Don’t be a victim; lock your cars
WSUPD welcomes all students, faculty and staff back to campus for the spring semester 2020.
Remember to put valuables in the trunk. If you have to leave valuables in the car, place the items out of sight or under the seat.
Please pay attention to your surroundings. Call 978-3450 if you see what you believe to be suspicious activity anywhere on campus. Help be the eyes and ears of Shocker Nation!
Understanding Finance at WSU session 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.
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.
University schedule for the Holiday Closedown 2020
The holiday closedown period has been approved this year to commence at the end of the day on Friday Dec. 18, 2020 and reopen on Monday morning Jan. 4, 2021. We are communicating the schedule at this time to ensure all employees can manage their time off appropriately. The closedown is 10 days, three of which are paid holidays. Classes will not be in session during this period.
Unclassified Professional and University Support Staff who would normally be scheduled to work the days may use accumulated vacation leave or their *2020 discretionary day during the holiday closedown. Non-exempt employees can also use accumulated compensatory time off during the holiday closedown.
If your role requires you to work during the holiday closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor.
DATES:
- Monday, Dec. 21, 2020
- Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020
- Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020
- Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 (State Paid Holiday)
- Friday, Dec. 25, 2020 (State Paid Holiday)
- Monday, Dec. 28, 2020
- Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020
- Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020
- Thursday Dec. 31, 2020
- Friday, January 1, 2021 (State Paid Holiday)
Ins and outs of grant administration: open workshops for faculty, staff
The Office of Research will host multiple workshops for faculty and staff who need help with or have questions about grant administration. Research staff can help with all of your questions, including those involving topics such as post-award, expenses, reports, funds, budget, cost-share and effort. Labs will be held throughout January and February. No need to RSVP or register, just show up with your questions. All labs will be held in 409E Jardine Hall. Contact Amy Delgado at amy.delgado@wichita.edu or call 978-5377 for more information.
Open workshop times are:
4-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24
4-5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3
4-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
4-5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17
4-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21
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 HealthQuest labs in January to help employees get registered, tour the HealthQuest site and get started on activities. Sign up through myTraining.
- 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28 in 122 Jabara Hall
Any questions, reach out to HR Total Rewards at TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
Chances of SBIR / STTR Success Webinar on Feb. 4
You'll spend many hours writing your SBIR or STTR proposal, so you’ll want to give yourself every chance of winning the prize. The proposal review is a critical determinant of success, so give yourself every advantage by writing to those reviewers.
In this webinar from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Feb. 4, learn about how the various federal agencies review SBIR/STTR proposals, what reviewers look for in a proposal, and how to write to “sell” your technology. The webinar will also provide formatting tips to make the reviewers’ job easier, who makes up a review team, the criteria they use to evaluate proposals, scoring and review and award timing.
Chances of SBIR/STTR Success Webinar
Get fit at the Heskett Center this spring
Enjoy the Heskett Center this spring with a semester membership for $40.
If you are a YMCA member, get a Heskett Pass from the Steve Clark YMCA facility. Bring the pass to the Heskett Center and your Shocker Card will be activated for the semester with no additional cost.
Campus Recreation Amenities
- 25 meter pool and diving well
- 5 college size basketball courts
- 6 lane running track
- F45 classes (a functional full body workout in 45 minutes)
- Glide Fit
- Massage Therapy - great prices for members
- E-Sports Hub for e-gaming
Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
The Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event is an opportunity for students to present their research experiences to state lawmakers in Topeka on Wednesday, March 4. Up to 40 students participate each year, representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions. Students should follow the link here for more information and to apply. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 31.
KMUW debuts locally produced weekly news program
KMUW's first locally produced news program is here. The Range is a mix of business, arts, culture and community with a focus on local issues and voices. Join host Tom Shine, KMUW’s director of news and public affairs, every Friday on 89.1-FM for a look at where we live and the people who live here. The Range airs Fridays at 6:50 a.m. and 8:50 a.m. during Morning Edition, and 4:50 p.m. during All Things Considered. Episodes are also available online at KMUW.org and on the KMUW app.
It’s here! myTraining has a new look!
Out with the old, in with the new. myTraining has a new look! myTraining now has a sleek new design to help you customize your subjects and find free training sessions, presented by Wichita State subject-matter-experts, available to all WSU faculty, staff, and student employees.
