COVID-19 UPDATES
Teaching this summer and fall: Day 4 questions about the classroom and campus
As we work to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, the COVID Operations group would like to highlight some FAQs related to classroom instruction. Additional questions can be directed to Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to be addressed by this operational group.
FAQs Set #4: Questions about the Classroom and Campus
- Do Instructors have to provide alternative, online content for students without asking
if the request is COVID related?
- No. But Instructors need to accommodate students who have registered with ODS. Instructors should be flexible as they would be with any student who is ill. Instructors should not request documentation of health conditions.
- Can I require in-person attendance?
- Students are expected to meet the stated requirements for their courses. Students should use the wichita.edu/fall2021webpage to identify courses that work best for their needs. If a student believes they have a condition which requires accommodation where they cannot attend in person, they should contact the Office of Disability Services. Faculty will work with ODS to meet these identified accommodations.
- However, instructors are encouraged consider ways other than in-person attendance to assess participation and/or engagement. These alternative approaches can help ensure we do not disincentivize people to stay home or quarantine when sick. Instructors should ask students to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptomsand instruct students who feel ill to not attend in-person meetings.
Additional FAQs about teaching this summer and fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.
Updates coming soon to WSU Today and Shocker Blast
Coming soon, you will notice slight changes to WSU Today and Shocker Blast. You’ll receive the same content — but with an updated process. The updates will take place in early May.
Improvements to the updated format:
- Those who submit items to the newsletters will now have more control over the content-creation process, including being able to add links, bullet points and notes to the Strategic Communications staff. See above to watch a short video on how to submit.
- Each submission to the newsletter will now live on its own web page, so you can share your own submission with whomever you want.
- Each headline in the daily newsletter email will be clickable, taking you to that item in the web version of the newsletter.
- For us here in Strategic Communications, these changes will allow us to greatly streamline the newsletter process and decrease errors.
What else do you need to know?
- There is now a new link to submit to newsletters: news.wichita.edu. Click “Submit a News Item” to begin. We suggest you bookmark this link for future use. If you forget and submit to the old link instead, don’t worry; Strategic Communications will still receive your submission.
- You do not need to do anything for previously submitted items. Those are being transferred to the new system.
- Once we launch, you can still view old newsletters at edu/wsutoday and wichita.edu/shockerblast. We will provide short URLs to the new newsletters soon.
For more information about how to use the new form submission link, or to submit feedback or questions, email sara.ornelas@wichita.edu or lainie.mazzullo@wichita.edu.
Shockers United campus reintegration staffing plan — Effective June 1, 2021
On June 1, 2021, the university will continue the Shockers United campus reintegration plan. This will include rescinding or revising a number of temporary policies and procedures, and reorienting our plans and protocols, as we transition over the summer toward a return to in person operations for fall 2021. The university’s plans, policies, and protocols implemented in response to COVID-19 supplement other existing university policies and procedures. These COVID related policies and procedures are contingent on current conditions and health guidance and are subject to change as deemed necessary by the University.
As we move forward, we should remain mindful of the guiding principles and public health considerations that have provided a framework for our response from the start of the pandemic. We should also continue to leverage technology enhancements (Zoom, Microsoft Team’s, and other virtual formats) and encourage basic health and safety practices that have served us well during the pandemic.
Health and Safety Practices
The university strongly encourages all employees to consider getting vaccinated.
During the reintegration phase, the university will modify the following health and safety measures:
- Face Coverings – Face coverings are encouraged, but not required. In limited circumstances, face coverings may be required.
- Social Distancing – Physical distancing is still encouraged where possible, but not required.
- Personal Health Screening – Individuals are responsible for screening their personal health, staying home if sick, and seeking medical advice as appropriate. Individuals subject to any isolation or quarantine requirements imposed by the local health department remain responsible for complying with such requirements.
- Cleaning and Disinfecting – Individuals should continue to keep the areas in which they personally work or are assigned to monitor sanitized. The University maintains a significant inventory of cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Supervisors may utilize the facilities work order system to request personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings and disposable masks.
- • Practicing Personal Hygiene – Individuals should continue to wash their hands often and use hand sanitizer when washing isn’t practical. Avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose, and use good respiratory etiquette like covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Remote Work
- Starting June 1, 2021, the university will resume business operations which generally requires in person work. Exceptions to a return to previous work arrangements such as requests for remote work, will be made on a case by case basis and discussed with the supervisor. Such requests should follow the Remote Work Guidance.
Venue change: Bobby Watson performance
The Jazz Arts and Banda Hispanica concert with special guest artist Bobby Watson has been moved indoors to Miller Concert Hall due to weather concerns. Acclaimed jazz saxophonist and composer Watson will join the Jazz Arts Ensemble 1 at 7:30 p.m. today. This concert also features Banda Hispanica, a Latin ensemble focusing on Afro-Cuban, salsa, Latin jazz, and Latin dance music.
