Teaching This Fall: Day 2 Info on Hybrid Instruction
To support instructors who are prepping their classes for fall, the Faculty Curricular Design Working Group has created 10 sets of featured questions related to our new teaching environment. Each day we will post one set of frequently asked questions to respond to issues that faculty have raised about how to be prepared.
FAQs Set #2: Questions about Hybrid Teaching
- Who decides what in-person contact is required for my class?
All instructors must follow the public health mandates established by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). In-person instruction should prioritize applied and experiential activities that cannot be delivered effectively online. - Can I charge my students for test kits, proctored exams, etc.?
We try to keep costs of instruction as low as possible for students but recognize that some additional costs may be necessary for class. These costs should be clearly communicated to students in the course syllabus. No additional costs should be passed on to students mid-semester. Instructors are encouraged to consider Open Alternative Textbooks (OAT) to reduce costs for students. Additional Info.
Additional FAQs about teaching this fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.
John and Colleen Wooley’s $2.2 million estate gift is dedicated to WSU students
Nearly 70 years after John and Colleen Wooley first met as students at the University of Wichita, they have established a legacy that will touch the lives of Wichita State University students for generations to come. The couple’s $2.2 million estate gift will provide more than $100,000 in scholarships each year for students with financial need.
Before he died in 2019, Mr. Wooley said he wanted to make a donation that would acknowledge the role the university played in his and Colleen’s lives. Their estate gift will fund the Colleen Lee Wooley and John B. Wooley Scholarship, an endowment that will exist in perpetuity.
“It was important to John that their gift make an impact on the lives of students with financial need in all academic areas of study,” said Darin Kater, WSU Foundation vice president. “He didn’t care about their majors. He just wanted to make sure students with need had the opportunity to get a high quality education at WSU.”
Mrs. Wooley earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1952 and worked for several years in public relations for the American Red Cross. She also worked for the state of Kansas and the WSU School of Music before returning to the Red Cross to end her career, serving a total of 30 years with the organization. Mrs. Wooley died in 2013.
After serving in the U.S. Navy for three years, Mr. Wooley earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1954, then a law degree from Washburn University. He had a long career in the legal profession, working in several private firms, the office of the County Attorney and, eventually, as a Federal Magistrate Judge, from which he retired after 24 years.
Their affection for Wichita State and their dedication to the power of education mean that, for generations to come, WSU students who otherwise might not be able to afford college will receive meaningful scholarships to achieve their educational dreams.
Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex announces reopening
The Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex has reopened to the public. The Metropolitan Complex conveniently located just ½ mile south of K-96, at the intersection of 29th St. N. and Oliver, is a spacious meeting facility, with complimentary at door parking for up to 900 vehicles. The facility boasts eight meeting rooms with new audiovisual equipment as well as modern amenities such as:
- Electronic directional and room signage
- Water fountains with water bottle fillers
- A private nursing mother’s room with changing station that is Gold Standard Certified by the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition.
- New theatrical curtain, stage flooring and podium in the Lowe Auditorium
- Fully equipped Business Center that is available for use by all renters
- Guest workstations in hallways with electrical connectivity
- Cocktail tables and lighting effects for gatherings and receptions
“For more than two decades, the Metropolitan Complex has been an important part of the Wichita community. We have been the trusted host site for thousands of public events, conferences and meetings. I am excited that this facility is now reopen and ready to serve the community once again. You can expect the same great customer service but in an improved space. I look forward to once again welcoming you to our facility.” Kim Moore, Director
In order to protect the health and safety of building users, room capacities will be limited to maintain 6-ft distancing guidelines at all times. Event and meeting attendees will be expected to wear face coverings when meeting together. Our on-site staff will be disinfecting public areas and event and meeting space throughout the day.
Visit wichita.edu/services/metroplex to view the full list of services and meeting room spaces. To make a reservation, please call 316-978-3258 or email metropolitan.complex@wichita.edu.
FirePoint Innovations at Wichita State provides assistance to US military
Partnered with the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) and Aviation & Missile Center, Wichita State University’s FirePoint Innovation Center is building collaborations with the US Department of Defense.
The partnership, which started two-and-a-half years ago, helps US Army researchers develop technologies and deliver new capabilities to army warfighters. The program accelerates joint technology development and transfers among the CCDC, universities, industry and government organizations.
