WSU Today: Friday, Jan. 22, 2021

Recent KBOR policy changes in response to COVID-19 budget challenges 

Dear colleagues,

As you may have heard, at this week’s Kansas Board of Regents meeting, the board approved a new policy that provided an optional procedure for universities to use to suspend, terminate or dismiss employees in light of the budget constraints caused by the current pandemic and economic climate. 
  
Wichita State University does not intend to invoke this policy and utilize this alternate procedure for suspensions, terminations or dismissals of its employees.  
 
Although we are not immune to the budget challenges that our Kansas institutions are facing, we have worked hard over the past year, collaborating with faculty, staff and students to identify approaches to close budgetary gaps. These measures have included implementing an early retirement program, pursuing strategic spending cuts, implementing hiring freezes, increasing oversight of and reducing purchases, and enhancing our strategic enrollment management plans to grow enrollment and revenue.

We plan to continue working together on many of these measures going forward and will also work to identify other strategic cost-saving measures.  

Sincerely, 
Rick Muma and Shirley Lefever 

Town Hall for Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students

Dr. Rick Muma, interim president, and Dr. Shirley Lefever, interim executive vice president and provost, are hosting a town hall for Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, via Zoom. Please join us and feel free to ask questions or provide insight on issues important to you.

Zoom information:
Meeting ID: 943 5976 9484
Passcode: 351797

Expert subject librarians are available to help with virtual instruction

As the semester start approaches, a reminder that our expert subject librarians are available to assist with virtual instruction. Reach out any time at libraries.wichita.edu/subjectlibrarians or live chat with us on weekdays on the University Libraries homepage libraries.wichita.edu.

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.

Faculty Awards

Congratulations to the 2021 Drum Major Award recipient

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion would like to congratulate Dr. Selena Jackson on receiving the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award. The award is presented to a Wichita State administrator, faculty, staff or student who seeks greatness, but does so through service and love. This award is presented annually by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion during the on-campus Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration.

Learn more about the Drum Major Award

Wichita State Filmmaking Department wins festival award

The Wichita State University Filmmaking Department's newest movie, "Flash Bang," has won Best Thriller in the Alternative Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.

Flash Bang is the story of a young woman on the quest for an illusive file labeled "Savannah," which has produced in her life-changing delusions. The script was penned by Dr. Bret Jones, director of filmmaking at WSU.

"It's great to be a part of a filmmaking project that is produced by the students," Jones said. "The crew was made up of WSU Filmmakers and the actors were from the Theatre Department on campus."
Principle shooting was completed last year, with an original score contributed by a WSU Audio Production major.

"What makes producing these films rewarding is watching students from different programs coming together to make a movie," Jones said. "It's all about collaboration."

Watch the film

Welcomefest: Submit your events now

Welcomefest takes place during the beginning of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Spring 2021 Welcomefest takes place from Feb. 1-28.

You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including an online guidebook, web listing and more. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is 5 p.m. today.

To register your event, please visit wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions, please contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.

Call for presentations; save the date for virtual Gender & Sexuality in Kansas Conference

The call for presentations for the 8th Annual interdisciplinary Gender & Sexuality in Kansas Conference (to be held virtually Friday, March 12) is now open. More information and the CFP link is available at wichita.edu/genderconference.

Students, faculty, staff and other interested scholars from any discipline should submit a 200-300 word summary of your proposed presentation including topic/research questions, methodology and a summary of findings or main themes to be addressed in the presentation. Presenters may consist of individuals or groups. All submissions should consist of original research or scholarship related to gender and/or sexuality.

Auto Service position open to WSU employees only

The Auto Service Department is looking for an Auto Shop Specialist. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, Jan. 26. To apply, go to Internal Postings and follow the directions there. For questions or assistance, contact the Talent Acquisition Team at 978-3065 or emailing employment@wichita.edu.

Sign up to attend Research Workshop on NIH R15 Grants Program

WSU Office of Research Workshop: NIH R15: 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 27

Please join the Office of Research at a virtual webinar to hear from WSU researcher experts who will discuss the National Institutes of Health’s R15 funding mechanism and applying to NIH overall. The R15 is now known as a Research Enhancement Award. WSU is eligible to receive Research Enhancement Awards, which support small-scale research projects at institutions that have not received major NIH support.

NIH R15 funding goals include: 1) supporting meritorious research, 2) exposing students to research and 3) strengthening the research environment of the institution. Dr. Moriah Beck, associate professor of chemistry, will discuss her experience in receiving an NIH R15 award at WSU, and her service as a reviewer on three NIH review panels. Dr. George Bousfield, Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, will discuss his research success, having received large multi-year, and multi-project PO1 (Research Program Project Grant) grants from NIH. Email proposals@wichita.edu or register through MyTraining.

Tell your students to apply for Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol by Jan. 24

The Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event is an opportunity for students to present their research experiences virtually to state lawmakers, Board of Regents members, and the WSU community on March 2, 3, and 4.

Up to 40 students participate each year representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions. Projects from a broad range of disciplines are encouraged -- especially those that relate to the state of Kansas and issues important to the State Legislature (e.g. education, health, agriculture, aviation, biotechnology, energy, transportation, manufacturing, environment, and social services).

Up to five projects will be selected from each institution, and students working on the same research project are encouraged to apply as a group. Apply by Jan. 24.

Get more information

Encourage students to apply for Senior Honors by Feb. 19

Do you know a senior student who embodies the Shocker spirit? This highly competitive honor is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, involvement at WSU and service to WSU and the surrounding community. The Senior Honor is one of the most prestigious honors a Wichita State University student can receive, with only 10 students selected each year. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19. Students can apply today at wichita.edu/SeniorHonors.

Student Involvement's NEWSIE is back beginning Jan. 25

Student Involvement has a semester full of fun planned. Subscribe to the free, weekly newsletter and stay up to date on news and upcoming events. For more details and to subscribe, visit wichita.edu/newsie.

Nominate a student for Shocker Pathway Student of the Year

In March 2021, the Office of Adult Learning will host the second annual Adult Learner of the Year awards ceremony. In addition to other awards, will honor a Shocker Pathway Student of the Year (SPSY). Adult Learning is calling on the WSU community to help find a Shocker Pathway Student either at Wichita State or WSU Tech deserving of the title.

The deadline to nominate a Shocker Pathway Student of the Year is Friday, Jan. 29.

Ask your sales tax questions worry-free

The Kansas SBDC presents the following no-cost webinars for small businesses. Register at www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.

State Tax Webinar for Construction Contractors
Carl York with the Kansas Department of Revenue will focus on sales tax issues for construction contractors and subcontractors, including those who provide services such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, HVAC, and landscaping. Learn about applying sales tax to materials and labor, Project Exemption Certificates, tax returns, billing, and more.
10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Jan. 27

State Tax Webinar
Carl York with the Kansas Department of Revenue will give you the basics in this free webinar. Topics include sales and compensating use taxes, tax forms and how to file them, estimated taxes, and recordkeeping.
1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27