Wichita State lab to be renamed for Sen. Moran's commitment to WSU mission and vision
Wichita State University’s Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing will soon have a new name. The building’s renaming is a tribute to Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran’s commitment to provide vital resources and connections that help Wichita State offer impactful student experiences to drive prosperity for the city, region and state.
The building will renamed the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing, with a dedication ceremony planned this fall.
The Jerry Moran Center is a 20,000-square-foot facility on WSU’s Innovation Campus. The building houses Crash Dynamics, Building Block, Virtual Engineering and Flight Test Labs, part of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). AVET supports cutting-edge virtual and physical crash dynamics testing capabilities for the aviation and greater transportation industries, while providing Wichita State students with valuable applied learning experiences in an industry-based setting.
Pictured above: The soon-to-be-named Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing.
Muma interviewed for story in ‘The Chronicle of Higher Education’
Provost Rick Muma
The following story appeared in the Sept. 11 “The Chronicle of Higher Education.” The article included comments by Wichita State Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma.
“Spring Planning Has Begun. Here’s What Colleges Are Thinking So Far.”
The fall semester is barely underway, but several colleges are already announcing their instruction plans for the spring. The bottom line, so far, is that few institutions will change their approaches — whether face to face, remote, or a mix of the two.
The California State University system is the most recent institution to do so, announcing on Thursday that all 23 of the campuses would continue to provide instruction virtually. “This decision is the only responsible one available to us at this time,” Chancellor Timothy P. White said in a news release. “And it is the only one that supports our twin North Stars of safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of our faculty, staff, students, and communities, as well as enabling degree progression for the largest number of students,” he said.
John Barnshaw, vice president for research and data science at the consulting firm Ad Astra, said the trend is clear among the 500 colleges they work with: “If they’re building a course schedule, it’s remaining the same from fall to spring.”
The continuity is a reflection that those colleges feel what they are doing is successful, said Chris Marsicano, an assistant professor of the practice in educational studies at Davidson College. “If it’s working, why not just give people some certainty and extend into next semester?” he said.
The early announcements by institutions also give faculty members more time to prepare and students and parents a clear timeline for travel to and from campus, said Richard Muma, executive vice president and provost at Wichita State University.
Wichita State has also announced that it will continue to offer similar options for the spring semester. The university is giving students a choice between taking courses completely online, or a hybrid mode that combines limited in-person instruction and virtual content. More than 85 percent of courses are now in the hybrid mode, Muma said. “We learned to plan ahead,” Muma said. “It helps reduce the anxiety of students and faculty.”
The fact that several colleges are already announcing their spring semester plans is a big improvement from the fall, when so many institutions waited until mid- to late-summer to decide whether to allow any instruction on campus, Marsicano said.
And since the summer, there has been no treatment breakthrough or vaccine that would allow all campus activities to resume, he said. “The only major change that should change operating procedure would be a surprisingly early vaccine,” Marsicano said, and even then it wouldn’t be first distributed to normally healthy college-aged populations.
While the course modalities may remain the same from fall to spring at many colleges, institutions are modifying the academic calendar to minimize travel to and from campus to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Wichita State, for example, will offer only remote courses during January. The spring semester will start three weeks later than normal, and there will be no spring break.
Carnegie Mellon University has announced a similar change to its academic calendar along with the continuation of its hybrid approach to course offerings.
The change acknowledges that “the Covid-19 pandemic will likely continue through the winter months, and with a desire to reduce the number of weeks we are in session during flu season, CMU will delay the start of the spring semester,” according to a letter from Jim Garrett, the university’s provost.
For colleges that allowed students back on campus, maintaining the status quo might seem like a shaky decision. Several major universities have already experienced widespread outbreaks of coronavirus — sometimes just days into the fall term — and shifted from in-person to online learning.
While administrators are genuinely concerned about students and faculty members, there are still other factors that relate to colleges’ decisions for the fall, said Barnshaw at Ad Astra.
Colleges that have NCAA football teams, greater selectivity, or that are in states controlled by Republicans were all more likely to offer in-person courses, according to an analysis of data from the College Crisis Initiative.
Whatever reasons went into the decisions to bring students back to campus for the fall, in some cases the plans have worked relatively well so far, officials say. Wichita State reports only 38 positive tests for coronavirus, though the university is only testing students who are symptomatic or have a known exposure. In addition, “students, faculty, and staff who undergo testing off-campus are not required to report positive test results.”
Being on a campus with limited student housing has helped keep the numbers low, said Muma, the provost at Wichita State.
The University of Connecticut at Storrs has had about 180 students test positive. The university has said it will continue to provide a mix of course offerings in the spring, but it hasn’t come to any decisions on whether to change the timing of the semester, said Carl Lejuez, university provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
“What we’ve said is that right now the best predictor of the spring is the fall,” Lejuez said. And if things get worse, the university will pivot to protect the health and safety of employees and students, he said.
