Message from Title IX Coordinator Sara Zafar
Sara Zafar
Dear 麻豆破解版 State University Community,
I hope you are all settling back into the Fall 2020 semester. As WSU鈥檚 Title IX Coordinator, I am responsible for our overall Title IX compliance program. The Title IX Office, as part of the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, receives reports, responds to and investigates allegations of discrimination on the basis of sex encompassing sexual assault, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as non sex based discrimination involving exclusion from activities such as admission, athletics, or employment.
Like the rest of the university, my office has adapted to necessary changes due to Covid-19 precautions. Since March, my office has been conducting interviews and investigations for allegations of harassment and discrimination using both Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms. Moving forward, we will continue to offer remote video-conference options to parties for investigations and hearing processes.
We have also implemented policy changes for the university with input from WSU students, faculty, and staff. Effective Aug. 14, WSU revised its Sexual Harassment policies and procedures. We combined the student policy (formerly WSU Policy 8.16) and the employee/visitor policy into one policy, WSU Policy 3.06 / Sexual Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation for Employees, Students and Visitors. The primary changes include updated policy definitions and the addition of a live hearing grievance process.
These changes are in response to the US Department of Education鈥檚 new Title IX regulations. You may have heard about the new regulations from the WSU Today and Shocker Blast, colleagues and friends, the news, or on social media. Many people who have read them have mixed feelings about them. We understand and welcome your input and are happy to talk with you regarding the new regulations and policy changes.
Through these lengthy and detailed regulations, the Department of Education sought to provide robust due process protections to those accused of sexual harassment or discrimination while also balancing the rights of those who experience sexual harassment, assault, dating violence, domestic violence, retaliation, and sex or gender discrimination. Our commitment to providing supportive measures, connection to resources, ending harassment and discrimination, and a fair, neutral and unbiased process for parties involved in these matters remains unchanged.
When OIEC receives a report, we immediately reach out to the impacted individual, offering supportive measures and resources available in the WSU and 麻豆破解版 communities, and an invitation to meet with me or another OIEC staff member. Fair process is a priority, as is ending harassment and ensuring safety for all members of the community. The new regulations required changes to WSU鈥檚 policies and procedures, and our dedication to a process respecting the dignity of all WSU community members remains unchanged. We encourage someone who experiences sexual harassment or discrimination to report and meet with one of us to discuss support, resources, options, and next steps. There is no time limit on reporting offenses to the university.
Our goal is to emphasize the best parts of the new regulations while recognizing the concerns our community members may have regarding some of the new provisions. The new policy has built-in procedural protections for all members of our community, many of which were in place prior to the policy change. These include:
- Providing clear notice to anyone accused of misconduct along with a presumption of innocence;
- Conducting a process that is transparent to the participants, where all evidence is known and shared prior to any final decision;
- Providing supportive measures to all parties designed to end the harassment
- Delivering resolutions to complaints as promptly as possible;
- Clear and appropriate sanctions for policy violations;
- Clear guidance on all resolution options, including informal resolution processes, if appropriate;
- Vetting and training decision-makers to ensure they are impartial and unbiased.
Our updated grievance process is a neutral administrative process that provides due process protections and prevents re-victimization. Both parties have the right to an advisor of their choice throughout the process, including initial meetings and interviews. Each party must have an advisor during the hearing process. If a hearing is required, separate hearing rooms will be provided for the parties, allowing both parties full participation. During the hearing, most questions are asked by a panel of three trained, neutral decision-makers, and any remaining questions will be asked by the advisors, not the parties. The hearing process is thorough, intentional, predictable, and fair, giving the panel access to the information necessary to arrive at a fair determination.
I understand not every member of the community is going to be comfortable with these changes. I welcome your input in an ongoing effort to improve our Title IX policies and procedures. I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in October to address questions from the WSU community. If you have questions about this process, or wish to talk to someone about your reporting options or supportive measures, please contact me at 316-978-5177 or by email at sara.zafar@wichita.edu.
