WSU Today: Dec. 2, 2019

Jay Golden will become WSU President Dec. 17, as Andy Tompkins completes interim presidency

Interim President Andy Tompkins will complete his duties at Wichita State on Monday, Dec. 16, the day after presiding over fall commencement. Tompkins became interim president in April, following the death of President John Bardo.

Jay Golden, who will officially become president on Dec. 17, has already been actively learning about the university and preparing for 2020. He’s in Wichita this week for a series of meetings on campus and in the community, concluding with a Friday night dinner at Braeburn Square, which will be open to the community.

Golden and Interim President Tompkins will greet faculty and staff at the holiday reception Friday afternoon.

Golden is inviting the Shocker and Wichita community to drop in for dinner and discussion from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Fuzzy’s, next to the Shocker Store in Braeburn Square. Free chips and salsa will be provided.

Apply now for the 2020 John A. See Innovation Award

Applications for the 2020 John A. See Innovation Award will be accepted now to Friday, Jan. 31. The award was established in December 2013 by John A. See to support prototype development, which may include development of products in engineering and science, development of life-enhancing therapeutic products, creation of application of new knowledge and artistic ventures.

Faculty and students are eligible to apply for the proof of concept award. For more information and access to the online application options go to www.wichita.edu/innovationaward.

WSU-RIA Colloquium and faculty networking event

The WSU Regional Institute on Aging (RIA) is hosting a colloquium and networking event in conjunction with its recently released rfp. This opportunity is aimed at facilitating the formation of interdisciplinary teams of researchers interested in similar issues.

The event will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the RSC Lancelot Room.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Joseph Schlesinger, Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University presenting "The alarmscape in the OR and ICU - Considerations for the aging clinician and patient.”

Regional Institute on Aging

Early deadlines for employee hiring prior to 2019 Holiday Shutdown

 

In preparation for the 2019 Holiday Shutdown, the HR Talent Acquisition team will implement early deadlines related to hiring. This will provide a more positive experience for candidates, while ensuring positions are posted and employees are hired successfully prior to the shutdown. Additional information and details are found below.

Help celebrate Kirsten Johnson's retirement

Kirsten Johnson

After 35 years of teaching graphic design students at Wichita State, Associate Professor Kirsten Johnson will retire from the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries in the College of Fine Arts. The school will celebrate Kirsten’s years of service at a reception from 4–6 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 3) at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

Please stop by to congratulate Kirsten and enjoy celebratory cake and punch. Well-wishers will also have the opportunity to see Kirsten’s work in the exhibition “Teachable Moments: The XXII Faculty Biennial.”

December HealthQuest upcoming events

Employees enrolled in 2019 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and HSA/HRA rewards dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year! Start by registering in the HealthQuest portal.

In December, there are two events currently scheduled, worth up to four points total. Here are some upcoming events this month:

• Now to Wednesday, Dec. 18, “Sidestep Holiday Stress” wellness challenge. Sign up through the HealthQuest portal. (three points)
• Tuesday, Dec. 17, “Managing Holiday Stress” EAP webinar. Register here. (one point)

We’ll publish upcoming events each month, but if you’d like to plan in advance, check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events. Remember, the deadline to earn points toward your 2020 Premium Discount is Dec. 31, 2019.

Still need some points? Check out the On-Demand Training and Wellness Workshops through the HealthQuest portal.

RSVP for the University Holiday Reception by Wednesday, Dec. 4

Join the President's Executive Team during the University Holiday Reception to thank Interim President Andy Tompkins, and celebrate the accomplishments and milestones of 2019 on Friday, Dec. 6.

The University Holiday Reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, Rhatigan Student Center. Remarks are at 3:15 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and engage with colleagues in various games and activities.

Confirm attendance by Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Wichita.edu/holidayreception.

Everyone is invited to bring a hygiene or baby product donation for the Shocker Support Locker. A list of suggested items is included below.

Carbon footprint under scope as sustainability efforts continue

Wichita State University is in the middle of a six-part sustainability plan to develop and promote initiatives leading to a greater use of resources on campus. The initiatives revolve around facility improvements, new curriculum opportunities and overall student impact. The second goal of these efforts is to focus on reducing the carbon footprint on campus.

Carbon footprint

Tuition Assistance deadline is today (Monday, Dec. 2)

The HR Total Rewards Team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for spring 2020 Tuition Assistance applications is today (Monday, Dec. 2).

A fillable PDF application can be found online here. For more program information, visit www.wichita.edu/TuitionAssistance.

Applications with incorrect or incomplete information, including missing signatures, will be returned to the applicant for completion, and will be considered submitted as of the date of submission of the fully completed form. Applications returned for completion will be denied if they are not submitted with all complete and accurate information prior to the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received each semester, late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

WSU Police Department invites campus to participate in Sergeant’s assessment

 

The WSU Police Department invites faculty, staff and students to participate in a Sergeant’s assessment on Tuesday, Dec. 10, with community presentations at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in 319 RSC.  

The officers taking the assessment are required to give a 10-minute presentation on community policing and what it looks like on the WSU campus. This presentation includes a Q&A session, and we are asking all who participate to do an evaluation form provided.