Worried about the training sessions you had previously registered for? What about your myTraining Transcript? Never fear. All previous content should have rolled over to the new layout. Same content, new look.
More details about this myTraining and much more can be found at www.wichita.edu/myTraining or by contacting the myTraining Team at myTraining@wichita.edu.
Add subjects to your new myTraining Learner Homepage
The new myTraining Learner Homepage is here! Upon your very first visit, you will be prompted to add subjects you would like added to the (also new) main carousel! Choose any subject area you are interested in (i.e. Technology, Diversity, Finance) and the myTraining Learner Homepage will customize your learning experience with suggested training sessions! For more information, visit the myTraining webpage at www.wichita.edu/myTraining or email the WSU myTraining Team at myTraining@wichita.edu.
Registration is open for the inaugural Wichita State University Analytics Showcase
The WSU Analytics Showcase will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Registration is free for students and faculty, but space is limited.
- Learn about innovative analytics research, curricular and applied learning activities across WSU; groundbreaking analytics applications; and state-of-the-art analytics software/hardware solutions from leading technology providers.
- Network with WSU faculty, staff and students, community partners, and industry leaders working in the analytics field to build personal and career connections.
- Collaborate and Partner. Discover industry, community and government opportunities in research, applied projects and software development.
- Please visit wichita.edu/analytics to register and learn more about this exciting event which is supported by the colleges of Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Applied Studies.
Contact the Analytics Showcase organizers
Learn more and register for the Showcase
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.
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
Attention: USS and non-teaching UP employees: It’s self-evaluation time!
Emails to USS and non-teaching UP Employees will be sent as a reminder that annual myPerformance Employee Self-Evaluations are due between Jan. 16-31. This allows employees to provide input on job performance and accomplishments. Employees can access their self-evaluation through the myPerformance link found in myWSU.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance) go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.
Ulrich Spring Opening Party will feature exhibitions examining technology’s impact
From visualizations of gerrymandered political districts, to the art of a former Madison Avenue “Mad Man,” the four new exhibitions opening at the Ulrich Museum of Art have one thing in common: all examine our efforts to come to terms with technology.
The Ulrich will unveil the four new exhibitions at its Spring 2020 Exhibition Opening Party from 5-8 p.m. today (Thursday, Jan. 23). The event is free and open to the public.
Ulrich Museum Director Leslie Brothers said this latest suite of exhibitions was especially relevant given WSU’s commitment to technology and innovation.
“We couldn’t be more excited to share these exhibitions with the Wichita State community and the greater public,” Brothers said. “WSU is known as a technology-savvy campus and these four exhibitions offer an intriguing spectrum of views on how our humanity is connected to technology.”
Join the Community Service Board
Learn more about local nonprofits and ways that you can get involved in our community. The Community Service Board meets every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5 p.m. in 142 RSC.
These meetings are open to all WSU faculty, staff and students. Preregistration is not required.
To find out more, visit our website at wichita.edu/CSB[BROKEN LINK]. For questions, email: CSB@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.
Springfest registration is open!
Springfest is a kick-off for the spring semester for both student organizations and university departments. Located in the Heskett Center Gym, this event acts as a way for WSU students to check out the many different organizations we have on campus, as well as discover the amazing resources this campus offers. Along with informational tables, Springfest includes music, inflatables, food, prizes and contests for all students to participate. Registration is taking place now until 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. For questions, contact Maggi Hole at student.orgs@wichita.edu
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.
Get involved and volunteer for one of hundreds of nonprofits in Wichita
Are you looking for a way to get involved this semester? Have you thought about volunteering? VolunteerICT has hundreds of volunteer opportunities from local nonprofits throughout Wichita.
All students, faculty and staff have an account through myWSU. Set-up and simple and easy through our website: Wichita.edu/volunteerICT.
For questions, email: volunteerICT@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.
HCEA Cybersecurity Speaker Series presents Brig. Gen. David Weishaar
Join the Hub for Cybersecurity Education and Awareness from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, in 264 John Bardo Center to hear from Brig. Gen. David Weishaar from the Kansas National Guard and learn more about Creating a Cybersecurity Workforce and Cyber Threat Responsibilities for the Kansas National Guard. Find out more and register at wichita.edu/cyberhub.