The Bobby Watson Masterclass will still take place at 11 a.m. today in Duerksen C107.
Due to limited capacity, attendees must reserve a free ticket through the Fine Arts Box Office by calling (316) 978-3233 or emailing fastickets@wichita.edu.
ODI, CHAMPS hosts panel of DEI professionals
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and CHAMPS for a panel of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professionals at 1 p.m. Friday, April 30 virtually on the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion Facebook page. Learn about their experiences, and what they believe the future of DEI work will be.
Panel: The Movement of the Plastics Industry Toward Sustainability
We wrap up our Earth Day celebrations with a special panel moderated by Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate School Dean Coleen Pugh at 2 p.m. April 30. Dr. Pugh will be be joined by experts in the plastics industry:
- Joel Matsco, Covestro
- Mike Biddle, Evok Innovations
- Abdala Bashir, Danimer Scientific
Faculty to be recognized for excellence in teaching and research
The honorees for the 2021 University Faculty Awards will be recognized at 2 p.m. Friday, May 7 in Lowe Auditorium at Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.
To RSVP for in-person attendance or view the livestream visit Wichita.edu/facultyawards.
2021 University Faculty Award honorees:
- Academy for Effective Teaching: Sergio Salinas
- Excellence Award for Community Research: Michael Birzer
- Excellence in Online Teaching: Amy Chesser
- Excellence in Research: Michael Rogers
- Excellence in Teaching: Aaron Rife
- Young Faculty Risk Taker: Mythili Menon
- Young Faculty Scholar: Patrick Bondy
The Leadership in the Advancement of Teaching, Excellence in Accessibility Award, Excellence in Creative Activity Award and the Faculty Risk Taker awards were not awarded for 2021.
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Rowers to compete in Plains Regional Regatta
Join us from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 2 at Boats and Bikes River Vista for the Plains Regional Regatta. Athletes from Wichita State, Oklahoma State University, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will compete for more than 1,600 meters, finishing at the Shocker Rowing River Vista Boathouse. Can't make it to the river? No problem. Check out our live stream on Youtube bit.ly/plainsregional.
Panel: The Movement of the Plastics Industry Toward Sustainability
We wrap up our Earth Day celebrations with a special panel moderated by Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate School Dean Coleen Pugh at 2 p.m. April 30. Dr. Pugh will be be joined by experts in the plastics industry:
- Joel Matsco, Covestro
- Mike Biddle, Evok Innovations
- Abdala Bashir, Danimer Scientific
Volunteers needed for fall-risk monitoring study
Research Topic/Purpose of the study: The purpose of this study is to develop a wireless and flexible skin-wearable electronic device with motion sensors to identify the fall risk of older adults.
Procedures:
- The research team will help participants to put the fall risk monitoring device onto the skin.
- Each participant will be instructed to conduct five types of different daily activities (e.g., sitting or standing, lying, walking, climbing stairs, and running) as well as three types of falls (e.g., forward, backward, and lateral falls).
Time:
- This device test is expected to last about 60 minutes for fall risk monitoring and 30 minutes for additional education or paperwork.
- The fall risk monitoring test will be conducted on Thursdays and Fridays between April 15 and May 28.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 65 or above.
- Participants should be able to stand up from a seated position and lay down from a standing position repeatedly at least for 10 times and also walk, run, walk upstairs, and walk downstairs continuously at least for five minutes for each activity.
- Participants should not have mobility or activity difficulty.
- Participants should not have severe visual impairment and/or hearing loss problems.
- Participants should not have cognitive impairment.
Location: 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita State University, Beggs Hall (Main Lobby), Wichita, KS 67260
Payment to participation: You will receive a $100 Greenphire ClinCard for your participation. You can use the ClinCard at an ATM or at the store like a debit card. Participants must have a valid Social Security Number to participate and to receive the payment.
Contact: f you are interested in participating in this study, please contact PI, Dr. Yongkuk Lee by email yongkuk.lee@wichita.edu or phone (316) 978-7670.
Enjoy lunch and dessert at the Food Truck Plaza
Stop by the plaza for lunch and dessert with Dr. Tawook Mediterranean Kitchen and Cheri’s Sweet Ride food trucks! Dr. Tawook specializes in Shish Tawook (Chicken Sandwich) and Falafel. Cheri’s Sweet Ride serves cookie sandwiches, jumbo cupcakes, cookie cutouts and more. Get your meal to go, or spread out on our socially distanced picnic tables or beautiful green space. The trucks will be on site from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 29.