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.
Dennis Livesay accepts dean position in Michigan
Dennis Livesay
Dennis Livesay, dean of the College of Engineering, has accepted a position as dean of the College of Computing at Michigan Technological University.
Livesay will become the second dean of the university’s 18-month-old College of Computing. His last day at WSU will be Jan. 31.
“I love Wichita State and certainly planned on staying here many more years, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up,” Livesay says. “This position will also allow us to be closer to family – a definite bonus.”
Livesay says there’s a lot he’s proud of in his time at Wichita State. That includes such achievements as continuing to increase enrollment in the College of Engineering, creating new programs that support the Kansas economy, growing research and increasing diversity and the number of graduates within the college.
Additionally, the college has responded to the digital transformation happening in many industries by hiring new faculty, and we are in the process of creating the School of Computing.
There are many other achievements to be proud of, Livesay says, and the future is clearly bright for the college.
“Even a pandemic can’t stop us from making progress on our strategic initiatives,” he says. “The College of Engineering is stronger and more important than any one person. I have complete faith that it will continue to evolve, educate and create new knowledge.”
Shirley Lefever, interim executive vice president and provost, will work with college faculty and staff to identify an interim dean, and a national search will be conducted for the permanent position.
Information on Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs from the WSU Fire Safety Office
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused an increased use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs (ABHR’s) also known as Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer. ABHR’s are considered flammable liquids and therefore their use and storage are governed by the International Fire Code (IFC) and various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.
The definition of alcohol-based hand rubs is an alcohol-containing preparation designed for the application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 95 percent by volume.
The use of dispensers containing ABHR’s shall meet the following criteria:
- The maximum capacity of each dispenser shall be 68 ounces.
- Dispensers shall be a minimum of 48 inches apart.
- Dispensers shall not be placed directly adjacent to, directly above or below an electrical receptacle, switch, appliance, device or other ignition source. The space between the dispenser and the floor shall remain clear and unobstructed.
- Dispensers shall be mounted so that the bottom of the dispenser is a minimum of 42 inches and a maximum of 48 inches above the finished floor.
- Dispensers shall not release their contents except when the dispenser is manually
activated. Facilities shall be permitted to install and use automatically activated
“touch free” alcohol-based hand rub dispensing devices with the following requirements:
5a. The facility or persons responsible for the dispensers shall test the dispensers each time a new refill is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s care and use instructions.
5b. Dispensers shall be designed and must operate in a manner that ensures accidental or malicious activations of the dispensing device are minimized. At a minimum, all devices subject to or used in accordance with this section shall have the following safety features:
- Any activation of the dispenser shall only occur when an object is placed within 4 inches of the sensing device.
- The dispenser shall not dispense more than the amount required for hand hygiene consistent with label instructions and regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
- An object placed within the activation zone and left in place will cause only one activation.
6. Storage and use of ABHR’s shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
7. Dispensers installed over carpeted floors shall only be allowed in areas equipped with a fire sprinkler system.
ABHR’s installed in corridors shall be in accordance with the following:
- The maximum capacity of each dispenser shall be 41 ounces.
- The maximum quantity allowed in a corridor per floor shall be 10 gallons.
- The minimum corridor width shall be 72 inches.
Any questions regarding the placement or storage of ABHRs can be directed to the WSU Fire Safety Office at 978-5803 or 978-5531.
Respondus LockDown browser now available for Chromebook
Respondus LockDown browser is now available to students using Chromebook as a beta test for Wichita State and a few other universities. If you are a professor who uses LockDown browser on your Blackboard tests and quizzes, you will need to turn this feature on for your students before it can be used. To get that done, please follow these steps:
- Go to the LockDown Browser Dashboard within Blackboard Learn
- Select “Require Respondus LockDown Browser for this exam”
- Expand “Advanced Settings” and select “Allow students to use LockDown Browser for Chromebook (beta)”
- Save the exam settings for LockDown Browser
Your students will also need to follow certain steps. Please share this information with them:
- Log in to the Chromebook and start Google Chrome
- Go to the download link for LockDown Browser; you will automatically be redirected to the Chrome Web Store.
- From the Chrome Web Store, select “Add to Chrome” to install the LockDown Browser Extension
- Log in to Blackboard Learn and navigate to the exam that requires LockDown Browser
- The LockDown Browser extension will be started automatically when an assessment requires it
- Note: During the beta, this extension will only work with assessments an instructor has enabled for use with LockDown Browser for Chromebook.
Wichita State director started as first-gen, limited-income student
Linda Rhone
When Dr. Linda Rhone walked across the Wichita State University campus as a freshman in the 1970s, she had no idea that she would one day add a Ph.D. to the end of her name and serve the university as director of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS).
She credits her success to the very program she serves.
