Message to benefit-eligible exempt employees, except 9/10 month faculty Re: WSU transitioning from compensatory time to worked holiday
In an effort to apply consistent, equitable and impartial rules in accordance with Department of Labor regulations, Wichita State University is transitioning from Compensatory Time (“Comp Time”) to Worked Holiday for benefit-eligible exempt employees, except for 9/10 month faculty. Employees are encouraged to review the changes outlined below and visit the HR website for exempt employees Frequently Asked Questions.
Currently, when an exempt employee is required by their supervisor to work on a designated holiday (excluding Veterans Day), the number of hours worked on the holiday are designated as Comp Time to use at a later date. Beginning with the pay period of 2/23/2020, those hours will be designated as worked holiday and available to use at a later date.
Benefit-eligible exempt employees, except for 9/10 month faculty, will continue to see the Veterans Day Holiday managed separately from the Worked Holiday. The university is open for business on Veterans Day so many employees are required to work to maintain business operations. For exempt employees that are required to work on Veterans Day, there will be some changes to how the Veterans Day Holiday hours are tracked which are noted below.
All Comp Time and Veterans Day Holiday balances for exempt employees will be paid out in full on the 3/6/2020 paycheck. Exempt employees are encouraged to manage and utilize any Comp Time and Veterans Day Holiday balances they do not wish to be paid out on the 3/6/2020 paycheck. As a reminder, exempt employees may utilize Comp Time and Veterans Day Holiday in full or half day increments.
Beginning with the pay period that starts on 2/23/2020, Comp Time will no longer be earned or available to exempt employees. Hours designated as Worked Holiday or Veterans Day Holiday will not be paid out upon separation, retirement or if an employee transfers from an exempt to a non-exempt position and these hours will be cleared out annually at the end of the fiscal year (June). For this reason, employees
are strongly encouraged to use these hours promptly to ensure they receive the benefit of being afforded time off at a later date.
RSVP for Oct 24 World Trade Council dinner event
The next World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil) dinner event on Thursday, Oct 24, is presented by the Holland International Distribution Council. The talk covers international distribution channels and the benefits of Holland as the U.S. seeks new trade routes.
A link to the flier is available here.
WTCouncil talks have an educational component to inform students and managers on international-business environments. We expect this talk will cover channels (marketing), purchasing (supply chains), management issues and culture (management, international business) and trade barriers (economics).
Contact Sherryl Hubble at sherryl.hubble@wichita.edu for reservations. Students have a discounted rate. More information on the WTCouncil is available at https://tinyurl.com/CIBA-WTCouncil.
I hope to see you at the WTCouncil!
Usha Haley, chair, World Trade Council of Wichita / director, Center for International Business Advancement.
Hear a presentation by the son of Gordon Parks
David Parks, the son of renowned photographer, film director, and author Gordon Parks, will speak from 12:30-1:45 p.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 10) in 100 Lindquist Hall. The event is free, open to the public, and refreshments will be served.
Included with the films directed by Gordon Parks are the critically acclaimed films, "Shaft" and "Superfly." His most notable works as an author include the award winning autobiography "The Learning Tree" and "A Choice of Weapons."
David is an excellent speaker who shares stories about his father, his own experiences as a soldier in Vietnam, and his life growing up the son of a celebrity. Like Gordon, David is also an accomplished film director and photographer, and has worked on the set of various major motion pictures.
Update on Wednesday incidents
Late last night, there was a deceased staff member found in Morrison Hall. University Police are investigating the incident but do not have a reason to suspect foul play. Our hearts go out to the individual’s family, friends and co-workers.
In addition, yesterday afternoon while crossing the street at 17th and Fairmount, a WSU student was hit by a car. The student’s name has not been released, and we’re told she’s in stable condition.
The Wichita Police Department is handling the investigation into the incident.
We want to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the student.
Any students, faculty or staff who need help processing these events can reach out to WSU’s Counseling and Prevention Services at 316-978-3440.
Code switching for survival!
Come to the next Diversity Lecture Series event, “The Art of Code Switching,” at 6 p.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 10) in the CAC Theater. Admission is free.
What is code-switching? Harold Wallace III defines what code-switching is and shares the everyday struggle of switching codes for survival.
Wallace serves as director of the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center at Austin Peay State University. He was a first-generation college student and navigated his path through undergrad with very little help. This led him to become passionate about being the person for his students that he did not have for himself.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or visit wichita.edu/diversitylectureseries.
Sign up to judge the Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering (WISE)
We need your help! On Friday, Nov. 22, the College of Engineering will host its annual Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering (WISE), a scholarship competition for high school seniors interested in studying engineering or computer science. The top 10 students from the competition each receive a $28,500 Wallace Scholarship. This is the college’s largest recruitment event of the year – about 67% of participants end up attending Wichita State and pursuing a degree in the College of Engineering. Last year, we had 233 participants from 14 states.
We are seeking judges for the Group Design Challenge portion of the day. Two-person judging teams will be responsible for observing and scoring a small group of four-to-five students who will participate in a design-build challenge. Group members are judged on leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, so judges do not need to have a background in engineering or computer science.
The judging time commitment is from 9:30-11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, in the Rhatigan Student Center. If you are interested in being a judge, please sign up by Friday, Nov. 1 at www.wichita.edu/wisevolunteer.
