COVID-19 update at Wichita State; Weekly Briefings will sunset tomorrow (Thursday, March 19)
The Weekly Briefings held at 10 a.m. Thursdays will sunset tomorrow (Thursday, March 19), in 233 RSC. The Weekly Briefings began in fall 2018 in an effort to keep the campus and public better informed about the progress occurring at Wichita State.
The final Weekly Briefing will feature Camille Childers, director of Student Health Services, and Provost Rick Muma talking about COVID-19.
The briefing will be livestreamed and available later that day at WSU Weekly Briefing.
Following the briefing, the university will continue to keep the campus and public informed through other forms of communication.
NEWSLETTERS
The “First Tuesday” newsletter will be distributed to WSU faculty, staff and students. In addition, the “President’s Connection” will be directed at alumni and community. If you are not an alumnus and want to subscribe, email president@wichita.edu.
The “Wichita State Research” newsletter will publish every other month. To subscribe to the research newsletter, email research@wichita.edu.
SOCIAL MEDIA
President Golden is active on social media. Follow Dr. Golden on Twitter and Facebook. Follow Wichita State University on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
President:
Twitter: @presidentwsu
Facebook: @presidentwsu
Wichita State University:
Twitter: @wichitastate
Facebook: @wichita.state
Instagram: @wichitastateu
WSU TODAY
WSU Today will continue for faculty and staff Monday through Friday. News releases and press conferences will also occur as needed.
SHOCKER BLAST
Shocker Blast will continue for students on Monday, Wednesday and Friday when classes are in session in spring and fall.
CAMPUS CONNECTION
Campus Connection also will continue for employees on the Innovation Campus every Tuesday.
Continuity of Instruction Task 3: Discussion Boards
To support instructors during this time of transition from in-person classes to online / remote delivery, Instructional Design and Access has created 10 set of tasks to help those who are new to online learning to be successful. Each day we will post one "Task Set" for instructors to work through.
Task Set #3: Discussion Boards
Task 3 walks instructors through how to set up and run discussion boards in Blackboard. Please send any questions to IDA@wichita.edu.
Search for new Chief Information Officer has been moved to a Zoom meeting
The in-person meeting scheduled for noon Thursday, March 19, to discuss the search for a new Chief Information Officer has been moved to a Zoom meeting. If you are interested, please join the meeting as follows:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android here. The password is 823784
Or iPhone one-tap:
US: +13462487799,,887545956# or +16699006833,,887545956#
Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923
Meeting ID: 887 545 956
Requisitions to WSU Foundation
While the some of the Wichita State University Foundation staff is working remotely, please be advised requisitions will be processed as normal. All requisitions received by noon Tuesday will be processed by Friday.
We encourage you to send your requisitions to the Foundation Accounts Payable e-mail address at foundation.ap@wichita.edu. As always, requisitions can still be sent via mail.
Please reach out to foundation.ap@wichita.edu for any further questions.
A message from the WSU Foundation
Dear colleague,
Like many of you, the WSU Foundation is taking cautionary steps to safeguard everyone’s health and safety during the COVID-19 situation. We value all of our WSU partners and have developed a few ways to keep us connected:
- A small crew will work at the WSU Foundation offices in Woodman Alumni Center. You are welcome to drop off any requisitions, documents or checks to one of the boxes at our front reception desk.
- Our team is working remotely and can be contacted using our online directory: bit.ly/WSUFDirectory. We will be utilizing conference calls and the Zoom application for scheduled meetings.
- We've added a COVID-19 page to our website to communicate all updates as things change.
We want to continue sharing the WSU story, so if you have any impact related stories, please e-mail them to James.Kellerman@wichita.edu.
At these challenging times, we pause to offer gratitude for your friendship and partnership.
Let us know if there is anything we can do by e-mailing us at foundation@wichita.edu.
Warmest regards,
ELIZABETH H. KING, PhD
President & CEO
Managers of USS and non-teaching UP employees: It’s goal planning time!
myPerformance evaluations for USS and Non-Teaching UP employees are available for 2020-21 goal planning. Managers should add expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2020-21 review period, then meet with their employees to review. Don’t forget to provide them a hard copy of their evaluation for reference throughout the year! Goal planning should be completed by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance), go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance.
* Your direct reports will not be able to access their 2020-21 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning Jan. 16, 2021, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2020-21 review and review it with them.
* Managers have access to update and edit their direct reports myPerformance evaluations as many times as they would like until Employee Self-Evaluation time beginning Jan. 16, 2021!
* Save then SUBMIT! Make sure to SUBMIT after saving every time you update a myPerformance evaluation! Your direct reports will not be able to see the information and you will still have access to their evaluation until Jan. 16, 2021, even after selecting SUBMIT.
