Participate in the Strategic Plan Town Hall
The Strategic Plan Town Hall will be held via livestream from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This university-wide event will be dedicated to updating the Shocker faculty, students, staff, alumni, university partners and the Shocker community on the plan for 2020-21. Join the town hall moderator, WSU Faculty Senate President & School of Music Director Dr. Aleks Sternfeld Dunn as he welcomes President Jay Golden and Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma for remarks. Kaye Monk-Morgan, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, will present the refreshed university strategic plan.
For a download of related documents, click on the links provided:
For more information, contact the Strategic Planning Committee at strategicplanning@wichita.edu.
_____________________________________
This year’s Town Hall will be virtual. Click Here to attend.
Please note that this event requires access to a computer/laptop/tablet with access a web browser and sound.
Message from Title IX Coordinator Sara Zafar
Sara Zafar
Dear Wichita State University Community,
I hope you are all settling back into the Fall 2020 semester. As WSU’s Title IX Coordinator, I am responsible for our overall Title IX compliance program. The Title IX Office, as part of the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, receives reports, responds to and investigates allegations of discrimination on the basis of sex encompassing sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as non sex based discrimination involving exclusion from activities such as admission, athletics, or employment.
Like the rest of the university, my office has adapted to necessary changes due to Covid-19 precautions. Since March, my office has been conducting interviews and investigations for allegations of harassment and discrimination using both Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms. Moving forward, we will continue to offer remote video-conference options to parties for investigations and hearing processes.
We have also implemented policy changes for the university with input from WSU students, faculty, and staff. Effective Aug. 14, WSU revised its Sexual Harassment policies and procedures. We combined the student policy (formerly WSU Policy 8.16) and the employee/visitor policy into one policy, WSU Policy 3.06 / Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation for Employees, Students and Visitors. The primary changes include updated policy definitions and the addition of a live hearing grievance process.
These changes are in response to the US Department of Education’s new Title IX regulations. You may have heard about the new regulations from the WSU Today and Shocker Blast, colleagues and friends, the news, or on social media. Many people who have read them have mixed feelings about them. We understand and welcome your input and are happy to talk with you regarding the new regulations and policy changes.
Through these lengthy and detailed regulations, the Department of Education sought to provide robust due process protections to those accused of sexual harassment or discrimination while also balancing the rights of those who experience sexual harassment, assault, dating violence, domestic violence, retaliation, and sex or gender discrimination. Our commitment to providing supportive measures, connection to resources, ending harassment and discrimination, and a fair, neutral and unbiased process for parties involved in these matters remains unchanged.
When OIEC receives a report, we immediately reach out to the impacted individual, offering supportive measures and resources available in the WSU and Wichita communities, and an invitation to meet with me or another OIEC staff member. Fair process is a priority, as is ending harassment and ensuring safety for all members of the community. The new regulations required changes to WSU’s policies and procedures, and our dedication to a process respecting the dignity of all WSU community members remains unchanged. We encourage someone who experiences sexual harassment or discrimination to report and meet with one of us to discuss support, resources, options, and next steps. There is no time limit on reporting offenses to the university.
Our goal is to emphasize the best parts of the new regulations while recognizing the concerns our community members may have regarding some of the new provisions. The new policy has built-in procedural protections for all members of our community, many of which were in place prior to the policy change. These include:
- Providing clear notice to anyone accused of misconduct along with a presumption of innocence;
- Conducting a process that is transparent to the participants, where all evidence is known and shared prior to any final decision;
- Providing supportive measures to all parties designed to end the harassment
- Delivering resolutions to complaints as promptly as possible;
- Clear and appropriate sanctions for policy violations;
- Clear guidance on all resolution options, including informal resolution processes, if appropriate;
- Vetting and training decision-makers to ensure they are impartial and unbiased.
Our updated grievance process is a neutral administrative process that provides due process protections and prevents re-victimization. Both parties have the right to an advisor of their choice throughout the process, including initial meetings and interviews. Each party must have an advisor during the hearing process. If a hearing is required, separate hearing rooms will be provided for the parties, allowing both parties full participation. During the hearing, most questions are asked by a panel of three trained, neutral decision-makers, and any remaining questions will be asked by the advisors, not the parties. The hearing process is thorough, intentional, predictable, and fair, giving the panel access to the information necessary to arrive at a fair determination.
I understand not every member of the community is going to be comfortable with these changes. I welcome your input in an ongoing effort to improve our Title IX policies and procedures. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in October to address questions from the WSU community. If you have questions about this process, or wish to talk to someone about your reporting options or supportive measures, please contact me at 316-978-5177 or by email at sara.zafar@wichita.edu.
Sincerely,
Sara Zafar
Title IX Coordinator
IDA team helps faculty adapt and improve online portions of classes
- Wichita State's Instructional Design and Access team expanded its summer instruction to help faculty improve hybrid classes.
- IDA worked with faculty to add discussion rooms, tests, polls and more to their Zoom offerings.
- The Academic Resources Conference grew to two one-week sessions with another planned for January.
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. today (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
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 today (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.
