A message from Acting President Rick Muma
As we begin this week, I want to take the opportunity to connect with you as we all adjust to the Board of Regents’ news Friday that Dr. Jay Golden has stepped down as president of Wichita State University.
Yes, you have questions. While we won’t be able to provide any additional details about his decision to step down, we wish Dr. Golden all the best and appreciate his dedication and hard work while at Wichita State.
A transition in leadership is always a challenge, but I can assure you that I take very seriously my role as acting president.
Hear more about how Shocker Nation is moving forward together.
University Village aims to make Wichita State neighborhood a Wichita destination
Wichita State University is taking a step forward with community discussions about a University Village initiative, which seeks to create a community destination of dining, entertainment and shopping adjacent to campus.
Through the existing Shocker Neighborhoods initiative, internal discovery and community feedback, Wichita State has identified an initial list of needs to help serve its constituents and the community. The goal is to develop strong, meaningful and high-impact partnerships with qualified developers to address these needs, which include:
- Dining options with a focus on healthy and ethnic food options
- Grocery stores that include international options
- A pharmacy
- Retail that includes general merchandise, appropriately sized
- Mixed-use commercial/retail
- Childcare centers
- Local businesses, including a bakery, smoothie/juice bar, apparel, etc.
To gather that input, a town hall is being held from 1-2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 30). You can view the town hall remotely here.
At the community town hall, Acting President Rick Muma and campus and community leaders will present Wichita State’s desire to work with local and national developers interested in partnering to explore the possibilities to bring these amenities to life adjacent to campus.
The university will engage with persons and entities who desire involvement via individual and community meetings following the initial discussion.
Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP)
On Sept. 4, 2020, the university announced the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP), which is designed to provide eligible WSU employees who voluntarily elect, and are approved, to separate employment from WSU on Dec. 26, 2020, with the separation benefits described more fully in the VSIP Guidelines (as defined and further described at www.wichita.edu/VSIPGuidelines.
Employees who are eligible and interested in applying for the VSIP must submit a completed Notice of Interest Form (as defined and further described at www.wichita.edu/VSIPInterestForm no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. The university intends to approve as many applications as possible, but financial and programmatic constraints may apply. Each application will be considered individually, however, in all cases the decisions will prioritize the university’s financial and strategic needs.
The VSIP is available only to eligible WSU faculty and staff who are active participants in the KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan, the KPERS Retirement Plan, or the KP&F Retirement Plan, and who:
1) Are 62 years of age or older at the Retirement Date;
2) Have completed at least ten (10) years of consecutive or nonconsecutive service in a benefits-eligible position at WSU or a State of Kansas agency at the Retirement Date; and
3) Are not otherwise ineligible, as set forth below.
Some employees are not eligible to apply, including those who:
1) Already have an active phased-retirement agreement or are scheduled to begin phased-retirement at a future date;
2) Have already announced intention to retire or separate employment, if their department has acknowledged such request (i.e. a letter of retirement/resignation submitted and accepted by the department);
3) Are on approved long-term disability or who are in the waiting period;
4) Have an executed agreement of separation with an identified, projected date of separation with WSU;
5) Have been approved for a partial or full-year sabbatical leave beginning fall 2020.
A program overview, complete list of eligibility conditions, a list of frequently asked questions, and links to resources are available online at VSIP2020 (as defined and further described at www.wichita.edu/VSIP2020). The guidelines include complete program information, including application timeline and procedure.
This is an important decision, and we encourage eligible employees to consider their situation carefully, including consulting with legal counsel and tax advisors of their choosing and at their own expense. If you have questions after reviewing the detailed VSIP Guidelines and FAQs, please send your questions to vsip2020@wichita.edu.
Title IX Virtual Town Hall meeting coming Oct. 6
The Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance will host a virtual Title IX Town Hall meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, to discuss the new Title IX regulations and the changes to university policy on sexual harassment and discrimination.
Faculty Senate President Aleksander Sternfeld-Dunn and Student Body President Rija Khan will moderate the discussion with Sara Zafar, Title IX Coordinator. The event will be livestreamed on the WSU YouTube channel.
To submit questions ahead of time, please email oiec@wichita.edu.
Additions to Memorial '70 complete the story of survivors and teammates
- Members of the early 1970s Wichita State football teams want to honor the people who carried on without their fallen teammates and friends.
- A sculpture recognizes the survivors of the 1970 plane crash, and the names of the people who flew safely on the "Black plane" are an addition to the existing upright Memorial '70 sculpture.
- The annual Memorial '70 observance takes place on Friday, Oct. 2, for the 50th anniversary of the crash.
