All we want for Christmas is Wu
Join some of our students in the Office of Admissions’ annual holiday video as they search campus in hopes of finding Wu before they have to leave campus for holiday break!
Wichita State University holiday hours
Wichita State University’s holiday hours will begin Monday, Dec. 23, and go through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Some hours will vary by department.
WSU, Butler create powerful degree pathway in biomedical engineering
Those interested in a career in biomedical engineering just received another degree option that’s closer to home. Wichita State University and Butler Community College have joined forces to create a 2+2 agreement that articulates a complete four-year plan of study in biomedical engineering.
The partnership is between WSU’s College of Engineering and Butler’s pre-engineering program. Biomedical engineering is the newest engineering track at Wichita State, and this articulation agreement is the program’s first with a community college.
Read complete story on WSU and Butler agreement
Website Usability Study - Participants needed
Participants age 18 and older who have experience using websites for renting apartments are needed to help evaluate the usability of a website. If you are interested, please take a few minutes to take the screening survey here.
If you qualify, you will be contacted to schedule a time to participate. This study takes place at the WSU main campus and lasts about 60-90 minutes. Participants in the study will earn $25 for their time.
Questions can be directed to Traci Hart at Traci.Hart@wichita.edu at 978-3812.
Wichita State Men's Basketball - Holiday ticket offer
The Wichita State Athletic Department would like to extend a Christmas holiday offer to all faculty and staff! The offer will include the following men’s basketball games: Sunday, Dec. 29 against Abilene Christian ($10), Wednesday, Jan. 1 against ECU ($10), and Saturday, Jan. 4 versus Ole’ Miss ($20).
To redeem this offer, go to GoShockers.com, click on the tickets tab, click buy tickets, click on promotions tab (top bar on screen), and type in promotion code: HOLIDAY.
Best practices in accessibility and accommodations
Join the Office of Academic Affairs from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, in 142 RSC, for a discussion of best practices in accessibility and accommodations in higher education.
Presenters are Eric M. Wilson, associate educator in the Elliott School of Communication and Trends in Higher Education Fellow, and John Jones, director of the WSU Media Resources Center.
They will provide insights and takeaways from Accessing Higher Ground, a national higher education accessibility conference that they attended in November 2019. Tips and strategies will be discussed that can be used for implementation right away as all make final preparations for spring semester classes.
Discussion topics include simple, easy-to-incorporate strategies you can use now to begin improving the accessibility of your courses, a look at how WSU’s ongoing accessibility efforts compare to those of peer institutions regionally and nationally, and the latest best practices and trends for accessibility and Universal Design.
Registration is requested by Monday, Jan. 13. An afternoon of desserts and refreshments will be served; please advise of any dietary restrictions.
Trends in Higher Education Fellow
Heating and cooling, personal space heaters, and sustainability
We need your help.
Facilities Services staff continue their work to ensure our campus is in compliance with Policy 11.27/HVAC Systems Standards, which went into effect on Dec. 10, 2018. Please review this policy here.
Based upon standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and OSHA recommendations, Policy 11.27 aligns with the best practices used at many colleges and universities. Focused on energy efficiency and comfort, these standards recommend buildings, when occupied, be heated to 68 degrees in the winter, and cooled to 76 degrees in the summer. Studies have determined these temperatures are comfortable for most people who are dressed appropriately for the season.
Many universities suggest students, faculty and staff partner in sustainability efforts by dressing for the season and in layers to help moderate their own personal temperature. Others suggest keeping a blanket or throw at your desk for those particularly cold days. They also suggest considering how office furniture can be rearranged to provide faculty and staff with optimal heating and cooling comfort. (Facilities Services will help rearrange most offices at no charge.)
An important component of the HVAC Systems Standards policy states that space heaters are not allowed on our campus due to their excessive energy consumption, the safety hazards they can create, and their negative impact on the efficiency of HVAC systems. As winter is upon us, we are again asking that faculty and staff remove personal space heaters from our campus. WSU’s Space Heater Policy can be viewed here.
