Third candidate to be interviewed for Health Professions dean position today
The Office of Academic Affairs is virtually interviewing four dean candidates for the College of Health Professions. Anyone is welcome to participate in virtual public forums with each candidate, streamed live on YouTube.
Gregory Hand, Ph.D., MPH; professor of Epidemiology, Medicine, and Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University. Thursday, June 4 and Friday, June 5. Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a virtual public forum at 1 p.m. today (Friday, June 5). Watch live here.
Phillip Funk and Sathees Chandra were interviewed earlier this week, and Kimberly McDowall Long will be interviewed June 9.
See additional information regarding the candidates on the Academic Affairs website
Grad certificate in data science created to meet industry demand
Responding to industry demand for workers with specialized skills, Wichita State is now offering a graduate certificate in computational data science.
The 12-hour graduate program is designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, but others are eligible if they can demonstrate the required knowledge base. The program equips students with in-depth knowledge on data science tools, analytical workflows, machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling.
Convergence Sciences Initiative proposal deadline extended
The deadline for submission of Convergence Sciences Initiative 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.
Convergence Sciences Initiative
WSU Foundation End of Fiscal Year Schedule
Requisitions:
Any check needs are due at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, for the check run Friday, June 26.
The WSU Foundation does not encumber funds, and we cannot write any checks for fiscal year 2019 after Friday, June 26.
Contact foundation.ap@wichita.edu for any questions or concerns.
Deposits:
Please deliver all gifts by Friday, July 3, to the WSU Foundation by 5 p.m. that day.
Contact Amy Houpt at 978-5191 with any questions or concerns.
The Foundation has changed the endowed fund carryover process for FY20, due to the campus shutdown for the COVID-19 pandemic. For this year only, any unspent FY20 endowed fund payouts will automatically be carried over to be available in FY21. We will make the entries in July for those funds.
If you have any questions or do not wish to have your funds carried over, please contact Sheila Krug at sheila.krug@wichita.edu or Vanessa Smith at vanessa.smith@wichita.edu.
Sign up now for the June 8-12 Academic Resources Conference events
The first half of the new and improved Academic Resources Conference will take place online via Zoom during the week of June 8. Sign up for trainings now via myTraining.
The Academic Resources Conference is Wichita State's largest instructor training event, and this year is greatly expanded and available fully online. All instructors of any rank, student facing staff, and faculty support staff are likely to benefit from this event. If you are interested, you are invited! Zoom events will run the week of June 8 and the week of Aug. 10, and online / on-demand events will be available all summer through the ARC website.
You can see a full list of June events here or browse by topic here.
The June events include:
1) Best practices for online instruction
2) Protecting your mental health
3) Library services and resources
4) Technical training in Blackboard, Panopto, Zoom, and Respondus
5) Tips for creating instructional video
We miss your face! So, this year we are also offering fun, social events each evening from 6-6:50 p.m. These "Cocktail Hour" events include opportunities to discuss classroom engagement, demonstrations of fun online games (yes, attendees will play), and on Friday night a murder mystery night. Sign up for Cocktail Hour events early as their caps are low. No alcohol required for Cocktail Hour, of course.
Sign up for all events through myTraining found in the myWSU portal. Know an adjunct or new GTA who doesn't have myTraining access? Encourage them to come, and we will handle their sign-up. Just email IDA@wichita.edu.
Stay up-to-date with University Libraries
Keep up-to-date on when, where and how to use library resources on our website. For questions, send us an email at librarystaff@wichita.edu or call us at 316-978-3481.
Fairmount College issues statement on our current social climate
Statement on our current social climate
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Wichita State University
This last week in America has laid bare that we have much to do as a country, and as individuals, to right the many wrongs against men and women in the African American community. The hurt and anger are real.
It’s not 1968, but it looks like it in many ways. Unjust killings, peaceful protests and citizen advocacy are followed by more brutality, looting and riots.
How can we learn? By putting aside pre-formed beliefs and asking hard questions. But that is not enough. We must listen with empathy to things we find incredulous, repugnant or sorrowful. That’s still not enough. We must hear with our heart and work for change.
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences teaches our students to see both the world as it is and the world as it should be. It embraces the ideals of diversity, equality, peace, justice, and social progress in creating a world that ends discrimination, brutality and racial strife. We support individuals in their right of redress and expression of opinion. Most importantly, we understand that until black lives matter, none of us is equal.
