Wichita State recognized for its increased safety efforts
The Wichita State University Police Department has been named as one of the Top 25 programs in the country for its focus on safety.
The list, compiled by Safe Campus, places WSU at No. 16 in the nation. The award is open to any administrative department from a U.S. college or university that has improved campus safety.
Making this Top 25 list is a recognition that WSU has excelled in making campus a more secure place for students, employees and visitors.
Pictured above: Wichita State Police, students and staff gather for a spring celebration on campus.
Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) application forms are open
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely-available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs on the student body.
The project has two elements:
- OAT Course Designation: Provides an incentive to faculty based on a $10/student course fee, which will be applied to an approved course that is using Open / Alternative textbooks that have no cost to the students. This money is split between the department offering the course (60%) and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (40%).
- OAT Grant Program: Provides $2,000-5,000 grants to faculty who apply for the grant
to redesign a course with no-cost resources, or to write or contribute to an open
educational resource, or other alternative text that can be provided to the students
free of charge. These grants are funded by the course fees.
Read more on Open / Alternative Textbook application forms.
The OAT Initiative will be managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations and Grant Applications will be submitted via web form and reviewed by a panel be made up of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
Apply now for Fall 2020 course designation. Deadline: Feb 1.
Grant applications will be due May 1 for AY 2020-21.
Learn how to use gartner.wichita.edu research
Jessica Carey
Today (Friday, Jan. 17), Jessica Carey from Gartner will be on site to help you learn how to use gartner.wichita.edu. She will have open office hours from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in 233 Jabara Hall.
Wichita State has partnered with Gartner for the purpose of enhancing the teaching / learning experience, and improving IT. Gartner is the world's leading information technology research and advisory company.
All campus access using WSU single-sign-on allows students, faculty and staff to easily access and benefit from Gartner research. Jessica can teach you how.
Call 978-7575 if you need a specific time.
Glenmaye named acting dean for College of Health Professions
Linnea Glenmaye
Dr. Linnea Glenmaye will serve as acting Dean of the College of Health Professions, following the resignation of Dean Sandra Bibb.
Dr. GlenMaye has been at WSU since 1998, having served as the Director of the School of Social Work before joining the Provost’s Office in 2011 as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.
New look for myWSU login
Effective yesterday (Thursday, Jan. 16), there is a new look when logging in to myWSU.
The myWSU login has been updated and the login screen has changed.
- When accessing myWSU, select ‘Login to myWSU.’
- From the authentication window, the log in process remains the same - using your myWSU ID and Password.
For questions, contact the WSU Help Desk at 978-HELP (4357).
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Office of Undergraduate Admissions in the citywide MLK Parade
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions in the Citywide MLK Breakfast and Parade on Saturday, Jan. 18. Bring a nonperishable item to be donated to help with hunger in the community. Wear your WSU gear. Line-up is at 9:30 a.m. at the Christian Faith Centre, 1130 S. Broadway. The citywide parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the Christian Faith Centre and head to Chester I. Lewis Reflection Square Park, 205 E. Douglas Ave.
For more information on MLK events, go to Wichita.edu/mlk or contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.
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 today (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.
2020 Biometric Screenings appointment scheduler now open
Biometric screening dates for 2020 have been scheduled, and the appointment scheduler is open. All screening events are held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Walk-ins may be available, but preference is given to those with scheduled appointments. There is no required wait period between when you had your 2019 screening and when you can schedule your 2020 screening. To avoid a long wait, employees and covered spouses are encouraged to schedule their appointments as early in the year as possible.
Attendees earn 5 HealthQuest points just for attending, and up to 18 additional points for blood pressure, blood glucose, and total blood cholesterol within ideal ranges, for up to 23 points and $230 HSA/HRA rewards dollars. If your metrics are outside of the ideal ranges, you can still earn the same points by participating in the CCE learning modules in the HealthQuest portal on blood pressure, blood sugar management, and / or high cholesterol, as needed.
Tuesday, Jan 21 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Feb 18 in 265 RSC
Monday, Mar 9 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Apr 14 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, May 19 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Aug 18 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Sep 8 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Oct 20 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Oct 27 in 266 RSC
To schedule your appointment, register or log in to the HealthQuest portal, or call to schedule at 1-888-275-1205, option 3! All employees and spouses will need to re-register for the new 2020 HealthQuest portal. Click here for registration instructions.
The Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences presents Mark Walsh, Maynooth University, Ireland
Please join us for a public lecture by Mark Walsh, titled "H-spaces, Loop spaces and Curvature" at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in 127 Jabara Hall.
Refreshments will be served before the lecture at 3 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.
View an abstract and a list of upcoming lectures here.
Cops and chips
The Wichita State University Police Department is starting a new Community Policing effort at the beginning of the spring 2020 semester on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Officers will be carrying WSUPD “poker chips” that will have our badge on the front and the WSU logo and a website address on the back. The website will direct you to locations on campus that you will be able to exchange the poker chip for a reward. Those rewards vary by location, but could include free drinks with meals, tacos, merchandise discounts, and more. Chips are redeemable at on-campus locations only.