Regarding energy consumption, space heaters typically use more energy than your computer, lights, and all your office equipment combined. During the summer of 2014, Stanford’s Office of Sustainability conducted a plug load equipment inventory which revealed that there were approximately 1,000 space heaters on their campus, creating $150,000 of additional electrical cost annually. Given our approximately $6,000,000 annual utility costs, with just a 5% reduction in consumption we can achieve significant savings.
If you believe a learning or working space on our campus is too hot or cold, it is essential that a work order request be submitted here.
Upon receipt of the work order request, Facilities Services staff will respond and investigate in a timely manner. Should Facilities Services staff determine the space cannot be maintained in compliance with Policy 11.27, temporary use of space heaters will be approved by Facilities Services Fire and Safety staff while repairs are in progress.
Thank you for continuing to work with Facilities Services staff to ensure campuswide compliance with Policy 11.27/HVAC Systems Standards. As partners, we can enhance the success of WSU’s sustainability efforts by reducing our energy consumption, lowering our utility costs, and reducing our carbon footprint.
Three WSU students recognized as new University Innovation Fellows
Stanford University’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design has named three Wichita State students as University Innovation Fellows. Jacob Burns, Molly Carlson and Savannah Redfern will join more than 2,000 Fellows at 267 institutions worldwide.
The renowned program is a global community that empowers student leaders to increase campus engagement. It encourages students to help their peers build the creative confidence, agency, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to address global challenges and to build a better future.
The program is run by Epicenter, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and directed by Stanford University and VentureWell.
Pictured above: Jacob Burns, back row third from the left, Molly Carlson, front row second from the right, and Savannah Redfern, front row second from the left, will join more than 2,000 Fellows at 267 institutions worldwide.
Read complete story on the new University Innovation Fellows .
Alumna in the running for Grammy Music Educator Award
For every music performer who has earned a Grammy award, there have been one or more music educators supporting their career.
Courtney Powers, music director at South Philadelphia High School, is in the running for a Grammy of her own for her work in music education.
Courtney is currently one of 25 semifinalists for the award.
Read more on Courtney Powers .
Parking lot closures for further repairs to Cessna Stadium light poles on Jan. 2 and 3
Please be advised that some additional permanent repairs, beyond those safeguards installed last spring, will be implemented for the tall field light poles on the east side of Cessna Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3, after the university reopens from the holidays.
The light poles are not coming down for these fixes, but insofar as the poles will have to be permanently bolted by crane lift, parking Lots 3N, 3S and 11, those lots between Cessna Stadium and Devlin Hall and on the north side of the east Cessna Stadium stands, will have to be closed to parking on Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3.
Depending on the conditions and progression of the work and safety of the area, there may be a possibility of some reopening of space in Lots 3N and 11, but that likelihood is remote.
We will do everything we can to expedite the work and restore safe conditions that will allow parking in the lots as soon as possible, but safety to pedestrians, drivers and property will dictate the reopening of those parking lots.
Sign up for Instructor Training Day on Jan. 15
Wednesday, Jan. 15 is "Instructor Training Day" at the RSC. Choose from many topics and times by signing up through myTraining. Topics include:
* Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR)
* Image Manipulation for Classroom Use
* Creating Accessible Video (covers adding video to classes in different platforms)
* Accessibility Exceptions Procedures (counts as your mandatory accessibility training for 2019-20 academic year)
*Aligning Blackboard Content to your Face-to-Face Class
Trainings are offered all day, so choose one or several topics based upon your interest and time availability. Please bring your laptop or other device to the trainings you choose.
To find the trainings in myTraining, simply search by name or look on Jan. 15 on the training calendar. Spaces are limited, so sign up today.
Call for Fiscal Year 2021 Educational Opportunity and Student Fee Funding Requests
It’s again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY ‘21. Student Fees provide funding for programs / activities delivered directly to students, and the Educational Opportunity Fund provides funding for financial assistance to students.
If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the Budget / Review Officer should have received an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, please contact Lauren Smith, Jason Post, or David Miller in the Budget Office at 978-3030 for additional information.