In the days ahead, and as we seek to understand one another and connect as members of one human family, let’s reflect deeply, listen with our soul, seek to understand, and work for stronger and more caring community. Let’s stay safe and do what’s right.
To learn more of Wichita State’s viewpoint, go to https://wsu.news/injustice.
Shocker grad: 'We know Wichita State always will be there for us'
Allison Schulte is a spring 2020 Wichita State University graduate who majored in
strategic communication in the Elliott School of Communication.
Allison is from Wichita and attended Kapaun Mount Carmel Catholic High School. Students in public information writing evaluated Wichita State’s remote learning response to COVID-19, and this blog is a product of that project.
MGC to host Candlelight Vigil this evening
The Multicultural Greek Council invites all to a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. today (Friday, June 5) in the MGC Quad (located in the RSC Courtyard off of the East Entrance).
This is a peaceful time to mourn the loss of Black individuals because of police brutality, and to rally together to support Black individuals. We strongly encourage physical distancing and the use of proper PPE. A limited number of candles will be provided.
We will feature four speakers, including three Wichita State students and one Wichita State staff member. Contact mgc@wichita.edu for additional questions.
Real Talk - Intersection Dialogues ‘Debriefing Recent Racial Events’ (2nd Session)
The next Real Talk session will be held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today (Friday, June 5), via Zoom. A link will be provided after you RSVP.
The dialogue is co-sponsored with Counseling and Prevention Services.
As we continue to hear more news about the devastating racial events happening in society, our upcoming topic will be "Debriefing the Recent Racial Events." Engage in meaningful dialogues around various topics that impact identity, diversity, inclusion, equity and society. We welcome you to lean into discomfort and join in on the discussion.
Register for the second upcoming event at wichita.edu/odievents. You will receive the Zoom session link and password after you RSVP. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034.
Click "Real Talk - Intersection Dialogues (2nd Session)" to access the RSVP form.
Tuesday Talk originally planned for June 2 now on YouTube
Celebrating Pride Month, our Tuesday Talks will cover health topics and the LBGT+ community. Join Nurse Heather and WSU students Rexy Que, Jess Prudence and Claire Powell for a discussion about the transgender process and becoming the real you.
Reminder about designated holidays for State of Kansas employees
Holidays for State of Kansas employees are designated on an annual basis by the Governor of the State of Kansas and the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) for eligible employees. You can view the governor’s memorandum here.
The following dates have been designated as paid holidays for all departments of Wichita State for the 2020 calendar year. This information is available online at any time.
- Discretionary Day*
- New Year's Day - Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, Jan. 20
- Memorial Day - Monday, May 25
- Independence Day – observed on Friday, July 3
- Labor Day - Monday, Sept. 7
- Veterans Day - Wednesday, Nov. 11 (classes are in session on this day)
- Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27
- Christmas Eve - Thursday, Dec. 24
- Christmas Day - Friday, Dec. 25
*The discretionary day must be used during the payroll calendar year. For 2020, it must be used Dec. 29, 2019 – Dec. 26, 2020. This paid leave benefit is used for observance of a holiday, family event or other special day. Employees who work a Monday through Friday schedule should plan to use their discretionary day on or before Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020.
Recently announced changes to student instructional schedules do not impact the designated university paid holidays and closedown schedule. With the announcement that in-person instruction will be completed by Nov. 20, some employees may wish to take advantage of using additional vacation time prior to the holiday. As always, employees should work directly with their supervisors to determine whether or not vacation requests can be accommodated.
As a reminder, the 2020 University Closedown commences at the end of the day on Friday Dec. 18, 2020 and reopens on Monday morning Jan. 4, 2021. The communication regarding the 2020 closedown can be found here.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers wide variety of services to employees at no charge
With the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and recent unrest due to injustices that impact our community, we want to remind employees of the availability of EAP services. As an employee of the State, benefits-eligible employees of WSU and their dependents have access to EAP services at no charge. EAP can provide information and connect you with professionals who can help with a wide variety of services and your use of EAP services is completely confidential.
