The ARC is back for a limited time
Like the mythical city of Brigadoon, the ARC is back again for a limited time next week. Come join some of our regular trainers and some brand new ones as we explore all kinds of new and traditional topics.
There will be Panopto and Blackboard training, of course, but we are also adding a session in using your iPad and Apple Pencil for teaching and grading, we will talk about "action research" in your classroom, and even tackle (very!) simple statistics for use in classroom research. But wait, there's more!
We have several sessions associated with the ARC Big Read for 2021, we have a new set of "lightning round" sessions with several topics covered in a short time, and we will also have daily Linkedin Learning challenges for those of you who would rather learn on a more flexible schedule. We also have some great partnership trainings with professors around the campus and with the good folks at CAPS.
Want to learn more about what's on offer? Of course you do! Visit our website for the schedule and for Zoom links for most sessions.
Disposable stethoscope emerges from Wichita State's COVID relief efforts
A Wichita State University-based program aimed at aiding frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 has resulted in the formation of a new Wichita startup company and a premium disposable stethoscope.
The Single Patient Stethoscope™ from Ad Astra Medical Devices, LLC, boasts a sturdy, lightweight design engineered for maximum performance in today’s demanding medical environments. Marketed as the Ad Astra MD Gen2, the stethoscope provides high acoustic quality at a budget that allows for single-patient use.
WSU senates invite you to take part in Spirit Friday
Fridays are all about Wu! Starting in January, show off your Shocker pride every Friday, and wear your favorite Wichita State attire. Even if you’re working from home, a Zoom meeting with a collage of yellow-and-black-clad coworkers is the perfect way to end the week.
Faculty nominations sought for president's distinguished service award
Do you know a faculty member who is deeply engaged in service? Do you know A faculty member who exemplifies any of the following?
- Distinguished service to the university
- Distinguished service to the community
- Notable outreach efforts and/or forging of connections between WSU and the community.
- Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service
Consider nominating them for the Presidential Service Award. Please send your nominations to leeann.birdwell@wichita.edu. Complete a nomination form and attach a CV that includes the nominee’s service activities. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for nomination. The deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 24.
‘Solving for X’ seeks participants who will share their unique stories
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
Share your unique stories of home and be a part of this research visualization, a collaboration between the Ulrich Museum and the Departments of Dance and Sociology. “Sharing Matrilineal Memories at WSU,” the fourth exhibition in the "Solving for X = Identity" series, is participatory, focused on collecting memories of home for WSU students, faculty and staff.
Please follow the link to the Google Form to submit photos, as well as your responses to the following questions: 1) What do you remember about your mother’s home? 2) What do you remember about your grandmother’s home?
All submitted stories and images will be included in this Solving for X exhibition and on display in the Ulrich’s Grafly Gallery from Jan. 21-May 8, 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact Cheyla Clawson at cheyla.clawson@wichita.edu or call 316-979-3378 or Twyla Hill at twyla.hill@wichita.edu or 316-978-7151.
Enroll in community education classes
Community Education is offering many new courses this spring semester. Certain courses are available in person while others will be online. Due to COVID-19 concerns, adjustments have been made to content delivery to ensure students' safety and comfort level in participating in these classes. In-person class capacity will be limited to the current state and local guidelines on gatherings and social distancing and in person registrations will be accepted on a first come basis.
Categories offered in the spring semester include:
- Arts and Crafts
- Business and Finance
- Career and Technology
- Culinary
- History and Current Events
- Home and DIY
- Languages and Literatures
- Recreation, Fitness and Health
To view the complete catalog of offerings visit wichita.edu/communityeducation. For more information, call 316-978-3731.
Road construction update
Road repairs will be moving from Wu-Shock Drive to Perimeter Road, starting by the Heskett tennis courts and continuing east past the YMCA building. All roads will remain open to traffic in both directions. Work will be completed prior to classes resuming in February.
Save the date: Hanover Research Faculty Workshop and Consultations on Jan. 22
Wichita State University is partnering with Hanover Research to provide faculty with webinars and consultations designed to increase your grant-writing success and research competitiveness.
Good vs Fundable Proposals Webinar, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 22.
This training will explore the difference between a good project and a fundable one, with particular emphasis on how to speak to funders’ expectations around innovation. A panel of grant consultants from a range of backgrounds will follow.
Faculty Consultations, Friday, Jan. 22
If you registered and attended one or more of the Hanover webinars on Oct. 30 or Jan. 22, 2021, you will have a chance to receive a one-on-one consultation with a grant consultant expert from Hanover Research, who specializes in your area of research. Only eight slots are available and faculty (or groups of faculty with similar interests); must provide a white paper in advance of the Faculty Consultation to be considered for this opportunity.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to register for either of these Hanover Workshops.
Register for Introduction to Office of Research webinar
Join Fran Cook of the WSU Office of Research for a one-hour Zoom workshop, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 13, from. Topics will include research office resources and contacts; finding funding; project budgeting; and grant-writing tips, with time for questions and answers.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to receive login information.
