Update on Fraudulent Unemployment Claims and 1099-G Forms
The Kansas Department of Labor recently mailed IRS Form 1099-Gs to people who received unemployment benefits in 2020. Every effort has been made to prevent IRS Form 1099-G notices from being sent to identity theft victims. However, due to the record high volume of unemployment claims, it is possible that some identity theft victims may receive a notice.
If a claimant wishes to dispute their IRS Form 1099-G or has erroneously received one due to fraud, the person should do so using the KDOL Self Service Portal, which can be accessed here. The portal can also be reached by visiting UIAssistance.GetKansasBenefits.gov.
If payments made due to identity theft are mistakenly reported on the IRS Form 1099-G in the name of an identity theft victim, KDOL will issue a corrected IRS Form 1099-G reporting $0 to the identity theft victim and file a corrected form with the IRS.
Additionally, there is a designated phone line where claimants can call for more information concerning their IRS Form 1099-G. That number is 785-575-1461 or toll-free at 888-499-0063. The number will be staffed during regular and extended business hours from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. CST, and on Saturday from 8 a.m. CST to 2 p.m. CST.
Provide feedback for WSU presidential search
AGB Search, which is assisting the Kansas Board of Regents with the WSU presidential search, will host three virtual forums to gather feedback from the WSU community. The forums will be held on the below dates and can be joined by using the Zoom meeting ID and passcode provided:
- Noon Wednesday, Feb. 3
- Zoom Meeting ID: 924 0989 7280
- Passcode: 157520 - 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3
- Zoom Meeting ID: 956 4114 5066
• Passcode: 174578 - 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
- Zoom Meeting ID: 934 4896 2342
- Passcode: 438389
If you are unable to join one of these forums, but would still like to give feedback, please reach out to your Senate president listed below. All WSU Senate presidents serve on the search committee. - Faculty Senate President Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn: aleks.sternfeld-dunn@wichita.edu
- UP Senate President Trish Gandu: trish.gandu@wichita.edu
- USS Senate President Randy Sessions: randy.sessions@wichita.edu
- SGA President Rija Khan: sga.president@wichita.edu
Today in Black History...
On Feb. 2, 1839, Edmond Berger patented the spark plug, and on Feb 2, 1897, Alfred L. Cralle invented the ice cream scooper. On this same day in 1935, Ann Raven Wilkinson was born, and by age 20, she became the first Black person to dance full time with a major ballet company, quickly becoming soloist by her second full season.
Celebrate Black History Month at Wichita State
Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month.
The celebration's history begins with Carter G. Woodson, an American historian, author and journalist. In September 1915, Woodson founded what is known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), an organization dedicated to researching, promoting and preserving the lives, history and culture of Black/African Americans.
In 1926, ASALH sponsored a national Negro History Week, an event that grew from local communities to college campuses. By 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month designated in February. He invited Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
At Wichita State University, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be partnering with several organizations to host virtual and distanced events in honor Black History Month. Most events will be free, unless otherwise indicated.
Learn more about this cultural month
The newest issue of Teaching Today is now available
The January issue of Teaching Today is now available. In this issue, you will have a chance to revisit many of the highlights from the January Academic Resources Conference events. Want more or specific training? Let Instructional Design and Access know at IDA@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.
Deadline extended to Feb. 5 for staff nominations for Distinguished Service Awards
The deadline to nominate staff for the 2021 Distinguished Service Awards has been extended to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb.
Do you know an Unclassified Professional (UP) or University Support Staff (USS) employee who deserves special recognition for their contributions to the university? Nominate them for the 2021 Distinguished Service Awards. These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of UP/USS employees who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration.
For more information on award eligibility and nomination process, please visit wichita.edu/staffawards. If you have questions, please contact UP/USS Senate Awards Committee Chair, Amy Belden at amy.belden@wichita.edu.
Transition Mentor nominations are open
The Office of First-Year Programs in Student Success is seeking nominations for this year’s Transition Mentor staff. We are looking for exceptional students who are passionate about WSU and want to help welcome new students to our campus. Transition Mentors are responsible for transitioning students to WSU beginning in the summer with Orientation and mentoring new freshmen through the fall semester. Faculty and staff are encouraged to make nominations now through Feb. 26 at www.wichita.edu/TM or email Shareika Fisher at shareika.fisher@wichita.edu.
Accepting proposals and abstracts for virtual Diverse Women’s Summit
Individual students, groups and community members are invited to submit abstracts and proposals to present papers, posters, art works, dialogues, skits and other projects at the Diverse Women’s Summit. The summit will be by Zoom on March 8. The proposal should be 100-200 words describing the presentation (type, subject, theme and purpose).
Presentations that focus on the following topics will be given priority:
- Research on issues of covid-19 and special populations
- Citizenship and COVID-19
- Gender-based violence
- The future
Submit your proposal via email to chinyere.okafor@wichita.edu. We will accept proposals and abstracts until Feb. 25. For questions, call Women's Studies' office at 978-3358.