“Quite frankly, I was a product of the program myself. I was a limited-income, first-generation college student,” Rhone said. “I would have never thought I would have achieved a doctorate in education. This program threw me a lifeline. My life has come full circle, and this has been a blessing to me.”
Rhone works with 250 first-generation, limited-income students per year through her role as director of TRIO Student Support Services at Wichita State.
Parking lot will be closed to all traffic Nov. 11-13
Parking lot 8, the small administration lot behind Morrison Hall, is scheduled for repairs Wednesday, Nov. 11 to Friday, Nov. 13, and will be closed to all traffic. Parking Services will temporarily cone off stalls for you and others in lot 16N west of Duerksen Fine Arts Center for those three days.
If another lot would work better for you or if you will not need a temporary spot, just let Laura Ryman know at laura.ryman@wichita.edu.
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.
Receive sales tax guidance for your small business
No-cost State Tax Workshops are available to small business owners. Carl York, a tax advocate, will answer all your sales tax questions.
Register at www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops
State Tax Webinar for Construction Contractors
10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 5
Carl York with the Kansas Department of Revenue will focus on sales tax issues for construction contractors and subcontractors, including those who provide services like plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, HVAC, and landscaping. Learn about applying sales tax to materials and labor, Project Exemption Certificates, tax returns, billing, and more.
State Tax Webinar
1-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Before, during, and after the Covid-19 outbreak, we still need to pay taxes! Join Carl York from the Kansas Department of Revenue to learn what you need to know and get answers to your questions in this free webinar. Topics include sales and compensating use taxes, tax forms and how to file them, estimated taxes, and recordkeeping.
Facemasks now available for purchase at the Heskett Center
Facemasks are now available for purchase at the Heskett Center. We have these two designs available. For more information, visit the Guest Services desk at the Heskett Center or call 316-978-3082.
Join us for our upcoming Real Talk! Debriefing the 2020 Elections
Upcoming Topic: Debriefing the 2020 Elections
Engage in meaningful dialogues around various topics that impact identity, diversity, inclusion, equity and society. We welcome you to lean into discomfort and join in on the discussion.
We will host multiple sessions on the following dates:
Session 3: 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 4: Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 5: 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 6: 8-9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Session 7: 1-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Session 8: 9-10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9
Register for any of these sessions at wichita.edu/odievents!
Real Talk – Intersection Dialogues
Event listing: Part three
This month is full of fun for everyone! Join us for events like Virtual Drag Show, Catalyst, Wichita Clean Streams, Five Days of DIYs and more. Be sure to check out our event listing for all our upcoming programs.
Friday's ISME Colloquium features Dr. Ruben Favela from Textron Aviation
Ruben Favela
Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering invites you to an IME Colloquium presentation by Dr. Ruben Favela, senior manager, advanced design and industrial engineering at Textron Aviation. The title of the presentation will be “Digital Factory and Intelligent Scheduling in Aerospace Industry,” and will be held from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 6, via Zoom.
Abstract
Breakthrough to evolve production systems through Industry 4.0 principles and lean engineering to dramatically increase delivery and quality. Automated digitally linked business in real time to monitor quality and delivery to connect every work-station to ultimately make decisions without human touch in a 100% labor intensive environment in aerospace industry. Material availability and on-time delivery improved in 50%, scrap reduced in 25% and $1.9M of annual recurrent savings.
Dr. Ruben Favela is the Sr. Manger of Advanced Design and Industrial Engineering in Textron Aviation. Textron Aviation produces and sells Cessna and Beechcraft aircrafts in Wichita. He has worked for Textron Aviation for eight years, leading innovations, engineering changes, introduction of new products and increasing business capabilities and capacities.
He earned his Ph.D. in Innovation Design in 2017, Masters in Product Design in 2011 and bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering in 2007. He began his career at Honeywell Aerospace in 2007 and Automotive Industry in 2011.
He is certified by APICS CPIM, Blackbelt By Honeywell and ASQ, GD&T, Master Lean manufacturing by Delphi Powertrain, TRIZ “Theory of Inventive Problem Solving” by Oxford Creativity University, Excellence model by Shingo Enterprise and Advanced Problem Solving by Shaining RedX. Ruben has accomplished four times the finalist for Chairman award in Textron Aviation, Best Six sigma project, Best Manufacturing Plant of North America by Industry Week magazine [hold full responsibility] and best project for PhD implementing in 2015 “Virtual Reality introduction in aerospace business.”
Some specific applications Ruben has worked in Automotive Industry as problem solver for process and design though reliability and accelerated life testing based on Ford, GM, Chrysler, Hyundai, Harley Davidson, Mazda, Aston Martin, Mercedes-Benz and BMW standards. He is specialized on the design and deployment of Lean Operations, Business Analytics and Work systems.