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
WuShock sculpture unveiled in front of YMCA building
A first-of-its-kind WuShock sculpture was unveiled and dedicated Tuesday at the entry plaza of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center. The 8-foot bronze sculpture is the creation of local artist Wade Hampton, who worked with WSU Athletics and Clark to capture his vision in sketch form, and local artist Connie Ernatt, who transformed the drawing to the final bronze sculpture.
The sculpture embraces a vintage style of the mascot. After working through several miniature clay models, the team took the design to the Reverse Engineering Lab at National Institute for Aviation Research, where a 3D scan created a full-size computer model of the statue. GoCreate used the model to create a foam replica that Ernatt covered in clay to be bronzed.
Deloitte Consulting at Wichita State – Diversity Equity & Inclusion Straight Talk Panel today
Deloitte Consulting invites students to attend a straight talk panel about diversity, equity, and inclusion from 4-5:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 16), via Zoom.
It is an excellent opportunity to:
- Ask all your questions regarding careers in supply chain and consulting
- Learn more about the culture at Deloitte and the firm's diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Hear from women, underrepresented minorities, veterans and LGBTQ+ identifiers about their experiences at Deloitte
- Network with our Deloitte practitioners
Register at WichitaState.JoinHandshake.com to attend.
The event is hosted by Wichita State’s Shocker Career Accelerator and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Questions: Call 978-3688 or email CareerDevelopment@wichita.edu.
Virtual Edible Book Festival combines artistic / culinary talent for prizes
This year's Edible Book Festival presented by University Libraries is a go, and those interested can participate just about anywhere!
Register now for awesome local prizes won by showing off your culinary creations inspired by literature. Registration ends Thursday, Sept. 24. See the full event description at Edible Book Festival.
Learn to #BeThere for others with the free #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training
Learn how you can #BeThere for someone in need with the #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training! Anyone with a wichita.edu or shockers.wichita.edu can sign up for free at Suspenders4Hope and clicking Take the Training Today.
Now accepting fall 2020 I-Corps applications
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research, and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
Know an outstanding Shocker senior? Nominate them today!
WSU Homecoming Court nominations are 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.
Homecoming Court nominations will close Monday, Sept. 21.
Wichita State Homecoming will be held Oct. 19-26.
Click here to make a nomination.
Register for the 2020 Kansas Prevention Virtual Conference today
Join the Community Engagement Institute on Oct. 14-16 for the 3rd annual Kansas Prevention Conference!
This virtual conference is an amazing opportunity to learn ways to elevate prevention work in your community, connect with other prevention professionals, and discover the work being done in communities around Kansas.
You'll be able to choose from a long list of excellent workshops, as well as learning from our two keynote speakers, Earl Greene, M.A., CAMS-1/Fellow and Alex Elswick, MA, BA, Ph.D.
Registration for this year's conference is $75.
Social Work professionals can receive 10.5 CEUs, and Nursing professionals can receive 12.6. That's only $5.95-$7.14 per credit hour.
Register today to receive the conference swag items in the mail before Oct 14.
2020 Kansas Prevention Virtual Conference
Rosary, mass set for John O’Loughlin
John O'Loughlin
John Byers O'Loughlin, 88, passed away Sept. 8 in Wichita.
Rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17; Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Private Family Inurnment will be in the O’Loughlin family plot at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hays, Kansas.
In 1967 John joined the faculty of Wichita State University as a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He served as Director of the University Computing Center from 1967 until 1983, after which he spent six months abroad as a visiting professor in Russia, Germany, and Ireland, where he fell in love with his ancestral home land, returning there often and making many new friends.
Returning to Wichita State from his sabbatical in Europe, John organized the Cad/Cam
Laboratory in 1984 and served as its director for twenty-two years. During that period
the laboratory gained national recognition for their CATIA education classes and textbooks.
Beginning in 1999, John became an active lightning research investigator with the
National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State, performing contract research
for the Federal Aviation Administration and working on continued lightning protection
of aircraft and systems. After 2003 his research moved to lightning protection for
composite aircraft and the study of positive lightning discharges.
John retired from full-time service at the University in August 2008, and continued
his research working part-time as Director Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the
National Institute for Aviation Research until his death.
Memorials have been established with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1321 Stratford Ln., Wichita, KS 67206; or John O’Loughlin Memorial c/o Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0002.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
Volunteers needed for a research study
Research Topic/Purpose of the study: We want to understand the impact of kitchen and cooking-based, nutritional education for healthcare students and providers focused on concepts of a healthy diet and cooking.
Procedures: Participants in this study will complete a two hour, six-session cooking class focused on how to help patients cook and eat a healthy diet. Before and after learning, participants will be asked about nutritional and cooking knowledge related to a healthy diet. For participating, you will receive groceries, grocery cards, and recipes from the course!
Time: Participation is expected to last about six weeks.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 18-65
- Must be a healthcare (dental, medical, nursing, communications, public health, athletic training, physical therapy, medical laboratory, psychology, etc) practitioner or student
Location: Wichita State University
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Nicole Delimont at Nicole.delimont@wichita.edu or call 785-249-5533.
