Support Shocker Nation through United Way
Whether responding to a pandemic or a personal crisis, the United Way is at work every day. That includes right here at Wichita State. And it’s not just out in the community; your fellow Shockers benefit from the amazing work of the United Way too. Last year alone, United Way-funded programs helped WSU employees more than 400 times.
The United Way seeks to create positive change that lasts for generations to come. But they can’t do it alone. Please consider giving to the United Way campaign.
Learn more about how to give back
Managers of USS and Non-Teaching UP Employees: It’s Goal Planning Time
myPerformance Evaluations for USS and Non-Teaching UP employees are available for 2021-2022 goal planning. Managers should add expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2021-2022 review period, then meet with their employees to review. Don’t forget to provide them a hard copy of their evaluation for reference throughout the year! Goal planning should be completed by March 31, 2021 at 11:59 PM.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance) go to www.wichita.edu/myPerformance
Helpful Hints:
- Your direct reports will not be able to access their 2021-2022 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning January 16, 2022, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2021-2022 review and review it with them!
- Managers have access to update and edit their direct reports myPerformance evaluations as many times as they would like until Employee Self-Evaluation time beginning January 16, 2022!
- Save then SUBMIT! Make sure to SUBMIT after saving every time you update a myPerformance evaluation! Your direct reports will not be able to see the information and you will still have access to their evaluation until Jan. 16, 2022 even after selecting SUBMIT.
- Need a copy of a past performance evaluation? Check the box that says, “Show completed and expired tasks,” then “Search.” Save it as a PDF or print as needed.
ODI Real Talk today: Asian hate crimes
Engage in meaningful dialogues around various topics that impact identity, diversity, inclusion, equity and society. We welcome you to lean into discomfort and join in on the discussion.
In order to attend the Real Talk — Intersection Dialogues, you must register for the event. Register for this virtual event at wichita.edu/odievents.
Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation that you are attending this event. The Zoom address, meeting ID and password will be provided to you in this confirmation email. You must be signed into Zoom to access the meeting.
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.
Green Group nominations open
Nominations for Wichita State Green Group executive team will be open through March 29! Please nominate your friends, yourselves, and anyone you may think would help continue making Green Group most impactful. Follow our instagram @green_wsu for more information on each position.
Nominate someone for Green Group
Call for 2021-22 Faculty Fellowship applications
Each year, Academic Affairs supports Faculty Fellows in a variety of areas. Faculty have the opportunity to learn new skills and serve our students in different ways through these fellowships. More information and submission details are provided on the Academic Affairs webpages linked below. All applications are due Friday April 2, 2021.
- Tilford Incentive Grant – develop new diversity infused curricula or advance pedagogy to teach diverse populations.
- Recruitment Faculty Fellows – provide direct outreach to prospective students in high school and community colleges.
- Retention Faculty Fellows – identify and implement strategies to promote student success and retention
- Service-Learning Scholars – incorporate service-learning pedagogy in your curricula.
- Honors College Fellows - develop independent or collaborative projects to advance Honors education and high-impact practices across campus
- Open Alternative Textbook (OAT) Fellow – promote use of open educational resources (OER) and assist faculty in identifying OER’s for their courses
See also: Faculty Advancement webpage
Enter the Babble Royale T-shirt quote contest
Sigma Tau Delta presents Babble Royale! Join Wichita State's chapter of the International Honor Society in a fun way to appreciate literature. Submit your favorite, literature related quote (one to two sentences, credited) by March 21. Each participant gets a free t-shirt (while supplies last). All quotes will be gathered to vote for the best literary quote to be printed on the front of the shirt! Voting will be held the week of March 22, and the winner will be notified March 31.
If you enjoy literature in any and all forms, consider attending one of Sigma Tau Delta’s meetings to see what the organization is about. Email stdato.wsu@gmail.com with any questions you have.
Free pizza, lessons at Shocker Tennis Kids' Day
Shocker Women's Tennis will take to the court against in-state foe Kansas at Coleman Tennis Complex at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20. Admission is free. The Mo Connolly Tennis Foundation is sponsoring Kids' Day. Free personal pan pizzas and a post-match clinic with Shocker players and coaches will be provided to all kids in attendance. Kids can bring their own racket, but one can be provided if needed. Face coverings are required throughout the duration of the event.
Finish your week with Zoom Zumba class
End Wichita State's Wellness Week by getting your body moving and grooving. We will be streaming a prerecorded Zumba class at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 19. To register for the class, visit http://bit.ly/gsczoomzumba.
Webinar to offer SBIR/STTR program overview
Please join Bob Smith, Director, DON SBIR/STTR and Special Programs, for a Navy SBIR/STTR program overview highlighting simpler, faster, and easier execution processes and describing annual funding opportunities of more than $400 million of non-dilutive capital available to small businesses for innovative research and development.
The free and virtual event is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 26 and will include one-on-one meetings between small business attendees and Navy SBIR/STTR program representatives. Contact strategicinitiatives@wichita.edu with any questions.
Run a business confidently with SBDC webinars
The Kansas SBDC presents the following no-cost webinars:
Startup and Start Right
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10
Learn how to quickly startup in just 10 steps. This free webinar will cover licenses and permits, federal and state tax IDs, business structure, funding, marketing, and other essentials.
Successful Business: Pivoting During the Pandemic
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 17
This webinar will help you identify how to use your business bases to adapt to the evolving 'new normal' by exploring opportunities with marketing/sales, operations/supply chain, administration, and finance.
Marketing Mindset
Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, March 19
Learn to create a step-by-step marketing plan to effectively communicate with customers and reach your goals by answering the question, "What makes my company valuable?"
Free Google Small Business Tools
Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 24
Learn about free Google tools that can boost your productivity, market your business, manage your finances, and take a load off of you.
Possible Workplace Changes Under the Biden Administration
Noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, March 25
With a new administration comes the possibility of changes to workplace laws. This webinar will explore what federal regulations and workplace laws the new administration will attempt to change.
Hippodrome judges needed
The Campus Traditions Committee is looking for faculty and staff that would like to judge the variety acts of the 93rd annual Hippodrome to be hosted at 7 p.m. April 8.
Hippodrome will look a little different this year and will feature a video and talent show competition that will be live streamed via YouTube. Volunteers are needed to judge the variety acts which will be the part of the show that is live and in person. The only people allowed in the theater will be the judges, variety acts and two people from each video production team. The time commitment is roughly two and a half hours as judges will need to be there by 6:20 p.m. for training and to stay for the remainder of the show.
In between the prerecorded video productions, we will have students perform their talents. This can range from musicians and magicians to comedians and more.
If you are interested in being a judge please fill out the Judges Form at wichita.edu/hippodrome by Friday, March 26. For more information email atwhisler@shockers.wichita.edu.
Beat the virtual escape room, win prizes
Can you escape in time? University Libraries invites everyone to test their knowledge and puzzle-solving skills in this year’s Virtual Escape Room. Anyone who can complete all the puzzles within the time limit is automatically entered to win awesome Shocker prizes! Play now at bit.ly/2Pt1ypN. The Escape Room is open until March 19, and prize winners will be announced the following week