Perspectives on the Pandemic series returns with more experts and viewpoints
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University are studying the way populations have reacted and adapted.
Presentations in the Perspectives on the Pandemic: Part II series feature a political scientist, sociologist, criminologist, health disparities panel, and performing arts panel. Each event will be delivered via Zoom and hosted by Andrew Hippisley, dean and professor of linguistics.
Perspectives on the Pandemic Series
Elizabeth King: 125th interview
Dr. Elizabeth King, CEO and President of the WSU Foundation, discusses how Wichita State University has evolved since she's been on campus.
This video was produced by interns in the Office of Strategic Communications; Kayla Deines, Andrew Martin and McKenzey Bell. Edited by video intern, McKenzey Bell.
Music: Telescopes by Glories (Licensed through artlist)
KMUW named Radio Station of the Year by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for seventh year in a row
KMUW has been named the 2020 Large Market Radio Station of the Year by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. This marks the seventh consecutive year that KMUW has received the honor.
KMUW is also the recipient of 16 additional awards for excellence in journalism, in categories such as Special Program, Editorial / Commentary, Hard News, Sports Feature and Public Affairs Program. To see the full list, go to kmuw.org/awards.
Customize your Zoom waiting room
Are you using Zoom this semester? If so, you may want to customize your waiting room so your students feel welcomed in the time before you admit them to your Zoom classroom. Here are instructions for customization.
For more Zoom training, check out this YouTube playlist of short training videos created specifically for Wichita State faculty and staff.
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.
COVID-19 reporting option for students
Support is available for students who need to be in isolation or quarantine because of COVID-19.
Encourage students to complete the COVID-19 form at wichita.edu/reportit to connect with Student Health Services and other campus resources.
Student Health Services open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Student Health Services is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions or other services, please use the myShockerHealth portal at www.wichita.edu/shs.
USS & UP joint senate meeting set for today
The USS and UP Senates joint meeting will be held via Zoom at 9 a.m. today (Tuesday, Aug. 18). All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, email Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for details on how to attend.
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.
Registration still available for free virtual tour today 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. today (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.
Shockers Vote! Roundtable on ‘Local Government's Role in Combating Covid-19’
The Shockers Vote at Wichita State University Coalition is excited to host its first roundtable on the topic of "Local Government's Role in Combating Covid-19,” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.
Panel will include:
Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple, Wichita Council Member Cindy Claycomb, Sedgwick County Commissioner Lacey Cruse, and College of Health Professions Public Health Sciences Chair and Associate Professor Nicole Rogers. The panel will be moderated by Student Body President Rija Khan and Speaker of the Senate Olivia Babin.
We will be live streaming this round table from YouTube and will share the link on the Shockers Vote! facebook (@shockersvoteWSU)
Changes to your HSA/HRA/FSA for 2020 due to CARES Act
Due to the recent CARES Act legislation, there have been some updates to how you can use your HSA, HRA and/or Healthcare FSA funds. Updates include the ability to use funds for over the counter (OTC) medications without a prescription, and for menstrual care products. These changes are retroactively effective to Jan. 1, 2020.
Your NueSynergy debit card may not immediately work for purchases of these items as merchants are in the process of updating their systems to accommodate these changes, but you are able to pay out-of-pocket and submit reimbursement requests through the NueSynergy online portal.
You can find more information from NueSynergy here: NueSynergy 2020 CARES Act Update. If you have more specific questions about eligible purchases, you can reach NueSynergy directly at 1-855-750-9440 for further assistance. When calling, identify yourself as a State of Kansas employee, and be prepared to provide your SHaRP ID (found by logging in to myWSU and hovering the mouse over the white box in the “SHaRP ID” channel).
State Employee Health Plan updates in response to COVID-19
Gov. Laura Kelly announced four (4) provisions on March 13, 2020 that have been extended through Aug. 31, 2020 for employees and dependents enrolled in medical insurance through the State Employee Health Plan.
- SEHP will cover medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with CDC guidance related to the COVID-19 at no cost share to member, where it is not covered as part of the Public Health Service response.
- SEHP will allow early refills on 30 or 90-day prescription medications and/or allow members to use their mail order benefit.