“We’re not afraid to make changes,” he said. “The world will likely not look better than it does right now.”
Wichita State University made a change in how it processes terminations for non-benefit eligible employees (i.e. students, graduate assistants, lecturers, and temporary employees) beginning April 1, 2020. For employees with no active job (because of a “Position Only Termination ePAF” or an end date on their hire ePAF) for a continuous time frame of 60 days, their employment status automatically terminates in Banner. This change was implemented to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to university systems, data, and buildings by individuals who may not return to an active employment status.
If it is known that an individual will be re-engaged for active employment, but it will be greater than 60 days, the department should submit a future-dated electronic Personnel Action Form (ePAF). This ePAF must be submitted and fully approved before the 60 days of inactivity expires. If an employee has been terminated after 60 days with no active position, they will not have access to WSU systems (including WSU email, MyWSU, and Blackboard). If the individual needs to be rehired, the regular hiring and on-boarding process will take place. By completing the future dated ePAF process before the 60 days of inactivity expires, the employee will not need to go through the hiring and on-boarding process. ePAF Originators can review employees with an upcoming termination date using the Reporting Services report: HR – EPAF Reports>ORIG00240 – Employee Termination in Next 30 Days.
On Sept. 14, supervisors will begin receiving an email once a non-benefit eligible employee (Lecturer, Temp, Student or Grad Employee) has no active job; if it is known that the employee needs to retain access to WSU systems because they will return to work at a known future date, an ePAF must to be submitted at that time to avoid the need for the hiring and on-boarding process, and to maintain access to the system. Supervisors will receive a final reminder 15 days before the full termination process is completed if no ePAF has been submitted.
Upcoming Zoom security changes
Starting Sunday, Sept. 27, Zoom will require that all meetings have either a Passcode and/or Waiting Room enabled. Zoom has designed these security measures to give you control over your meeting security options, while keeping the join experience as frictionless as possible.
For meetings that do not already have either a Passcode or Waiting Room enabled by Sept. 27, Zoom will automatically enable a Waiting Room for you. If you add a Passcode to a meeting that does not already have one, you will need to share the updated link with your participants.
See Zoom's FAQ on this change here.
If you have issues or concerns, please submit a support ticket by visiting http://www.wichita.edu/av and following the link for "Zoom.us Support Request."
Commemorative 125th anniversary name badges
Do you routinely wear a name badge? If so, you can show your pride in WSU’s rich history by wearing a 125th anniversary name badge as you move around representing your organization, department and Wichita State.
Order yours today by visiting the RSC Engraving Shop in the lower level of the Rhatigan Student Center or email us at rsc.engraving@wichita.edu.
Join us for our next Physics Seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 16
Please join us for the next Physics Seminar via Zoom at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, featuring Professor Phillip Lubin, Physics Department at UC Santa Barbara. The title of this talk will be "Large Scale Directed Energy - The Path to Interstellar Flight".
Physics Seminar and Zoom information
Guest artist to perform in Rie Bloomfield Organ Series on Sept. 22
The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series will feature distinguished guest artist Dr. Damin Spritzer at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Wiedemann Hall. After an appointment as Visiting Professor of Music for the fall of 2014, Spritzer has been full-time Assistant Professor of Organ at the University of Oklahoma with the American Organ Institute since fall of 2015.
Seating will be limited to 77 people. For tickets, go to www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. The event will also be livestreamed on the WSU School of Music Facebook page.
Spritzer continues to work with the Cathedral Church of Saint Matthew in Dallas as Artist-in-Residence for Cathedral Arts, and was recently Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas teaching Organ Literature and Sacred Music. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Leupold Foundation, dedicated to the preservation of pipe organ music and culture, and is active in the Dallas and Southern Plains Chapters of the American Guild of Organists in various roles.
Her performances have spanned several continents and included historic churches and instruments such as the Nicolaikirche in Leipzig, Germany; Sainte-Croix in Orléans, France; at Igreja Nossa Senhora de Fátima and Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem in Sao Paolo, Brazil; the La Verna Festival in Italy; four performances with the Terra Sancta Festival in Israel; Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Massachusetts; New York City at St. Patrick’s Cathedral; with Aaron David Miller at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles; the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina; the University of Houston 2012 Conference on Historical Eclecticism: Organ Building and Playing in the 21st Century; and numerous additional performances throughout the United States, including the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, the Big XII Trombone Conference in Lubbock, and the 2017 International Trombone Festival in Redlands, California.
E-Launch registration now open!
