Win $5,000 and your own parking space
In order to advance WSU’s Strategic Plan and SEM plan, a competition is underway to develop new interdisciplinary programs.
The competition is:
- For all members of the WSU community
- Open to proposals for new interdisciplinary certificates, minors, honors tracks, undergraduate, mini-master’s or master’s programs
- Focused on programs that meet the future needs of students and the community
The authors of the winning proposal will receive a combined cash award of $5,000. There also will be up to five reserved (red sign) parking places made available for the next academic year for use by the authors of the proposal, at no charge to them.
Proposals are due Friday, Nov. 29
Interdisciplinary Program Competition
WSU Fire & Safety will conduct annual fire alarm testing
Now through the entire month of November, WSU Fire & Safety will conduct annual fire alarm testing in campus facilities. There should be minimal disruptions to business or classes.
Benefits Open Enrollment – Three days left!
2020 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over! Log in to the Member Administration Portal at https://sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections.
All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2020 elections by the deadline on October 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.
Events occurring this week:
Tuesday, Oct. 29: HR Total Rewards Open Enrollment Presentation at 9 a.m. in 142 RSC. Your Total Rewards team will be here to present your 2020 open enrollment benefits and changes. This is the final presentation, so if you haven’t come to one yet, now is your chance!
Wednesday, Oct. 30: Open Enrollment Open Lab from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in 122 Jabara Hall
Thursday, Oct. 31: Open Enrollment Open Lab 2:30-4:30 p.m. in 122 Jabara Hall
Employees can drop in anytime during the open enrollment lab for assistance registering and entering enrollment elections. You can RSVP at www.wichita.edu/openenrollment. Open Enrollment Labs do not include a presentation of plans or changes.
Due to the high volume of work during the open enrollment period, the HR Total Rewards Team will not be available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled presentations, on-demand webinar and open lab sessions. For a full listing of Open Enrollment events, visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
Military and veterans celebration - register for free lunch!
The next Women of WSU Luncheon, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in 233 RSC. The luncheon will feature a potato bar for $12. Please RSVP on the website by Friday, Nov. 1.
All veterans and active duty service members are invited to attend and receive a free lunch! If you have served our country, we want to serve you. Women of Wichita State University, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, invites you to lunch to thank you for your service. All veteran and active duty military staff will receive a complimentary lunch. We want to spotlight military and veteran service members, and request service members let us know the branch of service in which you served and send a photo to highlight your service in our presentation.
The featured presenter will be Marche Fleming-Randle, WSU Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. She will deliver a motivational / inspirational speech titled “The Home of the Free: Because of the Brave!”
Please send your photo to Deanna Carrithers at deanna.carrithers@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, if you want to be included in the presentation. We hope you'll join us.
Consider accessibility when you present (or host) at conferences
Accessibility is an important part of WSU’s culture. Conference presentations are an opportunity for you to model accessible presentation to others in your academic field.
- The Kansas Accessibility Resources Network has a three-course training series that gets you completely ready to present accessibly at your upcoming conference. Check out their training opportunities.
- If you are hosting a conference at WSU, please consider directing participants to the KSARN trainings listed above and share WSU’s face-to-face presentation guidelines as well.
If you need to take accommodated materials to a conference, please contact Instructional Design and Access for specific guidance and help at IDA@wichita.edu.
Participants needed for audiology research
You are invited to participate in a research study of Digit-Pair Speech Recognition Thresholds in Adults with Hearing Loss. We hope to learn the validation and generalization of using digit recognition thresholds during hearing evaluations.
If you decide to participate, you will be scheduled for a hearing evaluation. Once criteria are determined, additional hearing testing will be conducted.
Testing is expected to last about 55 minutes.
If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Marian Smith, mxsmith18@shockers.wichita.edu, or call 361-290-7015, (Yes, area code is not 316); or Stacey Kampe at stacey.kampe@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7264.
Timothy Jones
Faculty soloist joins WSU Symphony Orchestra in concert
Faculty artist Timothy Jones appears as soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 29) in Miller Concert Hall. The concert, featuring music by Brahms, Barber, and Bizet, will be conducted by Mark Laycock.
Associate Concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Jones is also Visiting Professor of Violin at WSU. He will perform the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by American composer Samuel Barber. Intensely lyrical and thoroughly virtuosic, the concerto was commissioned by a Philadelphia industrialist for violinist Iso Briselli; it was premiered in 1941 by soloist Albert Spalding, conductor Eugene Ormandy, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
The concert also features Georges Bizet's Symphony No. 1 in C Major. Composed in 1855 while Bizet was a 17-year-old student at the Paris Conservatory, it is a remarkably mature and assured work. While firmly rooted in the Classical tradition of Mozart and Haydn, the symphony displays the melodic craft, rhythmic propulsion, and endearing charm of Bizet's Romantic operatic masterpiece, Carmen.
Brahms's dramatic and stirring Tragic Overture will open the program.
For tickets, contact the WSU Fine Arts Box Office, at 978-3233 or go to www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. Admission is free for students with a current WSU ID.