Some services provided are:
- Locating support groups
- Short-term personal counseling services
- Emotional and stress related issues
- Domestic violence
- Family and parenting questions
- Grief and loss
- Connecting with a financial expert for financial related issues and questions
- Legal advice for concerns such as divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt, landlord/tenant issues, etc.
- Customized resources and referrals for child and elder care, moving, pet care, home repair, selling a home, college planning and more.
You can find more information online from WSU here and from the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) here. To check out the EAP services offered visit the EAP Website at www.guidanceresources.com using Company ID: SOKEAP or call EAP at 1-888-275-1205 (option 1).
Additional community resources can be found at www.wichita.edu/CommunityResources.
Distribution and return of mifi devices have changed
ITS Telecommunications front office staff is back on campus full-time from 8 a.m.-5
p.m. Monday to Friday. All mifi distribution and returns will go through our office
in 027 Jabara Hall going forward. To return or pick up a requested device, simply
visit our office and ring the doorbell. Please remember to wear a mask to keep yourself
and our staff as safe as possible.
If you have any questions about this procedure, contact us at 316-978-3535 or telecomservices@wichita.edu. Devices can be mailed to us at WSU ITS Telecommunications, 1845 Fairmount, Box 061, Wichita, KS 67260
We would like to thank the staff of the Media Resources Center for helping us in the last two months get these mifi’s into the hands of students, faculty and staff that needed them.
CARES Act reflection
The Office of Financial Aid shared the following:
Wichita State University has distributed more than $4.2 million of the funds provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to 4,499 students in need. The US Department of Education distributed CARES funds to universities across the country as a way to ease the financial burdens on the institutions and their students.
When asked about the funding, Financial Aid Director Sheelu Surender said, “Our main goal with the student portion of CARES funds was to get dollars into the hands of our eligible students and provide some relief as quickly as possible.”
You can see the responses below from some students who received CARES funds.
Shawn Henderson
Describe how financial aid/CARES Act funding has helped you succeed at Wichita State.
- “ I had no idea it existed, it was a gift from above.”
- “I did not have to do anything, it was automatically in my account.”
- “Thank you WSU!”
How has our staff helped you through the financial aid process?
- “You guys are amazing”
- “OneStop told me you were now taking walk-ins which is awesome”
How would you describe the process of applying for the CARES Act funding?
- “There was no process, it was out of the blue when I received an email.”
- “They told me that I qualified and that I would be receiving my $1,000 in 7-10
business days.”
- “I cried; very few people reach out with amazing news”
What do you hope to do after your finish your degree at Wichita State?
- “Change the world!”
- “Advocate for change within the prison reform especially the juvenile detentions
for mental health.”
What advice do you have for students who are nervous about applying for financial
aid?
- “Don’t be nervous about asking for help because closed mouths don’t get fed.”
- “College is a business not a game.”
- “Don’t be afraid of financial aid. Run to them not away from them.”
______________________________
Billy Wilson
Describe how financial aid/CARES Act funding has helped you succeed at Wichita State.
- “Helped pay for my courses and tuition in a time in need.”
How has our staff helped you through the financial aid process?
- “Very helpful to explain financial aid things thoroughly”
How would you describe the process of applying for the CARES Act funding?
- “Grateful that it happened, I did not have to go through a process.”
What do you hope to do after your finish your degree at Wichita State?
- “Social worker/ help others.”
What advice do you have for students who are nervous about applying for financial
aid?
- “That it isn’t as nerve wracking as you think, the office is very helpful.”
Please use Student Health's main entrance
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 978-4792 before coming into the center.
Wanted: Volunteers to help with 2020 bicycle and pedestrian count event
Volunteers are needed to help manually count bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 sites in the Wichita Metro area. The annual event, sponsored by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will be held Sept. 24 and 26.
This important event relies heavily on the commitment of community volunteers to gather data about how our network of paths and lanes are being used.
According to Tricia Thomas, WAMPO Communication’s Manager:
“One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.”
As such, this event is the only source for regional-scale bicycle and pedestrian data. The results of this data are then used to guide investments throughout the regional transportation system.
So please consider volunteering! This annual event is a real opportunity for local residents to become involved in a piece of the regional transportation planning process. As we know, bicycle and pedestrian investments stimulate the economy, public health, and the overall quality of life in a variety of ways. Communities that invest in these facilities inherently attract people and businesses so it’s good for everyone! Register to volunteer here!