Sincerely,
Sara Zafar
Title IX Coordinator
Video explains how to find instructor comments on your Blackboard assignments
Instructor grading comments are very important for your success on future assignments, but sometimes they can be hard to find in Blackboard. To be sure you are finding all the comments on your submitted work, make sure to review this short how-to video at . For more how-to videos, .
Constitution Day features discussions on First Amendment issues
Sessions on the rights to petition, peaceably assemble and free speech are just a few of the aspects of 麻豆破解版 State University鈥檚 annual observance of Constitution Day today (Wednesday, Sept. 16) and Thursday, Sept. 17.
All events are free, open to the public and available via Zoom. For a complete listing of events and Zoom meeting information, go to the 麻豆破解版 State Constitution Day webpage.
Participate in the Strategic Plan Town Hall
The Strategic Plan Town Hall will be held via from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This university-wide event will be dedicated to updating the Shocker faculty, students, staff, alumni, university partners and the Shocker community on the plan for 2020-21. Join the town hall moderator, WSU Faculty Senate President & School of Music Director Dr. Aleks Sternfeld Dunn as he welcomes President Jay Golden and Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma for remarks. Kaye Monk-Morgan, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, will present the refreshed university strategic plan.
For a download of related documents, click on the links provided:
For more information, contact the Strategic Planning Committee at strategicplanning@wichita.edu.
_____________________________________
This year鈥檚 Town Hall will be virtual. to attend.
Please note that this event requires access to a computer/laptop/tablet with access a web browser and sound.
Deloitte Consulting at 麻豆破解版 State 鈥� Diversity Equity & Inclusion Straight Talk Panel today
Deloitte Consulting invites students to attend a straight talk panel about diversity, equity, and inclusion from 4-5:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 16), via Zoom.
It is an excellent opportunity to:
- Ask all your questions regarding careers in supply chain and consulting
- Learn more about the culture at Deloitte and the firm's diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Hear from women, underrepresented minorities, veterans and LGBTQ+ identifiers about their experiences at Deloitte
- Network with our Deloitte practitioners
Register at to attend.
The event is hosted by 麻豆破解版 State鈥檚 Shocker Career Accelerator and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Questions: Call 978-3688 or email CareerDevelopment@wichita.edu.
Collegiate Leadership Competition Team applications open
Apply to be on 麻豆破解版 State鈥檚 first VIRTUAL Collegiate Leadership Competition Team. This competition takes place during the spring semester (February to April). We are looking to fill four spots.
What you need to know:
- This is a FREE experiential opportunity!
- The competition will take place virtually during the spring semester, with meetings and trainings taking place during the fall. All practice and team meetings will be held in a hybrid format.
- Participants will engage in virtual leadership activities that focus on transferrable skills, exploration and practice, networking, and refining leadership skills.
- Each participant will receive a swag pack.
- Applications due by Sunday, Oct. 4
For more information about the competition, go to .
WuShock sculpture unveiled in front of YMCA building
A first-of-its-kind WuShock sculpture was unveiled and dedicated Tuesday at the entry plaza of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center. The 8-foot bronze sculpture is the creating of local artist Wade Hampton, who worked with WSU Athletics and Clark to capture his vision in sketch form, and local artist Connie Ernatt, who transformed the drawing to the final bronze sculpture.
The sculpture embraces a vintage style of the mascot. After working through several miniature clay models, the team took the design to the Reverse Engineering Lab at National Institute for Aviation Research, where a 3D scan created a full-size computer model of the statue. GoCreate used the model to create a foam replica that Ernatt covered in clay to be bronzed
麻豆破解版 State lab to be renamed for Sen. Moran's commitment to WSU mission and vision
麻豆破解版 State University鈥檚 Advanced Center for Virtual Engineering and Testing will soon have a new name. The building鈥檚 renaming is a tribute to Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran鈥檚 commitment to provide vital resources and connections that help 麻豆破解版 State offer impactful student experiences to drive prosperity for the city, region and state.
