Wichita State staffer breathes power into social justice
Dr. Kevin Harrison
Dr. Kevin Harrison is using his breath to give a voice to social justice.
Harrison, the coordinator of community engagement for the Division of Military Veterans and First Responders at Wichita State University, recently started the Breathe project, which he says “is an attempt to use art as means of addressing social injustice and racial stereotypes.”
On social media and the Breathe Project website, Breathe amplifies the lives and profiles of black men throughout Wichita and the nation. Harrison launched the project shortly after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minnesota. Harrison noticed hashtags and T-shirts that quoted Floyd’s last words: “I can’t breathe.”
Pictured above: Dozens of black men in Wichita gathered outside the historic Dunbar Theater to film the video for "Breathe," a song written by Wichita State's Dr. Kevin Harrison.
Drop / refund date extended for full-term courses
Wichita State continues to make every effort to promote student success in these unprecedented times. In recognition of the unique challenges this fall semester brings for our students and faculty, an adjustment is being made to the drop / refund date for full-term courses.
Students will have through Friday, Sept. 4, to drop a class without it appearing on their transcript and with a 100% refund.
If you are a federal aid recipient, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid (316-978-3430) before dropping to see how it could impact your financial aid.
To verify if a refund can be given for a book, contact the Shocker Store (316-978-3490). All terms and conditions for financial aid will remain the same for fall 2020.
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.
Critical resources are available
Stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges are common among college students, even during normal times. Getting used to a new schedule, figuring out new ways of learning and dealing with financial stress, particularly this semester, may become overwhelming. Students can find a number of helpful resources on campus ranging from Counseling and Prevention Services, to the Care Team to the Shocker Support Locker.
If you are concerned about a member of the Shocker community, but are uncertain of where to submit a concern, go to www.wichita.edu/reportit and it will be sent to the appropriate resource.
Perspectives on the Pandemic talk explores rethinking community
Chase Billingham
The next talk in Wichita State’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences “Perspectives on the Pandemics: Part II” series will feature Chase Billingham.
As an associate professor of sociology, Billingham researches issues examines gentrification, economic development, education, and stratification in US metropolitan areas. His presentation, “Rethinking the city and the community for a post-pandemic world,” will explore how the pandemic has affected cites and communities.
Billingham’s lecture will be delivered via Zoom at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 2. For more information about the “Perspectives on the Pandemics: Part II” series and how to join by Zoom, go to https://www.wichita.edu/Pan2.
Faculty mentors sought for First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM
The Cohen Honors College is seeking faculty mentors to work with students selected to participate in the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) in STEM. The mission of this FYRE in STEM program is to build a community of STEM students, faculty and professionals from various STEM backgrounds to support young STEM majors or potential majors as they form identities as members of the scientific community, thus improving the likelihood that they will persist to graduation.
To allow the FYRE in STEM program to be a success, we are looking for dedicated research mentors from across campus who can provide an appropriate short-term STEM research project in the spring 2021 semester.
Faculty should apply by Oct. 15, and are also encouraged to nominate graduate students to serve as FYRE mentors. All mentors will be matched with students based on interest. Questions may be directed to Moriah Beck at moriah.beck@wichita.edu or 978-5476.
If you know of a first-year undergraduate student who may be interested in applying to the FYRE in STEM program, please direct them to FYRE in STEM Student Application.
Major gift to be announced today
A significant gift will be announced at a news conference today (Monday, Aug. 31) by the WSU Foundation. Details of the gift will be shared in Tuesday’s WSU Today.
Testing Services is open
Testing Services is open for students and community members. If you have a student that needs to make-up an exam, please fill out the Test Information Form found on our website. We monitor all exams via in-house video surveillance and in-person proctoring and monitoring. Maintaining test integrity is our focus, while still offering a friendly, comfortable location to take exams. We look forward to helping your students this semester.
A note on Respondus:
Respondus is available on Testing Services computers, however, we do not have webcams or microphones. If you would like your student to use Respondus, please disable the monitoring feature for their exam. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Testing Services.
Grounding in family helps Somers guide new Wichita State sorority
- Rani Somers of Wichita State Student Involvement is the first outside the Lambda Pi Upsilon sorority to win the organization's leadership award.
- Somers helped the sorority grow to chapter recognition in July.
- Lambda Pi Upsilon is one of 26 Greek-letter organizations at Wichita State.
Pictured above: Rani Somers, coordinator for fraternity and sorority life at Wichita State University, oversees the Interfraternity Council and Multicultural Greek Council.
‘Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training’
Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will host a virtual workshop regarding the basics of doing business with federal, state and local governments.
The workshop titled “Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training,” will be
offered as a virtual program from 1:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. The program
focuses on an overview of the way government agencies purchase goods and services.
Also provided will be information on how a company can become a contractor to agencies
at all levels of government.
The workshop will be taught by Scott Knapp. Registration will be required in advance to attend the workshop. Register here.
It’s Food For Fines time!
It’s Food For Fines time! Food For Fines is an initiative to support the Shocker Support Locker, while providing a cheaper opportunity for students to pay parking citations. All of the information about this initiative as well as the necessary form and parking quiz can be found at Food For Fines.
Study Abroad webinars
Want to learn more about study abroad programs? Attend one of our Study Abroad webinars this fall! Hear from students about their experiences and learn about summer and semester programs. Be entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship by attending a webinar or double your chances by attending two.
Register for webinars at wichita.edu/studyabroadwebinars.
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.
Identify your strengths with the ShockerStrengths Program!
