Office of Research accepting Notices of Intent for Limited Funding Opportunity through the Kansas Health Foundation
Limited Submission Funding Opportunity Alert: Please see information below about applying to the Kansas Health Foundation’s Impact and Capacity Grants Initiative 2020 Request for Proposals (COVID-19 focus).
Title: Impact and Capacity Grants Initiative 2020 Request for Proposals
Purpose: Designed to support nonprofits across Kansas that work daily to improve health in our state as they respond to emergent needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amount: $25,000 for one year.
Eligibility: WSU is allowed to submit only one proposal.
- Notice of Intent: You MUST email proposals@wichita.edu by noon Monday, April 20, if you are interested in submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation.
- Pre-Proposal: If an internal competition is needed, Pre-Proposals will be due to the WSU Office of Research no later than Monday, April 27th at Noon. See this page for a list of the WSU Pre-Proposal requirements.
- Formal Proposal: If your pre-proposal is selected as the one to be submitted by WSU, the WSU Office of Research will contact you. The Kansas Health Foundation is accepting applications until the funding is depleted and no later than August 31, 2020. Therefore, it is important to submit a full proposal as soon as possible. The WSU Office of Research will submit the proposal as soon as it has been finalized and reviewed for compliance.
More Information:
If you have any questions about this opportunity, contact proposals@wichita.edu as soon as possible, and a grants specialist will be assigned to assist you.
It’s time to update your Strategic Planning Initiative
The Strategic Planning Committee and Activation Teams recently completed the review of the 167 submitted Strategic Planning Initiatives (SPI). To see the high level documentation of the efforts to support the mission of Wichita State University you'll find the preview of the TeamDynamix dashboard, here.
All university SPI’s should be updated for end of year reporting by Friday, May 1, 2020. To update your SPI’s, navigate to the WSU Strategic Planning website. Additional assistance can be found in the How-to-Guide.
Link to the Team Dynamix Dashboard
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).
Apply NOW Grant applications and Spring 2021 course designations due May 1 for AY 2020-21.
Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative
IDA faculty lab times expanded
Instructional Design and Access is expanding its lab times for faculty. You can now access "real time" help in Zoom in a come-and-go lab setting from 1-3:30 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
IDA staff will be on hand to help with Blackboard, Zoom, and Panopto problem,s along with any other questions about remote teaching. All instructors welcome, including GTAs. To access the IDA labs, go to https://wichita.edu/idalabs.
‘Modeling the spread of the Coronavirus,’ by Adam Jaeger, assistant professor of mathematics and statistics
While multiple models exist for predicting the infection rates and plateaus of pandemics, they are generally limited by assumptions of all individuals having an equal probability of transmission. As a result, the projections for infection rates tend to focus on larger geographic scales, such as states, resulting in an incomplete picture at a local level.
This talk at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 15), will introduce statistical modeling concepts relating to prediction of COVID rates at a county level and specifically introduce the notion of spatial correlation, which recognizes that there is a connection between county proximity and amount of social movement between areas.
Zoom Meeting ID: 946 577 627
Stay socially connected with us!
Wichita State University welcomes you to our new Employee Connection community!
We need to be physically distant at this time, but not socially distant. Connection is critical, and we are striving to understand the human moments that are happening and create space for employees to find their balance in this new world. Having said that, LET’S CONNECT!
Visit our Employee Connection webpage for ideas on how you can continue to stay socially connected with your teams at Wichita State, and join (and share) our new Facebook page for fun, interactive activities. We want to see your posts about ideas on how YOU are staying socially connected right now. Ready, set.... HAVE FUN at Employee Connection.
Physics Seminar today
Please join us for our next Physics Seminar at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 15) via Zoom, featuring Dr. Rejwan Ali from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The talk is titled “Quantum Chemical Bond-Breaking in Field Based Molecular Potentials.”
SGA to host Virtual Town Hall for students tomorrow
As mentioned in the last Virtual Town Hall, SGA will continue to host bi-weekly Virtual Town Halls because there are probably still so many questions about how WSU is handling these times.
