Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and for expressing gratitude
In gratitude for all our faculty and staff have done during these ever-changing and challenging times, WSU is closing the university on Wednesday, Nov. 25, one day in advance of the official Thanksgiving Holiday leave (Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27). Benefits-eligible employees will be paid for this personal day away from work and will not use accrued leave.
We wish you and your family a safe and restful holiday. Please take with you our gratitude for all you have done and will continue to do.
Click here for more information about the personal day away from work, who is eligible for the personal day away from work, instructions on recording time, and information on what to do if you are unable to take a personal day away from work on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Join us for a SEM update and celebration today!
Every fall we gather to celebrate Strategic Enrollment Management work done across campus. This year, offices are meeting in smaller groups rather than the ballroom, with all of our content provided via Zoom at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Join us for an enrollment update, a SEM movie celebrating our campuswide efforts, and virtual breakout rooms to connect casually with colleagues that you haven't visited with in a while.
Deadline for OAT course designations is approaching
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs for students. Applications for Fall '21 courses are due by Nov. 15 (in preparation for fall schedule building in January).
Faculty who design courses that provide instructional resources at no cost to student are eligible for an OAT course designation. Students pay a flat $10 course fee, with these funds being split between the department offering the course and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (which funds faculty to develop more OAT courses / materials).
The OAT Initiative is managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations are reviewed by a committee composed of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
Service Recognition 2020 at Wichita State
Wichita State University employees who reached a service milestone between the dates of Sept. 2, 2019 and Sept. 1, 2020 will be honored at an event hosted by the university on Thursday, Nov. 19. This service recognition will honor those with milestone service of 5 to 50 years with the State of Kansas, those achieving the Bender of Twigs distinction (25 years specifically to Wichita State), and those having recently retired from the university.
2020 Service Recognition will be held at Charles Koch Arena to accommodate adequate guest seating from the stands and abide by social-distancing protocol. The event will be broadcast live online, the media link will be available on the service recognition website at wichita.edu/ServiceRecognition.
In accordance with new WSU guidance for mass gatherings we are unable to offer food and beverage service this year and have therefore recently changed the time of the evening event to begin at 3:30 p.m. for 25-50 years of service, Bender of Twigs, and retirees. (The morning event for honorees celebrating 5-20 years of service will still begin at 9:30 a.m.)
While we are unable to provide the seated meal and beverage services we have enjoyed in past years, each honoree attending the event will receive a gourmet basket to take with them at the conclusion of the recognition event.
For more information, and to see a list of 2020 honorees, go to wichita.edu/ServiceRecognition2020.
Requesting a Qualtrics account
Just a friendly reminder -- if you, your staff or your students would like to have a Qualtrics account, please send an email to sandra.ranney@wichita.edu or charles.burdsal@wichita.edu. After we receive the request, we will send an email instructing the user on how to create a Qualtrics account. Following this procedure will allow us to know who is needing an account, and a shorter time for activating this account.
Build IT Project Management Skills on Nov. 13
Wichita State University is hosting PM Summit 2020, this time virtually on Friday, Nov. 13. It’s been a hard year! Let’s reward ourselves with some great training from the best- PMO Joe! Let’s network and learn from each other!
Sessions
9 a.m. Opening Remarks
Value of IT Portfolios and Project Management
Ken Harmon | Wichita State University | CIO
9:30 a.m. A New Model For Our Future
Stace Acup | JJJC | Director, PMO
10 a.m. Resource Management Now & Future
Joe Pusz | THE PMO SQUAD | President
10:30 a.m. Asking and answering resource questions
Breakout Session
11:30 a.m. Risk Management current and future
Project Regulations Updates
Sara Spinks | State of Kansas | Director, KITO
Registration
Zoom ID: 999 2547 1300
Email us for the password: PMO@wichita.edu
Include your Name, organization and email.
Let us know if you want to be involved in future learning and networking opportunities.
PMPs may claim 3 PDUs.
No one understands like another PM!
Who is PMO JOE?
President of THE PMO SQUAD, Purpose Driven PMO
Purpose, Measure, Optimize
Project management challengers?
First & Only PMO radio talk show host discussing everything Project Management!
PMO Joe
Students and faculty - get up to $20,000 from the John A. See Innovation Award
The John A. See Innovation Award is to be applied directly to advancing the technology. Ideally, this will support additional investment by others. Examples of supported costs are prototype development, product testing, and marketing analysis. The award cannot be used for faculty salaries but may be used to pay for external consulting fees. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $20,000.
Mid-West Air Force Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4
This virtual Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4 brings the United States Air Force and the small business community together to connect and collaborate. This enables the opportunity for small business innovation to quickly deliver advanced technologies to the Air Force.
TRIO DSS supports students with disabilities - applications open!