Want to know your top five talents? ShockerStrengths allows you or your group to identify their top five talents, as well as participate in programs specifically designed for you to leverage those talents as strengths to reach your personal, professional, and academic goals at Wichita State!
For more information or to request a ShockerStrengths program, visit www.wichita.edu/shockerstrengths or contact Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu.
Pee for Pizza is CANCELED
Student Health Services has announced that the Pee for Pizza event scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 2, has been canceled because of COVID-19.
Student Involvement event listing
No matter if it's in-person or virtual, Student Involvement has many fun events planned. Our event guide will be produced three times this semester and features events, activities, and programs open to students, faculty, staff, and campus community.
Pickup your copy of the Student Involvement Event Guide in Student Involvement, 216 Rhatigan Student Center or download it from our website. Visit wichita.edu/involvement for more details.
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!
Struggling adapting to online learning? Join SHS and CAPS for this week's Tuesday Talks
Have you been struggling transitioning to an online format for classes? Join Nurse Heather, Dr. Leonard from CAPS, and WSU students on Student Health's YouTube Channel at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, for tips and tricks to manage your time for virtual learning. You can subscribe to Student Health Services to get a notification for when the video drops!
‘Don’t Weight’ a photography exhibit by Devin Carter in Cadman Art Gallery
Devin Carter, a WSU student majoring in photo media, takes you deep into the suffering behind mental health disorders with his larger-than-life underwater scenes.
His photographs will be on view in the Cadman Art Gallery, Rhatigan Student Center first floor, Monday, Aug. 31 through Friday, Sept. 11. Join Devin for his opening reception at the Cadman at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.
For more information on this exhibit, go to Wichita.edu/cadmangallery and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Wichita State University Opera Theater to present free outdoor concert
The Wichita State University Opera Theater will present "A Cosi Concert" on the grounds of the WSU amphitheater (behind Duerksen Fine Arts Center on the WSU campus) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. Admission is free. The concert, open to the community, invites attendees to bring lawn chairs or blankets and be comfortably socially distanced on a beautiful Kansas evening.
The concert will feature highlights from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's masterpiece, "Cosi fan Tutte," as well as other great opera arias.
WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of College of Fine Arts Professor Alan Held. The pianist for the evening will be WSU alumna and accompanist Bridget Hille.
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 January 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 Sept. 30, 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.
More information
- 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.
Headley’s expertise cited in national story on air travel
Dean Headley
Christopher Elliott, King Features Syndicate Inc., quoted Dean Headley in an article titled “Travel: Why it might not be safe to book a flight this fall.”
Headley said: “Travel later in the year will certainly be an adventure for passengers and airlines alike,” says Dean Headley, an associate professor emeritus of marketing at Wichita State University and co-author of the Airline Quality Rating. “Booking now carries a clear risk of having your flight not being operated when the time comes to travel as airlines downsize.”
To see the complete story, click here.
Free virtual workshops are available to enhance Shocker research skills
It's not too early to register for the library's upcoming virtual workshops! Free and open to Shocker students, faculty, and staff - Savvy Scholar is great for all research needs. Scan the QR code for the full fall schedule!
Join Campus Recreation's Free Lifting Clinic!
Join Andy Sykes at the Heskett Center for an educational Lifting Clinic. The free event will teach proper form and technique for common lifts such as deadlift, squat, and bench press. Knowing how to lift properly gets you maximum gains and keeps you safe from injury.
Shocker Store at Braeburn Square reopens today
The Shocker Store location at Braeburn Square is back open starting today (Monday, Aug. 31). Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Stop by for the largest selection of Shocker gear in town!
Have questions about social distancing? Visit Student Health's YouTube channel!
Have questions about proper social distancing practices? SHS Director Camille Childers explains how to socially distance in different situations that you might encounter on campus or in the community.
Subscribe to Student Health's YouTube channel to be the first to know when we post a new video!
WSU junior tennis clinics will be offered throughout the fall
WSU Tennis Clinics at Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex:
Shocker Tennis Coaches Danny Bryan and Colin Foster will host junior tennis clinics this fall.
Beginners / Intermediate (ages 3-10): MWF 9:45-10:45 a.m. and 5:15-6:15 p.m. Sunday 2-3 p.m. Cost is $15 per day.
Intermediate / Advanced (ages 8-14): MWF 4:45-6:45 p.m. Sunday 2-4 p.m. Cost is $40 per day.
Contact Colin Foster with questions or to sign up at cfoster@goshockers.com or call 316-518-1767.
Your vote makes all the difference in the world! Be sure you are registered to vote. Get started today by visiting wichita.turbovote.org to register here in Kansas or back in your hometown.
Sign up today to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot. Let's show them that #shockersvote.
Questions? Contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu for more information.
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.
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.
Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address
Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, featuring Student Body President Rija Khan and Legislative Response issued by Speaker of the Senate Olivia Babin. President Khan and Speaker Babin will lay out the Association's agenda for the 63rd Session.
We will livestream on the SGA YouTube and will be shared to the SGA Facebook.
Financial Wellness & Money Management Blackboard Course
Here at the Office for Student Money Management in Student Success, we believe that all students should graduate with financial confidence! Through this course, students at Wichita State University will develop personal finance goals and learn the basics of financial literacy which will support their decisions during and after their time at the institution.
The course is FREE and may be completed in two hours if done in one session. Students will also receive a certificate of achievement. To self-enroll into the Blackboard Organization, scan the QR Code or go to Financial Wellness.
If you have questions, contact us at osmm@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3254.