IRB moving to Phase 2 of Human Subjects Research Restoration Plan
The WSU Institutional Review Board is ready to move to Phase 2 of our Human Subjects Research Restoration Plan today (Wednesday, July 1). During Phase 2, researchers are permitted to conduct studies without maintaining physical distancing. However, researchers should strive to achieve as much physical distancing as possible and precautions to prevent viral spread (e.g., PPE, disinfecting, etc.) will still need to be taken. A Virus Protection Plan (VPP) must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval prior to the start date.
Authorization to conduct research will be granted following review of the VPP by the IRB.
Please visit Wichita State’s IRB website for more information or contact irb@wichita.edu with any questions.
Diversity and Inclusion career resources
The Career Development Center is committed to serving students, alumni, and community
members of diverse backgrounds and seeks to provide comprehensive career services
that reflect multicultural awareness. We are excited to launch these new resources
that are designed to provide information that can assist in career preparation and
job search.
Visit our Diversity and Inclusion Career Resources page for career information, legal
resources and job boards.
Follow our Diversity and Inclusion Career Development page on LinkedIn for up-to date
news articles, content and conversation.
Shocker shout-out to Margarita Baez, Career Development Specialist for spear-heading
this effort, researching and gathering content.
Summer library hours
University Libraries has been working diligently to create a safe, welcoming experience for our students, staff, and faculty, while maintaining safety protocols found in the Shockers United plan. While we are staffing the Libraries in order to provide service hours to the Shocker community, please note that many Libraries employees will continue working remotely.
Child participants needed for online study on COVID-19
Researchers at Wichita State University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, are doing an online research study to see what 10-17 year-old children think about COVID-19 and what they think about their parents' beliefs and behaviors during this time.
When children complete the survey, their family will be entered into a raffle for a $10 gift card. We hope about 250 children complete our survey, and we will raffle 50 of the gift cards. If you have a child living in your home who is 10-17 years old, your child might be eligible for this study.
If you are interested in learning more about being in this study, please copy and paste the link below into your browser:
https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5bzHDOpp9rcHVSB
If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Gregus, Ph.D., at samantha.gregus@wichita.edu.
Wichita Medical Research and Education Foundation announces a research funding opportunity for Community Health and Basic Medical Research
Wichita Medical Research and Education Foundation is pleased to announce the local funding opportunity for community health and medical research. Two $15,000 grants will be awarded to area researchers. The purpose of this funding program is to provide investigators with short-term funding (seed money) leading to successful application to larger and new funding sources. The areas of research interest are in social/behavioral, biological, genetic, or environmental determinants of disease and/or health, either physical or mental across the life span.
A letter of intent is due on Monday, July 13. More information can be found at http://www.wichitamedicalresearch.org/. Click the RFP link for details on the 2020 Request for Proposals.
For more information contact Peggy Johnson, Executive Director, for more information. 316-686-7172 or pjohnson@wmref-ks.org.
Changes to your HSA/HRA/FSA for 2020 due to CARES Act
Due to the recent CARES Act legislation, there have been some updates about 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 here: 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 (4) provisions on March 13, 2020 that have been extended through July 31, 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.
Read more
- 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, visit www.wichita.edu/covid19.
KMUW keyboard calendar stickers are back for the 2020-21 academic year
KMUW's free keyboard calendar stickers are back for the 2020-21 academic year. Please use this link to request a sticker for yourself or your department.
Note that stickers are limited this year, so please do not request more than you / your department will use. Due to COVID-19 precautions, KMUW's office hours are limited and there may be some delay in processing your requests. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Be rewarded with free pool in July
Members of the EAT.DRINK.PLAY. Rewards Program in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes can enjoy an entire month of free billiards in July. There is no limit and no restrictions! Simply show your rewards card and enjoy.
If you are not already a member, joining is free and easy. Simply stop in and ask for details. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
NOTE: We are working hard to keep our guests healthy and safe with added measures to sanitize equipment after every use!
Chemical Clean-Out Week continues
Old, expired or unwanted chemicals being stored in your department can create potential hazards for employees and students and can be an environmental and regulatory liability.
From now to July 10, the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department will pick up any university-related waste chemicals or other hazardous items. This event is an opportunity for all departments to clean out these items in a safe and compliant manner. Items will be picked up in your department by the EHS staff. Items include paints, solvents, lab chemicals, acids, oils, light bulbs, batteries, etc.
If you have items for pick up, please submit a Facilities Services work order before Friday, July 10.
Safety note: If any of your chemical containers have crystals or powder build-up on the container, do not attempt to move them. Some crystals on old chemical containers can be shock-sensitive and can explode.
If you discover a chemical container with crystals or powder build-up, contact Mike Strickland at 978-3347 or Andrew Clem at 978-7904 immediately.