Faculty, staff virtual town Hall today
A live YouTube virtual faculty and staff town hall will be held from 2:30-3:30 p.m. today. This is an opportunity to hear and interact with Interim President Rick Muma and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Shirley Lefever. The event will be moderated by the presidents of the faculty, UP and USS senates.
Faculty and staff who want to participate are encouraged to do so during the live YouTube stream. If you don’t currently have a YouTube account, click here for more information on how to create one. Creating an account will help facilitate questions in the live chat section of the Virtual Town Hall. You can watch the town hall live and recorded after the event at Virtual Town Hall.
Panel discussed universities' responsibilities with Freedom of Expression
Public universities play an essential role in freedom of expression and should act as a promoter and protector, especially during contentious times that produce challenging and complex discussions.
On Wednesday, Wichita State University presented “Speaking Freely on Freedom of Expression,” a virtual panel discussion that emphasized that point, among many others.
Watch the panel discussion here.
Dr. Lee Pelton, a Wichita State alumnus who has been president of Emerson College in Boston the past 10 years, moderated the panel.
Tyson Langhofer, a 1996 graduate of Wichita State; Christine Hughes, former vice president and general counsel of Emerson College; and Neal Allen, chair of Wichita State’s department of political science, joined Pelton as panelists.
“At Wichita State, we encourage debate and civil discourse,” said Dr. Rick Muma, interim president of Wichita State. “We firmly believe that the free expression of diverse ideas helps our institution flourish and, most importantly, it helps our students develop into well-rounded and thoughtful global citizens.”
- Langhofer, senior Counsel and director, Center for Academic Freedom with Alliance Defending Freedom, said speech deserves broad protections and is protected by the Supreme Court for vital reasons. The way to combat bad information, he said, is with good information. “We are prone to censor speech we disagree with,” he said. “You can look at hundreds of examples, over time, to show that truth does, in general, win out. Frankly, censorship is counterproductive.”
- Allen encourages universities to promote a realistic understanding of what they can and cannot regulate when it comes to controversial topics. “I don't think we have any kind of special power to remove people from debate and to protect them from communication that might make them uncomfortable,” he said. “As somebody that teaches about law and civil liberties …. the only way I can actually teach is to talk about things that are, by their nature, objectionable to some. Politics is not about what we all agree on. It's about what we disagree on and how to deal with it.”
- Hughes explained that while the First Amendment offers protections from the government limiting speech, it does not protect a speaker from disagreement. The immediacy of social media adds to the challenges of this discussion. “I think people understand that even if they have a First Amendment right to say something, they are accountable for the reactions that they generate,” she said. “I think that's one thing, that for the students to understand that at some point if they excite a social media firestorm that doesn't rise to the level of people being threatened with violence that they own the consequences of their speech.”
The panel discussion, "Speaking Freely on Freedom of Expression" was held on Wednesday, March 31. The program is available on demand on YouTube.
It will also air on the local PBS station on the KPTS schedule listed below.
- Channel 8.1 at 9 p.m. Friday, April 9
- Channel 8.2 at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 10
- Channel 8.1 at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 11
Wichita State’s engineering graduate programs are the highest ranked in Kansas
In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University is again ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs, the only institution from the state of Kansas to make it in the top 100.
The 2021 rankings by U.S. News and World Report are based on a number of factors including reputation among peer institutions and industry recruiters, student selectivity, faculty resources and research expenditures – an area where Wichita State far outperforms peers. A recently released National Science Foundation report of FY2019 total engineering research expenditures ranked Wichita State 27th in the nation, well ahead of any other institution in Kansas.
Learn more about Wichita's U.S. News & World Report ranking
April HealthQuest Upcoming Events
Employees enrolled in 2021 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and HSA/HRA rewards dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year!
In April, there are three events currently scheduled worth up to 25 points.
- Wednesday, April 7, 10:30-11:30 a.m., “Caring From a Distance”, EAP webinar. Register online. (One point)
- Tuesday, April 13, on-campus Biometric Screening in RSC 266 Pike Room. Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3! Limited appointments available. (Up to 23 points)
- Wednesday, April 21, 10:30-11:30 am, “Helping Your Senior Loved One be Independent and Safe," EAP webinar. Register online. (One point)
Now is good time to take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.
- Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (max one health coaching per day, one point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
- Learning Modules: You can earn up to five points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are 18 topics to choose from.
- EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to eight points (max one point per day) by completing EAP on-eemand trainings and webinars that you can access through the HealthQuest portal. There are 32 topics to choose from.
- HealthQuest Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn five points by completing this four-week learning module.
- Health Assessment Questionnaire: You can earn 10 points for completing this assessment.
- HealthQuest Program Overview Video & Quiz: You can earn three points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
We’ll be publishing upcoming events each month, but if you’d like to plan in advance, check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events.
Listen to episode 7 of 'Let's Talk about It'
March has wrapped up, and it’s time for another episode of "Let's Talk About It." Thank you to all of our listeners for keeping up with the podcast during this inaugural season. We’ve got a couple more episodes in season one to bring to you, and we’re already gearing up for an exciting season two.
Leadership is one of the most often used, and possibly, the least understood term in businesses and organizations today. What does it mean to be a leader? Do you have to be in a position of authority to lead? What makes a good leader? Why is it even important?