RSVP for virtual Strategic Communications seminar
The fifth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for WSU faculty and staff will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan. 21, virtually on Zoom. Attendees may choose three of six sessions. This year's seminar will focus on the 125 years of education and innovation campaign. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts.
Enjoy a free, Shocker-produced documentary today
You're invited to the first public screening of the Shocker-produced mini-documentary "Welcome Home, Wichita," which tells the story of the emergence and growth of local pride in our city over the past several years.
The screening will be held at the Starlite Drive-In at 7 p.m. today (Friday, Jan. 8). Admission to the event is free, and was produced by Wichita State grads Julian Liby, Caitlyn Fowler, and Connor Freund.
Attend the Shocker Volleyball Virtual FanFest
The Wichita State volleyball team invites you to attend the first-ever Shocker Volleyball Virtual FanFest, presented by Cox. The free event will be held via Zoom at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. The call will feature Head Coach Chris Lamb and select players, to be announced at a later date.
Topics include a preview of the upcoming season’s schedule, how the team has continued to deal with the obstacles associated with COVID-19, and more. Fans will also have the opportunity to have their own questions answered on the call.
Register by submitting your email and questions for the team here
60-day termination timeline
Wichita State University made a change in how it processes terminations for non-benefit eligible employees (i.e. students, graduate assistants, lecturers, and temporary employees) beginning April 1, 2020. For employees with no active job (because of a “Position Only Termination ePAF” or an end date on their hire ePAF) for a continuous time frame of 60 days, their employment status automatically terminates in Banner. This change was implemented to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to university systems, data, and buildings by individuals who may not return to an active employment status.
If it is known that an individual will be re-engaged for active employment, but it will be greater than 60 days, the department should submit a future dated electronic Personnel Action Form (ePAF). This ePAF must be submitted and fully approved before the 60 days of inactivity expires. If an employee has been terminated after 60 days with no active position, they will not have access to WSU systems (including WSU email, MyWSU, and Blackboard). If the individual needs to be rehired, the regular hiring and on-boarding process will take place.
By completing the future dated ePAF process before the 60 days of inactivity expires, the employee will not need to go through the hiring and on-boarding process. ePAF Originators can review employees with an upcoming termination date using the Reporting Services report: HR – EPAF Reports>ORIG00240 – Employee Termination in Next 30 Days.
Supervisors will receive an email once a non-benefit eligible employee (Lecturer, Temp, Student or Grad Employee) has no active job; if it is known that the employee needs to retain access to WSU systems because they will return to work at a known future date, an ePAF must to be submitted at that time to avoid the need for the hiring and on-boarding process, and to maintain access to the system. Supervisors will receive a final reminder 15 days before the full termination process is completed if no ePAF has been submitted.
TIAA virtual retirement consultations available
TIAA financial consultant Jeremy Kohn has virtual retirement plan consultation times for the WSU community open and available. He can help you confirm that you are on track for retirement and provide specific recommendations for how to invest your TIAA funds. Check the schedule here, and email jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org with questions.
January HealthQuest upcoming events
Employees enrolled in 2021 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 January, there are two events scheduled worth up to 38 points.
- Through Jan. 15, registration is open for the first Naturally Slim class of 2021. Apply online.
- Jan. 19, on-campus Biometric Screening in 266 RSC (Pike Room). Schedule your appointment
today in the HealthQuest portal or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (Up to 23 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.
- 2021 HealthQuest Program Overview Video & Quiz: You can earn 3 points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
We’ll be publishing upcoming events each month, but if you’d like to plan in advance, check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events.
Access the HealthQuest portal.
Classroom Technology Training Schedule for spring 2021
Classrooms across campus are equipped with uniform technology and media equipment. Access is available to faculty and staff with consistent keys for most classrooms that are issued during a short training session. We encourage you to bring your personal laptop to test in the room during training. If there are additional needs or questions, please call 978-3588.
Faculty are encouraged to verify that their assigned rooms have the technology they need prior to the start of the semester.
Spring 2021 Classroom Technology Training Schedule
Toner replenishment program update
The toner replenishment program is now fully in place. All printers with a DEX MPS tag on the printer will receive an auto-replenishment of toner when your printer gets down to 30% toner life. If your printer was below 30% when the program went into effect, it will not auto-replenish. If this is the case for your printer, please call the phone number on the tag and tell the operator that you need toner; this will be a one-time process, all future orders will be automatic.
The operator will need the Equipment ID # on the label. The program also covers service and parts such as drum kits, fuser kits and toner collection units. When your printer notifies you that you need one of these parts, call the number on the label and order the part. At the end of each monthly cycle, you will receive an invoice from Central Services detailing your toner use for the month. You are only billed for toner use, nothing else. The detailed usage and rate per printer will give you the data you need to determine which printers should be replaced or taken out of service.
Please contact Ellen Abbey if you have any questions regarding this program or if you need assistance in ordering supplies: ellen.abbey@wichita.edu