University Climate Survey is still live – please respond
Message from WSU Provost Rick Muma:
Last week, the Wichita State University Office of Assessment launched its tri-annual 2019 Climate Survey. This survey is intended as a follow-up to a similar survey that was administered in the fall of 2016.
This survey is offered to students, faculty, staff and administrators, and it is intended to provide information to campus leaders, appropriate offices and initiatives, related to experiences and perceptions of the campus climate. The survey will examine both satisfaction and comfort with the current climate with diversity and equity as its lens.
Results from the survey will explicitly inform the university’s work on three of our updated strategic plan goals.
Read more on Climate Survey request.
- Student Centeredness - Promote holistic student success through a supportive learning environment in which all of our students…past, present and future, continually thrive and grow.
- Campus Culture - Empower students, faculty, staff and the greater Wichita community to create a culture and experience that meets their ever-changing needs.
- Inclusive Excellence – Be a campus that reflects and promotes – in all community members – the evolving diversity of society.
The survey launched on Oct. 22, and will remain open for two more weeks. An email was sent to each faculty and staff person, using their individual WSU email address. The quantitative analysis should be complete by the end of the semester, and results related to the open-ended questions, or qualitative responses, soon thereafter. Lunch and Learns will be hosted in February by the University Assessment Committee in partnership with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Thank you for your support of this important university initiative.
Learn about graphic design tools for your small business at tonight's workshop
Join University Libraries for the next Entrepreneurship Research Series workshop at 5:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 29) in 217 Ablah Library.
The workshop "Graphic Design Tools for Your Small Business," is an overview of freely available graphic design software programs and their application to small businesses including promotional flyers, brochures and mailers, business cards, professional presentations, and social media posts. Basic design principles and branding considerations will also be discussed.
For more information, call Sara Butts at 978-5017.
Physics Seminar features Prof. Dukka KC tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 30)
Dukka KC
Please join us for the next Physics Seminar at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 30) in 128 Jabara Hall, featuring Prof. Dukka KC. Prof. KC is with Computer Science and director of data analytics at WSU. His talk is titled "Deep Learning in Bioinformatics and other Applications.” Refreshments and conversation will follow.
The seminar series is supported by the Eddy and April Lucas Fund.
For updates and changes, go to http://www.wichita.edu/physics-talks.
Learn how to use Excel and organize your data with the Graduate School
Join the Graduate School with speaker Heather Merchant, Instructional Designer with Instructional Design and Access, from noon-1:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 30) in 142 RSC, for the lunch learning Excel to organize and understand data. The lunch will cover the best ways to organize data within Excel, common mistakes to avoid and some simple functions for analyzing data.
Graduate Students Professional Development
Registration for Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace training is still available
Diversity in Action training will be available from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in 266 RSC. This training will highlight the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, social identities, recognizing and understanding microaggressions, introducing the matrix of oppression, understanding how to get past stereotypes and prejudices, addressing issues, as well as how and who to report them to.
This interactive training is part of the Diversity in Action program and is designed to shape your understanding of diversity and inclusion while providing an open forum for questions and concerns.
This training is free and available to all WSU employees (faculty and staff). Log into myWSU and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.
View more information about Diversity in Action
You're invited to Ulrich Family Fun Day
Bring the whole family and explore your creative side with the Student Activities Council and the Ulrich Museum of Art from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Together we will explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt, play games, and participate in hands-on art-making activities inspired by the artists, ideas, and materials featured in the Ulrich’s current exhibitions. The Ulrich Museum is located on the southwest corner of the Wichita State University campus (17th and Hillside).
The event is free and open to the public.
Callista Owens receives aid from the WSU Foundation
Callista faced a hard choice this summer. Ready to enroll for her junior year at Wichita State, she still owed the university a hefty sum from her sophomore year. With no available cash to pay the debt, she was prepared to take a year off school to raise the money by working. The College of Fine Arts learned of her predicament and, with the help of a generous donor, was able to help her.
Read more about Callista Owens
Introducing your 2019 Shocktoberfest winners
Shocktoberfest week was amazing! Thank you to all of the students, staff and community members who made this week long celebration of Shocker pride a success.
The Campus Traditions Committee wrapped up the week at the Orpheum Theatre with Songfest and the Shocktoberfest awards ceremony. After a grueling week of competitions, winners for the Banner Competition, Door Decorating, Dodgeball, Big Pink Volleyball and Songfest Dance & Lip Sync Competitions were announced. The final awards recognized the top competitors of the Men’s Women’s and Co-ed Divisions for Shocktoberfest:
1st Place Shocktoberfest Trophy Winners
Men’s Division: Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Women’s Division: Gamma Phi Beta
Co-ed Division: Transition Mentors
For a list of all the winners, go to wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.
Faculty and staff regalia orders at the Shocker Store
The Shocker Store in the RSC is taking regalia rental orders from faculty and staff members who are planning on attending the fall 2019 commencement. The deadline to place your order is 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15. Please email Julie at shockerstore@wichita.edu or call 978-7021. Payment is due when you place your order.
You are invited to a free documentary screening, ‘Chicago at the Crossroad’ on Nov. 6
You are invited to a free documentary screening hosted by multiple campus and community partners of “Chicago at The Crossroad,” a feature film that explores the history of housing segregation and violence in Chicago and America. A panel discussion will follow.
