WSU Today: July 29, 2020

Register for next week's virtual 2020 Workforce Conference

Join in this opportunity to learn from grassroots and national experts on the challenges we face in the mental health service system. The answers aren't just Blowin' In the Wind. Find solutions and inspiration at the “Blowin' In The Wind: Finding Innovations to Support the Behavioral Health Workforce in a Changing World.”

This virtual conference will be held from Monday, Aug. 3 to Friday, Aug. 7, and is open to those that deliver, receive, and collaborate in children's mental health services.

*Social Work CEU's will be offered.

For additional questions, please contact the Wichita State University Conference Office at 316-978-6493.

Blowin’ In The Wind Conference

Watch this video message from Vic and Junetta Everett

During uncertain times, your loyalty to Wichita State University is of utmost importance. Hear from two individuals who continue to support WSU and dedicate their time to their alma mater. Learn more about the WSU Foundation's work to advance Wichita State at foundation.wichita.edu.

Wichita USD 259 BAASE newsletter

Under the leadership of Kaye Monk-Morgan, Wichita State has an ongoing partnership with Wichita USD 259's Better Academic and Social Excellence (BAASE) initiative, intended to help males of color in the district increase college-readiness, high school graduation rates and college / scholarship obtainment.

Last week the Office of Admissions launched a monthly newsletter that will serve as an informational vehicle for students to learn college search tips, hear the perspectives of successful WSU students from diverse backgrounds and facilitate the dialogue between the membership and WSU. The newsletter will be written and sent by Anna Dixon on the admissions team, who also serves as the admissions representative for all Wichita USD 259 schools.

In the first edition, with partial image shown above, the newsletter highlights an upcoming event that will provide an opportunity for the students to hear from college graduates.

For more information about the BAASE newsletter or admissions involvement in the WSU/Wichita 259 partnership, contact Anna Dixon at anna.dixon@wichita.edu. 

Student Health is closed today

Student Health Services will be closed for professional development today (Wednesday, July 29). The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 30.

W. Frank Barton School of Business crash course video

The second video of the academic college Crash Course series is complete! Check out the latest crash course on the W. Frank Barton School of Business. To view more videos produced by the Office of Admissions, go to youtube.com/futureshocker.

Faculty and Staff Virtual Town Hall on July 30

A live YouTube virtual staff and faculty town hall will be held from 9-10 a.m. Thursday, July 30. This is an opportunity to hear and interact with President Jay Golden and Provost Rick Muma. The event will be moderated by presidents of the UP, USS and Faculty Senates.

Faculty and staff wanting to participate are encouraged to do so during the live YouTube stream. If you don’t currently have a YouTube account, click here for more information on how to create one. Creating an account will help facilitate questions in the live chat section of the Virtual Town Hall. 

The town hall is an opportunity to hear university updates and ask questions.

You can watch the town hall live and recorded after the event at Virtual Town Hall. 

Virtual Town Hall

What is Esports? Opportunities for recruitment, applied learning, research, competition and more

The list below includes some of the topics and presenters for the virtual event scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, July 30. Please RSVP by today (Wednesday, July 29) to receive a Zoom link to participate.

Updates to New Employee Orientation

As Human Resources continue to transition our processes in response to COVID-19, we are pleased to announce a change to New Employee Orientation (NEO) for new benefit-eligible hires when they begin working at Wichita State. As a new hire, NEO gives them the opportunity to interact with a cohort group while receiving vital information about being a new member of Wichita State.

During the fall semester, benefit-eligible new employees will participate in a hybrid NEO format. The hybrid NEO includes the virtual live portion via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each pay period**. This will provide an opportunity for the hiring department to complete a specific department orientation on the employee’s first day to acclimate them to the department and set-up their new workspace.

Following the live virtual NEO welcome on Tuesday, new employees will have additional online modules to complete. The modules provide information including policies, procedures and emergency preparedness, institutional equity and compliance, leave administration, and benefits. New employees will be able to view these modules at their own pace, and go back to review the information at any time by going to www.wichita.edu/NEOonline.

There will also be a virtual Q&A meeting time on the Wednesday following NEO that will be optional for new employees to attend if they have questions.

**New faculty starting the fall semester will participate in the live virtual NEO on their first day of employment, Monday, Aug. 10.

View the revised 2020 NEO schedule and find more information about Wichita State University New Employee Orientation at www.wichita.edu/NEO. 

Impacted by the layoffs in Wichita?

In the news lately we’ve been hearing about the impact across Wichita of the market uncertainty and layoffs that are affecting local businesses and their employees.

If you are a benefits-eligible employee at WSU and you or your spouse is losing health insurance through another employer, this can be a qualifying event for you to add your spouse and/or children to your existing coverages within 31 days of the date the other coverage ends. Email TotalRewards@wichita.edu for more information or assistance with this change.

Human Resources developed a website with information and resources which might be helpful for employees who may be directly impacted by layoffs. Please visit www.wichita.edu/CommunityResources for information and resources available to you.

VISTA volunteers meet with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion

In early March, the AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers in Service to America gathered at the Community Engagement Institute for a training. Danielle Johnson, assistant director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, spoke on diversity in the workplace and how poverty and privilege are portrayed in our lives.

Nearly 20 VISTAs gathered from Wichita and surrounding communities where they serve at nonprofits, government entities, and schools to help build capacity and serve those in poverty. Some sites where VISTAs serve include the Nonprofit Chamber of Service, Rainbows United, Children First, Stafford County Economic Development, and Family Promise of Greater Wichita.

The Wichita State VISTA Fellows project is excited to announce that AmeriCorps VISTA members also recently received a living allowance increase. For a list of positions, go to my.AmeriCorps.gov and search “WSU.”

VISTA members serve full-time for a year. They earn a living stipend of $13,400 and can choose an education award ($6,000) or cash stipend ($1,800) when they finish their service. Wichita State students also have the opportunity to apply for five $2,000 undergraduate scholarships and two $2,000 graduate scholarships.

For more information, contact Angela Gaughan at angela.gaughan@wichita.edu or 316-570-1309.

AmeriCorps

Extra discount on clearance merchandise

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 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Submit your WelcomeFest events

Welcomefest takes place during the beginning of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including an online guidebook, web listing and more. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is noon Monday, Aug. 3.

Please note, Student Involvement reserves the right to deny or terminate any events that are not planned completely or are deemed inappropriate for Welcomefest and/or the people in attendance.

To register your event, go to www.wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions, contact Student Involvement at 316-978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.

We need your help!

Please consider volunteering for the October 2020 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 10. This time-honored tradition provides our very own Wichita State graduates with well-deserved congratulations and a formal celebration of their accomplishments!

As a volunteer, you'll work with a group of fun people who will feed you well. You'll play an important role in helping us make sure that everyone is welcomed and that things are running smoothly.

If you are interested in participating, please fill out the Volunteer Form located on our volunteer page. More details about the types of volunteer positions are also listed on that page.

Further questions may be directed to the Commencement Office at commencement@wichita.edu

Thank you for your consideration! - Commencement Team

Required fire drills to be held on campus the week of Aug. 3-7

State fire regulations require that fire drills be held annually for all campus buildings. The 2020 fire drills will be conducted the week of Aug. 3-7.

Fire Safety personnel will conduct the drill some time during each scheduled day. When the alarm sounds in your building, evacuate the building in an orderly fashion to your designated assembly point(s), at least 50 feet from the building. Emergency Building Coordinators will assist with the evacuation. Environmental, Health and Safety staff will evaluate each drill.