“Let’s Talk About It” is tackling all of these questions by exploring the concept of leadership, as it exists on the Wichita State campus. Today we’re diving deep with three wonderful guests who practice leadership daily on our campus:
- Dr. Aleks Sternfield-Dunn – director and associate professor in the WSU School of Music and WSU Faculty Senate president
- Dr. Voncella McCleary-Jones – associate dean for Academic Affairs and associate professor in the WSU College of Health Professions
- Rija Khan – WSU student body president
About "Let's Talk About It": The mission of the FUSE ICT is to prepare and inspire students to achieve their true passion and purpose, while providing the tools, opportunities, and diverse programming options for them to grow. One of the most effective tools that we have to spark dialogue and unearth passion is dialogue. Our goal with “Let’s Talk About it” is to create a safe, comfortable and casual environment that will foster connection with diverse people in an effort to create meaning, ask questions and start honest conversations about the topics that matter most to college students today.
'Creative 29' on display at ShiftSpaceGallery
The Bachelor of Fine Arts graphic design candidates in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI) invite you to its senior exhibition, “Creative 29,” during an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. this today at ShiftSpace. The gallery is located inside Groover Labs at 334 N. St. Francis St. in downtown Wichita.
For the group design exhibition, students spent the semester developing a concept and identity for “Creative 29.” Learn more by following their Instagram account @thecreative29show.
“Creative 29” will be on view from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until April 30. Masks are required at ShiftSpace, and a limited number of people will be allowed into the gallery at a time in order to ensure social distancing.
17th annual GRASP symposium online today
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 today. Join us to celebrate the great graduate student research occurring across campus and the faculty mentorship that supports this. Take a moment today to view presentations at www.wichita.edu/grasp.
Technology Policy: A Case for Optimism and Freedom to Innovate
The Institute for the Study of Economic Growth in the W. Frank Barton School of Business is proud to bring Adam Thierer to Campus at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14 at Wilner Auditorium and virtual via Zoom. Thierer specializes in innovation, entrepreneurialism, the Internet, and free-speech issues, with a particular focus on the public policy concerns surrounding emerging technologies. In-person attendees will receive a free copy of his book, "Evasive Entrepreneurs & the Future of Governance."
Get more information on this lecture
Mathematical Sciences lecture today
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 p.m. today 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
Tune in April 8 to watch the Hippodrome
The 93rd annual Hippodrome Video and Talent Competition will be held virtually for all Wichita students, staff, faculty, alumni and community to watch. Students and student groups have submitted 5- to 10-minute videos in the categories of live action and animation in hopes to earn cash prizes up to $500. The talent competition will be hosted in conjunction with the film screening. Performers will take the stage between film screenings; and first--, second-, and third-place winners will take home cash prizes up to $150. Talented Shockers will also be emceeing the performance.
Join us live on Thursday, April 8th to watch and support our talented students! For more information and how to watch the performance, visit wichita.edu/hippodrome.
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.
Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis
Please join us for Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis at 5:15 p.m. April 7 either in person in Wiedemann Hall or via live stream on the WSU School of Music Facebook page.
This is a special memorial concert to Pierre FIRMIN-DIDOT, husband, Louise Matthews DAVIS, mother, and Marie-Madeleine DURUFLE, beloved teacher — all three born in 1921. They would have been 100 years old in 2021. Among the many French organ master teachers with whom I studied (Marie-Claire Alain, Jean Langlais, and the Durulfe's), Madame Duruflé was very influential in inspiring the performer I have become today.
Program, the entire: Prélude, Adagio et Choral varié sur le VENI CREATOR by Maurice DURUFLE, based on the Gregorian plain chant Hymn.
Free Admission. Social distancing respected and masks required.
The difficulty of evidence, argument and rationality in reestablishing reality
Join the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the first in its "Perspectives: Reestablishing Reality" series at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 via Zoom. Jeffery Jarman, Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Director of the Elliott School of Communication, will present "Motivated to ignore the facts: the difficulty of evidence, argument and rationality in reestablishing reality."
Classic conceptions of democracy are based, in part, on a vibrant public sphere where citizens are informed and engaged in public deliberation on important topics. Argumentation is central to this vision. Each side builds its case by marshalling the available evidence in support of their preferred conclusion.
A rational public, it is assumed, takes in the evidence, evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the competing positions, and updates their opinions. Unfortunately, recent research in neuroscience and political psychology provides a direct challenge to this vision. Rather than evidence and argument shaping our opinions, our opinions shape our interpretation of evidence and argument. Efforts to reestablish a shared reality must account for individual motivations to discount information that is inconsistent with pre-existing attitudes.
Jeffrey Jarman is the Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Director of the Elliott School of Communication, a position he has held since 2017. He started at Wichita State in the fall of 1996. For almost 20 years he served as the director of the university’s competitive debate team.
He teaches classes in communication strategy, research methods, and seminars in legal and political communication. His recent research applies insights from neuroscience and political psychology to classic conceptions of argumentation. In particular, he analyzes the role of evidence and argument in presidential debates, fact-checking, and political disputes in the public sphere.
Applications open for summer and fall 2021 Undergraduate Research Experience
Faculty are asked to encourage liberal arts and sciences, applied sciences, and engineering undergraduates to apply for Undergraduate Research Experiences (URE) for the summer and fall. Selected students will receive $4,000 awards (minimum $3,500 for student salary and up to $500 for supplies) to work alongside a professor doing research in summer and fall 2021. Prior research experience is helpful but not required. A mandatory Intro to Research workshop will take place on Tuesday, May 25. Additional research awards are available to engineering majors.
Interested students should:
- View the list of Undergraduate and NSF KS-LSAMP Research projects online.
- Apply at Wichita.edu/URE. Be sure to complete steps 1-2 before submitting your application (step 3). Applications due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, April 12.
Research awards are funded by the National Science Foundation Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and College of Engineering.
Try the Quesadilla Burger in April
Stop by the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in April to try its Burger of the Month, the Quesadilla Burger. The patty is topped with melted cheddar, grilled jalapenos and onions and served quesadilla-style.