Work-from-home security tips
Don’t let working home be a risk to WSU information! Here are some simple work-from-home tips on how you can protect data when out of the office.
Start with the basics
Make sure Windows and Anti-Virus software is up to date if using a personal device.
Keep an eye on your device
Never leave your device unattended in a vehicle or in public.
Accidents happen – Lock your screen even at home. Family members, including kids, can lead to accidental data loss.
Do not store WSU data on personal devices
All data should be stored either in a WSU approved service for data storage. Do not store WSU data on personal devices as they lack the same level of security and regulatory compliance.
Be mindful in remote meetings
If you need to share your screen, make sure there is no confidential information on your screen that could be shared by accident.
Regulatory compliance
Even when working from home, all regulations still apply. Be careful not to email or transfer sensitive data to your colleagues across your home network.
Connecting to WIFI
When connecting to WIFI either at home or elsewhere to do work, make sure that it has a password and is secured.
Phishing
The number of Phishing attempts related to the COVID-19 outbreak is rising. Be cautious when going through your email and report any suspicious email to spamreport@wichita.edu
Have questions relating to information security? Email Askinfosec@wichita.edu
Follow us on Twitter @HubWSU for more Cyber security education & awareness information.
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. Download the template here.
Continuity of Instruction Task 10: Troubleshooting Blackboard Problems and more
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 #10: Troubleshooting and Best Practices
Extra Credit: Improve Online Teaching Skills
Get Help: There are Many People Who Want to Help You
Task 10 walks instructors through how to troubleshoot when something goes wrong in Blackboard. It also addresses some best practices for teaching online. Please send any questions to IDA@wichita.edu.
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.
Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) application forms open
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs on the student body.
The project has two elements:
- OAT Course Designation: Provides an incentive to faculty based on a $10/student course fee, which will be applied to an approved course that is using Open / Alternative textbooks that have no cost to the students. This money is split between the department offering the course (60%) and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (40%).
- OAT Grant Program: Provides $2,000-5,000 grants to faculty who apply for the grant to redesign a course with no-cost resources, or to write or contribute to an open educational resource, or other alternative text that can be provided to the students free of charge. These grants are funded by the course fees.
The OAT Initiative will be managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations and Grant Applications will be submitted via web form and reviewed by a panel be made up of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
Grant applications and Spring 2021 course designations due May 1 for AY 2020-21 (grants available for Summer 2020 upon request).
Wichita State to receive a Good Apple Award from Wichita Public Schools
Each semester, Wichita Public Schools host an event called the Good Apple Awards to recognize the contributions of outstanding employees, volunteers and partners.
Its District Partner team has selected Wichita State University as one of three winners for the April 2020 Good Apple Award at the district-wide level. Congratulations!
A ceremony was to be held on April 6 to recognize those on the WSU staff who have contributed most to our long-term partnerships.
Wichita State was honored for actively supporting Wichita Public Schools strategic goals through Reading with the Shockers for 3rd graders, Gear Up to support college access, the College of Applied Studies educating our future teachers, and the Multicultural Greek Council adopting North High for volunteerism.
The university was thanked for, once again, being an outstanding partner to Wichita Public Schools!
Honorees Recognized
- Dr. Jay Golden, President, Wichita State University
- Kaye Monk-Morgan, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
- Dr. Shirley LeFever, Dean, College of Applied Studies
- Quentin Hendershot, Graduate Assistant
- Corinne Nilsen, Executive Director, Kansas Kids @ Gear Up
- Alex Ibarra, President, HALO student organization
For students and parents: How to access services at Wichita State University
Wichita State University continues to maintain all operations to fully support our students during this unprecedented time. Our staff is now working remotely to offer our programs and services through alternative paths.
We remain committed to helping you access services and resources in a timely manner.
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.
How to troubleshoot in Blackboard
Troubleshooting in Blackboard
If you are experiencing difficulties in Blackboard, you may find these simple troubleshooting techniques helpful:
Make Sure You are On the Internet. Especially if you are using Wifi, you may find that you have lost your connection.
Go to Blackboard directly: Type blackboard.wichita.edu directly into your address bar. Do not access Blackboard through the MyWSU portal.
Switch Browsers. Good browsers to try for Blackboard include Chrome and Firefox. If you are a Mac user, Safari usually works well too. Internet Explorer and Edge are not good choices when using Blackboard.
Check Your Physical Connections. It may seem surprising, but many of the problems we see in help tickets are related to someone's computer (microphone, camera, monitor, etc.) getting unplugged. Make sure everything is plugged in tightly, including cables at the back of your machine.
Get Help. If none of the troubleshooting steps above worked, it's time to get help by putting in a Blackboard help ticket.
Troubleshooting and best practices
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.
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.