Pictured above: Former Wichita State quarterback Randy Phillips, a partner at the architectural firm of Spangenberg Phillips Tice, designed the sculpture that features the survivors at Memorial '70. The names of the people who landed safely in Logan, Utah, were added to the upright monument that represents the "Black plane."
Vote online for your favorite art in this year's Edible Book Festival
Voting is now open for the Edible Book Festival, and we invite all to “treat yo-self” by picking the winners of this year's virtual contest! Voting is quick, easy, free, and anyone can do it from wherever they are.
Go to Edible Book Festival or click here to vote for your favorite culinary creation. Voting ends Thursday, Oct. 1.
Master of Social Work Informational Sessions - All students invited!
The School of Social Work is hosting three MSW Info Sessions to help prospective students discover more about the Master of Social Work program at Wichita State University. This is geared to both social work majors and for those with majors outside of social work. We encourage you to share this with your students and recent graduates of all majors!
Attendees will have this virtual opportunity to discover more about the field, meet faculty, and learn how to apply as a regular program or advanced standing student. The priority deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2021 for those who wish to enter in the 2021-22 school year.
If students have questions or would prefer to speak one-on-one, please direct them to Shaunna Millar, MSW Program Director and Clinical Professor, at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu. The Zoom log in information for the noon Thursday, Oct. 15 session is here - password: socialwork
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.
Shocker Printing Solutions to work remotely
Shocker Printing Solutions is working remotely while work is being done to level the floors. There will be no service window hours during this time.
Shocker Printing Solutions employees will process printing jobs offsite and bring them back to campus for delivery to your offices. Please plan ahead and allow additional time to meet your printing deadlines. We expect the work to be completed by Oct. 19, and business will resume as usual.
Three new Ulrich billboards for October already on display across Wichita
The start of a new month means more new Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboards are up around town! The three new billboards for October, which are already on display, are: Faith Ringgold's Sunflower Quilting Bee At Arles (pictured above, at 1400 E. Harry); JeongMee Yoon's Yerim and Her Pink Things and Emily and Her Pink Things (308 E. Pawnee); and Alan Rath's Neo Watcher II (2820 S. Oliver). In all, there are now 18 Ulrich billboards spread out across the Wichita area.
Before you head out to view the billboards, be sure to download the free Smarity app (accessible through the Ulrich website) to your mobile phone for the most complete experience. And, feel free to share your photos with us on social media by tagging us (@ulrichmuseum) and using the hashtags #ulrichmuseum and #ulrichbillboards; we'd love to share your photos!
Ulrich Community Billboard Project
Certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies available at Wichita State
Students wanting to learn more about people of Latin American origin or background have another educational option at Wichita State. A certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies is now available at the undergraduate level, and is only 12 credit hours.
“Students can learn about their culture, Latino cultures in the US, or Latin America,” Rocio Del Aguila, assistant professor of Spanish, said. “The certificate’s interdisciplinarity also helps them learn different ways of doing things. It can also help them develop global competency and global citizenship.”
Completing the certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies will give students specialization in an area that may enhance their employability in a broad variety of occupations, including the international business, social services, public health and education sectors.
Anyone pursuing the certificate may take courses from several departments, ranging from anthropology and art to music performance, philosophy and political science. Basic understanding of Spanish or Portuguese is required, and students may use approved study abroad credits to partially fulfill the requirements.
In the case of Latinx studies, del Aguila said, it is important to understand how the Hispanic population has always been an integral part of the United States. Spanish was spoken here before other modern languages, and the southern half of the United States was Mexico until 1848.
“We need to learn more about the Latinx community in order to better understand our own reality,” del Aguila said.
The US Census Bureau found that in 2010, 12.2 percent of people in Kansas identified as Hispanic or Latino. Pew Research has determined that in 2019, the number of Hispanics in the U.S. reached a record 60.6 million, or 18 percent of the population.
Introduction to WSU Office of Research Workshop is this Friday, Oct. 2
Join Fran Cook of the WSU Office of Research for a one-hour Zoom workshop on Friday, Oct. 2. Topics will include 1) WSU research office resources and contacts, 2) finding funding, 3) project budgeting, and 4) grant-writing tips with time for questions and answers.
Two workshops will be held -- choose either 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3-4 p.m.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to receive login information.
Use a smartphone? Want to be in a research study? We need participants!
We are looking for participants who want to be in a research study examining cell phone usage and the neck. The best part? It won't take weeks and weeks of exercises or participation on your part, actually less than 30 minutes!
The study is being sponsored by students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. The principal investigator is Barb Smith.
