themed “teachable moments,” showcases their work in art history and education, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and new media. For more information on Ulrich exhibits and events, visit ulrich.wichita.edu.
We also want to remind you about Shocker baseball’s exhibition game against Nebraska at 2 p.m., this Saturday, at Eck Stadium. This will be new head coach Eric Wedge’s debut game—and your chance to get an early preview of the 2020 Shockers. The first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a commemorative Eric Wedge trading card.
General admission is just $5. Paid season ticket holders, current students, military and first responders get in free with a valid I.D.
Tickets are available at goshockers.com/tickets, by phone at 978-FANS (3267) or at the ticket office on the south side of Koch Arena.
And, on Sunday, head downtown, from noon to 5 p.m., for Open Streets ICT. This free community-building event closes down a four-mile stretch of Douglas Avenue, from College Hill to Delano, and opens it up for biking, walking, running and more.
Everyone is invited to join in the fun and to stop at the local businesses, restaurants, street vendors and activity hubs along the way. WSU is proud to, once again, sponsor this event and we hope to see you there.
Free Postpartum Exercise Class offered
Free Postpartum Exercise Classes hosted by Jennifer Celso and research students are being offered!
We are testing the effectiveness of two exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (separation of the abdominal muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy and often doesn’t close on its own after the baby is born).
If you are 18 years or older and have had a baby in the last two years, you can participate.
You will need your doctor’s approval to join in the exercise classes. We will hold 16 classes on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:05 p.m. from Sept. 16 to Nov. 8. We have free childcare available onsite, and would love to have you come!
Please see the image above for more details and to sign up. You can also email Taylor Golay at trgolay@shockers.wichita.edu to register for this study.
Wichita Children's Home T-Shirt Drive
Each year at the Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) Conference we choose one local cause to rally around. This year that cause is the Wichita Children’s Home, which is a nonprofit organization that offers the only emergency, temporary, and residential care for children in the Wichita community.
We are challenged to bring as many school spirit T-shirts as we can collect from across campus to donate to the Wichita Children’s Home. Does your office have a stash of out dated T-shirts from years past? Do you have T-shirts that you’ve never worn or only worn a few times? What better way to clean out our storage space than to donate it to a worthy cause?
T-shirts should be new or gently used, and sizes can range from adult to children sizes since the Wichita Children’s Home serves a wide range of children. They also ask that T-shirts not have holes in them or inappropriate decorations (beer logos, inappropriate language, etc.).
T-shirts will be collected through Tuesday, Sept. 24, and can be dropped off at the Registrar's Office in 102 Jardine Hall. If you have questions, contact Krissy Archambeau at 978-3089 or krissy.archambeau@wichita.edu.
Admissions welcomes your input for two Black and Yellow Days in October
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Office of Admissions will host the first of two Black and Yellow Days this fall. Each semester, we invite high school juniors, seniors and college transfer students to this all-day event on campus where they have the chance to participate in sessions hosted by each academic college, tour campus and explore the hands-on learning opportunities available at WSU.
The event is $15 per student and $5 per guest and includes lunch in Shocker Hall Dining. This fall, students can choose to attend Friday, Oct. 11, or Friday, Oct. 25.
If you know any students who should attend this event, they can register at wichita.edu/visit and click on "Admissions Events." For questions, contact Sarah Brill at 978-3638 or Sarah.Brill@wichita.edu.