In the face of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, Wichita State's first priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our entire Shocker community. The Office of Technology Help Desk is taking many sensible steps to follow State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, and federal government guidelines for protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff while continuing to provide support.
Our staff members will be working both physically and remotely to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are receiving the necessary support during this unprecedented time. Please be aware that all in-person appointments must be scheduled in advance.
Our hours of operation for the fall 2020 semester are:
- Monday- Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. - Remotely
- Monday – Friday: 8 a.m.-noon - In the office
- All in-person appointments must be scheduled in advance through the Help Desk website
- Friday: 8.a.m.-5.p.m.- Remotely
- Saturday: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.- Remotely
The advantage of using the Logic Model
An Assessment Symposium for fall 2020 - Logic Model – will be held from 2-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.
This presentation will be held via zoom. All those registered will be sent the zoom link prior to the date. Should you have any questions, contact Lydia Santiago.
The presenter will be Vanessa Souriya-Mnirajd, director, TRIO-Disability Support Services Program.
Souriya-Mnirajd will describe the advantage of using the Logic Model as an approach to provide a road map describing the sequence of related events that can contribute to achieving the program’s intended goals and objectives. She will briefly discuss the implementation of a basic logic model that is currently being used in TRIO-Disability Support Services Program.
Lock your car doors and protect your belongings
Wichita State police report that multiple cars have had things taken where students park late at night. All of those cars had been left unlocked.
Please lock your car doors, hide your belongings, put them in the trunk, or take your belongings with you.
Don’t give a thief an opportunity to make you a victim. The WSU PD takes great pride in keeping the campus safe, but we need your help to accomplish that.
Please, if you see something, say something!
Visually impaired Shocker busts through barriers to achieve STEM aspirations
Emily Schlenker has a gift for all things science.
“I know that I was born to do STEM. I've known that from a very young age,” said Emily, who graduated from Wichita State University in 2020 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry. “I love it. I love calculus. I love organic chemistry.”
Emily was also born blind. She was born with a retinal impairment that only allows her to perceive light and shadow.
She says, because she’s blind, a lot of people tried to dampen her spirit for STEM.
Pictured above: Emily Schlenker peeks out between stacks of materials created by the Media Resources Center so that she could earn degrees in biology and chemistry.
Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering (ISME) colloquium presentation today
Guest Speaker: Ramkumar Harikrishnakumar, Ph.D. Candidate
Title: Introducing Quantum Computing Techniques in Transportation and Logistics
11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Sept. 4)
Join us via Zoom: ID: 988 9885 1927, Password: 638536
Abstract
Quantum computing has seen immense growth in recent years, opening the door to solve novel problems in prediction, control, and complex optimization problems under the umbrella of Data Science. In this talk, we will mainly focus our attention on solving the complex combinatorial optimization problem in a courier collection marketplace- by considering both static and dynamic scenarios in Multi-depot capacitated vehicle routing problem (MDCVRP). We will highlight the solution of these problems by using quantum computing techniques.
Ramkumar Harikrishnakumar is a Ph.D. student in the Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering department by specializing in the area of supply chain analytics. He has a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from WSU and a Bachelor’s degree in Production Engineering from Madras Institute of Technology, India. He has also worked as Industrial Engineer in Milacron, McPherson, Kansas. His research interests include transportation systems analysis using Quantum computing, intelligent transportation systems, and modeling resilience in the digital supply chain system.
Hear from Mark McCormick the next ODI Diversity Lecture Series speaker
The Diversity Lecture Series presents Mark McCormick at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10. He will present, “Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings: Dispatches From Kansas.”
This digital event will be available via Livestream.
Wichita's very own local author, Mark E. McCormick writes and shares from the heart about the lives of ordinary and not-so-ordinary people across the nation and in Wichita in the 2020-21 WSU Reads Book, “Some Were Paupers, Some Were Kings: Dispatches from Kansas.” He talks about social, political, and personal issues regarding history and current events.
You must register for the free event at wichita.edu/diversitylectureseries. This program is free and open to the public. For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to wichita.edu/odi.
Come join the discussion about Somos De Wichita
Join University Libraries in kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with a Zoom-based discussion of the new Somos De Wichita project starting 5:30 p.m. Sept. 9! This bilingual web exhibit, funded in part thanks to the Kansas Humanities Council, can be viewed at somos.wichita.edu. For more info visit wichita.edu/somos
The zoom address for this event is 942 9795 6429, Password 064861.
Comience el Mes de la Herencia Hispana uniéndose a una discusión en lnternet (via Zoom) sobre el nuevo proyecto Somos de Wichita. Esta exposición web bilingüe, financiada en parte gracias al Consejo de Humanidades de Kansas, reflexiona sobre cómo las familias latinas en Wichita han lidiado con su identidad y aceptación durante el siglo XX. Si lo desea, usted puede compartir sus fotografías familiares con el proyecto Somos de Wichita. Estas fotografías se conservarán para generaciones futuras en el Departamento de Colecciones Especiales de la Biblioteca de la WSU. Durante la discusión ofreceremos información a los participantes sobre cómo compartir sus imágenes. Para obtener más información, consulte http://www.wichita.edu/somos. ¡El evento tendrá lugar el miércoles 9 de septiembre a las 5:30 e incluirá comentarios de los miembros del proyecto del equipo!
