Wichita State University to receive $8.7 million from higher education relief fund
The U.S. Department of Education released its official allocations yesterday (Thursday, April 9) for the newly passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Wichita State University will receive nearly $8.8 million. Half of the funds – nearly $4.4 million – will be allocated as emergency financial aid grants to students.
The CARES Act provides institutions with discretion on how to award this emergency aid to students.
WSU will be working diligently to put together a plan on how to administer the student funds and use the remainder of the money.
“We’re incredibly appreciative to receive this critical financial assistance,” says Wichita State President Jay Golden. “We are studying the guidelines now to discover how best to use these funds for the benefit of our students and university.”
Learn more about the CARES Act.
Ad Astra Coalition created to help in the fight against COVID-19
A coalition of businesses and government partners, the Ad Astra Coalition has joined together to answer some of the challenges being created in Wichita and Kansas by the COVID-19 pandemic. The coalition is co-led by Airbus Americas Engineering, Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, Wichita State University and WSU Tech.
The coalition is using a two-phased approach:
For phase one, the coalition will focus on creating and distributing critical personal protective equipment (PPE) for the medical community and first responders. It is hoped the PPE will help address the shortages being experienced throughout the state of Kansas, including Sedgwick County.
Examples of PPE currently being considered include temporary face shields and disposable stethoscopes. The coalition is also exploring the possibility of providing disposable barrier gowns and intubation boxes.
The second phase will focus on the recovery efforts after the pandemic subsides. Once social distancing efforts are no longer required, everyone will experience a transition period to return to a sense of normalcy. The coalition will seek to aid the people of Sedgwick County and south-central Kansas as these communities resume their daily activities.
Virtual Town Hall meeting with updates on the design for Woolsey Hall
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 hold a virtual town hall meeting to update the campus on the progress of the building.
The virtual town hall meeting for faculty / staff/ students is scheduled for 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, by zoom meeting, to present the site plan, floor plans, exterior design, and project schedule for the new building. The chat function will be enabled if anyone has questions during the town hall.
Meeting ID: 272 836 871
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Meeting ID: 272 836 871
Resources available to support students, staff, and community during this challenging time
We are living and working in a time of change and disruption. Not only disruption of what we do and how we do it, but disruptions in relationships integral to our personal and professional lives. As a result of these circumstances, we may experience anxiety, stress, sadness, loneliness, grief, and so on. Connecting with people who share similar experiences during this time can be critical for our physical and emotional health.
To help you navigate these changing times, the WSU Community Engagement Institute has added a list of resources to the Kansas Support Groups Website. This includes information on resources related to physical and mental health, self-care, safety, and more.
The website also houses an online database with information on various local, state and national support groups and resources. This database is available year-round and is searchable by county or topic.
Find resources related to COVID-19 and others at http://supportgroupsinkansas.org/coronavirus or email supportgroups@wichita.edu for more information.
Faculty Fellows deadlines are approaching
Each year, Academic Affairs supports Faculty Fellows in a variety of areas. Faculty have the opportunity to learn new skills and serve our students in different ways through these fellowships. More information and submission details are provided on the Academic Affairs webpage linked below.
Recruitment Faculty Fellows, deadline April 10, 2020.
Retention Faculty Fellows, deadline April 10, 2020.
Trends in Higher Education Fellows, deadline April 10, 2020.
Service-Learning Scholars Faculty Fellows, deadline April 17, 2020.
Honors College Fellows, deadline May 1, 2020.
Summer 2020 Tuition Assistance deadline approaching
The HR Total Rewards team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for Summer 2020 Tuition Assistance applications is Wednesday, April 15.
Reminder: Tuition Assistance applications for Summer 2020 are submitted through the new Online Application Form.
Effective for the Summer 2020 term, the fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted.
Due to 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.
Parking lot closing on west side of campus
The Wichita Police Department has requested to use all of lot 1 on the east side of Hillside from Alumni Drive to Memorial Drive for car stop training Monday, April 13 to Thursday, April 16.
The lots will be coned off on Sunday afternoon April 12. If you have a car in that lot, it will need to be moved.
Shocker Nation Appreciation Day
A Message from Vice President Fleming-Randle
Shockers both near and far appreciate the sacrifice it takes to continue serving our campus community during this challenging time. We respect and honor our WSU Police Department and Student Health Services staff for your continued vigilance, compassion and dedication to Shocker Nation!
Thank you again for a job well done!
Marché Fleming-Randle, Ph.D.
Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement
Retention Faculty Fellows deadline is approaching
Are you a faculty member who is interested in doing more to help students maximize their potential for success? If so, consider becoming a Retention Faculty Fellow.
Each Fellow will work, in partnership with Student Success under Academic Affairs, to identify activities that will promote retention within their college. Some activities may include serving on existing retention committees, helping identify trends in literature and better practices in retention, coordinating events to connect faculty to students and serving as a resource to inform students and faculty about a variety of retention services.
If you are interested in applying, please visit the Retention Faculty Fellows website and submit your materials to carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu. If you have questions about the position, please email kim.sandlin@wichita.edu.
State Employee Health Plan updates in response to COVID-19
Gov. 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 plan participants that 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.
For all up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and the WSU campus, go to www.wichita.edu/covid19.
Talk with Toby coming to your home today
Hangout with Toby and Andy at 11 a.m. (today) Friday, April 10. Learn more about how the human body uses food to power life and movement.
Live chat offers direct connection with university librarians
University Libraries live chat is available from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at http://libraries.wichita.edu. Find what you need through our friendly librarians manning the virtual reference desk.
University Libraries seeking faculty feedback
University Librarians are asking for faculty input on how the library can replace face-to-face with remote library instruction sessions and workshops. This quick survey will help us to better gauge what kind of support students may need so that we may prioritize our efforts.
Changes to GRASP
Given current recommendations, the in-person Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium has been canceled. However, in order to provide an opportunity to showcase graduate research and scholarly projects, we will be moving GRASP online. We’re still working on logistics and will announce details later.
Aren't familiar with GRASP? Please visit our website to learn more about our annual symposium at wichita.edu/grasp.
Zoom Security: What to know for a safe meeting
Zoom is great meeting tool, but due to its popularity, it has been used by anonymous users being disruptive or “Zoom Bombing”. Learn about how to have safe meetings and avoid disruption through insecure settings. Learn how to control screen sharing, lock the meeting, setup the waiting room and more.
Curbside Services now being offered through Student Health Services
Student Health Services is now offering Curbside Services! Pick up refilled prescriptions or get your TB test read without having to leave your car. Offered during normal hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.