Wichita State stands in support of our international students
Jay Golden
From Wichita State President Dr. Jay Golden:
Dear Shocker Nation,
I have watched and listened this week with a great deal of focus over the federal government’s announcement regarding international students. This rule change has implications for our international students that could include having to leave the country or transferring to another institution.
We are working hard to do everything we can to minimize the impact that this guidance may have on our students, including offering hybrid instruction – which combines an in-person component with online classwork – in the fall semester. We made this decision earlier in the summer, and many measures are being taken every day to ensure as much safety as possible as we learn to co-exist with this virus.
Click here to read the entire letter.
Teaching This Fall: Day 5 Questions about Classrooms and Campus
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 #5: Questions about Classrooms and Campus
- Is there standardized syllabus language we can share with students to explain the importance of safe behaviors and compliance with campus policies?
Yes. Find the full statement here.
- Where can I find classroom capacities and assignments for fall?
The Office of the Registrar and Facilities Services worked tirelessly to calculate new capacities and make adjustments for those classes identified as essential for in-person delivery this fall. Find a list of classroom capacities here.
- Can I require in-person attendance?
Instructors should share with students their in-person requirements and expectations before the start of the fall semester so students can make informed decisions about enrolling in classes. Instructors are encouraged to consider ways other than attendance to assess participation and/or engagement, and discouraged from using grading techniques that may require a student to choose between their health or grade. Instructors should ask students to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and instruct students who feel ill to not attend in-person meetings.
Additional FAQs about teaching this fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.
Banner 9 Scheduling Building Training – July 21 & 22
New Banner Schedule Builders and Department Chairs are invited to attend the upcoming Spring 2021 Schedule Building Training sessions presented by the University Registrar’s Office and Applications Training on Tuesday, July 21 and Wednesday, July 22. Both Sections 1 and 2 are required for new schedule builders. Attendees will learn to enter the course schedule and view information using Banner 9, Self Service and WSU Reporting. Registration is required, sessions are posted on myWSU > myTraining.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, spaces are limited and restricted to new schedule builders only. Please contact Applications Training if you have questions at 978-5800 or ITS_training@wichita.edu
**Please note: Current Schedule Builders are welcome to attend the Schedule Building Overview Session posted in myTraining on Tuesday, July 14.
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
Read more
“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.
Deadline is today for summer 2020 aid consideration
The deadline for completing an application for financial aid for summer 2020 is today (Friday, July 10). Please complete an application to be considered for summer aid. Contact our office at 316-978-3430 if you encounter any difficulties with the application prior to the deadline.
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.
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.
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.
Tuesday Talks with Student Health Services will return to Facebook Live July 14
For new Shockers this fall, join Nurse Heather and WSU students to discuss what international students need to know about starting classes at Wichita State. Tune into Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, and ask any questions you have about managing your health on campus!
Power of Prep - Lunch & Learn on July 15
Have questions about financial aid and what to expect throughout the semester? Are you in a time crunch? We know you're dedicated to enhancing your life for the long run, we get it! With school starting, we've gathered so many powerful resources to fuel your academic goals.
We are hosting a Lunch and Learn event for Online and Adult Learners. Pop in and say hi from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. We will be featuring the Office of Financial Aid and discuss the following:
- How to pay for school and what are my options
- What to expect your first semester
- Q&A with your peers
- Attending the event will automatically place you in a drawing for WSU Back-to-School Gear
Attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair – July 17
Current and incoming students – attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair – from 1-3 p.m. Friday, July 17.
As a Wichita State Shocker, you will be in Wichita quite a bit this fall - why not earn a paycheck and gain experience too? You will create fun, convenient and useful connections with fellow Shockers and Wichitans.
If you are interested in working part-time during school, attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair with on-campus and off-campus employers.
Register and sign-up for 5-minute interviews now to Tuesday, 14. Learn more and register at wichita.edu/jobfair.
Birzer shares police reform expertise with national audience
Michael Birzer
The past few weeks, Michael Birzer, professor, School of Criminal Justice, has done countless interviews with local and national news regarding police reform. Recently he was invited to testify as a policing expert before the Oregon Joint Committee on Transparent Policing and Use of Force Reform. Birzer was honored to testify with some other national heavy hitters in this area.
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.
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!
Chemical Clean-Out Week concludes
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.
The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Department will pick up any university-related waste chemicals or other hazardous items through today (Friday, July 10). 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.
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.
CARES Act reflection - Part II
After much work the past couple of months, the Office of Financial Aid, in collaboration with Accounts Receivable, made the final disbursements of the CARES Act and WSU Foundation funds.
Wichita State University awarded 4,634 students with CARES Act funds and 275 students with Foundation COVID funds, distributing more than $4.3 million.
When asked about the impact of the funding, Financial Aid Director Sheelu Surender said, “The funds have made an immediate difference as evidenced by the outpouring of gratitude from recipients for the support.”