Drop / refund date extended through today 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 today (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.
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.
Join SHS and Campus Recreation at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, on Student Health's Facebook Live for a conversation about the resources available to WSU students. Don't forget to subscribe to SHS on YouTube! If we reach 100 subscribers, we'll enter your name for a chance to win a prize!
Sept. 8 Tuesday Talk will discuss Campus Recreation and resources available to students
Join SHS and Campus Recreation at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, on Student Health's Facebook Live for a conversation about the resources available to WSU students. Don't forget to subscribe to SHS on YouTube! If we reach 100 subscribers, we'll enter your name for a chance to win a prize!
Perspectives on the Pandemic examines impacts of COVID-19 on incarcerated people and their families
Breanna Boppre, assistant professor of criminal justice, will discuss the implications of COVID-19 for correctional agencies nationwide and in Kansas at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. She will provide preliminary results from her ongoing mixed-methods study that examines families' experiences of having a loved one incarcerated during the pandemic.
Boppre is an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Wichita State University. Her research examines correctional policies and practices, women's system-involvement, and the impacts of incarceration on families. She uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to amplify the voices of individuals impacted by the legal system. Her work appears in top peer-reviewed outlets including Justice Quarterly, the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, and Feminist Criminology.
Her lecture will be delivered via Zoom at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. For more information about the “Perspectives on the Pandemics: Part II” series and how to join by Zoom, click here. https://www.wichita.edu/Pan2
Wichita State University Opera Theater to present free outdoor concert Sept. 10
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.
Biometric Screening appointments still available for Tuesday, Sept. 8
Biometric screening appointments are still available for Tuesday, September 8th. 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.
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, Sept. 8 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Oct. 20 in 266 RSC
Tuesday, Oct 27 in 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.
Managers of USS and Non-Teaching UP employees - It’s mid-review time!
myPerformance evaluations for USS and Non-Teaching UP employees are still available to you for 2020-2021 mid-review. Managers should update expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2020-2021 review period, then meet with their employees to review. Don’t forget to provide them a hard copy of their evaluation for reference throughout the year! Mid-Review should be completed by September 30, 2020 at 11:59 PM.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance) go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance
Helpful Hints:
- Your direct reports will not be able to access their 2020-2021 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning January 16, 2021, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2020-2021 review and review it with them!
- Managers have access to update and edit their direct reports myPerformance evaluations as many times as they would like until Employee Self-Evaluation time beginning January 16, 2021!
- Save then SUBMIT! Make sure to SUBMIT after saving every time you update a myPerformance evaluation! Your direct reports will not be able to see the information and you will still have access to their evaluation until January 16, 2021 even after selecting SUBMIT.
- Need a copy of a past performance evaluation? Check the box that says, “Show completed and expired tasks”, then “Search”! Save it as a PDF or print as needed.
- myPerformance Training is available as an online module through myTraining and includes a condensed “myTraining for Managers” version.
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.
Free pool for Rewards Members in September
Members of the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes Eat.Drink.Play. Rewards program can enjoy free pool in the month of September from 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday! Not a rewards member? Joining is free and easy; simply visit today and inquire!
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.
WSU Theatre and Filmmaking produce a sitcom
WSU Theatre and Filmmaking collaborated this past February to create a three-episode sitcom titled "Thrilled to Announce." Bret Jones, director of filmmaking, wrote and was showrunner for the project.
"We had never tackled something like this but wanted to give it a try as an experiment in educating our students," Jones said. "We filmed one episode per week, which included rehearsal, work with cameras, and in front of an audience."
“Thrilled to Announce” deals with the lives of four actors living in Chicago trying to "live the dream" as they face challenges of no wifi, bad auditions, and love in the apartment. The project involved students, faculty, and staff from the Theatre and Filmmaking departments.
The episodes are on YouTube.
Heskett Center Labor Day weekend hours
The Heskett Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day. We will be open from 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6.
Labor Day weekend hours for the Rhatigan Student Center
The Rhatigan Student Center and some of its departments will have altered hours for Labor Day weekend. Altered hours for Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 can be found at wichita.edu/rschours. The building and all departments will be closed on Sunday, Sept. 6 and Monday, Sept. 7.
Wanted: Volunteers to help with 2020 bicycle and pedestrian count event
Volunteers are needed to help manually count bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 sites in the Wichita Metro area.
The annual event, sponsored by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will be held Sept. 24 and 26.
This important event relies heavily on the commitment of community volunteers to gather data about how our network of paths and lanes are being used.
According to Tricia Thomas, WAMPO Communication’s Manager:
“One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.”
As such, this event is the only source for regional-scale bicycle and pedestrian data. The results of this data are then used to guide investments throughout the regional transportation system.
So please consider volunteering! This annual event is a real opportunity for local residents to become involved in a piece of the regional transportation planning process. As we know, bicycle and pedestrian investments stimulate the economy, public health, and the overall quality of life in a variety of ways. Communities that invest in these facilities inherently attract people and businesses so it’s good for everyone! Register to volunteer here!