In order to receive a chip, engage an officer on campus, introduce yourself, and get to know the officer. You might be rewarded with a poker chip. If you choose to keep the poker chip you may, but you must turn it in for the reward.
Be looking for our officers after the beginning of the spring 2020 semester. Check the website for the locations of rewards. You might find something you like! Officers will have limited quantities, and may run out at anytime.
Visit www.wichita.edu/police, Click on the In This Section button and select Rewards.
On-site Health Coaching appointments available on Jan. 21
Are you a benefits-eligible employee enrolled in the State Employee Health Plan, and want to get started on your health goals this year and earning HealthQuest points?
On-site Health Coaching Sessions (1 point) will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, in 238 RSC. To schedule your appointment, register or log in to the HealthQuest Portal, or call to schedule at 1-888-275-1205, option 3.
Walk-ins may also be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis if appointments are not filled.
Reminder - All employees and spouses will need to re-register for the new 2020 HealthQuest portal. Click here for registration instructions.
All call for WSU Graduate Student of the Year judges
The WSU Graduate Student of the Year scholarship competition is a competitive and prestigious opportunity for graduate students who have proven exemplary leadership, involvement, and service both to the WSU and Wichita communities. Applications and nominations are now open for students who wish to participate. We are calling for judges to serve throughout the selection process. The dates and details for each round are below. We are looking for two different sets of judges, so upon indicating interest, please include which round you would be most interested in serving.
Round 1: Application Review – Completed by Thursday, Feb. 20
- This process would be going through the qualified applicants and meeting to decide on which students move onto the next round.
Round 2: Interviews/Presentations – Friday, Feb. 28
- Our judges panel will sit through a series of interviews which include a presentation of those selected to move on from the application round. Deliberation and decision on the final court of 5 students will follow the interviews.
Please send which round you would like to serve, or any questions to Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or 978-7402.
University Update
At Thursday’s Weekly Briefing, the following information was shared during the University Update.
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
Spring semester classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 21. We wish all students, faculty and staff a successful semester.
WICHITA STATE OFFERS HELP TO AVIATION WORKERS
Wichita State University and WSU Tech have joined the Air Capital Commitment to provide immediate support and resources to those impacted by the layoffs at Spirit AeroSystems and its supplier companies.
As members of the Aerospace Task Force, WSU and WSU Tech representatives are working alongside community leaders and partners at the federal, state and local levels of government to create enhanced services to lessen the impact of these layoffs on individuals, families and community.
Please watch for the Air Capital Commitment website being launched next week.
STEVE CLARK YMCA OPENS TUESDAY
The Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center on campus will hold its grand opening on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Tours and giveaways begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Ribbon cutting takes place at 3:30. A watch party for Wichita State’s men’s basketball game at South Florida begins at 5 p.m.
The facility’s preview days continue until Monday The YMCA is open from 5:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m.-10 p.m. on Sunday.
We are proud of this collaboration with WSU students to improve our campus’ health and wellness. Wichita State’s partnership with the Steve Clark YMCA will bring new programs and opportunities to campus and deepen the university’s connection to the neighborhood.
In addition to providing added fitness programming, the facility will also house a comprehensive Wellness Center to better serve the academic, physical, mental and emotional health needs of our students. The Wellness Center offers expanded physical and mental health services, located in one facility.
All fee-paying students are automatically members of the YMCA and all of the other YMCA locations in the Wichita area. Faculty and staff receive a discount to become members of the WSU YMCA, and anyone in the community is welcome to become a member, as well.
INNOVATION AWARDS
Wichita State’s Innovation Awards takes place at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom in the Rhatigan Student Center.
The awards, sponsored by WSU Ventures and WSU Strategic Initiatives, recognize students, faculty, staff and partners who execute programs and initiatives that greatly impact achievement of the university mission and vision.
The honors include Bright Future awards for students such as Jalen Cooper in Fine Arts, a Trail Blazer honor for Wichita State’s varsity e-sports team and the Pioneer Award for the student-staffed Help Hangar at Textron.
INNOVATION CAMPUS UPDATE
The Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing Labs (AVET) is open in its new home on the Innovation Campus, at Oliver and 18th streets.
AVET houses crash-test labs that were located in National Institute for Aviation Research headquarters on Mid-Campus Drive.
The new space and equipment for the labs will enable the Institute to expand its work volume, hire more employees and provide more precise testing for its clients. The facility will also house NIAR’s world-renowned Virtual Engineering Lab with space for 40+ computer workstations, three collaboration rooms and secured areas for restricted projects.
Journey East Asia Grill is the latest addition to Braeburn Square. The Asian Fusion restaurant opened in December and joins Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Starbucks as dining options for students, staff, faculty and members of the community, in addition to the restaurants in the Rhatigan Student Center.
GOOD GRADES FOR SHOCKERS
Wichita State’s athletic teams excelled in the fall 2019 semester. The cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 is the highest in the department’s recorded history. It is the 29th consecutive semester with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
The men’s golf team led the department with a 3.61 GPA with women’s golf at 3.59. Men’s basketball (3.29) and baseball (3.28) set team records.
