myPerformance Manager Review is due this week!
Managers of USS and Non-Teaching UP Employees should submit reviews and ratings for their direct reports for the 2019-20 annual evaluations in myPerformance. This step is due by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. Managers should log in to myPerformance (through myWSU) to rate their direct reports and submit comments to justify the ratings.
NOTE: The planning step for 2020-21 annual evaluations in myPerformance has been available since Feb. 1. This allowed managers to potentially meet with their direct reports for the (2019-20) current end-of-review as well as the (2020-21) next cycle’s planning meeting at the same time, if desired.
For more information, including quick reference guides and other assistance, go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.
Creating the education of the future
Thanks to the 2018 affiliation between Wichita State University and the Wichita Area Technical College, now WSU Tech, one educational ecosystem expands across the entire spectrum — from GED to Ph.D.
Through innovation, swift responses to industry and a concrete but flexible vision of the future, WSU and WSU Tech could evolve to become a true model for what higher education should look like.
Wichita State President Jay Golden said: "We're facing some grand challenges and some big opportunities," Golden says. "Wichita State University's going to be a leader. We're going to take our assets and we're going to, in our innovative spirit, create these next generation technologies through our research."
Learn more at The Chung Report.
Departmental paper ICDs – New instructions!
Effective Monday, Feb. 17, route all paper ICDs (including partial and full payments on purchase orders) to Financial Operations in 201 Jardine Hall, Campus Box 38.
Accounts Payable will ensure the document is routed for additional approvals, if needed. Contact accoutspayable@wichita.edu with questions.
SPTE Request Form due by Feb. 28
Student Perception of Teaching Effectiveness (SPTE) Request forms are due to the Social Science Research Lab by Friday, Feb. 28. If you do not have a form, you can download a fillable pdf request form here on our website.
You can also get additional SPTE information on our website at www.wichita.edu\sslab.
You can email the electronic version to sandra.ranney@wichita.edu; mail the paper form to campus box 107, or hand carry the form to 429 Lindquist Hall.
Biological Sciences seminar to address the use of genetic tools to understand salamander ecology
Bill Peterman
The spatial distribution of organisms has long fascinated biologists. Bill Peterman (Ohio State University) will give a presentation on what the landscape genetics of lung-less salamanders can tell us about the interplay between the environmental landscape and the spatial ecology of organisms from 4-5 p.m. today (Monday, Feb. 24) in 218 Hubbard Hall.
The School of Environmental and Natural Resources at Ohio State University is a leader in the integration of Natural and Social Sciences for natural resource use and management. Dr. Peterman's research integrates spatial and molecular approaches to explore the effects of climate change and land use on the population dynamics and movement of organisms.
Design for Woolsey Hall is underway; town hall meeting today
The design for Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new building to house the W. Frank Barton School of Business, is underway! The architectural team, GastingerWalker out of Kansas City & Gensler Chicago, will be back on campus Monday, February 24, to update the campus on the progress of the building.
A town hall meeting for faculty/staff/students is scheduled for 2:30-3:30 p.m. today (Monday, Feb. 24) in 211 Hubbard Hall, to gather feedback about the design for the new building.
Memorial service for Dr. Gerald ‘Skip’ Loper
Gerald 'Skip' Loper
Skip Loper, former associate vice president of research, former interim dean of Fairmount College, and professor of physics, died Feb. 18.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. today (Monday, Feb. 24) at Downing & Lahey Mortuary, 6555 E Central Ave. in Wichita.
TIAA financial consultant will be on campus Feb. 25-26
Jeremy Kohn, ChFC, TIAA financial consultant, has retirement counseling meetings available Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 25-26, in the Rhatigan Student Center. In these meetings, Kohn can help plan and review your accounts, and help determine if you are on track for retirement, and how to invest your funds.
You may schedule meeting times with Kohn here.
If you have trouble setting an appointment, contact him directly at Jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org.
Office Hours = Student Hours
Students often don’t ask for help when they need it because they don’t understand how, or know where to go. One way to help them feel more empowered to ask for help is to reconsider the term “office hours.”
As faculty and staff, we understand those hours are when faculty members and instructors set time aside in their office to help students. But to students, many of whom are first-generation, it may be interpreted as hours that instructors are in their offices working and should not be bothered.
