Thanksgiving Holiday Box Lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 24; RSVP by Nov. 18
Interim President Rick Muma and the executive team cordially invite you to a grab-and-go box lunch from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24. Please wear your face covering and respect social distancing. Please select your meal choice by Wednesday, Nov. 18, along with the location you will pick up your meal, by going to the RSVP link.
Guidelines for staying safe when decorating offices, rooms this holiday season
Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when faculty, staff and students gather for holiday parties and decorate their offices or rooms. Decorating is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit, but fires and injuries caused by improper use of electrical decorations, such as lights or the use of candles or other open flame items, injure or kill many people each year. Take some basic precautions to ensure we all remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.
Decorations of all types shall be either non-combustible or adequately treated to render them fire resistant. Decorations are allowed 14 calendar days before the holiday or event. All decorations are expected to be removed no later than seven calendar days after the holiday or event. Artificial wrapped presents kept on the floor are limited to lobby areas. Keep wrapping paper on artwork to a minimum (i.e., less than 10% of the wall). The use of trees or wreaths shall be restricted to artificial types containing a UL or FM tag or seal indicating satisfactory fire resistance. No live or cut trees or wreaths are allowed. Do not use strings of lights on metal trees.
Streamers, garlands, lights and other decorations shall not run along or across halls, obstruct or restrict aisles, passageways, or corridors; be hung from smoke detectors or sprinkler heads or obstruct exits signs, fire extinguishers or other fire equipment. Holiday lighting strings must be double insulated or grounded and have an approval rating from either UL or FM. A maximum of three strands may be connected together. No extension cords shall be used to light strings of lights, only a circuit breaker protected power strip shall be used.
- Decorations may not be attached to doors, walls, or painted surfaces by any methods which would damage the surface or leave behind adhesive residue (i.e., low adhesive masking tape is preferred). Any costs associated with damage caused by installation or removal of decorative materials will be the responsibility of the department.
- Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following list:
- Latex balloons, silly-string, bubbles, glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed.
- Fireworks (including sparklers) or weapons of any kind.
- Live animals (except for those assisting individuals with disabilities).
- Any item with an open flame, such as candles or incense.
- Decorative materials may not be placed on fire doors, smoke doors, light fixtures, electrical equipment, electrical outlets, circuit breaker panels, etc.
- Cut trees, tree branches, pinecones, wreaths, mistletoe, and live potted plants. Artificial trees, wreaths, and other seasonal decorations must be fire/flame-retardant. It is the department’s responsibility to save packaging material as proof to the fire marshal that decorative materials have received flame-retardant treatment.
The following list of materials may not be used for decorations under any circumstances because they are inherently combustible or cannot be flame proofed:
- Bamboo
- Cedar Trees or Branches
- Corn Stalks or Shucks
- Cotton or Confetti (loose, in large quantities)
- Dry Moss or Leaves
- Flammable Powders or Liquids
- Hay or Straw (loose or baled)
- Paper Streamers (serpentine)
- Plastic Sheeting or Pellets
- Sawdust
- Tumbleweeds
- Wood Bark or Shavings
If you have questions, please contact the WSU Fire & Safety Office at 978-5803 or 978-5531.
WSU Fire & Safety wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.
Virtual panel series tackles social inequality research in relation to the pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed several types of social inequality already present in American and global societies. In this panel, social scientists will join with subject librarians in a discussion of approaches and research methods used to explore social inequality in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Find full event information from 3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, and a direct link to the virtual Zoom panel, click here.
Attention faculty / staff: Did you study abroad?
Did you study abroad while you were in college?
We are looking for faculty and staff that did study abroad programs during college. We need your help. Hearing more about study abroad experiences from mentors is one great way to encourage more students to study abroad.
If you studied abroad, please help us by completing our faculty / staff study abroad form to share about your experiences. We would love to have good representation across campus in the various colleges and departments to showcase and highlight faculty and staff who did study abroad programs.
Please submit your form by Nov. 15.
