Don't forget about accessibility revisions when completing your FAR
From Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
As our campus continues to work on improved accessibility in many areas, faculty are redesigning coursework and modifying documents to be fully accessible. This valuable work can be time consuming and often requires some creative pedagogical modifications.
Faculty are encouraged to include details of this work in their Faculty Activity Record (FAR) in section I on Teaching / Librarianship. The Instructional Design and Accessibility office (IDA) is happy to do a review of revised courses and provide a letter of support to document this work, if desired.
PowerUp with new Microsoft Office 365 features
Are you curious about new features and updates in Microsoft Office 365? PowerUp with knowledge at a quick informational session in January with Microsoft Certified Trainer Ali Levine. Artificial Intelligence, time saving tips, new accessibility settings, creative inspiration, and even a couple extras for fun … this will be an action-packed hour. Sign up in myTraining and we will save you a spot and a free guide.
The session will be offered twice:
- 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8
- 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15
Classroom Technology Training Schedule for spring 2020
Classrooms across campus are equipped with uniform technology and media equipment. Access is available to faculty and staff with consistent keys for most classrooms that are issued during a short training session. We encourage you to bring your personal laptop to test in the room during training. If there are additional needs or questions, please call 978-3588.
Faculty are encouraged to verify that their assigned rooms have the technology they need prior to the start of the semester.
Spring 2020 Classroom Technology Training Schedule
Award for Research/Creative (ARC) proposals are due by Feb. 7 to the Office of Research
Proposals are due to the Office of Research for Award for Research / Creative (ARC) projects no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. The ARC provides funding of up to $4,000 to enable faculty to pursue research or creative projects during the summer. Proposers must work with a Grant Specialist in the Office of Research prior to submission, and all complete applications require an endorsement from the chair and dean. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed or considered.
Please contact proposals@wichita.edu to get started, or visit our website for additional information.
Registration for Goal-Setting Workshop is now available
WSU faculty and staff looking for tips about how to set and keep both personal and professional goals should sign up for this free workshop facilitated by ComPsych / Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Qualified employees will receive a HealthQuest point for completing the session! This workshop will be held January – March, and will take place in the RSC. Seating is limited. Registration is required through the myTraining link (found in myWSU). For assistance with myTraining, email myTraining@wichita.edu.
Goal-setting gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. The process of setting goals allows you to choose where you want to go in your personal life as well as your professional career. A life without goals is like a road trip without a map. By knowing exactly what you want to achieve, you are less likely to get lost, and you will be happier and less frustrated along the way.
At the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Define what goals mean to you
- Identify the specificity that differentiates goals from wishes or dreams
- Identify the reasons goals sometimes fail
- Describe how you can overcome common pitfalls
- Describe how to write your goals effectively
- Identify how to use a goal-setting worksheet
- Describe your action plan for keeping to your goals
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.
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
The Graduate School staff return to Jardine Hall
The Graduate School will return to 107 Jardine Hall beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8. It may take staff a bit longer than usual to respond to calls and emails during the move, which is slated to be finished by the end of the day on Thursday, Jan. 9.
The Graduate School expects to be fully operational again in their permanent location of 107 Jardine Hall on Friday, Jan. 10. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Women of WSU lunch with the women’s athletic coaches on Jan. 16
Join us for the first Women of Wichita State Luncheon of 2020 at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, in 142 RSC.
The featured guest speakers are WSU’s Women’s Team Coaches in volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis and golf.
Lunch is $12 and includes a soup, salad and sandwich buffet.
Please RSVP by Friday, Jan. 10 at January luncheon.
Call for Fiscal Year 2021 Educational Opportunity and Student Fee Funding Requests
It’s 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.
Faculty, staff and alumni invited to attend Shocker Legacy Day
On Saturday, Jan. 18, the Office of Admissions invites high school and transfer student children of university staff and faculty to Shocker Legacy Day. The event, intended to grow our Shocker Family from within the ranks of our employees and alumni, provides lunch, a campus tour and two tickets to the Shocker men’s basketball game that afternoon.
To RSVP, go to wichita.edu/visit and click on “Admissions Events.” For questions, contact Ellen Nikkel at ellen.nikkel@wichita.edu or 978-3168.
Asian fusion restaurant now open in Braeburn Square
The Shocker and Wichita community now have a new dining option with the recent opening of Journey East in Braeburn Square.
Journey East is located on the south end of the south building in Braeburn, next to Meritrust Credit Union. The restaurant serves Asian fusion cuisine and was created by the same people who own the popular Malaysia Cafe.
Journey East is open 10:30a.m.-10 p.m. every day.
Read more about Journey East and follow them on Facebook.
Soup of the Week at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
Soup is back at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes just in time for the cooler weather! A different soup will be featured each week, Monday-Friday. Grab a cup for $2.99 or a bowl for $3.99. For Jan. 6-10, the Soup of the Week is Tomato Tortellini.