You can help students feel more confident in asking for help in classes by explaining that “office” hours really mean “student” hours. Share this resource with students if they are uncertain about how to communicate with faculty.
Galyn Vesey to present ‘People, Pride, and Promise: The Story of the Dockum Sit-In’
Galyn Vesey will present the story of a powerful and successful civil rights event that took place in Wichita - the Dockum Sit-In. Enjoy the exhibit and reception at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26. The talk will begin at 1:30 p.m. The event will be held in the lower level of Ablah Library. It is free and open to the public.
WSU Philosophy Department named one of the best in the nation to study undergraduate philosophy
The WSU Philosophy Department has been named one of the best in the nation to study philosophy at the undergraduate level by Great Value Colleges:
"Wichita State University is one of the nation’s best colleges for philosophy study at the undergraduate level. The university’s Department of Philosophy offers both a major and minor in philosophy as well as a pre-law focus. Courses offered through the department include Science and the Modern World, Meaning of Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophy, and Introductory Logic, for instance. An active Philosophy Society has also been established to promote interest in the academic discipline and is open to all students. Wichita State has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to award the bachelor’s in philosophy degree. It has also been ranked among the country’s top national universities by U.S. News & World Report."
Great Value Colleges for Philosophy Degrees
HCEA Cybersecurity Speaker Series presents Alex Roberts Wednesday, Feb. 26
Join the Hub for Cybersecurity Education and Awareness from 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in Partnership 2 Building, Room A131, to hear from Alex Roberts from the AGCO Corporation and learn more about threats to connected agriculture and what it’s like to hack a tractor. Find out more and register at wichita.edu/cyberhub.
Physics Seminar will feature Kansas State University Professor Loren Greenman
Loren Greenman
Our next Physics Seminar will feature Professor Loren Greenman from Kansas State University at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in 128 Jabara Hall. Greenman’s talk will be “Exerting Control Over Many-Electron Quantum Dynamics.” We hope you can join us.
Lean into discomfort as we engage in a discussion around the 400 years of inequality
A 400 Years of Inequality workshop will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in 208 RSC.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as we review the 400 years’ timeline. We will engage in tough, but necessary dialogue. 2020 marks the 400th anniversary of the arrival in 1619 at Jamestown of the first Africans to be sold into bondage. These Africans were the first of millions who followed as slaves to work on plantations established on land stolen from the indigenous peoples of the continent.
Colonialism and slavery were soon codified into laws promoting inequality and legitimating oppression and terror. These laws and the practices they encouraged were and remain formidable barriers against efforts by Native Americans, African Americans, poor whites, and numerous other groups, to unite against the dispossession and occupation of lands, and exploitative and oppressive life and work conditions.
We need desperately to link arms in radical equality. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion asks attendees to lean into discomfort and go through the 400 years’ timeline with reflection, discussion, and a call to action.
For more information go to Wichita.edu/odi or contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.
KMUW is hiring for the two-year Kansas Public Media Digitization Project
KMUW is seeking a Digitization Archive Professional. This two-year position will manage and execute the collection and organization of public broadcasting materials from seven stations across Kansas following the preservation process of the American Archive of Public Broadcasting.
The position will research content to develop an archive from the 1950s to present day that presents the state's history and culture in audio and video recording. The 3,000-5,000 tapes will require cataloguing an inventory for transfer to a digitization vendor.
This position will manage the vendor relationships, as well as relationships with other stations and historians involved in the Kansas Public Media Digitization Project. Once digitized, this large inventory will be available online through AAPB and the Library of Congress.
For more information please go to KMUW.org/employment. Applications close Wednesday, March 4.
Institute of Innovation to host professional workshop
The Institute of Innovation is hosting a professional workshop April 16-17 that consists of two days of interactive and hands-on Design Thinking training. You will learn to how discover insights that can lead to new product or service opportunities, align teams around user’s needs, and ideate to solve defined problems. Plus, you will learn how to bring this process direct to your department or team.
The cost of admission is $550. Early-bird pricing ends Thursday, Feb. 27.
Find more information about this workshop, go to Wichita.edu/designthinking.
