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.
SEM Update: Goals 1 and 2
By Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
Goal 1: Foster a culture of enrollment growth
- Everyone has a role to play in recruiting students and helping them be successful once they arrive, inside the classroom and out. This includes both faculty and staff in supporting offices. The pandemic has forced everyone to engage at a whole new level to promote student success in these challenging times. These efforts are at the core of our SEM plan.
- A growing number of faculty across campus are deeply engaged in advancing enrollment initiatives through our Faculty Fellows programs. These include work in recruitment, retention, orientation, diversity, service-learning, and other areas.
Goal 2: Increase enrollment of degree seeking underserved student populations
- We have been successfully growing our underserved student population in recent years (see blue line in graph) but faced a decline this year linked to an overall decline in enrollments. We saw a slight decrease as well when looking specifically at underserved First Time in College students (see yellow bars in graph)
- We did, however, see a 7.4% increase in Hispanic students enrolled in our master’s programs, contributing to the third largest Hispanic population in the university’s history.
- Overall, underrepresented minorities make up 20.3% of our undergraduate, degree-seeking population.
Recruitment and Retention Tips:
- Help foster a culture of enrollment growth through social media: Share / Re-tweet WSU content and amplify our outreach. WSU employees are influential recruiters when we share university successes with others in our social network.
- Gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity we have on campus and in the classroom through diversity training opportunities: wichita.edu/services/odi/training/
SEM Shout Outs:
- To Instructional Design and Access (IDA) for creating over 1,000 hours of instructional training on 88 different topics (videos and remote workshops) with more than 15,000 views since March 2020. Their support of our faculty is exceptional.
- To the CARE Team and the Student Health and Wellness staff for creating new resources to promote mental health and continuing to provide strong support for our students in new and creative ways through remote and in-person options.
- To Housing and Residence Life for shifting the way they operate to create hybrid communities where student programming is primarily remote, while still connecting residents via one-on-one connections and some small group gatherings. This is in addition to caring for students who have been required to quarantine or isolate and helping Student Health Services follow protocols.
- To Student Involvement for continuing to find ways for students to connect and engage and reduce the sense of isolation in a world with so much online content.
Today in Black History...
On Feb. 3, 1920, the Negro Baseball League was founded. On Feb. 3, 1965, Geraldine McCullough won the Widener Gold Medal for Sculpture. Want more information or have a question? Contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion or VP and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Marche’ Fleming-Randle at marche.fleming-randle@wichita.edu.
Shocks Supporting Shocks
We have the resources - you know who needs it the most.
This semester, reach out to your fellow Shockers, learn about and access the resources available to you on campus and learn the signs of suicide.
We can get through these difficult times together when Shocks Support Shocks.
Learn more about the resources available to students or learn about setting an appointment with a CAPS counselor at wichita.edu/CAPS.
Keep vehicles secure while parked on campus
The Wichita State University Police Department is offering tips to help students, faculty and staff keep vehicles safe when parked on campus.
- Be sure to hide items that might draw attention in the trunk, the glove compartment or under the seats.
- Take your car keys with you when you leave your vehicle.
- Close your windows, and lock your vehicle’s doors and trunk.
- If you see suspicious activity anywhere on campus, call campus police at 316-978-3450.
WSU faculty and staff Study Abroad spotlight
Learn more from WSU faculty and staff as they share about their study abroad experiences in college. Faculty and staff will be featured each week through March. This week, read about Dr. Crystal Dozier’s study abroad experience.
Enjoy lunch at the Food Truck Plaza today
Stop by the plaza for lunch with Funky Monkey Munchies and Bread Sled Cafe. Get your meal to go or spread out on our physically distanced picnic tables or beautiful green space. Both trucks will be on site from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 3).
Get updated on all University Libraries has to offer with no-cost webinar
It's hard to know what you don't know. Join University Libraries for this quick overview of library services and online collections to stay up-to-date for the spring semester. New and returning students, instructors and other Shocker employees are invited. The virtual event is no cost.
Find out more about the webinar
WSU headshot appointments available for February
The Office of Strategic Communications offers headshots for WSU faculty and staff at no charge. For the 2021 spring semester, headshot events will be scheduled once a month over two days in the 266 Rhatigan Student Center.
Because of social distancing, you must reserve your spot with an appointment. Appointments for February are now open:
3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24
8-10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25
Get more info and make an appointment
President's Town Hall for Fairmount College faculty and staff
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and staff are invited to a town hall with Drs. Rick Muma and Shirley Lefever, 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5. Meeting ID: 998 0738 3830 Passcode: 718677
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.
Wichita State Baseball unveils 2021 schedule
Wichita State Baseball has released its schedule for the 2021 season. After having the 2020 season come to an abrupt end due to COVID-19, the Shockers are looking forward to being back at Eck Stadium playing in front of some of the best fans in college baseball. Don't miss your chance to catch the Shockers in action this spring!
SAC presents American Ninja Warrior and Motivational Speaker: Hoan Do
SAC will present motivational speaker, Hoan Do at 6 p.m. Feb. 10. Hoan Do is a student success coach, author, and competitor in NBC’s hit show "American Ninja Warrior." As an award-winning college motivational speaker, Hoan speaks at colleges and universities across North America, sharing practical advice that helps students succeed in and out of school.
Webinar teaches money-management strategies
The Office for Student Money Management will present "Your Relationship with Money" at 12:30 p.m. Feb. 10. In this webinar, participants will learn new ways to evaluate how they manage money and how to reach their financial goals. Email OSMM for Zoom link details at osmm@wichita.edu.
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.
Office of Adult Learning hosting Back to School Giveaway
The Office of Adult Learning is putting on a Back to School Giveaway. Enter the giveaway on the Office of Adult Learning Facebook page. Respond to and commen on the Thankful Thursday Facebook post on Feb. 4 on our Shocker Pathway page. Winners will be chosen randomly at 11:30 a.m. the following Friday and notified through the comment section of the giveaway post and through Facebook Messenger.
The giveaway is open to faculty, staff and students. The prize for the giveaway is an Office of Adult Learning tote filled with assorted Shocker swag and a T-Shirt.