Convergence Sciences Initiative proposal deadline extended to June 8
The deadline for submission of Convergence Sciences Initiative (CSI) proposals has been extended to Monday, June 8. Faculty and staff may be a Co-PI on more than one proposal. For more information, visit the CSI webpage.
Order limited edition 125th anniversary lapel pins by May 28
In celebration of the 125th anniversary for Wichita State University, a special edition lapel pin has been designed to mark the celebratory period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The extended deadline to be part of this bulk order is 5 p.m. Thursday, May 28.
The full-color, approximately 1.25” hard enamel pin, is available with a butterfly (military) or magnet fastener. Please note that the price point for the magnet fastener is slightly higher than the butterfly fastener.
The price point breakdown based on the quantity ordered is noted. For example, if all combined orders for military-style lapel pins with magnet fasteners total 10,000, then the cost per unit will be .84. However, if all combined orders for magnet-style fasteners is 100, the cost per unit will be $1.25.
Each department will only be invoiced for the quantity requested.
Submit requests to Ellen Abbey, director of Auxiliary Services, at ellen.abbey@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Thursday, May 28.
Please provide the following information:
Quantity
Department Name
Org/Fund
Delivery Address
New syllabus template available
The newest course syllabus template is now available. Language regarding university policies and available student resources has been provided in a hyperlink instead of inserted into the body of the document. This will allow this content to be updated regularly without faculty having to change their syllabus or search for the newest template. If you would like to remove these additional pages from your template, just insert the following link.
Monthly studio portrait photos available soon in the RSC
Strategic Communications will begin offering monthly studio portrait photos in the RSC starting in July. Previously, photos had been taken at Strat Comm in Morrison Hall. Information will be communicated through WSU Today soon with more details. Stay tuned!
Update on how to get materials from library
To check out library materials, place a hold using the Libraries’ online catalog at https://libcat.wichita.edu/
Instructions:
You may place requests for materials at any time and they will be paged every two hours during our hours of operation. We will notify you via email when your holds are ready. Please note that holds placed for items at the McKinley Chemistry Library and Thurlow Lieurance Music Library will take longer to retrieve.
To pick up your holds, please stop at the Circulation Desk in Ablah Library. Your materials will be held in a locker adjacent to the desk. Upon showing your Shocker ID card, Libraries staff will provide you the information needed to retrieve your materials. The process in place is designed to provide contactless checkout of your materials.
Wichita State University’s orientation going virtual this summer
Like most summer activities, the way Wichita State’s campus orientation is held looks different than it has in years past. With limitations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, holding an in-person orientation for new students wasn’t possible.
The Office of Student Success will instead host summer orientation through online modules and virtual college connection sessions. Wichita State requires undergraduate orientation for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and returning or adult learners. Orientation is considered the last step of the transition into a full-fledged member of Shocker Nation.
WSU Theatre makes a film during quarantine
During the stay-at-home situation the past two months, WSU Theatre made a movie. Using Zoom actors performed in the film, “Pursuit,” written and directed by Dr. Bret Jones, professor of Theatre and Program Director of Filmmaking at WSU.
WSU Theatre students auditioned for roles by filming their auditions and sending them to Jones. Jones cast the film, recorded directions for the project, and coordinated students filming their scenes for the movie. Jones edited the scenes and added music to complete the 20-minute film.
”Pursuit” is available to view on YouTube at Wichita State University Theatre Films.
Perspectives on the Pandemic series now on Fairmount College YouTube channel
Making sense of the issues surrounding the coronavirus can be challenging. Faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University are helping clear the confusion.
The Perspectives on the Pandemic series features several Fairmount College faculty and community members explaining various aspects of the pandemic. The presentations may be found on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.
Shocker Innovation Corps now accepting applications for the online summer 2020 cohort
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
This summer cohort will be held completely online. With the university continuing classes online for the summer term, we want to offer the flexibility of attending the E-Launch sessions online. Visit www.shockericorps.org to find out more information or to apply.
Pizza Hut Museum open by appointment only through June 30
The Pizza Hut Museum will remain closed to the general public through June 30. In the meantime, people interested in visiting the museum can request an appointment to visit between 8 a.m.-5p.m., Monday-Friday, at www.wichita.edu/PizzaHut.
Changes to your HSA/HRA/FSA for 2020 due to CARES Act
Due to the recent CARES Act legislation, there have been some updates to how you can use your HSA, HRA and/or Healthcare FSA funds. Updates include the ability to use funds for over-the-counter (OTC) medications without a prescription, and for menstrual care products. These changes are retroactively effective to Jan. 1, 2020.
Your NueSynergy debit card may not immediately work for purchases of these items as merchants are in the process of updating their systems to accommodate these changes, but you are able to pay out-of-pocket and submit reimbursement requests through the NueSynergy online portal.
You can find more information from NueSynergy at NueSynergy 2020 CARES Act Update. If you have more specific questions about eligible purchases, you can reach NueSynergy directly at 1-855-750-9440 for further assistance. When calling, identify yourself as a State of Kansas employee, and be prepared to provide your SHaRP ID (found by logging in to myWSU and hovering the mouse over the white box in the “SHaRP ID” channel).
State Employee Health Plan updates in response to COVID-19
Governor Laura Kelly announced four provisions on March 13, 2020 that have been extended through June 30, 2020 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.
More information
- 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. In addition to telehealth services provided by Teledoc or Amwell, the member cost share will also be waived for services from your in-network physician that are billed as telehealth services.
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, please visit www.wichita.edu/covid19.
Harpool is subject-matter expert for WalletHub article
Check out Student Health Services on YouTube
Missed a previous Tuesday Talk from Student Health Services? Looking for information on how to stay healthy, specifically how to stay healthy during the outbreak of COVID-19? Student Health Services has a YouTube channel!
Check out our latest videos here.
Please use Student Health's main entrance starting June 1
Starting Monday, June 1, please use the main entrance for the Student Wellness Center in the lobby of the Steve Clark YMCA. If you are experiencing fever, cough, or other symptoms of illness, please call Student Health at 316-978-4792 before coming into the center.
Meet a Shocker: Rhian Cunningham, graphic design graduate
Rhian Cunningham is as creative as they come, with her constant doodles and calligraphy notes, her personality shines through. Currently, she is an intern in the Office of Strategic Communication where she gains hands-on experience in graphic design. After graduation, she is unsure of her next steps but will spend time figuring out what she hopes to do.
Rhian was one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring/summer 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.