E-Launch fosters entrepreneurial activity, leading to the commercialization of ideas. Through an interactive process, participants will learn to clearly conceptualize how the product or service can provide real value to customers. Participants will be shown how to validate their value proposition with customers and other stakeholders. Avoid spectacular failures in execution by learning before you launch, not after.
Constitution Day features discussions on First Amendment issues
Sessions on the rights to petition, peaceably assemble and free speech are just a few of the aspects of Wichita State University’s annual observance of Constitution Day Wednesday, Sept. 16 and Thursday, Sept. 17.
All events are free, open to the public and available via Zoom. For a complete listing of events and Zoom meeting information, go to the Wichita State Constitution Day webpage.
UP & USS joint senate meeting set for today
The UP and USS Senates joint meeting will be held at 9 a.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 15), via Zoom. 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 the Zoom link.
View meeting dates, agendas and minutes
Registration still available for free Ulrich Virtual talk with L.A. artist Gajin Fujita today
The Ulrich Museum of Art is excited to host a virtual talk with acclaimed Los Angeles-based artist Gajin Fujita. The program starts at 6 p.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 15). Like all Ulrich Virtual programs, the talk is free and open to the public, but registration is required to get the Zoom link.
Fujita’s large-scale paintings merge graffiti, from his beginnings with K2S crew in his home of Boyle Heights, with traditional Japanese mythical figures, ukiyo-e woodcuts, and pop culture imagery. His billboard in the Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project is located at 1500 N. Broadway in Wichita.
COVID-19 health disparities: Minority health and health equity
The disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minorities is becoming clear. Essential workers, many in low wage jobs, racial and ethnic minorities are at greater risk of contracting the virus.
In addition to the economic impact due to job loss, COVID-19 has exposed disparate access to up-to-date information about the virus, to PPE and to healthcare. Hospitalization and mortality rates among African Americans are the highest of any group. Why is this happening? What can we do?
Dr. Melissa Walker will moderate a panel at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, exploring these issues including how access to testing and treatment could reduce the toll of COVID-19 for racial and ethnic minorities. Confirmed panelists include:
Ernestor De La Rosa, assistant city manager, Dodge City
Teresa Lovelady, president and CEO HealthCore Clinic
Melody McCray Miller, member of CARES Oversight Committee and former representative 89th District
Health Disparities During COVID-19
Game Night: Escape Room
Love to play games and want to get to know other Shockers on campus? Join SAC on the third Friday of every month for a virtual game night! Cards Against Humanity, Pictionary, Scattegories, and more: we’ll pick a new game every month!
At 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, we will feature a Virtual Escape Room: You’ll live chat with your fellow group, scour a virtual world, and examine the internet for clues, while racing against the clock. This is a high-stakes, all-or-nothing maximum speed adventure to save your partner and make the bad guys pay. Can you put the clues of this escape room together and finish before the time runs out? Buckle up, it’s going to be a fast ride! Space is limited, register early at wichita.edu/sac.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Impacted by the layoffs in Wichita?
In the news lately we’ve been hearing about the impact across Wichita of the market uncertainty and layoffs that are affecting local businesses and their employees.
If you are a benefits-eligible employee at WSU and you or your spouse is losing health insurance through another employer, this can be a qualifying event for you to add your spouse and/or children to your existing coverages within 31 days of the date the other coverage ends. Email TotalRewards@wichita.edu for more information or assistance with this change.
Human Resources developed a website with information and resources which might be helpful for employees who may be directly impacted by layoffs. Please go to www.wichita.edu/CommunityResources for information and resources available to you.
Join WWSU for Virtual Happy Hour + Scattergories!
The Women of Wichita State University’s Virtual Happy Hour will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17! Grab a drink of your choice and cozy up to the computer for a fun game of Scattergories. WWSU members may bring a guest and will receive the Zoom link via email.
Not a member yet? There is still time to join. Annual membership is only $12, which is used to support scholarships for Wichita State students. Go to www.wichita.edu/WWSU for more information.
Know an outstanding Shocker senior? Nominate them today!
WSU Homecoming Court nominations are now open! Nominees must be a current undergraduate student with senior status and good academic standing as of Spring 2020, and must not have previously been a Homecoming candidate. Individuals are welcome to self-nominate, or may be nominated by a WSU student, faculty or staff member.
Click here to make a nomination.
Homecoming Court nominations will close Monday, Sept. 21.
Wichita State Homecoming will be held Monday, Oct. 19-26.
National Hug Your Hound Day
Did you know that Sunday, Sept. 13 was National Hug Your Hound Day?
The admissions staff jumped on the opportunity to showcase their furry friends. Enjoy this quick video highlighting admissions staff, Student Ambassadors, Shocker supporters, and even some future Shockers as they give their pups an extra squeeze.
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!
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.