WSU's TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) Program is excited to enroll students with disabilities for this academic school year. They offer numerous free services such as academic advising, career development, study skills assistance, financial literacy assistance, tutoring, and more. Many DSS graduates cite DSS as a critical program on campus that provided the support, university connections, and resources necessary for their success.
Quotes from DSS graduates and more information
I will apply what I have learned through TRIO DSS to the next chapter of my life - completing a Master's Degree! I am really thankful for the relationships that I have formed through TRIO DSS and look forward to what new challenges there are to conquer in my near future.
-Tiffany H.
My advisor believed in me when everyone wrote me off. That kind of belief and caring is so strong, it turned a college dropout into a student with a WSU GPA of 3.8 who is going to graduate in a month. I was able to get my first all “A” semester last fall because of their encouragement. Without my advisor’s support, I do not think I would be graduating at all.
-Ben L.
For more information, or to apply, go to www.wichita.edu/dss or call 978-5949. TRIO DSS is located in 158 Grace Wilkie Annex.
Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program is requesting pre-proposals for an ISS Flight Opportunity award
The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) is seeking pre-proposals for eventual submission to a NASA Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) opportunity. Specifically, this CAN solicitation is for projects that “have previously been selected by NASA EPSCoR for ground-based research funding. All proposed projects shall be mature enough to transition to a flight experiment with little or no additional NASA funding. Through this solicitation, the ISS will provide the integration and flight opportunity.”
An award includes up to $100,000 in funding for three years.
This ISS specific CAN effort must:
▪ Continue current or previously funded EPSCoR projects that are mature enough to design a research experiment or develop research experimental hardware to the point that it can be safely flown on the ISS;
▪ Establish research activities that will make significant contributions to the strategic research and technology development priorities of one or more of the Mission Directorates;
▪ Contribute to the overall research infrastructure, science and technology capabilities of higher education, and economic development of the jurisdiction (i.e., Kansas).
Celebrating Careers in Student Affairs Month: From #SAgrad to #SApro
Are you interested in a career in Student Affairs? Join Wichita State University Student Affairs, Wichita State University College of Applied Studies - Higher Education/Student Affairs program, and NASPA GAP as we celebrate Careers in Student Affairs Month!
In this virtual event, you will have the opportunity to learn from a diverse panel of current Student Affairs professionals about their experiences. There will also be a breakout workshop to support graduates in their job search process, as well as a workshop for those interested in pursuing a degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs.
The free event will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.
If you have any questions, contact NASPA GAP member Trang Bui at tnbui1@shockers.wichita.edu.
Don't get spooked by your finances
Join the Office for Student Money Management in Student Success at our "Don't Get Spooked By Your Finances" webinar from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. We will be going over basic financial literacy, tips and tricks, and how to make better money habits. We will also play a round of Kahoot to test your spooky finance knowledge.
The winner will receive an OSMM giveaway, which includes a lunchbag, OSMM shirt, fanny pack, pen / pencil / chapstick, and a drawstring bag! The winner will pick up the prize at our office in 115 Neff Hall between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Free to Register: http://bit.ly/osmmspook
If you have any questions, contact osmm@wichita.edu.
SBA webinars teach you how to get the most for your business
The Kansas SBDC will present the following no-cost webinars:
Is Your Company Ready to Achieve SBA's 8(a)/BD Program Certification?
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the SBA 8(a)/BD certification program requirements. This program is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged firms in their attempts to grow and succeed, including potential access to government contracting.
Located in a HUBZone — Get Certified!
10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the HUBZone program requirements. If your principal office is located within a HUBZone, the SBA's HUBZone certification program may benefit your company in seeking Federal contracts or subcontracting efforts.
You can register online.
We look forward to seeing you there!
SAC Virtual Murder Mystery
Grab your detective badges as you join SAC and a group of fellow students to solve a high-profile murder investigation at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Interact through a live chat with fellow players and our live moderator while you pour over the QR clues that are regularly pushed to your mobile device. Just remember, trust no one in this game, and whatever you do, don’t answer the door!
Work to solve the crime, keep your answers to yourself, and there will only be one winner! Register at wichita.edu/sac.
Benefits Open Enrollment – Four days left!
2021 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over! Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections by Oct. 31.
All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2021 elections by the deadline on Oct. 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.
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 more information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
Flu shots available on campus Nov. 4
WSU HR Total Rewards team is once again hosting on-site flu shots, available to State of Kansas employees and their spouses who are currently enrolled in SEHP medical insurance.
WSU will have one on-site flu clinic this year from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, in 266 RSC. Click here to schedule an appointment online for the WSU on-site flu clinic.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, please arrive promptly at your scheduled time to limit quantity of participants waiting or in the room at one time. Flu shots are by appointment only; walk-ins will not be accepted.
Please view the CDC Vaccine Information Statement here. You will need to print and complete the KDHE consent form to take with you to your appointment (look for a word document at the bottom of the page after clicking the link). This form requires your State Employee ID which you can locate in myWSU in the center of the page by hovering over the white box in the SHaRP ID channel.