Students learn more about STEM with ‘Expanding Your Horizons’
Join us this Saturday, Nov. 7 for the virtual ”Expanding Your Horizons” mini conference! This annual event is used to introduce middle school girls to various STEM areas and careers. Saturday will include several livestreamed discussion panels and activities, which will be free and open to everyone -- no registration required.
More information, including a schedule of events, can be found at Wichita Expanding Your Horizons.
November HealthQuest upcoming events
Employees enrolled in 2020 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and HSA/HRA rewards dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year!
In June, the Health Care Commission (HCC) voted to reduce the number of HealthQuest credits required to receive the 2021 premium incentive discount. The credit requirement was reduced from 40 points to 20 points, due to the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19.
In addition, the HSA/HRA Dollars awarded for each HealthQuest credit completed has been increased from $10 to $20 per credit, up to the maximum of $500 per member. This change applies only to the 2020 plan year and is retroactive for credits earned since Jan. 1.
In November, there are two events currently scheduled, worth up to 5 points total. There are also a variety of on-demand or online options with up to 46 points available.
- 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, “Gratitude: A Skill for Happier Living” EAP webinar. Register online. (1 point)
- Heskett Center members who attend 40 fitness classes between Aug. 17-Nov. 25 will earn 4 points.
Now is good time to take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.
- Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (max 1 health coaching per day, 1 point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
- Learning Modules: You can earn up to 5 points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are 18 different topics to choose from.
- EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to 8 points (max 1 point per day) by completing EAP On-Demand trainings and webinars that you can access through the HealthQuest portal. There are 32 different topics to choose from.
- HealthQuest Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 5 points by completing this four-week learning module.
- Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 points for completing this assessment.
- 2020 HealthQuest Program Overview Video & Quiz: You can earn 3 points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
We’ll publish upcoming events each month, but if you’d like to plan in advance, check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events .
Remember the deadline to earn points towards HSA/HRA Reward Dollars is Nov. 18, and the deadline to earn points towards your 2021 Premium Discount is Dec. 31.
Watch the distinguished program of achievement for our veterans
KPTS-Channel 8 is hosting its premier Veterans Coming Home Salute on-air program at 8 p.m. today (Thursday, Nov. 5) to honor local veterans who have demonstrated outstanding service to their country, fellow veterans, and their community. The program will broadcast again at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 and 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.
With our Distinguished Veterans Coming Home Awards, KPTS will honor local heroes in the categories of Citizenship, Service, and Business.
Only one veteran will take home the treasured Senator Robert J. Dole Distinguished Service Award.
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.
Student Organization advisors needed
We are in search of full-time faculty and staff who are interested in serving as an advisor for student organizations here on campus.
A little about our community of Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) here on campus -- there are 300 student organizations ranging anywhere from academic to political to special interest to cultural / international. With more than 5,000 students participating, if you are interested in this role or want more information, please reach out to Maggi Hole at student.orgs@wichita.edu.
Join us in stocking the Shocker Support Locker
UP and USS Senates have once again challenged Faculty Senate to a friendly contest to “Stock the Shocker Support Locker.” All staff and faculty are invited to participate in this important effort to ensure our students and colleagues in Shocker Nation have a full pantry of food and supplies to choose from at the Shocker Support Locker.
Please consider donating virtually to contribute to items on the locker’s wish list. If you would like to purchase items to donate, the SGA Office (RSC 2nd floor) will serve as the drop off location on campus. Be sure to identify your items with a “STAFF” or "FACULTY" sticker at the drop box so that your items count toward the appropriate tallies.
See the wish list and learn how to donate here.
The American Red Cross Club of Wichita State is hosting an upcoming blood drive!
Red Cross blood donors have the opportunity to help patients fighting COVID-19! If your regular donation tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies, plasma from that donation may now help coronavirus patients in need of plasma transfusions.
*Free COVID-19 antibody testing with blood donation!
Wichita State University Blood Drive: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Heskett Center lobby
To schedule your life-saving appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org; Sponsor Code: Wichita State or Call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Applied Learning Highlight of the Week - Luan Nguyen
Congratulations to computer science major Luan Nguyen on your IT Technician Internship with Augusta Schools USD 402 – awesome experience for your future career! Check out and share his social media posts below:
First-generation student overcomes hurdles to succeed
Jessica Gulaskey likes a challenge.
“I believe that pushing myself academically is going to make me feel more fulfilled in life,” said Jessica, a senior in biology at Wichita State University.
Jessica, who plans to eventually attend optometry school, is one of thousands of first-generation students at Wichita State. The Wichita native will be taking over the university’s Instagram account on Thursday, Nov. 5, to share her experiences as a first-gen student.
Jessica has had her share of hurdles navigating the ins and outs of campus life.