If you are interested, please click the survey link here to see if this study is right for you!
Funding available for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity
The Undergraduate Student Research and Creative Activity Grants Program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $1,000 for undergraduate students pursing research or creative projects.
Students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a GPA of at least 2.5 and at least two semesters remaining at WSU (including the semester in which you apply), are full time and have a faculty research mentor are eligible. Preference is given to projects not otherwise funded and previous awardees are not eligible.
Please visit www.wichita.edu/undergradresearch or email undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu for more information. Deadlines to apply in fall 2020 are Oct. 7 and Nov. 11.
Enjoy your Lunch & Learn with Women of Wichita State University today via Zoom
Join Women of Wichita State University for our monthly luncheon via Zoom! From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 30) we will watch the video “The Procrastination Monkey,” and then discuss what we learned during the lunch hour. The Zoom link will be sent to WWSU members via email, along with a fun recipe to go along with our topic theme.
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.
Physics Seminar Series talk on Wednesday features Graduate Research Fellow Lynn Buchele
Join us for our next Physics Seminar at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 30) via Zoom featuring Lynn Buchele, E. Schall Graduate Research Fellow at WSU. Lynn’s talk is titled “Stellar Modeling with On-The-Fly Opacities.”
The meeting id is 944 200 607 56 with passcode 128. Discussion afterwards
Friday's ISME Colloquium presentation features Kim Patterson, VP of Premier Food Services
Kim Patterson
Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering invites you to a colloquium presentation from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Oct. 2, via Zoom. The presenter will be Kim Patterson, vice president of Premier Food Service.
Abstract
The closure of businesses and shift to remote working due to COVID-19 has created unpredictability in the Food Service Industry. Premier Food Service has had to quickly adjust our methods of operation to maintain our high level of customer service. I’d like to share with you the approach that we’ve taken and how we have used Control Limits, Root Cause / Corrective Action and Rolling Action Item Lists to help guide our business recovery.
Kim Patterson is the Vice President of Premier Food Service (PFS). PFS provides breakroom services to companies throughout Kansas. Kim started her career at PFS in 1995 working part-time while in high school. She continued to work for PFS while in college as a route driver during the summers and bookkeeper during the school year.
Kim earned her bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering in 2004 from Wichita State University. She began her career as an Industrial Engineer working for Cessna Aircraft. During her first years as an Industrial Engineer, Kim learned that she had a passion for project management and continuous improvement. In 2008, Kim completed her master’s degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University.
In 2010, Kim was promoted to Continuous Improvement Manager. In this role, Kim was successful at using a combination of Statistical Analysis, Lean Six Sigma and Change Management to reduce production costs by $1.5M annually.
During the merge of Cessna and Beechcraft, Kim was asked to take over leadership of Environmental, Health and Safety for Beechcraft. It was in this role that Kim earned her Master Blackbelt Certificate in 2015.
In 2016, Kim was promoted to Director of Environmental Health and Safety. Using tools from Lean Manufacturing, Kim setup a network of over 7000 safety initiatives run across Textron Aviation’s 15 locations worldwide. The initiatives targeted preventative measures and resulted in a 10% reduction in injuries.
In 2019 Kim was asked to lead PFS. In her current role as Vice President, Kim regularly uses Industrial Engineering applications to continuously improve the processes at PFS. Most recently, she has used Control Limits, Root Cause/Corrective Action and Rolling Action Item Lists to help the PFS team navigate the disruptions of business resulting from COVID-19.
Sign up today for the Pumpkin Run
Hello runners and walkers from around the world!
The race this year is different – we are going virtual! With the hopes to reunite in person next year.
What are the positive outcomes of running with us virtually? You pick the day that you feel the best to run between Saturday, Oct. 10-24. No worrying about parking, weather, or if you brought your headphones. No matter where you are, US, Asia, Canada, Australia, you can still participate in our race.
As a Pumpkin Run participant, you will receive a customized T-shirt, special edition face mask (pick from three designs), and a finisher medal.
NEW this year: We have launched a referral program. Invite friends to run with you using your personalized link/code. When five or more friends have registered with your code, you will get $15 off your registration. That means that your registration is just $10! We will reward you with a fabulous registration price and maybe even something special in your packet.
Sign up today at bit.ly/pumpkinrun5k.
Free STI Testing on Oct. 7 at Student Wellness Center
Positive Directions, ODI, and SHS will host Pee for Pizza from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Reserve your spot now for free STI testing!
Call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment, no walk-ins will be accepted. Masks will be required at this event.