Call for Service-Learning Faculty Scholars for 2020-21
The Service-Learning Faculty Scholars program has been designed to empower committed service-learning faculty to cultivate and support interest in service-learning in their fellow faculty members and through their classes and college. Our goal is to infuse the campus and community with a spirit of service-based academic engagement that ties the classroom experience to applied learning and experiential knowledge. The goal of the Faculty Scholars program is to involve faculty in the advancement of the service-learning pedagogy among fellow faculty. For a full list of program responsibilities, faculty support, and application information, go to Service-Learning Scholars. wichita.edu/servicelearningscholars
Questions can be directed to the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows team: Dr. Rhonda K. Lewis at rhonda.lewis@wichita.edu, or Dr. Chelsea Redger-Marquardt at chelsea.redger@wichita.edu. All application materials are due on Friday, April 17, by midnight to Dr. Lewis.
Service-Learning Faculty Resources
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.
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.
Wichita State Shuttle System to cease operations
Beginning Monday, March 30, the Wichita State University Shuttle System will temporarily cease operations. We anticipate that shuttle service will return when the campus resumes normal operations. Parking regulations continue to be in effect. Thanks for your continued patience as we continue to traverse these unprecedented changes.
COVID-19 best business practices
The Wichita State University Kansas Small Business Development Center staff recorded a short video discussion offering suggestions, tips, and resources to help business owners think through ways to reinvent their businesses in these changing times.
WSU Kansas SBDC Associate Director Frank Choriego, WSU Kansas SBDC Marketing Advisor Emily Rishel and Tariq Azmi, vice president of Ember Technology and a winner of the 2020 Kansas SBDC Emerging Business of the Year Award, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and what owners can do now to stay successful.
KMUW's COVID-19 Resource Center is a trusted source for up-to-date local and national news
KMUW, Wichita's NPR station, is thoroughly committed to monitoring COVID-19 activity and its impact on our lives. The latest news and updates can be found at KMUW's COVID-19 Resource Center at KMUW.org.
Visit WSU from home!
Are you or do you know someone who is interested in learning more about Wichita State University? You can now visit WSU from home!
Our Office of Admissions is partnering with the Office of Financial Aid to offer a virtual campus visit on Zoom every weekday beginning today (Monday, March 23). During this interactive virtual experience, participants will hear from staff about admissions, financial aid and scholarships, and what you can expect during your Shocker experience. Register at wichita.edu/visit.
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.
Click here for information about various RSC operations – Shocker Store, WSU Dining, Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes, Event Services, and Shocker Card Center.
The Rhatigan Student Center thanks you for your support and flexibility during this time!
Student Health Services is still open!
The door sticks, so pull hard! Student Health Services hours are subject to change. Hours are currently from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Staff will be screening all individuals prior to entrance, and additional visitors are asked to stay home.
Please use the southwest entrance to access the Student Wellness Center. This entrance is off the parking lot closest to the lake. Thank you.
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.
Phenomenal Women Award nominee highlights
The annual Phenomenal Women Awards recognizes women for their accomplishments and contributions to our community through their scholarship, activism and commitment to excellence.
Due to the ongoing concerns of COVID-19 and the impact it has made to Wichita State University, this year's Phenomenal Women Awards Reception has been canceled. However, we will highlight each nominee (in no particular order) for this year's Phenomenal Women Awards through our social media platforms.
The recipients of the 2020 Phenomenal Women Awards will be announced on after Monday, March 30. To read all of the nominees' bios, go to wichita.edu/phenomenal.
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Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/WSUDiversity
Follow us on Instagram: instagr.am/WSUDiversity
Webinar to be conducted for Transgender Day of Visibility March 31
Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is an annual event occurring on Tuesday, March 31, dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, and their contributions to society.
GLSEN Kansas, Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion are teaming up to present a Transgender Day of Visibility panel discussion. Hear from our panelists talk about their experiences around everything from why, how and when they came out (and continue to come out), to their experiences with the process of legal name and gender marker changes, and much more! There will be a Q&A portion at the end of the panel, if time allows.
This webinar will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 via Zoom Video Conferencing Services. Click here to access this webinar. Please make sure to bookmark this link.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034.
Office of Diversity and Inclusion events
Shocker student experience
We know it’s an unprecedented time and the day-to-day routine our prospective students follow has been rattled.
At Wichita State, our campus is currently quiet, and believe us when we say - we’re already counting down the days until it’s full of life again. March is typically filled with the noisiest gyms in the nation as college basketball fans cheer on their team.
While March didn’t end up the way we thought it would, we wanted to take this opportunity
to give future Shockers a glimpse into the student experience at a basketball game
and the unbelievable energy at Charles Koch Arena that is waiting for them in Shocker
Nation.
Thanks to Athletics for providing the Admissions Office with the footage used in
the video.
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.
Please visit Common Read to submit your book.
If you have any questions, email tahrima.musa@wichita.edu.