Hear from Dr. Jerry Kang, an expert on implicit bias
Heard the term "implicit bias," but not sure what it means? Join Wichita State's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Student Affairs and Academic Affairs at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, as we hear from Dr. Jerry Kang, Distinguished Professor of Law and Asian American Studies and former Founding Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at UCLA as he speaks on implicit bias.
You must register for the closed faculty and staff event at wichita.edu/jerrykang. Implicit bias is responsible for racial and gender disparities that persist in household income, job status and a myriad of other measurements - even as explicit bias has greatly diminished over the past century. Implicit bias also finds its way into the classroom, where certain students may receive more attention or positive feedback than others.
Even the best-intentioned educators carry some degree of implicit bias, and because it is unconscious, it is practically impossible to recognize and address without active efforts and self-reflection. For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or go to wichita.edu/odi.
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?
nstructors 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.
Join the Community Engagement Institute in our Rising to the Challenge Virtual Workshop Series
In recent months, everyone has been challenged to approach work and life with new priorities, tools, and energy.
CEI invites you to join us for a series of interactive, virtual workshops centered on navigating challenges with resilience and intention. These complimentary, 60-minute sessions are open to everyone. Join us over the lunch hour (noon-1 p.m.) to discover practical frameworks and techniques to help you rise to the challenges you are facing today!
Register for next week's workshop.
Does Blackboard frustrate you?
Blackboard is a very powerful Learning Management System, but it can also be a little frustrating. If it’s put you on your last nerve, or if you simply want to learn something new and fun, it might be time to get a little training from IDA. Luckily, we have a whole week of training available starting on Monday at part of the Academic Resources Conference. You can find sessions of interest and their Zoom session links here [hyperlink "You can find sessions of interest and their Zoom session links here" https://wichita.edu/ARCAugust]. Our Blackboard trainings include:
o Monday 11-11:50 a.m. and Wednesday 9-9:50 a.m.: Using Adaptive Release to Build an “Escape Room” Type Activity in Blackboard
o Tuesday 1-1:50 p.m. and Wednesday 9-9:50 a.m.: Introduction to Blackboard
o Tuesday 2-2:50 p.m. and Wednesday 10-10:50 a.m. and Thursday 10-10:50 a.m.: Intermediate Blackboard
o Tuesday 4-4:50 p.m.: Problems in Blackboard, Causes and Solutions
o Wednesday 11-11:50 a.m. and again Wednesday 2-2:50 p.m.: Advanced Blackboard, All About Professor Feedback and How Students See It
o Wednesday 2-2:50 p.m.: Advanced Blackboard, All about The Grade Center
o Thursday 10-10:50 a.m.: Blackboard Rubrics
o Friday Workshop (Registration Required through myTraining) 9 a.m.-noon: Blackboard Test Workshop.
Scholarship Information Programs
High school seniors are invited to join the Office of Admissions for a Scholarship
Information Program (SIP). During this event, students will learn more about the admissions
process, hear from a panel of current Wichita State students, and receive details
about Freshman Merit Scholarships and upcoming scholarship competitions. Students
can choose between four events:
Saturday, Aug. 15 - Main Campus
Saturday, Aug. 22 - Virtual
Wednesday, Aug. 26 - Virtual
Thursday, Aug. 27 - Main Campus
Encourage high school students to register for a SIP by going to wichita.edu/visit.
Questions? Reach out to Sarah Brill at sarah.brill@wichita.edu.
Student Health closed 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Aug. 7-21
Student Health will be closed 8 a.m.-1 p.m. each day from Aug. 7-21. The office will reopen 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Monday–Friday to meet student needs during this time period. For questions or other services, please use the myShockerHealth portal at www.wichita.edu/shs.
Wichita State adds two new certificates in job growth areas
Meeting the needs of employers and students just got easier.