* Need a copy of a past performance evaluation? Check the box that says, “Show completed and expired tasks”, then “Search”! Save it as a PDF or print as needed.
* Do you or your employees need help with Goal Planning? Register through myTraining for “Where Are You Going? Goal Setting for Personal and Professional Success.” This free workshop is facilitated by ComPsych/Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and qualified employees will receive a HeathQuest point for completing the session. Seating is limited, registration is required.
SEM Update Breakfast is canceled
Thank you for supporting Wichita State University’s Strategic Enrollment Management. After thought and consideration, the decision has been made to cancel the SEM Update Breakfast scheduled for March 31.
We are taking the advice of the CDC to practice social distancing because of COVID-19. Wichita State University and Student Health Services are closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak. The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community members is our highest priority.
Dr. Shaw will send a copy of the updates via PowerPoint in the near future. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Lydia Santiago via email.
Your opinion is valuable and appreciated
In January 2020, Wichita State University President Dr. Jay Golden launched several task forces and studies as a commitment to shared governance, transparency and refining the focus of the university.
The Marketing and Branding Study is charged with actively engaging members of our campus community to examine how effectively we are branding and marketing our institution and provide recommendations.
The Student and Community Experience Survey seeks to engage students, campus community and the greater Wichita community to examine how effectively we are creating a positive "Shocker" experience for events and programs at Wichita State.
Your opinion is valuable and appreciated.
University Libraries offers spaces for easy recording / editing
If any Wichita State faculty are looking for places to easily record / edit for online teaching, University Libraries offers both its One Button Studio (Ablah second level) and Sound Booth (Ablah C-Space). Reserve online at http://wichita.libcal.com/spaces.
SEM Update: Goal 8
By Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
Goal 8: Increase enrollment of new fall transfer students
- WSU remains the top transfer destination in Kansas for the 8th year in a row, with more students transferring to WSU than to KSU and KU combined. Despite WSU’s appeal to the transfer population, we were not able to grow this group of students this year. In the past four years, our top three community college feeder schools have gone from a combined 11,600 students to fewer than 9,900. These declining enrollments, combined with a strong employment rate has made recruitment of transfer students very challenging.
- We continue to work on articulation agreements with other institutions to create clear paths to transfer credits. Potential transfer students can see how the credits they have already taken can apply to different degrees by using our Transfer Gateway.
- Over 8,000 users have accessed our Transfer Gateway this academic year. 3,290 new courses have been evaluated by our faculty to determine their equivalencies to our courses, adding to an already sizable database of courses.
Recruitment and Retention Tips:
- Invest the time to design and maintain an attractive and informative webpage. This is the primary way that all prospective students, high school, transfer and international, learn about our programs.
- Host or support a career exploration event that will help current and prospective majors understand the opportunities available to them.
SEM Shout Outs:
- To Neal Hoelting, Community College Coordinator in the Office of Admissions, who travels extensively to all the community colleges in the state. He regularly goes above and beyond his normal job duties to accommodate students.
- To all of our advisors who carry out dual advising: Caroline Fulbright, Patricia Phillips, Sheri Barnes, Ricki Ellison, Tierney Mount, Sherena Langley, Ana Lazarin, Yadid Perez, Mandy Konecny, Benjamin Donals, Alicia Fullilove, Janet Ives, Sanya Wiles, Noelle Wilson, John Sandlin, and Jessica Raburn.
Wichita State Common Read call for nominations!
Have a book that you would like to suggest for consideration for the Wichita State Common Read program? Send in your nominations for the next common read book for the 2021-22 school year!
Wichita State Common Read is the university's common read program designed to spark conversation between students across majors on campus. This program strives to take educational concepts learned in the classroom and provide meaningful connections with out-of-the-classroom programs and activities. The Office of First-Year Programs is currently reviewing nominations.
Click here to submit your book.
If you have any questions, email tahrima.musa@wichita.edu.
Share your sustainability news
As WSU prepares to celebrate Earth Day in April, we are creating a list of sustainability initiatives on campus. Submit upcoming sustainability events, current sustainable practices, or accomplishments by faculty, staff or students related to sustainability. Use our brief submission form to share these with the Sustainability Steering Committee. Consider joining one of the Working Groups, too!
Postponed - Wichita State University Analytics Showcase
The Wichita State University Analytics Showcase has been postponed until further notice following the COVID-19 response by the university. The organizing committee is working to bring this event to the community at a future date. For updates, continue to check www.wichita.edu/analytics/. Thank you for your understanding.
