WSU Today: March 5, 2020

Assessment Symposia March 12, 2020

Interested in learning more about how to assess your academic program?

Looking for new methods of assessment that both informs instruction and leads to better outcomes for students? Join the University Assessment Committee and Dr. Marlo Schommer-Aikins for a workshop on “Basic Knowledge Needed to Develop an Assessment Plan” from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, in 256 RSC.

The University Assessment Committee is in place to communicate university assessment methods and best practices, evaluate assessment data, make recommendations based on assessment data for improvement and accountability purposes, and to keep the dialogue of assessment alive across campus. Representatives come from every college, University Libraries, and the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs.

Assessment Symposia


IDA teaching online in emergency

How to teach online in an emergency

Life doesn't always go as planned. You may find yourself in a situation where you need to move your in-person class online quickly. Instructional Design and Access (IDA) created a comprehensive guide that can walk you through options for moving a face-to-face class online in a personal or campus-wide emergency. To find out more, go to Wichita.edu/bbnow. Have questions? Contact IDA at IDA@wichita.edu. IDA is part of the Media Resources Center.


Staff Town Hall Thursday, March 5, 2020

Attend the Staff Town Hall with President Jay Golden today

University staff members (unclassified professionals and university support staff) are invited to a staff town hall with President Jay Golden from 1:15-2:15 p.m. today (Thursday, March 5) in the CAC Theater.

This is an opportunity to engage with the new president, ask questions and get a sense of his vision for the university and how it relates to the staff experience.

Staff are welcome to submit questions in advance to Julie Scott, UP Senate President, at julie.scott@wichita.edu or Matt Houston, USS Senate President, at matt.houston@wichita.edu.

The event will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/nVfqHWiYjVE. A recording of the session will be made available online at a later date for staff who are unable to attend.


Human Resources, Registrar's Office to close during Staff Town Hall this afternoon

The Office of Human Resources and the Registrar's Office will be closed from 1-2:30 p.m. today (Thursday, March 5) to allow staff to attend the Staff Town Hall with President Jay Golden.


Coronavirus graphic

Health tips from Human Resources

Employees who feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should:

  • Stay home, except for seeking medical care, and avoid contact with others until they are free of any symptoms (including fever, cough and respiratory ailments) without the use of symptom-altering medicines for 24-hours.
  • Seek medical care right away, BUT before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call and inform them of your symptoms. Advise them of any recent travel or exposure to people who recently traveled.
  • Follow departmental absence notification procedures. If you don’t know those procedures, ask your supervisor.
  • Shield sneezes and coughs with a tissue or shirt sleeve (not hands).
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

These recommendations are appropriate for all employees and others during influenza season regardless of travel history. For more information about COVID-19 and how to limit the spread of germs, click COVID-19


Women Empowered Market March 5, 2020

Celebrate and shop the Women Empowered Shocker Market today

Join us as we celebrate Women's History Month at Wichita State University! The Women Empowered Shocker Market is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today (Thursday, March 5), on the first floor, Rhatigan Student Center. Learn about programs that empower women locally and globally, and to shop beautiful handmade products for your home and life.

This event will feature local causes, global causes, and women-owned small businesses. Products for sale will be handmade, empowering to women economically, and ensure a fair wage was paid to the makers.

This event is in collaboration with the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Alegria Fair Trade, SheHopes.org, and Filigrana Artisans.

Women Empowered Shocker Market


Career Development Center closed today

The Career Development Center is closed, today (Thursday, March 5) to host Education Interview Day. Our satellite office in Suite 162 John Bardo Center, will be open. Questions today can be directed to 978-6983.


Partnership with 259

WSU partnership with USD 259 creates new opportunities for young men of color

In support of their shared goals, Wichita State University and Wichita Public Schools (WPS) have expanded a partnership to create a stronger system of support for African American and Hispanic students who want to pursue post-secondary education.

The partnership started in 2018 between Wichita State and the WPS program Better Academics and Social Excellence (BAASE). BAASE was created by William Polite, executive director of Diversity and Equity for Wichita Public Schools, and kicked off with nearly 500, 7th and 8th grade scholars with a 3.25 GPA or better, no office referrals and strong attendance. The program aims to create a positive peer group of males of color and encourage scholastic achievement.

Read complete story.


Call for posters for Analytics Showcase

The Wichita State University Analytics Showcase invites students to submit a poster for presentation at the first Wichita State University Analytics Showcase from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 17, at Hughes Metropolitan Complex. This event is a great opportunity to present your data analytics research or applied project to WSU community, Industry and other stakeholders.

The WSU Analytics Showcase will deepen your understanding of accomplishments in the field of analytics in terms of research advances, curricular programs, analytics software, hardware, and skill-building, and it is a great opportunity to interact with other data analytics researchers and practitioners.

The deadline for submission is Friday, March 6.

Click here to submit the poster.


Spring enrollments up from spring 2019

By Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management

At 20th day census, WSU had 14,016 students, an increase of 255 over spring 2019, a 1.9% increase. We had growth in undergraduates (85), graduates (72), and non-degree seeking students, mostly high school guests (98). In terms of student credit hours (SCH) we ended with 151,498, an increase of 2,171 over spring 2019 for an increase of 1.5%.

We enrolled 1,370 new students (1st time at WSU as undergrads, grads or non-degree seeking students) for an increase of 39 over spring 2019; Perhaps more importantly, we saw an increase in returning students from last spring which may reflect our ongoing retention efforts. Underrepresented minorities* are at their highest for any spring term at 20.3% overall, and 25.3% for freshmen.

