WSU Today: Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Wichita State earns Voter-Friendly designation

Wichita State University has been designated a Voter-Friendly Campus by the Campus Vote Project and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

According to the awarding organization, Wichita State’s “efforts, despite great challenges presented by COVID-19, to break down barriers and empower students with the information and tools they need to participate in the political process led to historic youth voter turnout and opened the door to lifelong civic engagement for your students.”

Learn more about Wichita State's voter-friendly designation

Watch out for your safety, and leave your taxes at home

It is tax season. We ask you not to store or process your taxes/personal finances on Wichita State-issued devices. Personal software licensing issues, data storage, data destruction and privacy issues are some of the many problems that you could have by mixing your sensitive personal data with your university-issued devices. This includes services such as WSU OneDrive, file shares, wichita.edu email, Microsoft Teams, university-issued USB storage, laptops and desktops. Be smart, keep your data at home. To learn more about our acceptable use, please see: www.wichita.edu/aup.

If you have questions, please reach out to askinfosec@wichita.edu.

Study-Abroad Spotlight: Kennedy Rogers

Learn more from Wichita State faculty and staff as they share their study abroad experiences in college. Faculty and staff will be featured each week through the month of March. This week, read about Kennedy's study abroad experience. Visit www.wichita.edu/studyabroadspotlights to read more about their experiences.

Wichita State staff and students lead future of the Shocker Neighborhood commitment

Wichita State began developing the Shocker Neighborhood coalition to engage and empower the neighborhood communities surrounding campus. Since then, the commitment has expanded to include 10 neighborhoods and now engages with the community to provide resources, scholarships, academic support programs, mentoring and additional enrichment programs for neighborhood students.

Read more about Shocker Neighborhoods

University schedule for 2021 holiday closedown

The holiday closedown period has been approved this year to commence at the end of the day on Friday Dec. 17 and reopen on Monday, Jan. 3. We are communicating the schedule at this time to ensure all employees can manage their time off appropriately. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Unclassified Professional and University Support Staff who would normally be scheduled to work the days may use accumulated vacation leave or their *2021 discretionary day during the holiday closedown. Non-exempt employees can also use accumulated compensatory time off during the holiday closedown.

2021 biometric screenings now available

Biometric screening dates for the remainder of 2021 have been added to the online scheduler. All screening events are held from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in RSC 266 Pike. Appointments must be scheduled in advance, and the available times fill up quickly so log in to the HealthQuest portal to secure your appointment today. Click on the "Complete Your Biometric Screening" tab, then click the desired on-site screening schedule to launch the scheduling site.

Tuesday Talks: Transgender Day of Visibility

Transgender Day of Visibility is March 31. This is an opportunity to learn about health issues impacting transgender folk and for us to learn how to support our transgender Shockers!

In this Tuesday Talks, Heather Stafford discusses the transgender process with Wichita State students Jess Prudence, Rexy Que and Claire Powell.

Watch a recording of the discussion

Outdoor heaters placed outside RSC

Wichita State University, Student Involvement and the Kansas Leadership Center have joined together along with thousands of other Kansans for the Kansas Beats the Virus campaign. The campaign brought together thousands of Kansans to find creative solutions to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Student Involvement was awarded a grant to purchase outdoor heaters to be placed outside the RSC to provide Shockers with an opportunity to enjoy the heaters while still maintaining social distancing guidelines. During these chilly spring mornings, we invite our students, staff, and faculty to stop by and warm up under these heaters, which will be placed on the north patio of the RSC throughout the month of March.

Heaters are also available for use for WSU groups and organizations to use. For more questions about using heaters for one of your events contact Letsmeet@wichita.edu.

For more questions about resources to help fight COVID-19 throughout our community visit #KSBeatsTheVirus.

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

Applications open for Shocker Leadership Awards

Applications for the ninth Shocker Leadership Awards are now open. The Annual Shocker Leadership Awards are a way to recognize the work of student-led organizations, students, faculty and staff at Wichita State University. Recognized student organizations, university affiliated student groups and individuals may be nominated by a student, faculty member, staff member, or organization; or students may nominate themselves for one of the awards. One application form must be completed for every award for which one wishes to be considered. A nomination must have all parts to be considered by the selection committee. Nominations are due Friday, April 9 at 11:59 p.m.

If you would like to nominate someone on their behalf for an awards, please note that it is the responsibility of the nominator to turn in a complete packet. The nominee (unless they are nominating themselves) would not be responsible for uploading the applications. To submit a Shocker Leadership Award, please click the application linked in each award that you want to apply or nominate someone for.

