OU Campus: Virtual Open Lab today
Having website trouble? From 1-3 p.m. today (Thursday, April 16), the MRC Web Team will host a live Zoom meeting to walk you through any issues you have within the OU Campus content management system.
This will be a weekly event with additional dates to be added soon. Check https://wichita.edu/websupport for more information, including the meeting link and password.
IDA will assist with new online and remote class Blackboard setups
Instructional Design and Access would like to help instructors in the shift to remote classes for summer, so starting immediately, we are offering a new service.
If you would like IDA to do the initial setup of your remote or new online course in Blackboard, simply provide the necessary information on this form.
As part of our service, we will upload your syllabus, set up discussion and assignment links, and upload a course banner. There are various options you can choose from to ensure the course setup you receive reflects your personality and supports your content.
Questions? Contact us by email at IDA@wichita.edu.
Wichita State planning further student financial assistance; considering budget reductions related to pandemic
With online and/or remote instruction up and running and the university settling into a routine of managing and continuing operations while practicing social distancing, our thoughts and planning activities have turned toward the future and the potential long-term impact that COVID-19 will have on our campus community. The university continues to evaluate and explore all options and no decisions have been made on a path forward. But, we want to share with you a few topics of current conversation.
Student emergency funds
At every level of the university, we are striving to remain in close touch with our students, knowing that staying close as a community, and caring for each other, is the best way to work through the many difficulties of the pandemic. We are thrilled to share that we have already begun providing financial support for students with the greatest needs and expect to be able to continue to do so over the next several months.
The WSU Foundation and its donors have established the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund to provide qualifying students with short-term financial assistance of up to $500. More than $67,000 has been raised thus far, including contributions from faculty and staff. These dollars have helped more than 70 students and additional applications continue to be received and reviewed on a daily basis. For more information and to download an application, please visit www.wichita.edu/finaidcovid19.
CARES Act
On March 25, 2020, Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This Act, through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, allocated funding to colleges and universities to help institutions and students deal with the unprecedented financial struggles of COVID-19. Half of the funds received by WSU, approximately $4.4 million, must be used to provide emergency financial aid to students who have unanticipated expenses associated with the disruption of learning on campus due to Coronavirus. This emergency aid is intended to cover eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care.
The Department of Education issued its first guidance on CARES Act funding on April 9, 2020, encouraging institutions to prioritize its students with the greatest need. We expect additional guidance from the Department of Education and other sources regarding distribution of these funds in the coming days and weeks. We are now working through details of getting and distributing these funds and are working diligently on a plan that will allow us to provide the maximum benefit to our students in need based on the guidance provided.
We will provide our campus community with updates through the Shocker Blast newsletter and other channels.
Faculty, staff and operations
WSU is dealing with the same issues that universities across the nation and world are addressing at the same time. We know the human and financial damage from the pandemic will be large, but it may be many months, even years, until we understand the full impact.
The university receives financial support from four primary revenue streams: student tuition and fees, state aid, funded research, and philanthropy. All of these streams are currently strained due to COVID-19 and we have no idea when or if they will return to normal.
Additionally, the uncertainty around things like enrollment for summer and fall, receipt of federal and state aid, and the ability to return to in-person instruction limits our ability to accurately assess what changes will be required, both operationally and financially, of our institution.
As Provost Rick Muma shared with the Faculty Senate Monday:
- WSU has a projected $6.5 million shortfall in tuition revenue and no clear indication of how state funding may change.
- It is possible that these declines may be partially offset by funds received by WSU under the CARES Act or other legislation, but we have not yet received any guidance from either the federal or state government.
- The university has already implemented several cost-saving measures (i.e., hiring freeze, restrictions on discretionary spending) and understands that others may be needed (i.e., employee furlough, temporary salary reduction, etc.) as we strive to remain fiscally responsible.
- After having no tuition increase for the current year, the university may ask the Kansas Board of Regents for an increase next year.
There are also key drivers of the university’s success that aren’t part of the main university budget but are important to the excellence of the university and the student experience. These include WSU Tech and all of the high schools and community colleges that prepare students for the university; Wichita State Athletics; the Rhatigan Student Center and Shocker Stores; the WSU Foundation; and the Alumni Association.
We will continue to work with and seek the advice of the campus-wide Budget Advisory Committee to consider different scenarios, based on the length of the pandemic and its financial impact.
We do not tell you these things to alarm you, but rather to provide context around some of the conversations you may be hearing. Nothing is for certain at this point, and no plans have been made. We will continue to communicate with our campus community as we navigate this difficult road.
We are living through an unprecedented time in history, but we will find our way through this together.
We appreciate your courage, your kindness, your grace and your caring for each other as we move forward.
Sincerely,
President Jay Golden and Provost Rick Muma
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.
Faculty Senate Call for Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for division representatives and two university-wide at-large seats for the Faculty Senate to serve a two-year term starting in the 2020-21 academic year. Senators represent the faculty at the university and serve as a liaison for their academic divisions. The Senate meets twice-a-month during the regular academic year from 3:30-5 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.