Film synopsis: Much is said about the violence that plagues segregated communities. But what is known about the systems that created it, the laws that isolated it, and the policies that abandoned it? And how does a city heal from decades of heartbreak and pain? A feature documentary filmed over the course of 15 years, “Chicago at the Crossroad” answers these questions, offering a penetrating look at the incessant segregation, violence, and disastrous public-policy decisions that affect Chicago and cities across the country.
The evening will start with a meet-and-greet, and then the documentary will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Stick around for the panel after the film at 7:45 p.m. The panel will focus on both the documentary and its parallels to Wichita. The panel will include Brian Schodorf, producer and director of the film; Robert Weems, Williard W. Garvey Distinguished Professor of Business History; Angeline Johnson, Chief Opportunity Zone Officer; Brandon Johnson, City Councilmen District 1; and Lavonta Williams, former Councilmember for District 1 and serving as the moderator.
For more information or questions, contact the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or email danielle.johnson@wichita.edu.
“Chicago at the Crossroad” viewing
Learn about Dia de Los Muertos
Learn the history and traditions of Día de los Muertos from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in 208 RSC. We will also have traditional sweets and activities from our various Latinx student groups.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.
Attend the annual Spooktacular Halloween event
Spooktacular is FHCP's annual Halloween event. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the lobby of Ahlberg Hall. We invite students, faculty and staff to enjoy free food, win prizes, and participate in Halloween-themed booths such as pumpkin painting, temporary tattoo station, cornhole and more. Come celebrate Halloween with FHCP.
Wichita Wurlitzer presents 'Sounds of Silents' with Clark Wilson and "Wings"
"Sounds of Silents" with Clark Wilson accompanying "Wings," will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center Exhibition Hall.
WSU faculty / staff / students / partners who use WSU as a promotional code, can buy tickets (single or table) at the seniors price. Single tickets are available at wichitatix.com.
Sound for silent movies was provided an orchestra, theatre organ, or pianist in each theatre. More than 10,000 theatre organs were built to give the movies their voices. Music soundtracks for today’s movies evolved from these live accompaniments for silent films.
"Wings," the "Star Wars" of its day, was digitally restored by a team of Paramount Pictures, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Film Archive, and Technicolor. The restored movie premiered Jan. 18, 2012, with Clark Wilson playing a live musical accompaniment. See the digitally restored blockbuster accompanied by Clark Wilson on the Wichita Wurlitzer.
Clark will accompany “Wings,” 1929’s Best Picture Academy Award winner on the Wichita Wurlitzer. The four manual / 36 rank instrument premiered Nov. 19, 1926, in the New York Paramount Theatre at Times Square, the "Crossroads of the World." After arriving in Wichita in 1968, the Wurlitzer today is a four manual / 38 rank instrument. 2019 is the Wurlitzer’s 51st year in the Heart of America. Of more than 10,000 instruments built, Wichita is home to the finest instrument built.
Video of Wichita Wurlitzer Tour
What is it like to come to the U.S. as an international student?
Paperwork. Money. Language barriers. These are just a few challenges international students face when applying to universities in the United States.
To help the WSU community better understand these challenges, the Office of International Education will host ACIREMA on Friday, Nov. 15. ACIREMA is an interactive workshop that walks you through the challenges international students experience as they seek an American education. Join us on this international journey and see if you will make it to WSU! Multiple sessions are available.
For more information and to register visit www.wichita.edu/acirema. Questions? Contact fai.tai@wichita.edu.
Our office believes this event is an important step in helping our community understand how hard our international students have worked to come to our university.
Faculty advisor needed for new student organization
Phi Sigma Pi is a gender-inclusive National Honor Fraternity established in 1916. Faculty advisors play an important role in the collegiate chapter by building a bridge between the local chapter and the university community. Responsibilities of the faculty advisor include:
- Assisting the chapter with day-to-day operation questions
- Provide guidance to chapter officers and committee chairs
- Encourage smart financial decisions
- Promote Phi Sigma Pi to other students on campus
- Attend meetings, ceremonies, and events when possible
*You are not required to be an Alumni Member of Phi Sigma Pi in order to serve as a faculty advisor.
Currently, there is only one Phi Sigma Pi chapter in the state of Kansas. With your help, we believe Wichita State can become the newest home to the Phi Sigma Pi family! An informational meeting will be held at 2 and 4 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 29) in 240 RSC.
Please contact Katie if you have any questions at krhefner@shockers.wichita.edu or wsuphisigmapi@gmail.com.
Phi Sigma Pi faculty advisors.
Gameday sale at the Shocker Store
For every home men’s basketball game, the Shocker Store at Braeburn Square will have a sale for Shocker fans! For the game against Northeastern State today (Tuesday, Oct. 29), buy one apparel item, get one ½ off all day in the Braeburn Square location only. Some exclusions apply. Second item must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other discounts or promotions.
Sale on black apparel for Halloween
For Halloween week, take 20% off all black apparel items in the Shocker Store! Sale is through Saturday in RSC store only.