The building will renamed the Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing, with a dedication ceremony planned this fall.
The Jerry Moran Center is a 20,000-square-foot facility on WSU鈥檚 Innovation Campus. The building houses Crash Dynamics, Building Block, Virtual Engineering and Flight Test Labs, part of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). AVET supports cutting-edge virtual and physical crash dynamics testing capabilities for the aviation and greater transportation industries, while providing 麻豆破解版 State students with valuable applied learning experiences in an industry-based setting.
Pictured above: The soon-to-be-named Jerry Moran Center for Advanced Virtual Engineering and Testing.
The Shocker Support Locker is open for the academic year
The Shocker Support Locker is open to all 麻豆破解版 State University students, faculty and staff and offers anyone who needs it access to food, clothing, toiletries, and baby/family products. The Shocker Support Locker is coordinated and managed by the Student Government Association.
To limit the spread of COVID-19, all students, faculty or staff are asked to complete the Shocker Support Locker Order Form to request items from the Shocker Support Locker until further notice. Locker staff will contact the user to coordinate a pick-up time between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday for the fall semester.
Questions? Please contact sga.supportlocker@wichita.edu.
New hours for ITS Help Desk
In the face of the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, 麻豆破解版 State's first priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our entire Shocker community. The Office of Technology Help Desk is taking many sensible steps to follow State of Kansas, Sedgwick County, and federal government guidelines for protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff while continuing to provide support.
Our staff members will be working both physically and remotely to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are receiving the necessary support during this unprecedented time. Please be aware that all in-person appointments must be scheduled in advance.
Our hours of operation for the fall 2020 semester are:
- Monday- Thursday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. - Remotely
- Monday 鈥� Friday: 8 a.m.-noon - In the Office
- All in-person appointments must be scheduled in advance through the .
- Friday : 8.a.m.- 5 p.m. - Remotely
- Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Remotely
Financial Wellness & Money Management Blackboard Course
Here at the Office for Student Money Management in Student Success, we believe that all students should graduate with financial confidence! Through this course, students at 麻豆破解版 State University will develop personal finance goals and learn the basics of financial literacy which will support their decisions during and after their time at the institution.
The course is FREE and may be completed in two hours if done in one session. Students will also receive a certificate of achievement. To self-enroll into the Blackboard Organization, scan the QR Code or go to .
If you have questions, contact us at osmm@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3254.
E-Launch registration now open!
E-Launch fosters entrepreneurial activity, leading to the commercialization of ideas. Through an interactive process, participants will learn to clearly conceptualize how the product or service can provide real value to customers. Participants will be shown how to validate their value proposition with customers and other stakeholders. Avoid spectacular failures in execution by learning before you launch, not after.
Now accepting fall 2020 I-Corps applications
麻豆破解版 State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports 麻豆破解版 State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research, and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
Learn to #BeThere for others with the free #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training
Learn how you can #BeThere for someone in need with the #WeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training! Anyone with a wichita.edu or shockers.wichita.edu can sign up for free at and clicking Take the Training Today.
Get ahead with a no-cost business finance webinar
Do you own a business or are you thinking of starting a business? Whether you want a basic understanding of cash flow as you start a new business or you want to adjust your cash flow in the wake of COVID-19 impact, this workshop will give you tools and knowledge to help you focus and move forward. We hope to see you virtually from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Register for this no-cost webinar at .
Know an outstanding Shocker senior? Nominate them today!
WSU Homecoming Court nominations are open! Nominees must be a current undergraduate student with senior status and good academic standing as of spring 2020, and must not have previously been a Homecoming candidate. Individuals are welcome to self-nominate, or may be nominated by a WSU student, faculty or staff member.
Homecoming Court nominations will close Monday, Sept. 21.
麻豆破解版 State Homecoming will be held Oct. 19-26.
to make a nomination.
Calling curious nerds!