Questions? Email ann.burger@wichita.edu
Wichita State researchers address health disparities, obesity
A team of researchers at Wichita State University is working to promote health equity among vulnerable populations. The all-woman, cross-disciplinary team is focusing its initial efforts on issues related to obesity among underrepresented groups.
This project is one of four awardees of Wichita State University’s Convergence Sciences Initiative, which is an effort to bring together the intellectual curiosity and strengths of faculty and students from a range of disciplines and give them the support to develop research programs that drive the diversity and growth of the Kansas economy while addressing global challenges. Winners of the Convergence Sciences awards will be given $300,000 over three years.
Pictured above: Dr. Nikki Keene Woods, right, is pictured at the Kansas Public Health Association conference in 2019. Keene Woods is part of a team of women at Wichita State University who are researching health disparities, particularly obesity, as part of the university's Convergence Sciences Initiative.
Help students get career ready
Helping students develop skills inside and outside of the classroom that employers are looking for is important for preparing them for life after graduation. Students should be working on their career ready competencies and strengthening them prior to graduation.
If students are needing professional work experience in their field, they should explore cooperative education and internship opportunities. Students can also create a profile and look for jobs on the online career database, Handshake, on the Shocker Career Accelerator website.
Faculty Senate meeting today
The Faculty Senate meeting will be held via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. today (Monday, Nov 9). The senators have been sent the meeting information.
If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Lee Ann Birdwell for the details.
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.
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.
No-cost entrepreneurship webinars to help your small business succeed
Give yourself and your business the opportunities to succeed with our no-cost small business webinars.
Register at www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops
Startup and Start Right
Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11
This workshop will cover the Small Business Administration's 10 steps to start your business. Learn about licenses and permits, federal and state tax IDs, business structure, funding, marketing, and other essentials.
Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training
1:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17
Federal, state, and local governments spend more than $800 billion per year buying goods and services. This webinar offers an overview of the critical first steps to becoming a government contractor. Learn to identify opportunities, understand the contracting process, and know the services available to help you.
Student Involvement Ambassador nominations
Student Involvement Ambassadors is looking for students who are passionate about getting involved. We are a team dedicated to recruiting new Shockers, connecting current students to opportunities, celebrating campus leaders and sharing our story.
Do you know someone who would excel at communicating the value of involvement to others? Consider nominating an outstanding student to serve as a Student Involvement Ambassador!
Student Involvement Ambassadors
Call for graduate student abstracts for CGRS 2021
Do you have a student working on research that benefits the State of Kansas? Encourage them to submit an abstract to represent Wichita State University at the 18th Annual Capitol Graduate Research Summit (CGRS).
Abstract submission for WSU consideration closes Nov. 20. The Capitol Graduate Research Summit is a research competition and showcase for Kansas Board of Regents universities to raise awareness of graduate students conducting research impacting Kansas and provide an opportunity to share their work with graduate students and faculty from other Kansas universities, the Kansas Legislature, and the general public.
This year’s summit will take place online with video presentations going live on Feb. 18.
Capitol Graduate Research Summit
RBOS Distinguished Guest Artist Isabelle Demers to perform in Wiedemann Hall
Join us either through the live-stream or in person (limited attendance) for the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Distinguished Guest Artist Isabelle Demers, professor of organ and head of the organ department at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Wiedemann Hall.
Her program on the great Marcussen organ is a spectacular mix of old and new with Bach, Beethoven and Louis Vierne, who was born 150 years ago this year.
Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office.
Masks and social distancing respected.
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.
Session 8: 9-10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9
Register at wichita.edu/odievents!
Real Talk – Intersection Dialogues
Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion Tuesday examines 'Last Night at the Lobster'
Looking for a fun distraction? Head over to Watermark Books, pick up your copy of Steward O'Nan's "Last Night at the Lobster," and join the Ulrich Museum for an Ulrich Virtual Stories book discussion at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Delve into a discussion with Beth Golay, host of KMUW’s podcast Marginalia, on this poignant and redemptive story set in the workaday world. The book discussion is free and open to all, but registration is required to get the Zoom link.