Join the Student Government Association at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 16, as we host a Virtual Town Hall live on YouTube, moderated for the final time by outgoing Student Body President Kitrina Miller. The panel will include University President Dr. J,ay Golden, Provost Dr. Rick Muma, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Teri Hall and Dr. Carolyn Speer, manager, Instructional Design And Access.
The Town Hall will be hosted on the WSU YouTube. To view, please click here.
We will accept questions live during the Virtual Town Hall, but to submit a question ahead of time, click here.
Announcing Virtual Celebration on May 16
We are happy to announce that a Virtual Celebration will be held in honor of the spring and summer 2020 graduates on Saturday, May 16. This online option will allow us to acknowledge their achievements safely during this time of social distancing.
What is a Virtual Celebration?
It’s an option that allows the university, family, and friends to share in this momentous occasion in an online format. All eligible spring and summer 2020 graduates will receive an email asking them to opt in if they want to participate, and requesting information such as a photo, name pronunciation, and personal message in order to design a custom slide for each participating graduate. Please note: spring and summer 2020 graduates need to check their Shocker email to opt in!
MarchingOrder will provide a webpage, specifically designed for Wichita State University’s spring and summer 2020 graduates, with shareable links for social media posts and the ability to download a custom slide. In addition, there will be a link on the commencement webpage to a digital program that will list the graduate's name, degree, and any academic honors received. There will be an option to download, print or share digitally with family and friends. The celebration will also include pre-recorded remarks from the President, Provost, Deans, and Alumni Association.
Click here for commencement updates.
We look forward to celebrating the spring and summer 2020 graduates in this unique way!
From the Office of Adult Learning, a note of thanks
For all that you do, our thanks.
Donna Hughes retires after 36 years of service
Donna Hughes
Donna Hughes, International Admissions Officer in the Office of International Education, is retiring from Wichita State University after 36 years. Donna started at Wichita State as a student ,earning degrees in Anthropology, Psychology, and Spanish Education.
Her excellent work ethic and commitment to WSU started as a graduate assistant in the Intensive English Program, where she worked her way up to the Office Manager, then moved to the Graduate Admissions area, Anthropology Department, back to Intensive English, and finishing in the Office of International Education as an Admissions Officer.
She has served on several national and regional committees for AACRAO, NAFSA, KAFSA, KIE, as well as presenting at their conferences. Donna also has a huge passion for Wichita State, and has served on several committees such as President’s taskforce for Veterans, Military and First Responders, Council of University Women / Women of WSU, WU Crew, Interdisciplinary Awards Committee, a judge for WSU Student of the Year Competition, a member of the USS Senate, and several more.
Donna has impacted countless students, faculty and staff through the years, and will be greatly missed. We extend our warmest wishes to Donna and wish her well as she enjoys retirement!
Donna’s last day at WSU is Friday, May 8. The Office of International Education is accepting cards for Donna, and will ensure they are delivered to her.
Please send cards to:
Donna Hughes
Office of International Education
Campus Box 122
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St.
Wichita, KS 67260
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.
Requisitions to WSU Foundation
WSU Foundation requisitions will be processed as normal. All requisitions received by noon Tuesday will be processed by Friday.
The following are a few tips to ensure an efficient process:
- We encourage you to send your requisitions as a .PDF document to the Foundation Accounts Payable email address, foundation.ap@wichita.edu. As always, requisitions can still be sent via mail.
- Electronic signatures are accepted when emailing requisitions as a .PDF document. This link include instructions on how to complete this: ‘Beyond Microsoft: Other Application.'
- Please indicate exactly where to send the completed checks. We can send completed checks directly to the vendor. If the payee is Wichita State University, indicate exactly what box number the check should be sent to.
Please reach out to foundation.ap@wichita.edu for any further questions.
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.
Direct questions for returning library materials to librarystaff@wichita.edu
University Library items may be returned through the book drop on the east side of Ablah Library or once the libraries have open hours. There are no fines for late library materials. Please e-mail librarystaff@wichita.edu for questions.
Shocker Career Chats: Resume tips, on-campus jobs and internships
This virtual event is co-hosted by the Career Development Center and Admissions. During this live chat with Career Development Center students will learn helpful tips for how to build a collegiate resume they can use to land an on-campus job or internship.
