Check out the updated FAQs
We are updating FAQs on a regular basis to help students, parents, faculty and staff access Wichita State University’s services. The FAQ’s cover topics such as housing, help with technology, the Student Wellness Center, building access and hours, summer and fall registration, and the Shocker Support Locker.
Continuity of Instruction Task 9: Other Useful Blackboard Tools
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 #9: Other Useful Tools In Blackboard
Task 9 introduces instructors to the Blogs, Journals, and the Wiki tools along with the Retention Center and the Performance Dashboard. Please send any questions to IDA@wichita.edu.
Applications are being accepted for a grant through the WSU Institute for the Study of Economic Growth
The Institute for the Study of Economic Growth (ISEG) is housed in the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University. The ISEG is offering grant opportunities to support and promote research of WSU faculty and students that is consistent with its mission and role in advancing the teaching, research and application of innovative and entrepreneurial activities in a free enterprise economy to enhance societal prosperity through economic growth.
The ISEG seeks applications for both small and large projects. Proposals with student involvement as either research assistants and/or co-authors will receive a more favorable consideration.
A link to the application can be found on the Office of Research internal funding webpage, under "Various WSU Departmental Opportunities." Email proposals@wichita.edu to request assistance with your application.
Wichita State chemist working to develop antiviral drugs in fight against COVID-19
Up until recently, COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) may have been a relatively new phenomena to the general public, but Wichita State University medical chemist Bill Groutas, two virologists from Kansas State University, and a physician/virologist from the University of Iowa have been working on a cure for coronaviruses for more than three years.
“It’s a big problem, with no vaccines available,” said Groutas. “The coronavirus could be around for a long time."
Groutas, along with K-State researchers Yungeong Kim and Kyeong-Ok Chang and Stanley Perlman at the University of Iowa, have been working to develop antiviral drugs to treat Middle East Respiratory Syndrome caused by MERS-CoV. That work extends to other human viruses that are similar to COVID-19.
WSU Center for Real Estate hosts Virtual Commercial Real Estate Roundtable today
The WSU Center for Real Estate is hosting a Virtual Commercial Real Estate Roundtable with the Kansas CCIM Chapter to discuss how the industry is adapting to the COVID-19 restrictions. The event will take place at 9 a.m. today (Thursday, March 26) and can be viewed online on the center's website.
Deadline extended to June 1 for proposals to President’s Convergence Sciences Initiative
The deadline has been extended to June 1 for the first round of proposals for the new President’s Convergence Sciences Initiative.
Successful proposals will be funded for three years, with a budget not to exceed $100,000 per year.
Proposals are especially encouraged from researchers working together across academic disciplines, at different points in research careers, and including students.
The focus is on research that addresses societal problems. Broadly defined themes are:
- Health disparities and health delivery
- Digital transformation
- Sustainability
- A theme you propose
Click here for more information about the President’s Convergence Sciences Initiative.
Facilities Services requests your help
Facilities Services is committed to ensuring we meet the critical custodial and maintenance needs of the WSU community during the next 30 days. However, we need help identifying where to focus our attention. If you have continuing or unique needs, please let us know by submitting a work order request here.
If your department will not be using their building space, please email bobby.smith@wichita.edu.
As always, for urgent maintenance and repair situations outside of regular working hours, please contact our WSU police department at 316-978-3450, who will then contact our stand-by personnel.
Also, our Warehouse Shipping and Receiving department will continue to accept deliveries from 7:45 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday.
Applications being accepted for Recruitment Faculty Fellows
The Provost's Office is seeking applications for Recruitment Faculty Fellows who desire to be more engaged in the recruitment process. Specifically, the Recruitment Faculty Fellows are intended to meet the stated objective of SEM Goal 1, “Develop activities that foster a culture of enrollment growth among faculty, staff and students.”
The fellows will work in partnership with the Office of Admissions to recruit undergraduate domestic students during the 2020-21 academic year, for students to enroll at Wichita State during fall 2020 and spring 2021.
Click here for application instructions.
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.
Adjustments in HR service delivery WSU
The health and safety of our employees is of the utmost importance, and we have been told that the best method to protect ourselves during this time is through social distancing. We also know that employees have a need to interact with HR during these unsettling times. In order to accommodate both of these needs, Human Resources will adjust how services will be provided to our WSU employee community.
