WSU Today: Aug. 17, 2020

 

FEATURED STORIES

Annual Appointment Notices are available online!

Appointment notice

 

2021 Fiscal and Academic Year annual Appointment Notices are available online and will not be printed and distributed to departments.

Please note that University Support Staff (USS) and Non-Benefit Eligible employees (Students, Lecturers and Temporary employees) are not subject to the annual Appointment Notice process. Athletics employees will receive Appointment Notices through a separate process later in July.

Therefore, Unclassified Professionals (UP) and Faculty can view, electronically acknowledge, and print their 2021 Appointment Notice through myWSU:

  • MyWSU (Chrome is the preferred browser)
  • Faculty/Staff tab
  • Human Resources Links
  • Notice of Appointment (you may need to clear the browser cache to see the link)

2021 Appointment Notices will be available to view, electronically acknowledge, print and revisit through Aug. 31, 2020. Because of the sensitive nature of this data, always close the browser to protect privacy.

Please contact the Help Desk at 978-4357 for assistance logging into MyWSU.

For questions with any of the information contained on your Fiscal Year 2021 Appointment Notice, please discuss with your supervisor and they may contact HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu if needed.


Wichita State chemist identifies potential COVID-19 treatment

  • Bill Groutas

    Dr. Bill Groutas

    Wichita State University medical chemist Dr. Bill Groutas is part of a multi-university team to research treatments for COVID-19.
  • The study was published in the Aug. 3, 2020 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
  • The study reveals how molecule protease inhibitors show potency against human coronaviruses.

Read the complete story.

 


SEM Tip for Aug. 17, 2020

Making strong connections each semester is key

Now, more than ever, it is important for students to be making connections with their peers, faculty, staff and resources on campus. Encourage students to arrive early to class, in-person or remotely, to get to know other students and their instructors. For tips on what to say to professors, students can check out this page on the Student Success website. Students should also attend Welcomefest events to meet their peers and get connected to campus resources remotely and in-person.


Purchase Requisition Training scheduled for Aug. 26

Needing to learn how to create a Purchase Requisition or want a refresher on how to enter a requisition in Banner? Plan to attend Purchase Requisition Training scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Topics will include:

  • WSU Purchase Requisition procedures
  • Banner 9 Purchase Requisition forms
  • Purchasing and Finance Reporting

Please note that training is required for those who are new to entering purchase requisition. Current requestors are welcome to attend as a refresher session.

To view session details and register, go to myWSU > myTraining.

Please note that training will be conducted remotely using Zoom. 

NEWS

Fall 2020 Welcomefest events

Check out the Fall 2020 Welcomefest events!

Welcomefest takes place during the beginning of each semester and features dozens of activities. Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn campus and find ways to connect with the community. Visit wichita.edu/welcomefest for a complete list of events! 


Jump-start your business

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.


Join the Community Engagement Institute (CEI) 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 this week's workshop.


Academic Convocation 91020

Join virtual Academic Convocation

Academic Convocation is an exciting event that blends our Common Read program with other student learning and engagement opportunities. Winners of the 2020 University Faculty Awards will be recognized, and the event will feature presentations from SGA President Rija Khan and a special keynote address.

This year's guest speaker is Mark E. McCormick, author of Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings.

Please join us virtually as we celebrate Wichita State’s 125-year history at Academic Convocation at 9:30 a.m. Thursday Sept. 10!

You can find out more and watch the event live on the link at www.wichita.edu/convocation.

EVENTS

USS and UP joint senate meeting

USS & UP joint senate meeting set for Aug. 18

The USS and UP Senates joint meeting will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18). All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for details on how to attend.


Ulrich Resnik event 81820

Registration still available for free virtual tour Tuesday of Wichita artist Ann Resnick's studio

Get an exclusive tour of a Wichita artist's studio from the comfort of your home! Join the Ulrich Museum of Art at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18), when Wichita-based artist Ann Resnick gives us a tour of her studio, and talks about her past and present projects.

In 1997, with artist Kevin Mullins, Resnick co-founded Project, a gallery in downtown Wichita that sought to create a conduit from artists active on the East and West coasts to the Midwest. She has exhibited in Kansas, Missouri New York, North Carolina, and Japan.

Resnick's virtual tour -- like all Ulrich Virtual programs -- is free and open to the public, but registration is required to get the Zoom link.

Pictured above: Resnick's billboard, "Spring," in the Museum's Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project, is currently on display at 2518 E. Douglas Ave. in Wichita.