Join us from 4-5 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 15) at wichita.edu/shockercareerchats.
After event cancellation, Emerging Artists prizes awarded virtually
Every year, the Art & Design Advocates host Emerging Artists, an event that showcases work by some of the most talented students in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries at Wichita State. The March 14 event was canceled due to novel coronavirus concerns, so the group responded with a virtual awards ceremony. Three students took home cash prizes totaling $1,750.
Daniel Caudill and Noah Merrell named to top leadership positions with The Sunflower
The Board of Student Publications at Wichita State University, comprised of students, faculty and community professionals, met last week to hire The Sunflower’s next editor in chief and advertising manager.
Daniel Caudill, a junior in political science and journalism, will serve as the 2020-21 editor in chief, and Noah Merrell, a junior in strategic communication, will serve as advertising manager.
Caudill has worked for The Sunflower for three years, serving in roles from SGA reporter his freshman year to news editor last fall. He also has worked as a reporter for The Derby Informer and spent this semester in Topeka as a full-time intern with the Kansas News Service.
The Sunflower’s editor in chief runs the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, including hiring staff, assigning and editing content and managing the production of the newspaper, both in print and online. The editor has the final say in all content decisions.
“As editor, I want The Sunflower to continue to be a reliable, independent source of news for students at Wichita State, while growing its connection to the campus community,” Caudill said. “We can serve our readers best when people from all backgrounds feel like they have a seat at the table.”
The student leaders will take over during a time when The Sunflower has moved all coverage online, as the university’s classes are online for the remainder of the semester and for the summer, and faculty and staff are, for the most part, working from home. The campus community will face unique human and economic challenges over the next year, Caudill said.
“Despite the big challenges we all face in the coming semesters, I’m optimistic about serving in this role,” Caudill said. “I have a passion for storytelling, and over the years, I’ve seen its ability to inform, connect and empower people. I hope I can lead the newspaper in a way that inspires other student journalists and helps establish truth in truly uncertain times.”
Merrell has worked for The Sunflower for one semester, after transferring from Butler Community College. At BCC, he worked for the Grizzly magazine, serving as the editor in chief of the publication.
The Sunflower’s advertising manager is responsible for selling ads, both in print and online, and for exploring other revenue streams to help support the student newspaper. The ad manager also helps market the newspaper, to gain readership and brand recognition.
Merrell said he looks forward to establishing professional relationships with businesses and organizations, to create win-win situations for the newspaper and the advertisers.
“I am looking forward to all the new people I will meet and how I will be in a position that allows me to work with so many different businesses and organizations, while also helping The Sunflower,” Merrell said.
He, too, said he recognizes the challenges ahead for students, the university and the newspaper.
“We have no idea what every student is going through during this pandemic. It will take time before things feel normal again,” Merrell said.
Caudill and Merrell will begin training now, and will officially take on their positions May 15.
Tuesday Talks with Sandy and Student Health Services
Sit down with contraception specialist Sandy Hill, APRN, and Nurse Heather for a Q&A about contraception and your body! Tune in to Student Health's Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, and ask your questions about contraceptive methods, updates, and more.
Virtual meetup with Northwestern Mutual - learn about new internships and careers!
The Career Development Center invites students to register and attend a virtual meetup with Northwestern Mutual at 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, April 15). This is the perfect opportunity for business students to learn about new and exciting internships and careers. There will be a short presentation and a Q&A to answer all of your questions. Use this link to register for the meetup.
RSC Engraving resumes production
Having now settled into working remotely and social distancing, the RSC Engraving Shop is ready to resume production to serve all of your engraving and award needs. We realize that while in-person classes have been temporarily halted, the need to recognize students, faculty and staff for their achievements may be more important than ever!
In an effort to promote social distancing, in-person orders are not being taken at the present time. Instead, you can start an order by emailing rsc.engraving@wichita.edu or leaving a voicemail message at 316-978-7048.
Upon completion we will arrange for curbside service for pick-ups or even deliver completed orders when feasible.