Technology Takes the Wheel event on Oct. 16
AAA Kansas and Wichita State University invite you to attend our third FREE Technology Takes the Wheel® event, mapping our transition to autonomous vehicles from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16,
Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges regarding connected and self-driving vehicles involving the vehicle-infrastructure relationship, safety and security. Will Kansas be ready? Will you?
Please mark your calendar as we examine the new technologies and the requirements of transportation and security infrastructures for AV systems and what is being done to bring this future of transportation to reality.
Technology Takes the Wheel Registration
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 2020-21 mid-review. Managers should update expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2020-21 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 11:59 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 30).
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 2020-21 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning Jan. 16, 2021, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2020-21 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 Jan. 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 Jan. 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.
2021 Benefits Open Enrollment Oct. 1-31!
This is once again an active enrollment, meaning that all covered state employees must participate, or be enrolled in a default plan.
Events this week:
Thursday, Oct. 1: SEHP will begin opening enrollment portals throughout the day. All benefit-eligible employees should have access to their benefits open enrollment portal by close of business on Oct. 1.
Thursday, Oct. 1: Presentation on Optional Life Insurance Open Enrollment Webinar by The Standard @ 10:30 a.m., register here.
The Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled live virtual presentations and on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
CORRECTION: SEHP originally communicated that medical rates for Employee+Spouse and Employee+Family tiers were decreasing 2.5%, but they have since corrected it to 2.0%. This correction was made after emails were sent out last week and open enrollment flyers were printed.
Changes to logging in to WSU Reporting
Win.wichita.edu now has additional information on how to login, and if you have questions please reach out to helpdesk@wichita.edu.
April Cozine officially assumes KACRAO President duties
April Cozine
Join the admissions staff in sending a BIG congratulations to associate director,
April Cozine, for being sworn in as the president of the Kansas Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers (KACRAO) during the organization’s annual business
meeting last week! KACRAO is a nonprofit, voluntary professional association of more
than 400 higher education administrators representing 80 institutions and agencies
in Kansas and beyond.
April has been an active member of KACRAO for several years, leading up efforts statewide
for Apply Kansas, and last year spearheading the annual conference being held in Wichita.
Join the ODI for Hispanic Heritage Month on the Go!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites you to partake in a festive celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1! National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latinx Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. We will be providing free transportation to two amazing local restaurants in the City of Wichita, Sazón Mexican Restaurant* and Molino's Taqueria**.
Our buses will be available to transport students, faculty, staff and even community members to and from these restaurants, allowing you the opportunity to support these local businesses. Limited spaces on the bus. You must wear a face mask and practice physical distancing. The ODI and bus driver reserve the right to ask you to get off the bus if attendees do not follow the guidelines.
The buses will pick you up at the following shuttle stops:
- Shuttle Stop: Elliott Hall
- Shuttle Stop: Marcus Welcome Center
The buses will run every 30 minutes, transporting individuals to the two local restaurants, allowing you the opportunity to order your food and drinks and return safely to campus.
* Sazón Mexican Restaurant will offer a Shocker discount, so make sure to bring your Shocker card!
** Molino's Taqueria is offering free chips and queso with a coupon. Pick this coupon up at the front desk in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, located in 208 Rhatigan Student Center before you go!
Women of Wichita State University Membership Drive
Become a member for only $12. We have scheduled Zoom events at lunch time and evening, through November. Please join us so we can continue to support scholarships for WSU students (preference female). Learn more about our organization at wichita.edu/WWSU.
All you have to do is complete the online application and pay your dues.
Join in the fun while we raise money for scholarships!
Women of Wichita State University Application
‘Be Seen’ exhibit in the Cadman Gallery
“Be Seen” is a local arts-based campaign to increase voter turnout, civic engagement and dialogue on modern political issues in Wichita. This project focuses on engagement from first-generation immigrants, especially those from Asian and Asian-American backgrounds.
“Be Seen” will be on display on the first floor of the RSC in the Cadman Art Gallery from now to Friday, Oct. 9. There will be a reception in the gallery from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
Trivia Tuesday coming Oct. 6
Gone are the days of joining HQ trivia only to get booted on the fifth round. Join SAC on the first Tuesday of every month for a quick HQ/Kahoot style trivia game for the chance to win some awesome e-gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, and event Visa gift cards! $100 and $50 prizes will be given out each game to first- and second-place finishers, respectively.
Log in from a smart device at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, by going to bkquiz.com/wsutriv. Anyone can play, but only WSU students are eligible to win.
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.
These tips will help to reduce your vulnerability to theft. WSU PD is working to reduce and prevent crime and ask for your help in these efforts.
Please, if you see something, say something!