All faculty are eligible for nominations. Current senators whose term is expiring are eligible for another term.
Please submit your nominations to Lee Ann Birdwell before midnight Friday, April 17. Self-nominations are strongly encouraged. Your participation is essential to a fair and inclusive process of shared governance.
Statement about Cessna Stadium from Wichita State Athletics Director Darron Boatright
Wichita State University asked the Kansas Board of Regents yesterday (Wednesday, April 15) for permission to demolish Cessna Stadium’s stands, and the request was approved 9-0. The track will remain.
Permission of KBOR is always a first step that must be taken in major changes to university facilities. There is no current start date for this project.
The stadium has outlasted the typical lifespan of exposed steel structures. It continues to be exposed to the elements and deterioration of the steel structure will require extensive repairs and is a continuing public safety concern. Additionally, the facility is not ADA compliant and past studies have indicated that significant demolition and rework are needed to bring the facility into compliance.
“Seeking permission from the Kansas Board of Regents is the first step in any process as a state institution,” Boatright said. “We believe demolition is the best course of action when and if funding sources are identified. We look forward to continuing our relationship with KSHAA and hosting the state track meet as well as track and field meets for our program.”
The 30,000-seat stadium was constructed in 1946 (with a significant renovation in 1969) as a football and track facility. It is the home of Wichita State track and field and the annual Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship.
The demolition would be done in phases to allow for both Wichita State track and field and the Kansas State High School Track and Field Championship to continue at the facility.
Plans entail the demolition of the east stands in Phase 1 and demolition of the west stands and press box in Phase 2. A new, smaller multi-purpose stadium would be built on the site serving both men’s and women’s athletics and the regional community and economy.
The cost of razing the building is estimated at approximately $1.4 million ($625,000 for the east stands and $775,000 for the west stands), which will be funded from private funds and restricted fee funds.
GRASP 2020 to be held on Blackboard -- Call for judges
In the spirit of continuing their support of graduate student research even while not on campus, the Graduate School will hold the annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects Symposium online this year; Blackboard will host virtual posters and written explanations from graduate students across campus. All WSU faculty, staff, and students will be able to self-enroll in the Blackboard Organization to view projects on May 1. Want more information about GRASP? Visit our website at wichita.edu/grasp.
Additionally, the Graduate School is seeking faculty and staff volunteers to judge the poster session remotely from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 1. If you have access to a tablet, computer or smart device, this would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the diverse research and scholarly projects in which graduate students across campus have been engaged. Volunteer sign-up will close at the end of the day on Thursday, April 23. Click here to sign up.
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.
CAPS is online @ShockersCAPS
Get support for your mental health and connect to your community with Counseling and Prevention Services online. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with @ShockersCAPS or with #WSUWeSupportU, and join us for our Facebook Live streams, Keep Calm & Breathe On,at 4 p.m. Mondays and 1 p.m. Wednesdays, and The Day of the Week at 11 a.m. Fridays.
Counseling and Prevention Services
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.
Virtual meetings with TIAA Financial Consultants are available
TIAA Financial Consultants are available to help participants in the Kansas Board of Regents Retirement Plan with virtual meetings to confirm they are on track for retirement, discuss market volatility, and consider recommendations on how to invest their funds.
These virtual meetings are private and secure, with only the employee and the Financial Consultant joining the virtual meeting. Through a computer or tablet, the participant is able to see the consultant as they talk, and the consultant can share information on their screen to create an experience very similar to a traditional face-to-face meeting.
Click the link here to schedule an appointment or call TIAA at 800-732-8353 to set an appointment.
Please email Jeremy Kohn, TIAA Financial Consultant, at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org if you have problems setting an appointment and need assistance.
SGA to host Virtual Town Hall for students today
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. today (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.
WSU student learns leadership skills during operations internship at Airbus
Editor's note: This story was reported and written before the March 16 move by Wichita State University to remote learning and subsequent "Stay at Home" order by the state of Kansas brought on by the pandemic.
- Wichita State senior Angelique Banh used the Professional Edge program to help land an internship at Airbus.
- Bill West, Head of Engineering Operations at Airbus, said Wichita State students bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the work place.
- Banh uses her Wichita State connections to help Airbus employees take advantage of campus activities and resources.
JoVE Science Library streaming free for WSU students and faculty
Find innovative instructional streaming collections at JoVE Science Library! Through University Libraries, WSU faculty and students have free access to JoVE through June 15. This online resource has videos on a variety of STEM subjects. More information is available at libraries.wichita.edu/electronicresources/current_trials.
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.
Call for artists
Gallery selections are approaching, but there’s still time. We would like to ask you to encourage your students and your department to apply for the chance to become a Cadman Art Gallery exhibitor. Benefits include increased exposure, as well as experience in designing and installing their own shows.
Applications to exhibit in the Cadman Art Gallery are available through Tuesday, April 21, on the Cadman website at wichita.edu/cadmangallery.