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, has hosted two virtual forums to gather feedback from the WSU community, with one more forum left. The final forum will be held on the below date and can be joined by using the Zoom meeting ID and passcode provided:
- 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
- Zoom Meeting ID: 934 4896 2342
- Passcode: 438389
If you are unable to join this forum or couldn't join the other two, 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
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
Wichita State's Rémi Chou wins top NSF early career research award
Dr. Rémi A. Chou, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the most prestigious award granted by the NSF to early career researchers.
Chou's grant – worth $519,000 over five years – will support his work in bringing more robust security to wirelessly transmitted data.
Read more about Dr. Chou's award
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.
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 via Zoom with Drs. Rick Muma and Shirley Lefever, 9 a.m. today. Meeting ID: 998 0738 3830 Passcode: 718677
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.
Mathematical Sciences presents Dr. Gisuk Hwang in a lecture series today
The Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences will host a virtual lecture at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 5) by Dr. Gisuk Hwang from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Hwang will speak on "Novel Porous Material Design for Efficient Evaporative Cooling Systems." See an abstract and list of upcoming lectures. Email mathstat@math.wichita.edu for the Zoom link and password.
Disaster Resilience Analytics Center hosts KSU's Dr. Doina Caragea for speaker seminar
A virtual seminar, "Mining Social Media to Aid Disaster Response," will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 12.
Disaster-affected communities are increasingly becoming the source of big (crisis) data during and following major disasters. At the same time, big data have the potential to become an integral source of information for response organizations, as they can help enhance the situational awareness and facilitate faster response where is most needed. Despite such benefits, the challenges presented by big data preclude organizations from using them routinely.
Learn more by attending the virtual seminar.
Zoom link
Password: 816827
Public Policy and Management Center looking for community development manager
WSU's Public Policy and Management Center is looking for a community development manager.
Student Involvement event listing: Part 1
Student Involvement is excited to kick off another semester. We have many new and returning events planned for you.
The Student Involvement Event Guide will be produced three times this semester and features events, activities and programs open to students, faculty, staff and campus community.
Pick up your copy of the Student Involvement Event Guide in Student Involvement, 216 RSC or download it here.
Hanna Chastain's aptitude for research on display in work with oralfacial device
Hanna Chastain’s professor quickly saw something special in her when, as a freshman, she completed an independent research project typically reserved for older students.
“She immediately showed an above-typical level of critical thinking skills and what is needed within research,” said Dr. Heidi Bell, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Performance Studies at Wichita State University. “She had that study done probably halfway through the semester, which is not typical of even my graduate students. I knew right then that she was definitely a student who excelled above and beyond.”
Chastain, a junior biological sciences major with a biomedical emphasis, continues on a similar research track working in Dr. Bell’s lab. In April, she will present virtually at the National Council on Undergraduate Research conference. Her presentation is titled “Development of PARROT, a Wireless Orofacial Myofunctional Imaging and Pressure Mapping Device.”
Read more about Hanna's research
Office of Student Money Management spring 2021 tax support available
Do you need help filing taxes? While we can't do it for you, we can guide you through the process. The Office for Student Money Management in Student Success partners with Best Coalition from the United Way to offer this free service to support faculty, staff and students.
We are currently only taking virtual appointments. Schedule an appointment with our Peer Financial Coaches at https://bit.ly/osmmappt before the tax deadline on April 15, 2021.
Read more on the tax filing process
Heskett Center Valentine's Day massage specials
This Valentine's Day treat a loved one or yourself to a relaxing massage. It's the perfect gift for your perfect person. You can buy a 90-minute massage at the Heskett Center for only $50. Gift certificates are available. Purchase available until Feb. 14. For more information or to schedule your appointment call 978-3082.