Wichita State to hold panel discussion on freedom of expression today
Free expression is a fundamental value for an institution such as Wichita State University, Neal Allen, associate professor of political science, maintains.
“We owe all of our students, and all Kansas citizens that we serve, our best effort to include all points of view,” he said. “I believe that democratic government depends on having both involved citizens and trained professionals.”
The open exchange of ideas may not produce a tidy ending.
That exchange, however, is crucial to our nation’s discourse, no matter how difficult the conversation. Wichita State University recognizes the important role universities play and will present a virtual panel on Freedom of Expression from 3-4:15 p.m. today.
Read more about the panel discussion and how to watch
Former Wichita State accountant passes away
Larry Franklin
Larry Leroy Franklin, 72, of Wichita, died March 26 from lymphoma, at the Center at Waterfront.
Larry was a lifetime Shocker academically as well as professionally. This Shocker alumnus held a Wichita State bachelor’s degree in business administration and was hired in 1989 by the Division of Finance and Administration as a staff auditor. On Feb. 18, 1994, Larry joined the Office of Financial Operations and Business Technology as the Senior Property Control Accountant.
Larry was known by many for his involvement with the various capital improvement projects occurring across the university and his unfailing support of the Shockers basketball program. His smile and laughter will be missed by those of us who had the pleasure of working with him.
SEM Update: Goal 9
Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
Goal 9: Increase international undergraduate enrollment
- We have seen an increase in the number of international students enrolled in classes at WSU in recent years. Much of this growth is due to online offerings for non-degree bound students that do not require the student to get a US visa (yellow line above). Our new (green line) and returning (grey line) international student numbers are declining based on pandemic realities. International education fairs as well as TOEFL and other testing services were cancelled in many locations abroad. This and travel bans have made it harder to connect with prospective students, and for them to complete the requirements necessary to secure student visas.
- WSU continues to explore new markets to recruit international students, however. Staff and students in the international office exchange more than 40,000 emails annually to answer questions for individual prospective students and walk them through the legal processes to obtain a visa.
SEM Shout Outs:
- To all the departmental transfer credit evaluators who provide a quick turn around on the transfer credit requests.
- To Fai Tai, Jessa Roberts, Jingdi Zhang, and Sam Eastes, International Education Marketing Team, for attending numerous virtual educational fairs, working closely with approximately 800 agents to spread the word about WSU, keeping prospective students engaged using Zoom, social media and other online tools.
- To Ann Burger, International Education, for attracting high achieving BECAL scholarship recipients from Paraguay, conducting numerous Study Abroad Information Webinars and Study Abroad counseling sessions, and actively encouraging our exchange partners to send more students to WSU.
- To Michelle Barger, International Education, for communicating with and admitting 584 badge students for Fall 2020 – our largest enrollment of international badge students to date, and for tracking and awarding scholarships to new admits to boost Intensive English and international undergraduate enrollment.
Free hearing evaluations for faculty and staff
Hearing loss is a common problem that can significantly affect a person’s ability to communicate. The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is offering free hearing evaluations to faculty and staff at Wichita State. During your evaluation, we will test your hearing to determine if there is hearing loss and the type and severity of the loss. Hearing evaluations last approximately one to two hours; however, if it is determined that you do have hearing loss, your appointment may last longer.
Please call (316) 978-3289 to schedule an appointment. The Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic is located at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex at the intersection of 29th and Oliver. Visit wichita.edu/HearingServices to learn more about the variety of hearing services we offer.
'That's a Shocker': Library introduces podcast
University Libraries invites all to enjoy our fun infotainment podcast, "That's a Shocker!" The first episode takes a deep dive on the library's history is out on multiple platforms.
The library website, Spotify, and Anchor FM. How much do you know about where all of the resources and books were stored on campus in the beginning? Make sure to follow the Libraries' social media accounts for updates when a new monthly episode drops.
Next month, we will be using library resources to uncover some mysteries about one of the world's most talked about subjects: unidentified flying objects.
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
Submit nominations for advising awards
Have you received great advising or encouragement? Do you know of an advisor who goes above and beyond for students? Nominate a faculty or staff advisor for the third annual Excellence in Academic Advising Award.
The Advising Network (TAN) is proud to support student success by recognizing advisors at Wichita State University. Anyone who provides advising services in any role (faculty or staff) is eligible for nomination. Applications will be accepted until April 10.