Student Success: First-Year Programs is seeking Orientation Faculty Fellows for 2020-21
Student Success: First-Year Programs invites faculty to apply to become an Orientation Faculty Fellow. If you are interested in officially welcoming the newest members to Shocker Nation, we are interested in considering you for a Faculty Fellow position. Faculty should have a student-centered educational philosophy, demonstrated success in teaching new students and support out-of-class educational experiences. Letters of interest are due to kim.sandlin@wichita.edu by Friday, April 3.
Orientation Faculty Fellows will work closely with the undergraduate Transition Mentors (TMs) and the Orientation staff to provide a welcoming atmosphere while communicating expectations within the college classroom.
The time commitment for Faculty Fellows includes one 45-minute session during each Freshman Orientation program for students and their guests (Faculty Fellows and TMs with Success Coaches if desired), and one 40-minute session during each Transfer Orientation and Transfer/Returning Adult Orientation program for students and their guests (with the advising center from your college). We will schedule a meeting in advance of the programs to go over content and address questions. Orientation dates are listed on the Orientation website here.
You are also encouraged to attend lunch during freshman programs and asked to attend the college receptions during the transfer/returning adult programs.
Please note, we will have two Orientation programs scheduled in January 2021 for new students starting at WSU in the spring semester. We do expect participation from the Faculty Fellows during those programs as well. January dates will be shared when available.
Faculty Fellows may also be asked by International Education to assist with the International Orientation program annually scheduled the week prior to the fall and spring semesters. Look for communication from International Education when it becomes available.
Those interested in being considered for an Orientation Faculty Fellow position should possess the following characteristics:
- Student-centered educational philosophy
- Experience and demonstrated excellence in teaching first-year students
- Genuine interest in mentoring new students
- Support of the out-of-class educational experience
We will select two Faculty Fellows from each academic college. Each Fellow will receive a $1750 stipend for serving in this role, as well as lunches at programs throughout the summer. If interested, please submit a letter of interest indicating why you would like to serve as an Orientation Faculty Fellow and how you meet the characteristics above to Kim Sandlin at kim.sandlin@wichita.edu, by 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 3.
Student Health Services is offering monthly deals on over-the-counter medicine
March is the time to get on top of your allergies and begin a daily preventative medicine! For more information about the effects of allergies, click here.
Participate in the US Census 2020
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to do their part and participate in the US Census 2020.
How to participate in the U.S. Census 2020?
Starting in mid-March, you will receive a letter of invitation from the US Census bureau in the mail inviting you to participate in the US Census. You will be provided with a geo-code to log on to the website of the US Census Bureau to fill out the census form. Because the geo-code can only be used once to log on to the website, it is strongly recommended that every person who resides in the same address should be present to fill out the census form together. That way, no critical information about any individual who resides in your address will be missed. If you don’t have the geo-code at hand when you fill out the census, you can use your address to log on to the census website, or you can call in to answer the census questions.
If you are a college student who lives with your parents, you should only be counted at your parents’ address. If you live in on-campus housing, such as the flats, dormitories, or fraternity / sorority housing, you should confirm with your residential director as to how you should be included in the census. A census taker might interview you to get information to fill out the census for you; or a census taker might drop off census forms with your building’s contact person who will distribute one to each resident; or a designated representative from your dorm might complete the census form on behalf of all residents in the building.
If you live off-campus in an apartment complex or a group home, all the apartment mates in your address should fill out only one census form online, with everyone’s information included in it. If you spend some time elsewhere during the spring break or go home to visit your parents, you should still fill out the census form with your apartment address. In other words, the address where you spend the most time and sleep on a regular basis is the address where you should be counted for the census.
If you are an international student who lives off campus, you should fill out a census form online that includes everyone who lives at your address. If you have a spouse or children who reside with you, they should also be included in the census form.
Confidentiality: Census workers are required by Federal law to keep all the information you fill out in the census form strictly confidential. No government agencies, including ICE, FBI, or local police, can use any of the information you provided on the census form against an individual. Census data is used to compile aggregated statistics, so no identity of any individual will be disclosed. The census will ask you to provide information on the number of people at the address, any additional people living or staying there, whether you are a homeowner or a renter, your phone number, name, gender, age, date of birth, whether you are Hispanic, your race, and the relationships of the people who reside in the address.
Why is it important to participate in the U.S. Census? Responding to the census is important, because census numbers are used to distribute more than 6 billion federal dollars to Kansas every year. Every uncounted person costs the state about $2,000 in federal funding. An accurate count of our community can ensure fair congressional representation for Kansas. It will also ensure adequate Federal dollars for Pell Grants, student health services, and upgrading of infrastructure and public transportation in our community.