University Libraries announces spring semester hours
For full hours of all library facilities, as well as updates on building policies and services, please visit us online at libraries.wichita.edu/covid19.
February 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 February, there are two events currently scheduled worth up to 38 points.
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, on-campus Biometric Screening in RSC 266 Pike Room. Schedule your
appointment today in the HealthQuest portal or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3! (Up to 23 points)
• Wednesday, Febr. 3, 10:30-11:30 am, “Balancing Work and Life”, EAP webinar. Register online.
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.
Donate blood and receive a $5 Amazon e-gift card
You deserve our thanks! Come give blood at the Heskett Center, and Amazon will thank you with a $5 Amazon gift card by email. Donate any time from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, or Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Heskett Center. Schedule your life-saving appointment at www.RedCrossBlood.org; Sponsor Code: Wichita State or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Sundance Institute presents Sundance Film Festival
KMUW's Fletcher Powell is bringing us special coverage of the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. It's virtual this year, with select screenings at Wichita's Starlite Drive-In, presented by mama.film. Follow along with Fletcher at KMUW.org as he shares web-exclusive updates on what he's watching through Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Learn about intellectual property for small businesses and inventors
The Kansas SBDC presents the following no-cost webinar for small businesses.
Trademark Basics
Discover the difference between a trademark, service mark and registered mark. Then,
learn how to search for existing marks and logos and walk through the online trademark
application process. Jessica Pierpoint with the USPTO Kansas Patent and Trademark
Resource Center will present.
3-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4
Virtual, in-person Rie Bloomfield Organ Series starting in February
Please join us for Wednesdays In Wiedemann with Lynne Davis in Wiedemann Hall on the great Marcussen organ at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3. You may either attend in person (masks and social distancing applied), watch the live-stream or wait until it appears on the organ YouTube channel via WSUTV. Part of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series, admission is free to hear a half-hour recital of music by beloved J.S. Bach and one of his own mentors, Georg Boehm.
Upcoming event to discuss how to be a change agent for diversity, equity and inclusion
Dr. Robert Sellers
Dr. Robert Sellers, vice provost for Equity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer, and Charles D. Moody collegiate professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, will speak on the topic "How Faculty and Administrators Can Be Change Agents for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Academy" from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 12. Please email sxmalone@shockers.wichita.edu to receive a Zoom link.
Snagit for all WSU employees
We are pleased to announce that Snagit is now available for all Wichita State University employees, including student employees, at no additional cost. Snagit is a premium screen capture and screen recording tool that allows a team to work faster, communicate more effectively and share what can’t be put into words. Snagit can be installed on two machines per user; however, it cannot be used simultaneously. Snagit can be integrated with the Office suite, OneDrive for Business, Google Drive, Dropbox, Screencast, and more.
The following instructions are on how to obtain the SnagIt Key and download instructions,
along with a quick start guide and tutorial:
1. Log in to the myWSU Portal
2. Snagit is located under Faculty/Staff tab: Quick Links / Software
Housing and Residence Life position open to WSU employees only
The Office of Housing and Residence Life is looking for an assistant director for Residence Life. Applications will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 5. To apply, go to Internal Postings and follow the directions there. For questions or assistance, contact the Talent Acquisition Team at 978-3065 or email employment@wichita.edu.
SGA elections: Encourage students to take part
Do you have a student in mind to run for a position in the Student Government Association? Encourage them to make their mark on history. The Association Election Commission is excited to formally announce the kick-off of the 2021 General Election season.
It is now finally time for your students to take action and declare themself a candidate
in the 2021 elections. This is a great opportunity to give back to campus and allow
their leadership skills to shine.
Students can visit www.wichita.edu/sgaelections to declare as a candidate. They can send questions to sga.elections@wichita.edu.
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.
Nominate students for Student Ambassador Society
Nominations for membership to join the Student Ambassador Society are officially open. If you would like to nominate a student for SAS, visit wichita.edu/SASapply. Student Ambassador Society is supported by the Office of Admissions and provides support and outreach to prospective Wichita State students with Shocker spirit. SAS is a community of selfless, hardworking and involved students from all areas of our campus who seek to give back to our university through service to others.
The SAS nomination application is an anonymous form that allows the Wichita State community to recognize remarkable students at Wichita State who hope to give back to the university. Nominations are open from today (Feb. 2) through March 1. Questions? Email sasvp@wichita.edu.
TRIO Student Support Services is now accepting applications
Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to students from first-generation and limited-income backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.
The free services include: individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, assistance completing financial aid application, and scholarships exclusively for student participants.
Please refer currently enrolled students to our program, located on the third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall in Suite 309. For more information, visit Student Support Services or call 978-3715.