The Colleges of Fine Arts and Applied Studies saw the largest increase in students over last spring, with 14.4% and 9.0% growth respectively.

*American Indian/Alaskan Native, black non-Hispanic, Hawaiian & Hispanic


Employee evaluation signatures 2020

Attention: USS and non-teaching UP employees - Signatures are due this week!

Employee Signatures for 2019-20 myPerformance evaluations are due this week! USS and non-teaching UP employees should log in to myPerformance (through myWSU) to submit electronic signatures by Saturday, March 7.

Your evaluation will be available for the employee signature once your manager has submitted your evaluation with ratings.

For more information, including quick reference guides and other assistance, go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.


Woman to Woman Networking March 6, 2020

SGA presents Woman to Woman Networking, a professional networking event Friday

We invite all women from the Wichita community to join us for a professional networking event from 4:30-6 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, March 6), in the John Bardo Center lobby. Refreshments and conversation starters will be provided. Come get to know fellow women in Wichita and students at WSU.

Woman to Woman Networking


Faculty Chamber Music Recital March 6, 2020

WSU Faculty Chamber Music Recital this Friday

A WSU Faculty Chamber Music Recital will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 6, in Wiedemann Hall. Enjoy music by Orfeo and friends. Admission is free.

The program will feature piano trios by Haydn and Greig, and a piano quintet by Schumann.

Faculty performing include Julie Bees, piano; Leonid Shukaev, cello; Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin; Catherine Consiglio, viola; and Natalia Korenchuk, violin.


Memorial service for Don Burris

Don Burris

Don Burris

Don Burris, director of Plant Operations for the Rhatigan Student Center since 1989, passed away Feb. 17.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at Cochran Mortuary’s Chapel of the Roses, 1411 N. Broadway in Wichita.

Burris obituary


Topeka Capitol Graduate Research Summit

Capitol Graduate Research Summit shows benefits of research

Nine Wichita State graduate students joined with graduate students from Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas Medical School and presented at the 17th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit in Topeka on Feb. 26. The research topics included addressing and treating the opioid crisis, potentials for soy use in plastic manufacturing and security for 3-D printers.

Founded by graduate students 16 years ago, the annual summit brings attention to the innovative research conducted by students at state universities and emphasizes the public benefits of graduate students’ research.

Read complete story on research summit


Commencement volunteers

Call for Commencement volunteers

The 2020 spring Commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16. The Commencement Office is looking for individuals who are available to work one of three shifts. The times are 7:30-11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., or 3:30-7:30 p.m. If you are interested in assisting, go to the commencement website and sign up to assist at Commencement volunteers.

If you have questions about assisting with commencement, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wichita.edu.


Shocker Experience Fair March 2020

W-S-YOU Shocker Experience Fair table host request – Saturday, March 28

W-S-YOU, an event for admitted high school seniors and transfer students, is scheduled for Saturday, March 28. This come-and-go program assists students with the next steps they need to take in order to become an official Shocker. Students are able to meet with financial aid representatives, submit their contracts for housing, sign up for an orientation program, have a discussion with an advisor, and more. Last year, 505 students and 629 parents and guests attended.


One aspect of the program is a Shocker Experience Fair from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Rhatigan Student Center Shirley Beggs Ballroom. It is our hope that the Shocker Experience Fair will be the "party place" and will showcase the many opportunities available to our students to get involved.

We would encourage you to bring handouts, give-away items, displays, etc. for the prospective students. Lunch will be provided for any WSU faculty, staff or students who are working the experience fair.

If your department or student organization would like a table, please reach out to Mandy Harmon, associate director, at mandy.harmon@wichita.edu by Friday, March 13, to reserve your space.


Kim Warren March 10, 2020

International Women's Day keynote on March 10

The International Women’s Day keynote speech, “Citizenship before the Women's Suffrage Amendment: African American and Native American, Rights and Resistance,” will be delivered by Professor Kim Warren of the History Department at the University of Kansas at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, in Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, RSC. The event is free and open to the public.

The event was organized by the Department of Women, Gender, and Diversity Studies in sponsorship with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, League of Women Voters - Wichita, and Centennial Celebration of the 19th Amendment.

Diverse Women's Summit


Preventing Suicide Training spring 2020

You can help prevent suicide

Learn how to support your community with the #WSUWeSupportU Preventing Suicide training. Each training lasts an hour and a half and gives you the tools you need to assist someone in need through the Share, Ask, Support method. Upcoming trainings are available Tuesday, March 10; Wednesday April 15 and Friday, May 15.

Preventing suicide training


Tuition Assistance summer 2020

Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2020 now being accepted

Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2020 are being accepted through the new Online Application Form through Wednesday, April 15.

Effective for the summer 2020 term, the fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted.

Because of the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.

Full program details can be found at www.wichita.edu/tuitionassistance.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.


Undergraduate Research Forum 2020

Call for Abstracts: Undergraduate Research Creative Activity Forum 2020

The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) will be held on Friday, April 10, in the Rhatigan Student Center. The forum provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students at Wichita State to present their scholarly and creative activity to a faculty, student and community audience, while competing for cash awards. Abstract submissions are due by Friday, March 27.

URCAF 2020


Edible Book Festival

Second annual Edible Book Festival is coming to Ablah Library

The second annual Edible Book Festival hosted by Wichita State University Libraries is coming Wednesday, April 1 to Ablah Library's main floor. Register to submit your culinary creation at Edible Book Festival.