2020 Form W-4 is available
The 2020 Form W-4 is available. In addition to the instructions included with the form, the IRS has published Frequently Asked Questions. Employees are strongly encouraged to consult with a tax attorney or tax specialist for guidance regarding the completion of the form to best meet the individual’s unique tax situation.
For more information, go to the 2020 Form W4 Explanation page found here.
How does WSU compare to peer institutions?
Attend Best Practices in Accessibility and Accommodations with 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, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, in 142 RSC.
Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here by Monday, Jan. 13.
Wilson and Jones will look at how WSU compares to peer institutions in meeting accessibility and accommodation needs. Discuss our biggest challenges as a university and as individual faculty members. Explore examples of how to meet these challenges, and share resources and ideas for making content more accessible. Dive into the new accessibility exceptions process.
Registration is requested by Monday, Jan. 13. Snacks and refreshments will be served, please advise of any dietary restrictions.
Registration for the Kansas NSF EPSCoR Annual MAPS Research Symposium is now open!
The Kansas NSF EPSCoR Annual MAPS Research Symposium will be held Monday, March 2, at the KU Adams Alumni Center, 1266 Oread Ave., Lawrence, Kansas. You are invited to attend due to your association with Kansas NSF EPSCoR.
There will be a welcome reception the evening before (Sunday, March 1) at the Oread Hotel (1200 Oread Ave., Lawrence, KS).
There is no fee to attend but registration is required. Please register by Friday, February 21, 2020.
Program and other logistical details are TBA. Accommodations for overnight guests will be at the Oread Hotel, 1200 Oread Ave, Lawrence, Kansas. To make reservations, call 785-843-1200 and tell the reservation service you are with the Kansas NSF EPSCoR 2020 Symposium. To guarantee a room reservation, call on or before Friday, Jan. 31.
Click here for up-to-date information. Contact Doug Byers at dbyers@ku.edu or 785-864-3227 with questions.
Nursing faculty member wins Tribute to Heroes award
School of Nursing faculty member Major Richard Nold was honored as a Disaster Relief Hero at the American Red Cross Tribute to Heroes breakfast. This event honors ordinary people who do extraordinary things within our community. Thank you for your service, Richard!
Wall Street Journal approaches Haley to check methodology on China and Huawei in trade talks
The Wall Street Journal approached Professor Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair in International Business, Professor of Management, and the leading authority on Chinese subsidies, to check their methodology on a story on Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. Huawei is currently the most investigated company in the world, in the middle of ongoing US-China trade negotiations, and with litigation against it from US, EU, UK and Australian governments either planned or on.
“The Journal verified its methodology with subsidy analysts, including Usha Haley, professor at Wichita State University…”
Read Wall Street Journal story.
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
A celebration of life to honor Joyce Cavarozzi, Professor Emeritus
A celebration of life to honor Joyce Cavarozzi, Professor Emeritus, will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, at the Crown Uptown Theatre. Joyce passed away on Sept. 29, 2019. Friends and family invite those from the WSU community who knew and worked with Joyce to join us in remembrance and celebration of this phenomenal artist, teacher, civic activist, mother, and friend.
Joyce was a moving force in the performing arts in Wichita for five decades. In her long professional career she directed more than 110 productions, designed costumes for more than 150, performed on stage, on television, and in several movies.
In 2017 Joyce was inducted into the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame, and the Mary Jane Teall Theatre Awards Hall of Fame in 1996. She was a past president of the WSU Faculty Senate, a member of the WSU Foundation Society of 1895, has been honored with a brick in the Plaza of Heroines, and received the WSU President's Award for Distinguished Service.
We look forward to celebrating Joyce with those who knew and loved her. RSVP and comment on the FaceBook invitation, or contact Jessie Gray with responses or questions.
Need help with HealthQuest?
It’s the start of a new plan year, which means a fresh start for HealthQuest points! Employees enrolled in 2020 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!
You may have noticed that the HealthQuest portal has been completely redesigned for 2020 and all employees and spouses must re-register. Click here for registration instructions.
HR Total Rewards is holding three HealthQuest labs in January to help employees get registered, tour the HealthQuest site and get started on activities. Sign up through myTraining.
- 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in 122 Jabara Hall
- 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in 122 Jabara Hall
- 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in 122 Jabara Hall
Any questions please reach out to HR Total Rewards at TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
PowerUp with new Microsoft 365 features
Did you miss the Microsoft PowerUp! Session on Jan. 8? You have another chance to catch up on new features and updates in Microsoft Office 365. PowerUp with knowledge at a quick informational session with Microsoft Certified Trainer Ali Levine from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. This will be the second and final session.
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.
Wichita State University honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
Wichita State University will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a series of events on campus and throughout Wichita.
This celebration begins Friday, Jan. 17 and will last until Wednesday, Jan. 22 through citywide collaboration with organizations like Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., The Kansas African American Museum, and the Greater Wichita Ministerial League.
On Saturday, Jan. 18, the university will participate in the citywide Martin Luther King Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. The celebration continues on Monday, Jan. 20. Wichita State will cosponsor with the Greater Wichita Ministerial League to host the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Worship Celebration at noon in the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex.
Later that week, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host its 12th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Rhatigan Student Center Shirley Beggs Ballroom.
A majority of events are free and open to the public. A compiled guide of celebrations for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day can be accessed at wichita.edu/MLK.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or diversity@wichita.edu.
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.