Beginning fall semester, graduate students may pursue an 18 credit hour certificate in space sciences. Also beginning in August, undergraduate students may weave a 13 credit hour certificate in environment and sustainability into their plans for a bachelor’s degree, without adding additional hours.
The certificates are meant to help meet market demand in two of the fastest growing job sectors.
The interdisciplinary space sciences certificate is designed for employees in any field of engineering or natural science. The program is the only one of its kind in Kansas.
“This educational opportunity is a leap forward for WSU and the state of Kansas, helping to create a workforce that can respond to the demands of a burgeoning space industry,” Andrew Hippisley, dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said. “Led by Dr. Nicholas Solomey, a NASA-funded world expert on space sciences, students will take courses that range from plasma physics and space dynamics to the ethics surrounding space exploration.”
The space industry is one of the fastest growing employment sectors. Wichita, given its location and number of aerospace businesses, is uniquely positioned to support this growth. Over a ten year period from 2014-2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects 8,600 new jobs will have been added for space scientists, astronomers and physicists. Many of these positions will be in the aerospace companies of Wichita.
Students wanting to work on the ground and address environmental and sustainability issues
can enhance their bachelor’s degree with the environmental and sustainability certificate. By selecting one of four tracks, students will have a better understanding of the social, cultural, political and economic factors that make humanity a more sustainable society.
“Because of the expertise within Fairmount College and the College of Engineering, students are able to focus on policy considerations, societal implications, the relevant scientific questions, and issues surrounding remediation,” Hippisley said. “The certificate demonstrates that sustainability is a challenge all backgrounds are invited to meet: humanities, social sciences, science and engineering. “
The environmental sector is growing rapidly, especially concerning innovation and research. For a 10 year period from 2016-2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 9,900 environmental scientists and specialists positions will have been added to the labor market.
Registration at Wichita State is taking place now. Fall classes begin Aug. 17.
The Office of Research invites Notices of Intent for two limited submission opportunities
If you wish to apply to either of these two limited submission opportunities, please email the WSU Office of Research at proposals@wichita.edu.
*** LIMITED #1 *** Funding Agency: Housing and Urban Development
*** LIMITED #2 *** Funding Agency: Greenwall Foundation
Title: Faculty Scholars Program Request for Proposals 2020-2021
*** LIMITED #1 *** Funding Agency: Housing and Urban Development
Application Deadline: ***Limited*** Because WSU may only submit one proposal, Notices of Intent to apply must be sent to proposals@wichita.edu by noon Monday, Aug. 17, in case an internal competition is needed. Full application (if selected) to be due Sept. 21, 2021.
Purpose: Community Compass Eligible Activities include: Needs Assessments, Direct Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Engagements, Development and Maintenance of Tools and Products, Self-Directed and Group Learning, Knowledge Management, Data Analysis, Reporting and Performance Management and more.
Amount: $20 Million, three-year project period
*** LIMITED #2 *** Funding Agency: Greenwall Foundation
Title: Faculty Scholars Program Request for Proposals 2020-2021
Application Deadline: ***Limited*** Because WSU may only submit one letter of intent, Notices of Intent to apply must be sent to proposals@wichita.edu by noon Friday, Aug. 21, in case an internal competition is needed. Letters of Intent will be due Sept. 21, 2020 with Full Applications (if invited) to be due Jan. 11, 2021.
Purpose: “The Greenwall Faculty Scholars Program in Bioethics is a career development award to enable junior faculty members to carry out innovative bioethics research. It supports research that goes beyond current work in bioethics to help resolve pressing ethical issues in clinical, biomedical, and public health decision-making, policy, and practice, and creates a community that enhances future bioethics research by Scholars and Alumni/ae.”
Amount: “The award supports 50% of a Scholar’s salary plus benefits for three years, up to the NIH salary cap, with 10% institutional costs for the salary and benefits. This funding is intended to ensure that at least 50 percent of the scholar’s time is devoted to bioethics research. In addition, the foundation provides $5,000 each year for limited project support and travel (no indirect costs are provided for these items).”