Board of Regents approves unified appropriations request
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) has approved its unified state appropriations request for the public higher education system for the Fiscal Year 2022 budget. The request seeks no increase to the budget originally allocated for state universities last fiscal year.
The Regents are asking the Governor and Legislature to continue funding for the highly successful university engineering initiative. This initiative, which was passed in 2012, called for state universities to graduate an additional 492 engineers per year by 2021. As of 2019, state universities had surpassed their goals with an increase of 621 graduates. Kansas businesses have indicated that its continuation is important for their workforce needs.
If the originally approved Fiscal Year 2021 budget is supported, the Board plans to dedicate part of the funding from universities’ base state aid for student mental health services. In a meeting between the Regents and the Students’ Advisory Committee, student leaders from across the state universities unanimously elevated mental health as an issue of growing importance directly related to student performance and requested the public higher education system consider enhancements to mental health services.
In addition, the Board plans to develop a pilot program to close gaps in enrollment that exist for students of color, first generation students, rural students and others to meet goals set in the Regents’ strategic plan and goals of the Governor’s Council on Education and Future of Higher Education Council.
The Regents also agreed to advocate for enactment of legislation similar to 2020 SB 335, which would allow public school districts to finance high school students’ tuition for postsecondary concurrent enrollment courses. This action promises to help lower the cost of higher education for many families and enhance access to higher education for first generation students.
The request will now be sent to the Governor’s budget office.
Join us for our next Physics Seminar today
Please join us for the next Physics Seminar via Zoom at 2 p.m. today (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
Ulrich Museum invites you to Senior Wednesday talk by Registrar Jo Cox on Artist Hilma af Klint
Senior Wednesday is back at the Ulrich Museum of Art! Meet the Ulrich’s new Registrar, Jo Cox (virtually), for an examination of early abstraction that seeks to bring artist Hilma af Klint into that conversation at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, Sept 16). The program is free and open to all. Registration is required to get the Zoom link. Register here.
Diversity in Politics Roundtable Discussion presented by the Shocker Vote! Coalition
The Shockers Vote! Coalition is back for its second roundtable discussion. This month we are focusing on Diversity in Politics at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 17).
Our panel will discuss the critical topic of diversity in our local politics. This is an issue that we know our students care deeply about, so we want to provide students an opportunity to hear from local leaders on this topic.
The panel will be moderated by Student Body Vice President Mackenzie Haas and SGA Director of Public Relations David Garcia.
Flicks on the Field - Outdoor Movie Series
Flicks on the Field is an outdoor movie series occurring every-other Thursday now through Oct. 22. Movies will be shown at Cessna Stadium, and students must enter at the northwest corner of the stadium. Students are encouraged to bring blankets, snacks, and their friends for this fun series. Concessions and restrooms will be available.
The series includes:
“Bring It On” at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
“Jumanji: The Next Level” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
“Hocus Pocus” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the CAC Theater. Because of limited seating capacity, tickets for the theater will need to be reserved in advance.
Reserve your Flicks on the Field here.
Flicks on the Field is coordinated by Student Involvement. If you have questions about this event or others, contact Student Involvement at getinvolved@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3022.
Tacos, Margaritas, and Play-Doh magic!
In honor of National Play-Doh day join us for Tacos, Margaritas, and Play-Doh magic! From 1-5 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 16), get 50% off all alcoholic beverages. Build your favorite Fuzzy’s Taco Shop creation for the chance to win a $30 gift card! This is a great opportunity to meet with your students at a socially distant event.
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.
Get ahead with a no-cost business finance webinar
Do you own a business or are you thinking of starting a business? Whether you want a basic understanding of cash flow as you start a new business or you want to adjust your cash flow in the wake of COVID-19 impact, this workshop will give you tools and knowledge to help you focus and move forward. We hope to see you virtually from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Register for this no-cost webinar at wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.
TIAA Financial Consultant to hold virtual meetings on Sept. 22
TIAA Financial Consultants are available to help participants in the Kansas Board of Regents Retirement Plan with virtual meetings to confirm they are on track for retirement, discuss market volatility and consider recommendations on how to invest their funds. These virtual meetings are private and secure, with only the employee and the Financial Consultant joining the virtual meeting.
Through a computer or tablet the participant is able to see the consultant as they talk, and the consultant can share information on their screen to create an experience very similar to a traditional face to face meeting. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Alternatively, please email Jeremy Kohn, TIAA Financial Consultant at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org if you have problems setting an appointment and need assistance.
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.
The Shocker Support Locker is open for the academic year
The Shocker Support Locker is open to all Wichita State University students, faculty and staff and offers anyone who needs it access to food, clothing, toiletries, and baby/family products. The Shocker Support Locker is coordinated and managed by the Student Government Association.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, all students, faculty or staff are asked to complete the Shocker Support Locker Order Form to request items from the Shocker Support Locker until further notice. Locker staff will contact the user to coordinate a pick-up time between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for the fall semester.
Questions? Please contact sga.supportlocker@wichita.edu.
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.
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.
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!