Faculty Fellowship application deadline approaching
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
Faculty and staff study-abroad spotlights
Would you like to hear more about Wichita State faculty and staff study abroad experiences? All spotlights are now available on our website, including a few that were not previously shared.
Trans-athlete to speak for Day of Visibility today
For Transgender Day of Visibility, ODI has partnered with GLSEN Kansas to host an online conversation with trans-athlete and LGBTQ+ advocate Mack Beggs, who will be sharing his powerful story as a transgender athlete in high school at 6 p.m. today via Zoom.
Mack Beggs is a former collegian wrestler trans-athlete for Life University. He was also the first transgender male athlete in high school to win two state titles in the female division, due to outdated Texas policies prohibiting him from competing in the men's division. At 21 years of age, Mack is currently studying arts of human development and social change to be a gender therapist.
In order to attend the Transgender Day of Visibility lecture, 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.
Plan to check out GRASP showcase on Friday
The Graduate School is proud to present a virtual showcase of graduate student research with the 17th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium on Friday, April 2. Please plan to take a moment this Friday to view student presentations. The link for viewing will go live on the GRASP website at 8 a.m. Friday. Judging will occur from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us to celebrate the great graduate student research occurring across campus and the faculty mentorship that supports this.
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.
April 2: Mathematical Sciences lecture
The lecture series in the mathematical sciences presents Prof. Georgy Sofronov from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, who will present "Optimal multiple stopping rules and their applications" at 3 Friday, April 2 via Zoom.
To register for the free lecture, please email lecture.series@math.wichita.edu for the link and password.
View the abstract and a list of upcoming lectures
KU professor gives physics seminar talk
Please join us for our next seminar talk at 2 p.m. today via Zoom. This week’s talk features Dr. KC Kong, from the University of Kansas, and the title of the talk will be “Particle Physics in Computing Frontier." The
Get details on the physics seminar talk
Small business center offers free webinars
The Kansas SBDC presents the following no-cost webinars:
- Startup and Start Right at noon April 7: This webinar will cover licenses and permits, tax IDs, business structure, funding, marketing, and other essentials.
- Market Research for Startups at noon April 8: Learn resources and strategies for market research, discover industry trends, identify competitors, define and locate your best customers.
- Business Recruitment Strategies at noon April 15: This webinar will identify recruitment strategies that business owners can implement to attract qualified applicants for job openings.
- Restructure — What Would It Mean For Your Business? at noon April 21: If COVID-19 stressed your business to the limits, you might need to reset. Our panel of experts will offer information on HR, finances, and strategic planning to help you move forward.
- Social Media Starter Kit at noon April 28: A birds-eye-view of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You will walk away with the ability to create or update your business’ online presence.
- What to Expect When You Are Expecting to Start a Business at noon April 29: Davis Business Law will cover the legal foundations that a prospective new business owner needs to consider, such as formation, insurance, contracts, and employment.
PBS features Provines, Suspenders4Hope
Dr. Jessica Provines, assistant vice president of wellness and director of Counseling and Prevention Services, appeared on the first episode of PBS Kansas' "Cause for Hope," showcasing her work with #WeSupportU Suspenders4Hope in preventing suicide in the Wichita area. After seeing success with the iconic Suspenders4Hope shirts and #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide training at Wichita State, #WeSupportU has partnered with Kohl's Cares and Ascension Via-Christi to help bring the suspenders to local schools and the greater Wichita area. Learn more about #WeSupportU at Suspenders4Hope.com.
University senates, SGA to vote on proposed shared governance policy revision
During the past year, the immediate past presidents of the Faculty Senate, Unclassified Professional Senate, and University Support Staff Senate, as well as the current president of the Student Government Association, have been drafting a revision to the university’s shared governance policy to clarify the purpose and define the principles of shared governance. Specific changes to the current policy include new language on the principles of shared governance, the process to include constituent groups, and support for constituent group leaders. The committee, along with its respective senates and associations, are circulating this draft to gather any final feedback, endorsement, or concerns prior to each senate and association considering endorsement of the policy by April 8. Feedback can be shared with Jeff Jarman (Faculty Senate), Julie Scott (UP Senate), Matt Houston (USS Senate), and Rija Khan (SGA). Should the elected constituent bodies endorse the proposed revisions, the policy will be presented to the president’s executive team in May for review.
Dates for Votes:
- Student Government Association: April 14
- Faculty Senate: April 19
- Unclassified Professional Senate and University Support Staff Senate: April 20th