Join Counseling and Prevention Services for National Depression Screening Day
Help keep on top of your mental health by attending National Depression Screening Day from Counseling and Prevention Services from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Thursday, Oct. 10) on the first floor, RSC. Screens only take a couple of minutes, and can help you with a mental health check-up.
WSU F1RST-Gen forerunners and supporters
Are you a first-generation college faculty or staff member, and / or an advocate and ally of first-generation students?
Be recognized for your unique accomplishment as an academic doer and let our first-generation college students know that they are not alone here at Wichita State University.
The F1RST-Gen Coordinating Council would love to include you in the WSU F1RST-Gen forerunners and supporters list designed to heighten visibility and awareness of the presence of F1RST-Gen Shockers within the WSU community.
A list of WSU-F1RST Gen forerunners and supporters will be shared in time to celebrate First-Gen Week that begins Monday, Nov. 4.
F1RST-Gen forerunners and supporters
Register for the Shocktoberfest Door Decorating Competition!
Shocktoberfest is a time to celebrate Shocker Pride! Student groups from all over campus will be competing and participating in events like Wu’s Birthday Bash, Hunger Games, Dodgeball and Songfest.
Departments can join in on the fun by participating in the annual Door Decorating Competition. Winning departments will receive a catered staff party valued at up to $100.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 16, and all doors must be decorated by the end of business on Friday, Oct. 18.
For information about the competition and to apply, go to wichita.edu/Shocktoberfest.
Hear about ‘Discovering Mars’ from representatives of the Lake Afton Public Observatory
Kelly Kabler and Cassie Gearhart of the Lake Afton Public Observatory will talk about NASA's missions to Mars and how that has shaped our understanding of the Red Planet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in 101 Geology Building. They will also discuss the observatory and its history with Wichita.
All are invited - bring your lunch.
How to Prepare a Budget for SBIR/STTR Proposals Webinar
This webinar from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, will walk through the development of a project budget. Items covered will include what costs need to be included, how to write a budget justification, can the company afford to pursue this project, what indirect rate should be used and more. There is no cost, but registration is required.
Sign up for an upcoming Preventing Suicide Training by CAPS
Join Counseling and Prevention Services for our Preventing Suicide Training on Thursday, Oct. 17, in the RSC. Each training lasts an hour and helps provide tools to provide assistance for someone in need.
Please sign up thought myTrainings for staff or faculty. Students and community members, sign up at Wichita.edu/SuicidePrevention.
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.
Teaching newsletter launches for WSU instructors
Instructional Design and Access is delighted to announce its new newsletter: Teaching Today.
Each month you will find tips, tricks, and information to support faculty in their teaching. This month you will learn about the “dials” that showed up in Blackboard, how to get free chalk and dry erase markers, saving time in PowerPoint, and more.
Want to subscribe or contribute to future newsletters? Drop us a line at IDA@wichita.edu.
There’s still time to create a First-Year Seminar!
There is still time for faculty who are interested in creating a First-Year Seminar for fall 2020! We encourage a submission soon in order for courses to be fully approved by the time schedule-building begins in January.
Aaron Rife (aaron.rife@wichita.edu) is happy to help you through the process of creating your dream class. Contact him or visit wichita.edu/fys for more information and resources.
Shocktoberfest 2019 is nearly here!
Shocktoberfest 2019 is a celebration of Shocker Pride at Wichita State University and everyone is welcome to take part in the festivities. The WSU Campus Traditions Committee has been hard at work coordinating a schedule of events that highlights the excitement that campus has to offer.
Shocktoberfest includes athletic events and activities, competitions, service, philanthropies, a birthday celebration for WuShock, and a lip sync competition. Events begin on Saturday, Oct. 19 and end on Saturday, Oct. 26.
For more information, go to wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.
Pink merchandise from the Shocker Store to benefit Victory in the Valley
The Shocker Store is selling new pink merchandise during the month of October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For each item sold, $1 will be donated to Victory in the Valley, who provides support to cancer patients, survivors and their families in the area. There is a short sleeve tee ($8), a long sleeve tee ($13.99) and pajama pants ($20). This offer is good while supplies last and valid at both the RSC and Braeburn Square locations. No discounts accepted on this merchandise.
Join the crowd at Charles Koch Arena
Charles Koch Arena full of basketball fans is one of the defining images of Wichita
State athletics.
It can be an intimidating place to play, thanks to the noise generated by the fans.
Before the season, associate athletic director Russell Wilkins wants to make sure
Koch Arena's reputation doesn't intimidate its own fans. Wilkins' job is to sell tickets
and Wichita State sells a bunch for men's basketball.
It is, however, possible to buy a ticket to a Shocker men's basketball game. Wilkins,
every October, wants to remind fans.
Read more on getting tickets for men's basketball games.
Host a trunk at Trunk or Treat!
Trunk or Treat is a family-orientated event welcoming Shockers of all ages to campus for a safe alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Student Activities Council wants your department or student organization to host a trunk!
Register your department to host a festively decorated trunk at the event and provide candy and/or interactive activities for the families of WSU students, faculty, and staff, as well as kids from the local USD 259 school system. Register your trunk here! Registration closes Friday, Oct. 18.
Contact Randi Beggs at randi.beggs@wichita.edu with any questions about the event.