RecFest 81820

Join us at RecFest tomorrow

Join Campus Recreation and Wellness Services from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 18) right outside of the Heskett Center for a welcome to campus! Open to students, faculty and staff, this event showcases all the programs and services we offer. Due to current conditions, masks are required and hand sanitizers will be available for use.

HR, BENEFITS AND TRAINING

Hiring process changes and reminders for August

August is a time of high volume hiring for students and lecturers. To ensure we are providing effective customer service, are compliant, and are achieving social distancing, please read the following information as some processes have changed.

More information
  • Requests to hire a non-benefit eligible “Temp” employee must be approved by the position review committee before it can proceed through the hiring process. The only exception is if the position is funded by external or grant dollars. The position exception request form and instructions can be found on the Forms Index of the Human Resources webpages.
  • All student/grad and lecturer hiring requests must be submitted on the following form. The form and hiring instructions can be found on the Forms Index of the Human Resources webpages. It is important that you use the form on the website to ensure you have the most up-to-date document. An outdated document can cause a delay in the hiring process.
  • All employees (including student and Graduate Assistantship positions) must provide valid work authorization (Form I9) prior to beginning working at Wichita State.
  • Employees are required to make an appointment with Human Resources to provide the necessary work authorization
  • Employees are given the option to provide the work authorization virtually or in-person. If they choose to provide it in-person, they are required to follow the safety procedures in effect on campus.
  • In-person appointments will be held in RSC240 – not in the HR Office on campus.
  • After an employee’s job in Banner has been inactive (“terminated”) in Banner for 60 days, their employment will be terminated. This is a process change that was made in May 2020, and decided upon by the university to ensure effective system security. If an employee is terminated, they must go through the entire new hire process, including completion of new hire paperwork, providing work authorization, and completing a background check if required. To prevent this from happening, an add job ePAF for a future appointment must be submitted and completely approved prior to the expiration of the 60-day limit.

Forms Index


KPERS holding pre-retirement webinars

Thinking about retirement and are a KPERS retirement plan participant? KPERS is holding pre-retirement webinars where you can hear more information on the following topics:

- Choosing a retirement date

- How to calculate your benefits

- Steps in the process

- Payment options

- Taxes

- Life insurance

- Working after retirement

More information

KPERS 1 & 2 members retiring in the next 12 months can register here for the following webinar dates:

- Tuesday, Aug. 18 10 a.m.

- Thursday, Aug. 20 6 p.m.

 

KPERS 1 & 2 members retiring in the next 2-5 years can register here for the following webinar dates:

- Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

- Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m.

 

KP&F members (University Police) retiring in the next 5 years can register here for the following webinar date:

- Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.

Questions about these webinars? Contact KPERS at kpers@kpers.org

Toll-free, 1-888-275-5737


Biometric Screening

Biometric screening appointments still available for Tuesday, Aug. 18

Biometric screening appointments are still available for Tuesday, Aug. 18. All screening events are held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Walk-in appointments are not available. Employees and covered spouses must schedule an appointment. Employees and covered spouses are encouraged to schedule their appointments as early in the year as possible.

US Wellness, the biometric screening provider has implemented many safety measures due to COVID-19. You can view the protocols they have implemented here. All employees and visitors to campus are required to wear a face covering. You are asked to please bring your OWN PEN to sign your consent form as pens will not be provided at the screening.

More information

Attendees earn 5 HealthQuest points just for attending, and up to 18 additional points for blood pressure, blood glucose, and total blood cholesterol within ideal ranges, for up to 23 points. Currently for 2020 due to COVID-19 plan changes, each point is worth $20 HSA/HRA rewards dollars! If your metrics are outside of the ideal ranges, you can still earn the same points by participating in the CCE learning modules in the HealthQuest portal on blood pressure, blood sugar management, and/or high cholesterol, as needed!

All remaining 2020 Biometric screening dates are shown below. To schedule your appointment, register or log in to the HealthQuest portal, or call to schedule at 1-888-275-1205, option 3. All employees and spouses will need to re-register for the new 2020 HealthQuest portal. Click here for HealthQuest portal registration instructions.

Date and location

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 266 RSC

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 266 RSC

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 266 RSC

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 266 RSC

Please note that while future fall screenings are scheduled, if circumstances change due to COVID-19 for campus activities and/or the screening vendor, future dates may be canceled. Employees and spouses who are not able to attend a screening event on campus are also able to access home test kits or Health Range Incentive forms for their physician to complete via their HealthQuest portal.

