Plan With Ease Communication to Employees
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) uses Plan With Ease (PWE) to administer all withdrawals or rollovers from the KBOR Mandatory and Voluntary 403(b) retirement accounts. All employees who are enrolled in the mandatory or voluntary 403(b) have a PWE account, though generally employees do not use this account until after they separate employment or retire to gain access to their retirement funds. PWE recently decided to strengthen the security of the login information used to access this account.
Employees may have already received or will soon be receiving a letter in the mail about their login information for the PWE site. You can find additional information on how Plan With Ease works with the KBOR accounts along with contact information for PWE here.
Health Professions faculty and staff - Sign up for IRB and Data Security Workshop
WSU Office of Research Workshop: Institutional Review Board Overview and Data Security: Dec. 4, 2020 and Dec. 8, 2020
Register to attend the virtual WSU Office of Research Workshop: Institutional Review Board Overview and Data Security.
Linda Steinacher, IRB/IACUC administrator, will discuss the process of applying to the WSU Institutional Review Board for research involving human subjects.
Misha Jacob-Warren, Deputy General Counsel, will discuss the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its relevance to university researchers.
Finally, Mark Rodee, Chief Information Security Officer, will discuss data security with regard to sensitive data such as personally- identifying information, controlled unclassified information, and research data in general.
This workshop is recommended especially for those in health professions and those whose research involves working with human subjects or sensitive data. Two sessions will be offered: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, or 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 8,
Please sign up through myTraining or by emailing proposals@wichita.edu.
Interim Wichita State basketball coach Isaac Brown prepared for this moment
Isaac Brown's first days as Wichita State interim men's basketball coach moved fast as he prepared the Shockers for the opening of the season.
On Thursday, Brown’s day in the office started around 8:30 a.m. He worked out of the conference room in the basketball suite, which gave him plenty of space to socially distance. He worked on his computer, breaking down practice video and preparing for a busy day. He met with interim president Rick Muma. He did a photo shoot to update his portrait for the media guide and goshockers.com. He did an interview with the local media and prepared for more on Friday.
Brown, 51, came to Wichita State as an assistant coach in June 2014. During his seven seasons at Wichita State, Brown added to his reputation as a player’s coach and an even-keeled professional trusted with big-game scouting reports.
Brown never chased the spotlight. He worked to support those who were out in front.
Pictured above: Wichita State men's interim basketball coach Isaac Brown works with senior Trey Wade during a recent practice.
Support our recent WSU graduates and vote 'CYFIVE'
These recent WSU graduates need your vote to advance to the finals of the global (or international) Xprize Next Generation Facemask Challenge.
Vote “CyFive” now through Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the bottom of Xprize.org/masksurvey.
University Libraries schedule through the holiday season
University Libraries will have the following hours through holiday break:
Thanksgiving Break hours at Ablah Library
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday - Sunday, Nov. 25-- 29 CLOSED
End of term hours at Ablah Library (Nov. 30 – Dec. 13)
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday CLOSED
Winter Intersession hours at Ablah Library (Dec. 14-20)
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday CLOSED
Please note that hours are subject to change. Stay up to date with library hours and policies at libraries.wichita.edu/covid19.
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
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.
Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program is requesting proposals for a Seed Research Initiation Grant opportunity
A jurisdiction of the NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program, the Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program (KNEP) is managed through the NASA in Kansas office. The goal of NASA EPSCoR is to provide seed funding that will enable jurisdictions to develop an academic research enterprise directed toward long-term, self-sustaining, nationally competitive capabilities in aerospace and aerospace-related research. This capability will, in turn, contribute to the jurisdiction’s economic viability and expand the nation’s base for aerospace research and development.
The Partnership Development Grant (PDG) opportunity recipient is expected to initiate, develop, and formalize a meaningful professional relationship with a NASA researcher. Given this expectation, it is vital investigators and students travel to a NASA center if selected for an award.
Annual Christmas Organ Concert is today
Please join us for the Wednesdays in Wiedemann Annual Christmas Organ Concert at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, on the great Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall.
Two guest student organists and a lovely soprano, also a student at WSU, will perform. We will have carol-singing by the audience, and as usual, one favorite, and lively, joyful works performed on the organ by Lynne Davis, Robert L. Town Distinguished Professor of Organ.
Free admission. You may attend in person (social distancing and masks required) or watch the live stream on the WSU School of Music Facebook page.
New F45 class schedule starts on Nov. 30
The Heskett Center's interim fitness schedule will start on Monday, Nov. 30. We will offer one F45 class at noon and another one at 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 18. Download the FitDegree app to check class availability and to reserve your spot.
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.
Admissions staff thankfulness bags
As Thanksgiving approaches, several admissions staff members invited the rest of the team to participate in an activity to show the appreciation we have for one another. The “wall of gratitude” is on display in the office where staff members can write notes of encouragement to others.
If the last nine months have taught us anything, it's that we are blessed with a hardworking and dedicated team who love recruiting future Shockers, and for that - we are truly thankful.
Black Friday at the Shocker Store in Braeburn Square
Come shop for Shocker gear on Black Friday Nov. 27! That day, enjoy buy one, get one half-off Shocker gear at the Shocker Store Braeburn Square location. Store hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. for Black Friday. Sale is not valid with other discounts or promotions and some exclusions apply. Happy shopping, Shockers!
Free WSU Bear with $75 purchase at the Shocker Store
Starting Friday, Nov. 27, get a free WSU Bear from the Shocker Store! Spend $75 in store at our RSC or Braeburn Square locations, or online at shockerstore.com and get a cuddly, Shocker friend (while supplies last). Limit one bear per customer, per visit. Merchandise sub-total must be $75 or greater.
RSC closed for Thanksgiving break
The Rhatigan Student Center and its departments will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 29 for the Thanksgiving break.
Distinguished Scholarship Invitational mailing
The Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI) was moved to a completely virtual capacity a few weeks ago. All student applications are currently being reviewed by Wichita State faculty and staff, and students will hear by Dec. 4, if they have moved on in the competition.
If DSI had been held on campus, students would have received a custom Wichita State DSI shirt for attending. The admissions team, along with Student Ambassadors and students from the Student Outreach Team, spent time last week stuffing T-shirts and writing personalized postcards to all DSI participants wishing them well in the remainder of the competition.
DSI students should receive their shirt and postcard this week.
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.
Shocker Street Speak: National Institute for Aviation Research
The latest Shocker Street Speak is an in-depth walk-through of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). Engineering majors Brandon Eckerman and Lia Savage speak with professionals and graduate students in several NIAR labs on campus to learn more about how current Wichita State students can gain access to applied learning experiences and more about the equipment available.
Prospective students in engineering will receive this episode of Shocker Street Speak via email, and all students will soon have access to view it on the Future Shocker YouTube channel.
Special thanks to Tracee Friess for her assistance setting up interviews and tours!
To view more videos in the Shocker Street Speak series, click here.
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.
Meet a Shocker: Kylie Cameron
Kylie Cameron chose to attend Wichita State after learning about the abundance of opportunities offered. While pursuing degrees in journalism and political science, Kylie was involved in The Sunflower student newspaper and the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College.
Kylie is one of more than 1,200 students eligible for fall 2020 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State, and read some advice she has for current students.