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.
Spring 2021 Tuition Assistance deadline approaching
The HR Total Rewards team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for Spring 2021 Tuition Assistance applications is Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Reminder: Tuition Assistance applications for Spring 2021 are submitted through the Online Application Form.
The fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted. Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.
Full program details can be found here.
Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.
King, Tomblin and Utash honored by the Wichita Business Journal
The Wichita Business Journal recently honored Elizabeth King and John Tomblin from Wichita State and Sheree Utash from WSU Tech as 2020 Executives of the Year Awards honoring the C-Suite executives who make their companies grow and thrive. The three were among 27 honorees by the Wichita Business Journal.
Wichita State subject-matter experts were busy helping with election coverage
Last week, The Wichita Eagle published on op-ed co-authored by Wichita State political scientists Neal Allen and Chase Billingham, and Russell Fox of Friends University.
Allen also did a good bit of media around the election: live with KAKE on election night and KWCH Wednesday morning, and a taped interview with KAKE Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, Jeff Jarman from the Elliott School of Communication, did his usual work for KSN-TV 3 on election night, and they taped both Jarman and Allen for a story about presidential vote challenges and recounts. Jarman and Allen also did a joint interview for an Elliott School video production course.
WSU political scientist Alexandra Middlewood and Allen also are going to appear on The Sunflower's podcast about the election this week.
Political scientist Brian Amos was a consultant for Edison on the national exit poll on Election Day.
KMUW Radio is hiring!
KMUW, Wichita's NPR station, is seeking applicants for a full-time Financial Specialist position and Summer 2020 Korva Coleman Diversity in Journalism Internship. Wichita State University does not discriminate in its employment practices, educational programs or activities on the basis of sex, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran. To learn more and apply, please visit KMUW.org/employment.
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.
Free bowling for veterans, active duty military and their families
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes thanks our veterans and active duty military! In honor of Veterans Day, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military in the community and their families, can enjoy free bowling! Must show military ID. Thank you for your service!
New clear bag Gameday Bundle from the Shocker Store
The Shocker Store has a new clear bag Gameday Bundle to help you be compliant with Koch Arena’s new clear bag policy! For $25, you’ll get a clear WuShock bag and six disposable WSU masks. Available now at the RSC and Braeburn Square locations and online at shockerstore.com.
Thanksgiving Massage Special at the Heskett Center
Don’t miss the Thanksgiving Massage Special! While celebrating the spirit of thanksgiving, make sure to also give thanks to your body.
For the month of November, you can schedule a 90-minute massage for only $50. Gift certificates are available for purchase.
For more information, visit the Heskett Center Guest Services desk or call 316-978-3082.
Free tutoring and academic mentoring for diverse Shockers!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is offering free tutoring and academic mentoring!
Our tutors help students develop a deeper understanding of class material and gain successful skills that can improve their overall GPA.
Our academic mentors offer biweekly meetings to help you with academic success skills, such as time management, effective studying and note-taking, test preparation and more!
You can drop in any of the listed times or schedule an appointment. See when we are open, what classes are offered, and how to request appointments at wichita.edu/pass!
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.
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.
Join SHS Director Camille Childers to discuss COVID-19 safety during the holidays
Wondering how to continue fighting the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays? At 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 on Facebook Live, join Student Health's Director Camille Childers, Nurse Heather, and WSU students for a conversation about how to stay safe while traveling for the holidays.
Enroll for an in-person service-learning course in psychology!
The INSPYRE research lab (directed by Dr. Samantha Gregus) is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a 3-hour service-learning course in psychology (PSY 416) for the spring 2021 semester!
Prior to enrolling in PSY 416 (Psychology and Problems of Society) mentors are required to: pass an interview and background check, have reliable transportation, lunch availability from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at least twice a week, and attend class on Mondays from 3:30-6 p.m.
We have a course syllabus, class readings, and paper assignments. Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. We are interested in recruiting mentors from any college and major.
For more information, please contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu ASAP.