- Given the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, seeking in person medical care has the potential to further spread the virus. SEHP partners with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to provide Telehealth services with a virtual doctor’s office. There is 24/7/365 access to this service. The member cost share will be waived for any Telehealth service. In addition to telehealth services provided by Teledoc or Amwell, the member cost share will also be waived for services from your in-network physician that are billed as telehealth services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield members - Amwell
- For plan participants that reside in the Topeka area, the HealthQuest Health Center available to members enrolled in the health plan, is located at 901 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka
- Phone screening is recommended before going to the center: 785-783-4080
- If a patient walks into the clinic, they will have them put on a mask and clean their hands with hand sanitizer. The health center staff will evaluate the patient’s symptoms and recommend they isolate if the initial findings and/or symptoms present are a positive indicator for the virus.
- Testing is not available at the health center for COVID-19 and the clinic will refer all patients that meet the risk criteria to the local health department for testing and further evaluation.
For all up to date information regarding COVID-19 and the WSU campus please visit www.wichita.edu/covid19.
WSU Microsoft Office Power User Credential: Remote sessions available!
Did you know you can become a WSU Microsoft Office Power User without leaving your own desk? ITS Applications Training is offering all Microsoft Office training sessions in an online format!
Now is the perfect time to finish up your Power User requirements and show off a new digital credential … or just take a session or two to brush up on your Microsoft Office Skills. Sign up for sessions in myTraining; link in the Employee Training channel in myWSU.
Read more about the Power User program, requirements, and see a list of 150 of your friends and colleagues who have obtained this credential at wichita.edu/poweruser.
Questions? Contact Ali Levine: ali.levine@wichita.edu.
Shocker Printing Solutions wins Platinum Award for Graphic Design
Shocker Printing won first place in the ACUP+ Awards in the graphic design category. Alec Tucker, at the time a senior in graphic design, and Leah Lipke, supervisor of Shocker Printing Solutions, collaborated on design ideas, and then Alec created the design using Bitmoji elements.
Each team member either made their own image or Alec created it to look like the person it represented. It was great fun and we had a lot of positive feedback from the campus community.
Free Campus Visitor Guides are available
Free Campus Visitor Guides are available upon request. They are particularly helpful if you’d like to have a stack of guides to share with students or prospective students.
These guides can be delivered via campus mail or be delivered to your office.
Let Garrett Rupp in the Office of Admissions know by Tuesday, Sept. 15, how many guides you need, and a campus box number or office number for delivery. Contact Rupp at garrett.rupp@wichita.edu or call 978-6293.
Skip the lines with Boost mobile ordering
Skip the lines and order ahead with Boost! Available in the RSC at Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A and Freddy's. Add your Shocker ID to use your Shocker Dollars or Dining Dollars or use a credit card to pay. Text Boost to 99299 or search the Google Play or App Store to download.
Welcomefest deals at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is kicking off the fall semester with some great deals! From Aug. 17-28, they’re offering $2 hot dogs and $2/hour pool table rental all day, every day! Welcome back, Shockers!
Office of Diversity and Inclusion changes for fall semester
As classes are in a hybrid format for the fall 2020 semester, programs and services are still available for students through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. While your experience may be different now, we hope you choose to embrace the change and continue to work hard to be successful.
We are currently in phase three of the Shockers United plan at Wichita State University and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is taking many sensible steps as we can protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors and our surrounding communities, while continuing to provide value of diversity, equity and inclusion that is part of Wichita State University's strategic plan.
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.
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.
Subscribe to Student Health's YouTube channel to be the first to know when we post a new video!
Keep our sidewalks safe!
Please be considerate of sharing the sidewalks with those who choose to ride skateboards and electric skateboards. The WSU Police Department encourages safety for all on campus and are already receiving complaints about skateboards both on the roadways and the sidewalks.
Please familiarize yourself with the university parking regulations safety policy that applies to skateboards.
ARTICLE 10 – SKATEBOARDS, LONGBOARDS, COASTERS, ROLLER SKATES, & SCOOTERS
10.0 Skateboards, longboards, scooters and coasters are authorized for transportation purposes only on the University campus (see Article 2.1) except in residential areas defined by Housing and Residence Life, and for special events approved by the University President.
10.1 The use of skateboards, longboards, coasters, and roller skates on campus is limited to paved right-of-ways and sidewalks.
10.2 Skateboards, longboards, coasters, roller skates, scooters, or other skating devices shall not be ridden inside any University building, parking garage and/or shall not be used for stunts on any steps, retaining or landscape walls, benches, or handrails on the University campus.
Your cooperation is appreciated!