Golden welcomes new senate presidents, expresses appreciation to outgoing presidents
Jay Golden
As the newly elected senate leadership picks up the reins from the outgoing administration, President Jay Golden is eager to work with the incoming senate presidents and student government leaders to build upon the strong initiatives and momentum started by previous leaders.
“I welcome our new leaders, and I look forward to continuing the good work and strong initiatives toward a collective vision of university shared governance,” Golden said.
Golden expressed appreciation to the outgoing presidents — Julie Scott (UP Senate), Matt Houston (USS Senate), and Jeff Jarman (Faculty Senate) — as well as welcoming the incoming presidents — Trish Gandu (UP Senate), Randy Sessions (USS Senate), and Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn (Faculty Senate).
“I know the work of our Senate Presidents has taken a great deal of time and energy, and I extend my most sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every one of them for their unabated dedication – despite COVID-19 – to this process,” Golden said. “Their insights and suggestions will serve as invaluable tools as we work to grow this institution. I continue to be amazed and incredibly proud of all the work being done by Shocker Nation to serve not only our campus, but also our greater communities. Thank you for all you do.”
Correction to Wednesday’s message from President Golden
USS Senate President Matt Houston’s name was inadvertently left out of President Golden’s message to the campus thanking the Senate Presidents in last Wednesday’s WSU Today.
Golden said: “Matt has been a wonderful USS President and he continues to be a wonderful advocate for our university. His input will be critical.”
Convergence Sciences Initiative proposal deadline extended
The deadline for submission of Convergence Sciences Initiative proposals is today (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
Wichita State helps produce stethoscopes for COVID-19 patients
- Wichita State engineers and the university's 3D printing capacity helped produce stethoscopes quickly when COVID-19 increased demand.
- The stethoscopes are for temporary use and stay with the patient as they enter the hospital and undergo testing and treatment.
- The stethoscopes, workers at Ascension Via Christi said, are excellent quality.
Pictured above: Wichita State University played a lead role in creating temporary stethoscopes for Ascension Via Christi with 3D printers.
IRB develops guidelines to restore human subject research involving person-to-person interactions
Dear WSU Researchers,
The WSU Institutional Review Board has developed guidelines to restore human subject research that involves direct person-to-person interactions. The IRB’s main purpose is to protect the welfare of human subjects recruited to participate in research activities at WSU. As the current pandemic has created additional levels of risk associated with person-to-person interaction, the IRB is striving to maximize the safety of participants as well as researchers.
Restoration will consist of three phases that are meant to reflect the currently recommended practices for the university community. Phase 1 is effective immediately. Phases 2 and 3 will be authorized as conditions improve.
Click here for more information.
Virtual support offered by university subject librarians
University Librarians are here (virtually) to support instruction.
As Wichita State faculty plan summer and fall classes, remember librarians can help you every step of the way. Let your subject librarian:
- Make custom research guides for your classes
- Help you redesign research assignments to better fit the hybrid learning environment
- Locate electronic course materials (e-books, articles, or streaming audio and video) and embed them directly into your Blackboard course shell
- Support your students as an embedded librarian in Blackboard by answering questions, participating in discussions, providing point of need announcements, linking to electronic resources, and providing feedback on research assignments
- Provide synchronous or asynchronous virtual instruction for your classes (at least two weeks advance notice is preferred)
Contact subject librarians at libraries.wichita.edu/subjectlibrarians.
Keith Pickus returns to his first love: being a history professor
Keith Pickus
Keith Pickus came to Wichita State in 1995 to teach history, with his area of specialty being German history. He was known as a tough but fair and compassionate teacher and those who studied under him were grateful for the opportunity.
After a number of years, Keith was asked to serve as associate dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which he did for five years. His gift for managing budgets and processes led to the position of associate vice president in the Provost’s Office and then interim provost. He was interim dean of the College of Health Professions for one year beginning in 2013.
In 2014, Keith accepted an offer to join the WSU Foundation, where he has been a vice president, managing the development team as well as the donor engagement staff. Keith was integral to the success of the Shock the World Campaign, which will conclude on June 30. His ability to connect the passions of donors with WSU’s academic programs helped move the Foundation forward.
“Keith has been an invaluable leader, highly respected and appreciated by our board, staff and donors,” says WSU Foundation President Elizabeth King. “He will be greatly missed yet we understand and support his decision to return to the classroom.”
About a year ago, Keith decided that, upon the conclusion of the campaign, he would return to the classroom to reignite his passion for imparting knowledge and helping students broaden their perspectives about the world around them. His last day with the Foundation will be June 12.
Legislative update
As you may be aware, the legislature was convened in a special session last week. While they didn’t do anything that directly impacts Wichita State, Zach Gearhart, director of Government Relations, provided an update on their activities. Please click here for information.
Counseling and Prevention Services stands with the black members of our community
If you are struggling, CAPS is here for you. Set your appointment with a CAPS counselor by calling 316-978-4792 to begin your self-care plan. If you are in crisis, please reach out to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
#WSUWeSupportU #WSUNow
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.
KMUW's digital event will address how the upcoming elections will continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of social life, including how we vote. In partnership with the League of Women Voters, KMUW's Engage ICT will bring together local experts to discuss how the upcoming elections will continue amid the pandemic. Join us at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 9. The live conversation will be streamed from KMUW's Facebook page and at EngageICT.org. Email your questions in advance to info@kmuw.org.
Porcaro’s expertise featured in story about online learning
Mark Porcaro
The COVID-19 pandemic forced colleges and universities to move their face-to-face courses to remote and online formats. Instructors heroically worked to ensure continuity of learning for their students.
Considering this shift online, Mark Porcaro, executive director of Online Learning at Wichita State University and WCET Steering Committee member, reflected that learning isn’t all about where it takes place.
Porcaro’s post on WCET Frontiers is available here.
Extra discount on clearance merchandise in the Shocker Store
This week in the Shocker Store, take an extra 10% off their already-marked-down clearance items! Sale is in RSC store only. Store hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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 here.
Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes extends hours and opens for play
Starting today (Monday, June 8), the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes will be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Full menu will be served 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and select menu (fried appetizers, cold sandwiches and beverages) will be available between 2-4 p.m. ‘
Also starting June 8, bowling, billiards and darts open back up with added measures for social distancing, as well as disinfecting procedures after each use.