Submit a Shocker Leadership Award nomination

Barton School hosts Kansas-Oklahoma leadership conference

The W. Frank Barton School's Institute of the Study of Economic Growth recently hosted the inaugural Kansas and Oklahoma Academic Center Leaders conference. The meeting aimed to build an understanding of the mission and function of other centers and institutes in the region. We are looking for opportunities for partnerships and collaborations between institutes. The participating institutions were:

• Wichita State University
• Emporia State University
• Kansas State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Ottawa University
• Tulsa University
• Kansas University

"The academic centers in this region have different foci, with some more on education, some more on research, and some — like the Institute for the Study of Economic growth — focused on both. We also have a variety of different experiences finding out what works well and what doesn’t work as well. So we can all learn from each other, and also collaborate in areas where we can accomplish more working together," said Ted Bolema, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Economic Growth and Department of Economics faculty member.

Summer institute seeks squad leaders

Student Involvement is seeking Squad Leaders for this year's Summer Leadership Institute (SLI). Normally SLI is a five-day stay-away leadership institute; however, we are adjusting programming to be a day-camp with smaller numbers to allow for social distancing.

In this role, you will directly be mentoring students through their leadership journey through small group reflection, facilitation, and impactful dialogue. Additionally, there will be a meeting before the event to connect and do some brief training and preparation.

This year's SLI will be May 17-22. The deadline to sign up to be a squad leader is April 9.

Sign up to be a SLI squad leader

Presentations put 2020 into perspective

Few would disagree that 2020 was a chaotic and confusing year. The next Perspectives series, Reestablishing Reality, will help participants understand what has happened and reorient them to the realities of 2021.

Reestablishing Reality presenters will give their perspectives on motivated reasoning, racial narratives, propaganda and stereotypes, one’s proclivity to share fake news, and science and bias. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will host the series.

Each presentation will be delivered by Zoom, and will be open to the public. For more information, visit Reestablishing Reality.

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.

Register for the event

Faculty invited to CourseLeaf training

Wichita State faculty are invited to CourseLeaf Curriculum (CIM) administrator and faculty remote training from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25.

This Zoom session will provide a demonstration of how to submit a curriculum change proposal via the online CIM course and program forms, how to search for existing proposals, how the proposal moves through the electronic workflow and how to approve proposals. Training is applicable to any faculty, staff and administrators who would submit, review and approve proposals course or program proposals.

Register via myTraining link within the Faculty/Staff tab of myWSU or email michelle.haetten@wichita.edu.

Please note: To log into CIM during the training session, you will need your dual authentication (DUO) device. This session is delivered through Zoom. A link to the session will be emailed to you in advance. Please reach out to the instructor if you do not receive the Zoom link within 24 hours of the registered session.

Learn to master the functionality of Excel

Do you make decisions based on the data? Are you are responsible for preparing the data that leadership uses to make their decisions? The Center for Management Development has the class that will give you the skills to collect, sort, analyze and prepare data successfully and easily.

"Harnessing the Power of Excel for Data Analysis & Decision Making" will be led by Dr. Sue Abdinnour. She will use real-world examples to model the outcomes of different applications and help you make accurate choices. You will be able to take Excel from the simple usage of tables and charts to a powerful decision-making tool that works for you.

This in-person class is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. April 8-9. The CMD Training Room is located in Woodman Alumni Center on the campus of Wichita State. Lunch is included. Faculty and staff receive a 20% discount on CMD one- and two-day classes. Check us out at cmd.wichita.edu.

Free produce for students, faculty, staff

Common Grounds is making another delivery of free produce boxes. Unlike last time, there will be no sign ups. Instead, it will be on a first-come-first-served basis with a limit of 40 boxes. The box will include fresh vegetables, meats, fruits, yogurt, cheese, a gallon of milk, and sour cream. Any food can be taken out for dietary restrictions and can be given to another recipient. Students, faculty, and staff are all welcome to take advantage of this opportunity and can do so while supplies last from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27.

Today's Ulrich talk feature Santos, Murano

The Ulrich Museum of Art's series of virtual talks with artists featured in the XXIII Faculty Biennial exhibition continues at 11 a.m. today when Lori Santos, associate professor of education, and Tina Murano, assistant educator of art education, share their thoughts on the artistic process. The program is free and open to all, but you must register to get the Zoom link.

"The XXII Faculty Biennial: It's All Part of the Process" is on display at the Ulrich until May 8. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sundays, university and major holidays. Safe self-distancing practices observed. Admission is always free.

Register for today's Ulrich talk

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.

Electrician position open to employees only

The Office of Building Maintenance is looking for an electrician. Applications will be accepted until Tuesday, March 30. To apply, go to the Internal Employment Opportunities at WSU link on your myWSU, and follow the directions there. For questions or assistance, contact the Talent Acquisition Team at 978-3065 or emailing employment@wichita.edu.