Beginning today (Monday, March 23), Human Resources will have limited staff physically on campus, but will have full HR support available to employees through many different social distancing methods including email, telephone, Skype, and Zoom video and audio conferencing.
We will temporarily suspend in-person service at the HR office, to safeguard employees and remain diligent in our efforts to support social distancing. We are providing the following information to assist employees in navigating Human Resources until social distancing methods are no longer required.
Email Access: Please use the following emails for initial contact with Human Resource Support areas:
Totalrewards@wichita.edu (This email can be used for questions related to leave, benefits and compensation.)
employment@wichita.edu (This email can be used for assistance with posting positions, recruiting and hiring employees, completing I-9 forms.)
HR.OrganizationalDevelopment@wichita.edu (The email can be used for questions related to training, myPerformance, new employee orientation and new leader orientation.)
HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu (This email can be used for any type of general HR question. We will ensure your question / request is forwarded to the appropriate HR team member.)
Telephone Access: Employees may also call the main HR number at 316-978-3065 for assistance.
HR Business Partner Access: Below are the names of the HR Business Partners. If you do not know the Business Partner for your area, please email HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3065.
State Employee Health Plan updates in response to COVID-19
Governor Laura Kelly announced four provisions on March 13, that are effective immediately and for the next 60 days for employees and dependents enrolled in medical insurance through the State Employee Health Plan.
- SEHP will cover medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with CDC guidance related to the COVID-19 at no cost share to member where it is not covered as part of the Public Health Service response.
- SEHP will allow early refills on 30 or 90-day prescription medications and/or allow members to use their mail-order benefit.
- Given the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, seeking in-person medical care has the potential to further spread the virus. SEHP partners with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to provide Telehealth services with a virtual doctor’s office. There is 24/7/365 access to this service. The member cost-share will be waived for any Telehealth service.
Blue Cross Blue Shield members - Amwell
For all up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and the WSU campus, go to www.wichita.edu/covid19.
For plan participants who reside in the Topeka area, the HealthQuest Health Center available to members enrolled in the health plan, is located at 901 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka
- Phone screening is recommended before going to the center: 785-783-4080
- If a patient walks into the clinic, they will have them put on a mask and clean their hands with hand sanitizer. The health center staff will evaluate the patient’s symptoms and recommend they isolate if the initial findings and/or symptoms present are a positive indicator for the virus.
- Testing is not available at the health center for COVID-19 and the clinic will refer all patients that meet the risk criteria to the local health department for testing and further evaluation.
Nominate an advisor for the Excellence in Academic Advising Award
Do you know of an advisor who goes above and beyond for students? The Advising Network (TAN) is proud to support student success by recognizing academic advisors at Wichita State University. Anyone who provides advising services in any role (faculty or staff) is eligible for nomination.
These awards recognize individuals who demonstrate qualities and practices that make significant contributions to the improvement of academic advising at WSU and beyond.
Nominate an advisor by completing an online form by April 3.
Applications Training seeks your input about online training options
ITS Applications Training is exploring options for online and remote training sessions. Your input would be greatly appreciated! Please complete our survey to share your thoughts.
Door sign template available for all offices
As most of us adjust to working remotely, it’s important to emphasize to students that they have, at all times, ready access to services such as health and wellness, advising, tutoring and more. To help communicate that message, we’re providing a template for a door sign you are encouraged to download, fill out and print off to hang on your office’s front door. This will remind students that Wichita State faculty and staff are ready to help and point them toward services. To download the template, go to the sidebar at www.wichita.edu/covid19news and scroll to the bottom. Click on the button called Door Sign Template.
University Libraries provides plentiful online resources
Find all of your academic needs in one place! Wichita State University Libraries will continue to provide plentiful resources online. See http://libraries.wichita.edu/covid19 for more details.
Rhatigan Student Center updated information
Wichita State University is encouraging limited operations and remote working to promote social distancing. Keeping our students, faculty and staff safe remain our top priority. As a result, the Rhatigan Student Center will be temporarily closed until further notice. But don’t worry! We are available to assist you remotely through email and phone calls, as well as with curbside pick-up options and more.
For information about various RSC operations – Shocker Store, WSU Dining, Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes, Event Services, and Shocker Card Center – click here.
The Rhatigan Student Center thanks you for your support and flexibility during this time!