Ten of Wichita State’s 11 teams posted a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and 26 student-athletes earned a 4.0 GPA.
RSC hours of operation for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The Rhatigan Student Center and its departments will have altered hours of operation on Monday, Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Please visit www.wichita.edu/rschours to find specific department and dining location hours.
Understanding Finance at WSU coming on Jan. 28
Understanding finance at WSU can be a challenge for budget officers and support staff. Lois Tatro will present WSU Finance 101 from 2-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in 208 Hubbard Hall. This presentation includes information on GU and RU funding, how to stay on top of departmental finances, processing revenue, expenses, BPC cards, travel and more.
If you have questions regarding finance that you would like covered, please email training@wichita.edu as soon as possible.
To view session details and register, go to myWSU > myTraining. Registration is helpful to determine the number of handouts. Contact ITS Applications Training at 978-5800 if you need assistance.
WSU Men's Basketball home game tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 18)! Prepare for certain parking lot closures
Prepare for certain parking lot closures three hours prior to game time tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 18). 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.
Invitation to World Trade Council dinner presentation by Grant Thornton on the ‘State of the Global Economy’
The World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil), part of a strategic public-private partnership with the Barton School of Business’s Center for International Business Advancement or CIBA, will begin this new year with a dinner presentation on Thursday, Jan. 23, sponsored by Grant Thornton, on the “State of The Global Economy.” Click here for details.
Our featured speaker is David Sites, partner at Grant Thornton's DC national office speaking on “Tax and Trade in the Global Economy.” Sites will address how multinationals may minimize legislative and regulatory risks in today's globally interconnected economies buffeted by tariff and policy changes. A Q&A session will follow.
WSU students enjoy a subsidized rate of $10; WSU faculty attend for $40. Please make your reservations through the link above; you may also send an email to Sherryl Hubble at sherryl.hubble@wichita.edu or Emily Orwaru at emorwaru@shockers.wichita.edu.
If you are attending and wish to ask questions of the speakers, please send these questions by Tuesday, Jan. 21 to Usha Haley, chair, WTCouncil / Director, Center for International Business Advancement, at usha.haley@wichita.edu.
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.
Join fellow Shockers for cosmic bowling before classes start
Enjoy $1.50 cosmic bowling games with free rental shoes from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 20), in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes. This event is open to the public!
Nominations 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.
Ten finalists chosen for the Linwood Sexton Endowed Scholarship
Wichita State University has chosen the top 10 finalists for the Linwood Sexton Endowed Scholarship, a full-ride award geared toward minority students majoring in business or education.
Linwood Sexton Scholarship finalists
Take an extra 10% off clearance merchandise at the RSC Shocker Store
Now through Jan. 25, take an extra 10% off already-marked-down clearance merchandise at the Shocker Store! Sale is valid at RSC location only.
Nominations are open for outstanding adult learner
In March of 2020, the Office of Adult Learning will host the inaugural Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony. In this awards ceremony, the Office of Adult Learning will celebrate five years as an office and name an ALOTY.
The Office of Adult Learning needs the WSU community to help find an adult learning deserving of the title. The criteria for ALOTY is below.
- 3.25 GPA at WSU
- Displays perseverance in obtaining a degree
- Demonstrates Shocker pride
- Possesses leadership qualities
If you know anyone who meets the criteria, nominate them using the link below. If you have any questions, contant Pamela O'Neal at 978-8313 or email pamela.oneal@wichita.edu
Submit nominations for the Adult Learner of the Year
Annual organ series workshop to feature Hentus van Rooyen
Please join us for our annual Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Organ Workshop from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, in Wiedemann Hall. Our guest performer and teacher is Hentus van Rooyen, professor of organ at Bethany College in Lindsborg. He will play a variety of pieces on the great Marcussen organ and then invite organ and piano students alike to try out the instrument! Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.
Use your Shocker Dollars at Sally the Robot
Sally the Robot, located on the first floor of the RSC, now takes Shocker Dollars and Dining Dollars! Grab your next salad with Sally using your WSU ID.
Fill out your LaunchPrep applications now
Applications for LaunchPrep are now open. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 3. LaunchPrep provides your early stage startup with access to a select group of Wichita’s most successful entrepreneurs. These mentors, along with round table topics brought to you by industry leaders creates a winning combination for all participants.
The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to the Spring Exhibition Opening Party
The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to join us from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, for an exploration of the newest suite of exhibitions on display this spring:
Zoe Beloff: Emotions Go to Work
Lee Adler: A Mad Man Amid the Machines
A.P. Vague: Digital Palimpsests
Solving for X=Representation: Slaying the Gerrymander
Ulrich receptions are a conversation, a gathering of artists and art enthusiasts intertwined with music, fine fare and possibility. This event is free and open to the public.
Save on Charlie Hustle apparel
For every home men’s basketball game, the Shocker Store at Braeburn Square will have a sale for Shocker fans! For the game against Houston on Saturday, Jan. 18, take 20% off all Charlie Hustle apparel; Braeburn Square location only. Some exclusions apply. Not valid with other discounts or promotions.