Not able to make this clinic? You can also get your no-cost flu shot at your in-network primary care provider or most pharmacy and drug stores. More information can be found here.
World Trade Council of Wichita partners with free zones to support free trade
The World Trade Council of Wichita, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, currently in a strategic partnership with the Center for International Business Advancement (Barton School of Business), has become a partner of the World Federation of Free Trade Zones. The organization was launched in Canton, Switzerland by its 14 founding members and under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair in International Business & Professor of Management, a world-leading expert on industrial subsidies and trade effects, is the elected Chair of the World Trade Council and initiated the partnership.
“When they approached me about working with them, I saw an opportunity for the WTCouncil, as well as for research and teaching opportunities in which our community of managers, researchers and students could potentially collaborate. Registered in Geneva, and headquartered in Dubai, this is the only international, multi-lateral organization for free zones in the world today.”
Free zones comprise economic areas in which companies are taxed very lightly or not at all to encourage economic activity. Free zones gained popularity over the past few decades, particularly in emerging economies. Currently, about 2,260 free zones exist around the world, supporting about 70 million jobs. Each country determines taxation rules.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) has content on the conditions and benefits of free zones. For more information on this partnership and benefits, please contact Usha at usha.haley@wichita.edu
World Trade Council of Wichita
WSU Retail Crawl
Get your WSU Dining Retail Crawl Card stamped on your next visit to each of our retail dining locations (RSC: Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Panda, Chick-fil-A, Freddy's and Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes; Shocker Hall: Market at Groundhouse).
Turn in your completed card with one stamp per location in the Dining Services Office, 235 RSC, to receive a WSU Dining reusable bag and get entered to win a WSU Swag Basket. Full details and information on bonus entries here. Contest ends Friday, Nov. 6.
Please help less fortunate children this Christmas
Our Toys for Tots toy drive is happening now until Dec. 16! We had fantastic support last year ending with a box brimming over with toys. We helped so many underprivileged children in Wichita. Let's shoot to double it this year!
You can stop by the Campus Credit Union lobby between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, to donate.
Support survivors of domestic violence by donating to the Sigma Psi Zeta Donation Drive!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)! Domestic violence is a range of abusive behaviors that are used to gain control and power over another. The purpose of DVAM is to mourn victims, to celebrate survivors, and to connect advocates who strive to end domestic violence.
Sigma Psi Zeta’s philanthropy is to combat the violence against women in its varied forms, more generally gender-based violence. We aim to emphasize the importance of knowing what domestic violence is and to engage the community in discussing domestic violence.
This week through Oct. 30, we are hosting a donation drive to the Wichita Family Crisis Center—a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate domestic violence in our community by supporting survivors through shelter, education, and advocacy. Donation drop-boxes are located in ODI and SGA. You can also make a monetary donation Sigma Psi Zeta Donation Drive.
Bake sale at the SAE House! Preorders accepted until Nov. 8
What would autumn be without an old-fashioned bake sale? That's why Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., are excited to announce our first joint philanthropy event! Fill out an order form by Sunday, Nov. 8, and stop by the SAE House on Nov. 15 to benefit the Children's Miracle Network and the American Cancer Society. We also deliver.
We are offering a selection of assorted cake pops, snickerdoodles, puppy chow, and Rice Krispy treats. We also have gift boxes available.
Preorders are accepted at tinyurl.com/sae-kdchi-bakesale.
Are you a LAS student who is undecided about your major? Allow us to help!
Dear LAS Student,
Happen to be undecided about the major you’d like to pursue? We’d like to help!
Are you interested in expressing your compassion towards acting or being the very change, you wish to see in the world? If so, a Social Work Degree may be a perfect fit for you! To learn more, see our attachment crafted just for you!
We look forward to having the possibility of helping you discover true selfless influence!
Best regards,
School of Social Work
Student Support Services is accepting applicants for the Martinez Inspire Scholarship
Calling all first-generation students, limited-income students and students of disability status: we are looking for you who want to be served by a program who recognizes and empowers first-generation and limited-income students and students of disability status to achieve their higher-education aspirations. TRIO Student Support Services offers academic advising, individualized tutoring, scholarships exclusively for SSS participants and much more.
Please share this scholarship opportunity with students who may qualify.
As a new participant, we are excited to offer the Student Support Services Martinez Inspire Scholarship. For the fall 2020 semester, we are offering $150 to students committed to joining our program and being an active participant.
In order to be eligible for this opportunity, we want you to apply to be a Student Support Services participant and let us help guide your academic life at WSU. This can be done by completing the SSS Application Form available in the SSS office or online. The first 15 students to complete the application form, get accepted and attend their first advising appointment (in-person or virtual), will be eligible for the $150 SSS Martinez Inspire Scholarship.