Teaching This Fall: Day 9 Questions about Communication
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 #9: Questions about Communication
- How will WSU communicate with students and their families about COVID-19-related campus
changes?
The WSU COVID-19 News website is regularly updated by WSU Strategic Communications. Students should stay connected to the university by regularly checking emails and announcements in Shocker Blast.
- How will students know if my class has required in-person meetings?
Instructors should complete this brief information form when they make a decision about the format for their fall courses. Updates to this information will be posted regularly on a page for students to check. Students also will be encouraged to contact instructors to ask about fall course expectations.
- Am I required to monitor and answer my university email in the summer when I am not
on contract?
Instructors are not required to work beyond the requirements of their contract. University administration asks instructors to please consider the extraordinary conditions our students are facing regarding the continuance of their education. Uncertainty is weighing heavily on all of us and the value of staying available to students through the summer may have a meaningful impact on their connectedness as part of our Shocker community.
Additional FAQs about teaching this fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.
WSU shows commitment to visually impaired students with state-of-the-art braille printer
- Wichita State purchased the Braillo 300 S2 Braille Printer.
- The braille embosser will allow Wichita State to deliver error-free accessible content to visually impaired students.
Pictured above: Emily Schlenker believes Braillo is the best braille printer on the market.
USS & UP joint senate meeting set for July 21
The USS and UP Senates joint meeting will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 21. All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu for details on how to attend.
Unclassified Professional Senate
Wichita State graduates team up to tell 1980s story of Wings indoor soccer
- Wichita State University graduates from several disciplines used their skills to tell the story of how soccer players from around the world captivated the city and gave the sport a boost.
- They spent three years working on the documentary, which debuted Feb. 22 at the Orpheum Theater. Plans to show the film again are on hold.
The Wichita Wings started in 1979 and grew to great popularity in the 1980s with their blend of flash and international style.
Pictured above: "God Save the Wings" directors and producers (from left:) Kenneth Linn, Tim O'Bryhim, Adam Knapp, Tori Deatherage and Michael Romalis with former Wings goalkeeper Mike Dowler (middle, with ball) during an interview session in Wales.
Episode 3 of ‘Hindsight: Looking Back at 100 Years of Women's Suffrage’ is out now
“Hindsight: Looking Back at 100 Years of Women’s Suffrage” is a six-episode podcast series from KMUW. Historian and host Dr. Robin Henry examines the history of women’s suffrage, political involvement, and social activism in the United States from the middle of the 19th century through today with a blend of historical context and conversations with scholars, politicians, and activists.
Episode 3, "Regionalism, Race, And The Right To Vote," is out now. Listen at KMUW.org or look for Hindsight wherever you get your podcasts.
Wichita State University Foundation announces new board members and officers for FY21
New members of the WSU Foundation Board of Directors are Junetta Everett ’79, and Shadi Marcos, ’96. Everett is vice president of professional relations at Delta Dental of Kansas. Marcos is founder and president of Cybertron PC.
Their three-year terms began July 1.
The 19-member board is chaired by Dan Peare, ’82, ’85, a member of Hinkle Law Firm LLC. Other officers are Denis Dieker, ’77, secretary; Jeff Turner, ’83, treasurer; and Debbie Haynes, ’76, immediate past chair. Dieker is CFO of Midwest Drywall Co. Turner is an investment partner in TNW Group. Haynes is a retired physician.
Other board members are Pamela Ammar, ’80; Susayn Brandes, ’81; Wayne Chambers, ’72, ’79; Jeff DeGraffenreid, ’88; Mike James, ’71; Jane McHugh, ’80; Bill Moore, ’74; Lynn Nichols; Pam Palmer ’85; Marilyn Pauly, ’72; Barry Schwan; and Chris Shank, ’69. Elizabeth King, WSU Foundation president and CEO, is also a voting member.
Board members are eligible to serve two three-year terms. They also are part of the WSU Foundation National Advisory Council (NAC) and participate on one of the 10 standing committees.
Information every employee needs to know about and comply with if they are exhibiting symptoms, have been exposed or diagnosed with COVID 19
The HR Total Rewards team has developed procedures for supervisors and employees to follow when an employee has symptoms, has been exposed to, or is diagnosed with COVID-19. These procedures are available on the HR main website at www.wichita.edu/HR, and all supervisors and employees must familiarize themselves with these procedures and follow them in situations that apply.
No employee who is exhibiting symptoms or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 should report to work in person, and should leave work immediately if they have an onset of symptoms. Similarly, if an employee is notified by public health officials that they have been identified as a close contact of a known case of COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “being exposed”), they should not report to work in person, even if they do not display symptoms.
Employees who are able to do so should work remotely while their leave status is being determined Those who are not able to perform their work remotely should log absences as Sick Leave. If a different leave benefit is determined to apply, this will be corrected during payroll processing.
All employees, including temporary, student, and grant-funded employees, may have paid leave benefits available for COVID-related circumstances under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA).
• Supervisors are not responsible for determining which leave benefits apply to their employees. If an employee is absent from work for reasons related to COVID-19, they should email TotalRewards@wichita.edu, and the Leave Administrator will work directly with the employee to discuss applicable leave and pay benefits.
o Supervisors are responsible for following the appropriate Supervisor Procedures when an Employee is Diagnosed With or Exposed to COVID-19 or when an Employee Becomes Ill at Work.
o Supervisors are responsible for notifying the HR Total Rewards team of any employee who reports symptoms of, diagnosis with, or exposure to COVID-19, using the above procedures to maintain confidentiality.
o Supervisors are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of medical information, including an employee’s diagnosis, pending test results, or reported exposure to COVID-19. Do not, under any circumstances, disclose any information about the employee, including the name or any information that could identify the employee (e.g., gender, age, physical description), to any other individual. There is no need for supervisors to do any investigation into potential contacts other than gathering the requested information from the Affected Employee. If an individual is identified as a “close contact” of an infected employee, they will be notified directly by the Sedgwick County Health Department.
• At this time, WSU is relying upon local health officials and medical professionals to make the determination of when an employee has been cleared to return to work. High testing volume may delay test results, but an employee should not be permitted to return to on-campus work until they have been medically cleared to do so.
Wallace Hall to close July 24-25 for electrical replacement work
Please note that Wallace Hall will be closed to occupants on Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, in order for the electrical contractor to install a new main distribution panel.
The building closure is due to portions of the fire alarm system being offline, and building power being on emergency generator power only.