Susan Page of USA Today on KMUW's panel for the next Digital Democracy on Tap
There are so many sources of information out there, but how do you know which ones you can trust? We’re going to talk about ways to see through misinformation at KMUW’s next Digital Democracy on Tap. We'll be joined by journalist and Wichita native Susan Page. She’s the Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today and has covered 10 presidential campaigns and six White House administrations. The conversation will be streamed live at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, from KMUW’s Facebook page and at engageict.org.
Nine Ulrich billboards now up around Wichita, tenth to be added Monday
Now that it's August, the Ulrich Museum of Art's second round of billboards are showing up across town. Four new billboards are now up at 1619 N. Rock Road; 2518 E. Douglas; 5455 E. Central; and 1101 N. West. A fifth billboard will go up on Monday at 1400 N. Hillside. There are nine billboards up around town (visit our website for a map of the available billboards). See them all -- it's the perfect weekend adventure during this time of social distancing!
The billboards contain images of works from the Ulrich collection that speak to a broad audience and connect viewers to a sense of shared humanity during this moment of national crisis. Through this project, the Ulrich will engage the public with the idea that we count on artists to create images that elicit empathy, resilience, and sense of connection for ourselves and others even in the most difficult of times.
The 28 works represented on 20 billboards embody different styles and time periods, but all are visually-striking, culturally-significant images that will offer relevant food for thought, aesthetic pleasure, and representation of the ethnic, racial, gender, and class diversity at a time when Americans need to see positive images of themselves as united by shared values. You can read more about the artworks featured on the current billboards on our website.
And, don't forget: The best way to experience the billboards in real time is by downloading the free Smartify app to your mobile phone; the app is available at smartify.org.
Be sure to send the Ulrich any photos you take with the billboards (preferably with you in them) by tagging the Museum on social media (@ulrichmuseum) and by using the hashtag #ulrichbillboards; the Ulrich would love to see -- and share them!
Jump-start your business with expert advice
Are you interested in starting a business or looking to keep your business on track during the pandemic? Join us online to hear from Kansas experts and discuss ways to help your business succeed. Register at wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.
QuickBooks Webinars:
Learn QuickBooks to better organize and manage your business. Presenter Heather Denning is a Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, alumni of Wichita State University and local business owner.
State Tax Webinars:
Before, during, and after the Covid-19 outbreak, we still need to pay taxes! Join Carl York from the Kansas Department of Revenue to learn what you need to know and get answers to your questions.
What to Do Now Webinar Series:
After feeling the COVID-19 outbreak impact for months, it is time to act. Whether you are in business or thinking of starting a business, these workshops, presented by Kansas SBDC Advisors will suggest things you can do right now.
'Kansas English' journal receives national honor
"Kansas English," edited by Dr. Katherine Cramer, professor of English Education in the School of Education
and published by the Kansas Association of Teachers of English, has been named as
a recipient of the 2020 NCTE Affiliate Journal of Excellence Award, given by the National
Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).
This award, established in 1995, honors outstanding affiliate journals and their editors
who demonstrate excellence in these publications.
The winning affiliate journal must be a magazine-type publication — print or online
— and provide members with scholarly articles on issues and topics related to English
language arts teaching. The journals are judged on content, organization, layout and
physical appearance. The variety of articles published are judged on quality of writing,
evidence of research and scholarly exploration, appeal to many different groups within
the affiliate, coverage of important issues in English language arts education, and
inclusion of other types of writing (e.g., poetry, affiliate news, book reviews).
The award winners will be announced at the 2020 NCTE Annual Convention in November.
Required fire drills conclude today on campus
State fire regulations require that fire drills be held annually for all campus buildings. The 2020 fire drills will conclude today (Friday, Aug. 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.
Today's schedule follows:
Friday, Aug. 7:
213 N. Mead, 238 N. Mead, West Campus, Central Power Plant