Are you a nerd? Are you an individual who equates sharing knowledge to giving a gift? Are you excited about learning? Does the world you have found yourself in fascinate you every day? Is your curiosity - in an array of subjects and topics - unmatched with those around you? Are you worried about the future of humanity as a whole more than what lies before you specifically? Are you interested in living and working on projects with individuals who match the descriptions above?
to see if you can join a group who will partake in projects of learning, exercising ideas, and innovation.
ShockerConnect provides mentors for students interested in becoming involved on campus
ShockerConnect is a resource for current students to get connected with a student organization leader for peer mentoring, guidance, and support through Student Involvement!
If you are interested in learning more about getting involved or in joining one of our organizations, and submit it by Friday, Sept. 18. We will be in touch with you in early October about your Shocker Connection!
Gamma Phi Friday
Interested in Greek Life? Join Gamma Phi Beta from 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 18, at Fairmount Coffee Co.! Learn more about our sisterhood and ask any questions you may have regarding Continuous Open Biding. We would love for you to join our sisterhood.
Wanted: Dancers and K-Pop lovers! Come dance with KVersity!
KVersity is a K-Pop, Hip-Hop dance group based on-campus for anyone to join! If you want to learn the dances of your favorite K-Pop groups, meet new people with similar interests as you, or try something new, then KVersity is the group for you!
Join us at practice at noon on Saturdays in 141 Heskett Center to learn more about who we are. No dance experience is required. Reach out to us at kversitydance@gmail.com with any questions you may have, and follow us at @kversity_official on Instagram to see what we are up to. See you soon.
What is consent?
Join Counseling and Prevention Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to continue the discussion on what consent really is! This digital panel is at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
Please register prior to the event at .
Our panelists will discuss the resources available to students at 麻豆破解版 State University. This is an opportunity to ask anonymous questions around consent and learning about the importance of consent. We have a great lineup of panelists who will be part of this virtual panel. Hear from the following panelists:
Meredith Osborne, Campus Advocate, 麻豆破解版 Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC),
Ashlyn Riley, Student Services Coordinator, and
Sara Zafar, Title IX Coordinator.
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Selena Jackson.
For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to .
Become a founding member of Phi Sigma Pi!
Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity is searching for students with the potential to act boldly as a leader and make a positive impact at 麻豆破解版 State University. We are looking for enthusiastic, creative, loyal, and impactful students who are seeking a rewarding challenge of starting a strong organization on campus by joining the Phi Sigma Pi Interest Group at 麻豆破解版 State University.
Phi Sigma Pi is open to all majors and all undergraduate students, with the goal of bringing the best and brightest students together to make a larger impact on their campus, community, and world. Our members form lifelong friendships through our principles of scholarship, leadership, and fellowship.
- Undergraduate Student
- 3.0+ G.P.A.
- At least one semester of college work completed
Member benefits:
- Scholarships and Awards
- Nationwide networking
- Leadership in Action certification
- Service Learning Impact
We are excited to start this process in the fall 2020 semester and want you to be involved. to indicate your interest!
Join us for our next Physics Seminar today
Please join us for the next Physics Seminar via Zoom at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Sept. 16), featuring Professor Phillip Lubin, Physics Department at UC Santa Barbara. The title of this talk will be "Large Scale Directed Energy - The Path to Interstellar Flight".
Physics Seminar and Zoom information
Ulrich Museum invites you to Senior Wednesday talk by Registrar Jo Cox on Artist Hilma af Klint
Senior Wednesday is back at the Ulrich Museum of Art! Meet the Ulrich鈥檚 new Registrar, Jo Cox (virtually), for an examination of early abstraction that seeks to bring artist Hilma af Klint into that conversation at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday, Sept 16). The program is free and open to all. Registration is required to get the Zoom link.
Diversity in Politics Roundtable Discussion presented by the Shocker Vote! Coalition
The Shockers Vote! Coalition is back for its second roundtable discussion. This month we are focusing on Diversity in Politics at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 17).