Requests are due no later than Friday, Jan, 24.
Nominations now open for 2020 Distinguished Service Awards
Do you know an Unclassified Professional (UP) or University Support Staff (USS) employee who deserves special recognition for their contributions to WSU? Nominate them for the 2020 Distinguished Service Awards!
These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of UP / USS employees who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration.
Submit a nomination by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, at Distinguished Service Awards.
Fire Safety to test fire alarm horns and lights
In order to complete the annual fire alarm testing for all campus buildings, Fire Safety along with Sandifer Engineering will be sounding the fire alarms throughout the day both Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan. 3.
The alarms will sound for a significant period of time in order for inspectors to be able to walk the entire building to verify the audio and visual devices are working.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Volunteer opportunities available during winter break
VolunteerICT has hundreds of volunteer opportunities from local nonprofits looking for volunteers. All students, faculty and staff have an account through myWSU. Set-up is simple and easy by visiting our website at Wichita.edu/volunteerICT.
WSU Men's Basketball home game tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 21)! Prepare for certain parking lot closures
Prepare for certain parking lot closures three hours prior to game time tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 21). Unauthorized vehicles must vacate the lots prior to the scheduled closure time in order to avoid receiving a parking citation.
Look at the map above to make alternative parking arrangements if necessary.
Arrive on campus earlier than usual. Buy yourself some time in case you need to park farther away from your desired destination than normal.
Dress for the weather in case you need to walk a little farther than usual, or need to wait a few minutes for a shuttle to take you to your desired destination.
Consider carpooling. Not only does this reduce our carbon footprint, but it also reduces traffic and parking congestion.
Take advantage of the many routes and inexpensive fares Wichita Transit has to offer.
Should you need accommodations because of a disability, call Disability Services at 978-3309.
For parking questions, call OneStop at 978-4775.
Meet a Shocker: Michaela Marioni, video game design grad
Texas native Michaela Marioni moved to Wichita when her husband was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in 2015, and she decided to enroll at Wichita State. Originally a veterinarian medicine major, Michaela discovered her talent for video editing in a class and pursued it with a passion.
Since 2017 she has built a whole network and portfolio to match her talents. Michaela looks forward to attending the Game Design Conference in March to show off her portfolio to potential employers.
Michaela is one of more than 1,100 students who was eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
Meet a Shocker: Andrew Martin, communication grad
Andrew Martin has held many titles while attending Wichita State. He was the Director of Public Relations for SGA, served as a peer facilitator for the College of Health Professions and even has flown to new heights while getting his pilot's license. One thing is for sure, Andrew's no average Joe and wherever he lands, he'll soar.
Andrew is one of more than 1,100 students who was eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
Meet a Shocker: Stella Yang, economics graduate
Stella Yang has served in many roles on campus since she enrolled in 2016, including business senator and treasurer of Student Government Association, as well as vice president of Asian Student Conference.
A sterling student and kind friend, Stella believes that a smile is a powerful asset for being successful wherever you go. Now, Stella goes to work at manufacturing firm Airxcel, doing what she enjoys and what she has studied so long for.
Stella is one of more than 1,100 students who was eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what's next for this grad.
Fringe on top: class contributes to downtown placemaking project
A class project brought color to the sky above Wichita — and helped one student land a job.
Students in Kristin Beal's Intro to Community & Social Practice collaborated with Downtown Wichita and Best Fringe Forever to design and execute a fringed canopy for Gallery Alley, the outdoor art space near Douglas Avenue and St. Francis.
Students designed the color scheme and then produced and helped install the canopy.
“We would not have been able to do this without their help,” said Katherine Fugit, co-owner of Best Fringe Forever. “We cut the material, gave them some training and then they self-directed after that.”
High school counselors receive holiday gifts
Developing strong relationships with high school counselors is crucial to the recruitment process, as they are oftentimes the ones to promote our programs to the students in their schools. The admissions representatives and diversity interns spent time visiting high schools and delivering holiday treats to the counselors as a thank you for all they do.