Get Career Ready at the Career Management and Leadership workshop
Employers are looking for Wichita State graduates to be Career Ready — meaning you know how to use your talents, strengths, and interests. Being Career Ready means, you can recognize and demonstrate the competencies identified by employers that are crucial to a successful transition into the workplace.
Join the Career Development Center from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, in 264 RSC, for the Career Management and Leadership workshop.
Careers for a Cause – meet with employers in the nonprofit and public service sector
Grab a slice of pizza and meet-up with employers from Wichita and the surrounding areas in the nonprofit and public service sector at Careers for a Cause from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, on the RSC 3rd floor. This career fair is hosted by the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs and the Career Development Center.
Chat with employers about careers you want in the future and learn about internship and full-time career opportunities. Don’t miss out on a chance to follow your passion and help those around you. Come and have a conversation! Bring your WSU ID and copies of your resume.
Employers from the following industries will be present:
– Local government - police, fire, and corrections
– Nonprofit – social services, arts organizations, and museums
– Public schools
All WSU students, faculty, and staff welcome to attend the Mikrokosmos Release Party Feb. 28
Mikrokosmos, Wichita State's literary journal, is hosting its annual release party at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, at the McKnight Center Atrium. The event will be the debut of Mikrokosmos 66, a journal that features poetry, fiction, and artwork from Wichita State's faculty and students. There will be free food and drink, and readings from our featured artists. An open mic will follow, so all are welcome to come and share some of their own creative work.
All students receive a free copy of Mikrokosmos, so stop by and pick up your free copy!
WSU Symphony Orchestra Concert features student soloists
Four student soloists will be featured at the Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra Concerto-Aria Honors Concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Miller Concert Hall. Mark Laycock, director of orchestras, will lead the program.
For tickets, go to Fine Arts Box Office or call 978-3233. Admission is free for students with a WSU ID.
Alaina Adkins, flute; Dylan Adkins, horn; Logan Barat, tenor; and Leah Rosales, violin, were selected by competitive audition. The concert will also feature the world premiere of Shine: Fanfare for Orchestra by graduate student composer Robert Tindle. Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera’s ballet suite Four Dances from ‘Estancia’ will close the program.
Flautist Alaina Adkins will perform the first movement of Carl Nielsen’s Flute Concerto; she is pursuing a master's degree in music education at WSU, where she serves as a graduate teaching assistant. During the 2018-19 academic year, she was the band director at the Wichita Adventist Christian Academy. In addition, she has performed with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.
Performing Villanelle by Paul Dukas will be Dylan Adkins, a graduate student studying horn performance; he has been a member of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra for the past two seasons. He graduated as a Senior Scholar with Highest Distinction from the University of Arkansas in 2018 with bachelor’s degrees in horn performance and instrumental music education.
Leah Rosales, a junior at Wichita State majoring in violin performance, will play the first movement of Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto. As a high school student in Wichita, Leah was a member of the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestra, Kansas All-State Orchestra, and NAfME All-National Symphony Orchestra. Carolina.
Singing “Salut! Demeure chaste et pure” from Gounod’s Faust, tenor Logan Barat hails from Dawson, Minnesota; he received his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Concordia College in Moorhead. Currently, Logan is a graduate teaching assistant at WSU; recent appearances include Adam Gorb’s The Path to Heaven (North American premiere), Gianni Schicchi, and Street Scene.
File your taxes for free today
The Office for Student Money Management encourages all students, faculty, and staff to file their taxes as soon as possible before the April 15 deadline. We currently partner with the United Way to offer a free online tax program at MyFreeTaxes.com through H&R Block.
Our staff is fully trained to help guide you through the process of doing taxes on your own. Please take this opportunity and see us today. We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and take appointments as well as walk-ins. All schedule changes will be posted on our Twitter @WSU_OSMM.
Be sure to bring all of your tax documents, a personal laptop, and a flash drive. For all other questions or to schedule an appointment, call us at 978-3254 or email at osmm@wichita.edu.
The Office of Financial Aid presents Yoga, in support of financial wellness
The Office of Financial Aid invites you to join them as they end the celebration of Financial Aid Appreciation month with Yoga, in support of financial, physical, and mental wellness. Bring your mat and experience the tranquility reached during each offered session from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, in 142 RSC. Don’t miss out!