KUDOS, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Karissa Marble-Flint receives Advancing Academic-Research Careers Award

Karissa Marble-Flint

Dr. Karissa Marble-Flint

Karissa Marble-Flint, PhD, CCC-SLP, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD), has been awarded an Advancing Academic-Research Careers Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

This highly competitive $5,000 award is granted to 10 junior-level faculty in the field of communication sciences and disorders each year. The award supports 18 months of mentoring in the areas of teaching and research. Dr. Marble-Flint’s teaching mentor is Dr. Trisha Self, CSD, Wichita State University, and her research mentor is Dr. Anthony Koutsoftas, Department of Speech-Language Pathology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey.

More about the Advancing Academic-Research Careers Award

Highlights of Dr. Marble-Flint’s teaching goals outlined in the AARC mentoring plan include bringing a virtual interprofessional panel of experts to discuss evidence-based practices in early childhood literacy and dyslexia in the two graduate level language and literacy courses she teaches. In addition, she will enhance an existing online assignment on the topic of cultural competence and culturally-informed care in CSD 832B, Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice II.

One of Dr. Marble-Flint’s research goals is to conduct a systematic review of the literature in self-regulated strategy development for writing with elementary-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. In addition, she will develop and collect pilot data on sentence formulation task probes for single case research with children with autism spectrum disorder. The award will support an undergraduate student assistant, conference travel in 2021 and participant reimbursement to assist in achieving goals in the mentorship plan. Learn more about the award.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Cosmic Bowling

Cosmic Bowling in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Turn the lights down and music up and stop by the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes for some cosmic bowling! Cosmic bowling will be from 5-8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday evening for just $2.50 per person, per game. Rental shoes not included. See you there!


New masks in Shocker Store

New masks available at the Shocker Store

The Shocker Store’s newest mask style is now available in yellow, as well as the previous black color. They are for sale for just $6.99 in the RSC store and online at shockerstore.com. The new style of mask features three layers of fabric and a flexible nose piece.

Shocker Store

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Shockers Vote

Shockers Vote at Wichita State University

In April 2020, a campuswide coalition of students, faculty, and staff assembled to create Shockers Vote! This is Wichita State University's plan to increase civic learning, political engagement and voting rates in our campus community. The coalition's efforts are streamlined for Wichita State University to become a Voter Friendly Campus!

Join us this fall semester during several virtual round tables, voter registrations, events and more, as we prepare for Election Day 2020 and create the joy in voting!

Like, share and engage with us via Facebook @shockersvoteWSU. We are excited to kick off our efforts to show that #ShockersVote! For questions or to learn more, please contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu.


Virtual fair graphic

Register now for Virtual Shocker Resource Fair 

Jump into the school year by discovering the programs, resources and opportunities waiting for you at Wichita State across our amazing campus departments. Every day, we will feature various campus departments, how to connect with them, and what they can do to help you be a successful Shocker. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, please visit wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu. Sponsored by the Student Activities Council. 


Student Health Services open at 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Student Health Services will be open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. starting today (Monday, Aug. 17), and will continue Monday through Friday. For questions or other services, please use the myShockerHealth portal at www.wichita.edu/shs.


Pre-K openings at Child Development Center

Child Development Center has Pre-K openings

The WSU Child Development Center has current Pre-K openings! This would be for children who will be entering Kindergarten in Fall 2021 only. 

Please call 316-978-3109 for more information. This spot will be available after Labor Day. 


Student Health YouTube channel

Have questions about Quarantine & Isolation? Visit Student Health's YouTube channel!

Have questions about quarantine & isolation? Join SHS Director Camille Childers as she explains the difference between quarantine and isolation, how to do them properly, and what it means to be a close contact.

Part 1

Part 2

Subscribe to Student Health's YouTube channel to be the first to know when we post a new video!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Election Poll Worker

Be an Election Poll worker

Shockers Vote! at Wichita State University Campus Coalition encourages you to play an active and important role in your community and earn extra money in the process! The Sedgwick County Government Election Office is currently recruiting election workers for upcoming general elections. Election workers are a critical part of the election process. What a great opportunity to serve your community!

For more information, click here. If you have any questions, contact Gabriel Fonseca via email at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu


volunteerICT

volunteerICT

Have you ever thought about volunteering? volunteerICT provides Wichita State students, staff and faculty with volunteer opportunities throughout Wichita both virtually and in-person. Log in today to Wichita.edu/VolunteerICT to find out more!

For questions email volunteerICT@wichita.edu.

STUDENT NEWS

Donor support helps WSU student Carlos Gatti accomplish amazing things

Wichita State students accomplish amazing things thanks to the generosity of donors. Watch as WSU student Carlos Gatti changes people's lives in the community by making assistive devices, also known as prosthetics, with social impact engineering.