Human Resources Office will close at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 4

The Office of Human Resources will close at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, and remain closed for the rest of the day.

The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

Attend a special physics seminar with Alex Habig

Please join us for our last physics seminar of the fall semester on a special date and location at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in 211 Hubbard Hall. Alec Habig will give a talk "The Supernova Early Warning System (SNEWS) in the Era of Multi-Messenger.” Refreshments and discussion will follow. This event is supported by the Eddy and April Lucas Fund.

Wichita State Physics

Shocker Printing to close for training

Shocker Printing Services will close between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, for software training. You will still be able to submit print jobs via the digital storefront during this time. The service window will open back up at 2 p.m.

There is plenty of time to get in one more day of learning in 2019!

The workshop “Emotional Intelligence” will be presented by Dotty Harpool, MBA, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10. The cost is $299.

There’s a 40% discount for WSU faculty, staff and students, some restrictions apply. For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 978-3118.

Building strong, cohesive working relationships is an important part to maintaining an efficient and productive workplace. Building, strengthening and managing your emotions is an important component in developing better interaction and success on the job. This program will give you tools to enhance the way you work, communicate and build cooperative networks in the workplace.

The workshop “Leading Teams to High Performance” will be led by Don Hackett, DBA, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. The cost is $299.

There’s a 40% discount for WSU faculty, staff and students, some restrictions apply. For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 978-3118.

This course is designed to give you tools to improve the effectiveness of team-based work environments. You’ll gain skills that will enhance your understanding of team dynamics, and equip you with useful methods to improve the performance of your team.

The “Project Scope and Requirements Management” workshop will be presented from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 12-13, by DeAnn Sullivan, PMP. The cost is $899.

There’s a 40% discount for WSU faculty, staff and students, some restrictions apply. For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 978-3118.

Managing scope on a project is one of the most difficult and demanding jobs of a project manager. Pinning down the project scope starts with a clear understanding of the needs and expectations of the key stakeholders. It involves more than just knowing what needs done. It also requires knowing what not to do and how to manage the changes that inevitably come up during a project. Students will work in teams to develop a project charter, gather requirements, write a scope statement and create a WBS, as well as learn to manage scope once the work begins.

Students should reflect on the semester to set goals for the future

Students should consider taking time to reflect on the past 16 weeks and look ahead to the upcoming spring and summer as they are wrapping up this semester. Thinking about what went well and what they would change are important steps to improving student performance and success.

Students can meet with a Success Coach or a Peer Financial Coach in Student Success for assistance in setting goals, completing success plans or designing a financial plan to remain on the path to graduation. Considering future co-curricular opportunities are also important in developing goals and plans for next year. Students should think about what applied learning experiences they are interested in, as well as social and leadership opportunities, which can be found in Student Involvement.

Audiology doctoral students need participants for their research projects

WSU graduate students in the Doctor of Audiology program need participants for their research projects. They are studying clinical techniques in audiology for evaluating function of the ear.

Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal hearing, have not had an ear infection in the past three months, nor had symptoms of cold, flu, or nasal allergy in the past two weeks.

Participants will receive a free comprehensive hearing evaluation and ear examination prior to testing. The testing will take about one hour. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Brigid Derby at brderby@shockers.wichita.edu or 816-405-4969, or Professor Xiao-Ming Sun at Xiao-Ming.Sun@wichita.edu.

12 Days of Christmas sale begins today (Monday, Dec. 2)

Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from today (Monday, Dec. 2) to Saturday, Dec. 14. Or shop the sale online at shockerstore.com.

New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion, or while supplies last. Visit the Shocker Store Facebook page each day to find out the new sale item(s). The sale item for today (Monday, Dec. 2) is a $16 select crew sweatshirt.

1, 2, 3 Deals at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Head down to the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Dec. 2-6 and enjoy these great deals as you prepare for finals:

$1 Bowling Games ($2 Shoe Rental Applies)

$2 Hot Dogs

$3/Hour Billiards

Take advantage of the Christmas massage special at the Heskett Center

This Christmas, give the gift of relaxation. Schedule or purchase a 90-minute massage for only $50 at the Heskett Center. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 978-3082. Promotion valid Dec. 2-20.

Women of WSU Holiday Luncheon coming Dec. 12

Let's celebrate the holidays with a luncheon at Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 29th & Rock Road beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. We are having a turkey lunch with chantilly cake for dessert. The cost is $16.

We will also have a gift exchange game. If want to participate, purchase and wrap a nice gift with a value of $15 to $20.

RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 5

Join WSUSSLHA's annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser

Wichita State’s Student Speech and Language Hearing Association is having their annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14. This will take place at the Barnes and Noble at 1920 N Rock Road, and will last from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Join WSUSSLHA for shopping, book readings and crafts. WSUSSLHA will also provide gift wrapping for your Barnes and Noble purchase. Donations are welcome, and we hope to see you there.

World AIDS Day free HIV testing

Know Your Status on World AIDS Day! Free HIV testing will be available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the RSC 3rd floor. Confidential testing with results in minutes is sponsored by Student Health Services, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Housing and Residence Life, KU Med of Wichita, and Positive Directions.