Faculty and Staff: The SGA Elections Commission needs your help!
Do you know of a student (undergrad or graduate student) who you think might make a great candidate for the Student Government Association!? Do you have someone who is ready for a crucial leadership position to make decisions and represent the entire student body? Please encourage them to run and declare themselves as a candidate for the upcoming SGA elections!
What does SGA even do? SGA serves as the voice of students to the university and college administration, local, state and federal representatives. SGA also manages the allocation of more than $10 million dollars in student fees, and governs over all recognized student organizations, provides funding to student groups and individuals, and awards several thousands of dollars in scholarships annually.
For more information, go to wichita.edu/sgaelections, or have them reach out to sga.elections@wichita.edu.
March Savvy Scholar Workshops begin
The Savvy Scholar series continues into March, starting with workshops from noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 6, and 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, in 217 Ablah Library. RSVP for these and more workshops throughout March and April at libraries.wichita.edu/savvyscholar.
Volunteers needed for a research study
Research Topic / Purpose of the study: Biometric-based Person Identification using Face and Eye identifiers. The purpose of this research is to reduce the error rates of the existing biometric systems based on scanning face and eye regions.
Procedures: Participants will be asked to provide their face and eye region data for research study in the field of biometrics for person identification.
Time: Participation is expected to last about 1 hour. The data will be collected in two visits 2-4 weeks apart.
Inclusion / Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 18 - 65
Location: Wichita State University 325 lab in Wallace Hall
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study, contact PI Dr. Ajita Rattani at ajita.rattani@wichita.edu.
SGA presents Women in the Workplace panels and networking
Women in the Workplace is a week-long celebration of women in various professional fields. A panel of speakers will be answering questions about what it is like to be a woman in their field.
Ambitious Entrepreneurs is at 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, 142 RSC, where women who are in the business and communication fields will speak.
Cultivating Compassion is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in 142 RSC, where women in education and health professions will speak.
Finally, Innovative Intellectuals will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday March 4, in 246 John Bardo Center, where women in STEAM fields will speak on their experiences.
Each night will conclude with snacks and an opportunity to network with the panelists. See you there!
History Department's spring lecture explores LGBTQ+ activism in Cold War Germany
The Department of History will feature Dr. Erik Huneke, assistant professor of history, University of Central Oklahoma, presenting “What Difference Did a Wall Make?: LGBTQ+ Activism on Both Sides of the German Cold War Divide.” The talk will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in 218 Hubbard Hall.
Call for graduate student abstracts for GRASP 2020
Professors, GRASP Abstract submission is open now through Friday, March 6. Please encourage your graduate students working on research or scholarly projects to submit an abstract! Abstract requirements and deadlines are listed on the GRASP website.
SAC presents We Can Do It for Women's History Month!
Come celebrate female empowerment with the Student Activities Council from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, March 16, on the first floor, RSC. Take pictures in our photo booth and tell us what makes you proud to be a female or proud to know the strong females in your life.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.
Sponsored by Student Activities Council.
Judges needed for Hippodrome 2020
The Campus Traditions Committee is looking for WSU faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to judge the annual Hippodrome Skit and Variety Show Competition on Wednesday, April 8, Thursday, April 9, and Saturday, April 11.
Judges are expected to have no affiliation with any of the participating groups. Groups include Delta Gamma and FarmHouse, Delta Upsilon and Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Phi.
For more information, go to wichita.edu/hippodrome or email traditions@wichita.edu.
Magician Daniel Martin to perform on March 6
Daniel Martin has quickly become one of the most in demand magicians touring the country today. His high-energy performances are a unique fusion of incredibly devious sleight of hand and hilarious sleight of mouth and have sold out crowds at theatres, universities, and event marketing events worldwide. He has been featured on various shows on Netflix, CBS, NBC the BBC, and Discovery, and he is a consultant for the hit Netflix show “Magic for Humans.” Prepare to be amazed.
Don’t miss the show at 7 p.m. Friday, March 6, in the CAC Theater. Admission is free to WSU students with Shocker ID, $3 faculty/staff; $5 general admission, and $1 for kids 12 and under. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. No advance ticket sales. Cash or check only accepted at the door. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.