Our panel will discuss the critical topic of diversity in our local politics. This is an issue that we know our students care deeply about, so we want to provide students an opportunity to hear from local leaders on this topic.
The panel will be moderated by Student Body Vice President Mackenzie Haas and SGA Director of Public Relations David Garcia.
Register by Sept. 18 for Shocker Paint Night
Whether you are the next Picasso or if you have never touched a paint brush in your life, anyone can paint a masterpiece. (Van) Gogh have a wonderful time creating Shocker-themed pieces of art with the Student Activities Council during this virtual, step-by-step tutorial.
Register online by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, to receive a supply kit for the class; $10 for WSU students with Shocker ID and $20 for families and the general public.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Sponsored by the Student Activities Council.
Game Night: Escape Room
Love to play games and want to get to know other Shockers on campus? Join SAC on the third Friday of every month for a virtual game night! Cards Against Humanity, Pictionary, Scattegories, and more: we鈥檒l pick a new game every month!
At 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, we will feature a Virtual Escape Room: You鈥檒l live chat with your fellow group, scour a virtual world, and examine the internet for clues, while racing against the clock. This is a high-stakes, all-or-nothing maximum speed adventure to save your partner and make the bad guys pay. Can you put the clues of this escape room together and finish before the time runs out? Buckle up, it鈥檚 going to be a fast ride! Space is limited, register early at .
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Student Panel Webinar: Study Abroad Experiences
Want to learn more about study abroad programs? Attend our first webinar! Hear from students about their experiences and ask questions to our student panelists. We will have students who have studied abroad in Japan, Austria, France, and Paraguay on different programs either during a semester or summer. Be entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship by attending a webinar or double your chances by attending two.
Register for webinars at .
Flicks on the Field - Outdoor Movie Series
Flicks on the Field is an outdoor movie series occurring every-other Thursday now through Oct. 22. Movies will be shown at Cessna Stadium, and students must enter at the northwest corner of the stadium. Students are encouraged to bring blankets, snacks, and their friends for this fun series. Concessions and restrooms will be available.
The series includes:
鈥淏ring It On鈥� at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24
鈥淛umanji: The Next Level鈥� at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8
鈥淗ocus Pocus鈥� at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held in the CAC Theater. Because of limited seating capacity, tickets for the theater will need to be reserved in advance.
Reserve your Flicks on the Field here.
Flicks on the Field is coordinated by Student Involvement. If you have questions about this event or others, contact Student Involvement at getinvolved@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3022.
Your vote makes all the difference in the world! Be sure you are registered to vote. Get started today by visiting to register here in Kansas or back in your hometown.
Sign up today to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot. Let's show them that #shockersvote.
Questions? Contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu for more information.
Sign up today for the Pumpkin Run
Hello runners and walkers from around the world!
The race this year is different 鈥� we are going virtual! With the hopes to reunite in person next year.
What are the positive outcomes of running with us virtually? You pick the day that you feel the best to run between Saturday, Oct. 10-24. No worrying about parking, weather, or if you brought your headphones. No matter where you are, US, Asia, Canada, Australia, you can still participate in our race.
As a Pumpkin Run participant, you will receive a customized T-shirt, special edition face mask (pick from three designs), and a finisher medal.
NEW this year: We have launched a referral program. Invite friends to run with you using your personalized link/code. When five or more friends have registered with your code, you will get $15 off your registration. That means that your registration is just $10! We will reward you with a fabulous registration price and maybe even something special in your packet.
Sign up today at .
Community Service Board (CSB) member meetings
Have you ever thought about volunteering? Join the Community Service Board for a virtual meeting every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5 p.m. During meetings you will have a chance to learn about CSB's service events and about ways you can become involved. All meetings will be held virtually; sign-up at .
Still have questions? Email CSB@麻豆破解版.edu.
First come first served at Free Food Giveaway
A Free Food Giveaway will be held from 12:30-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, with pick-up at the Charles Koch Arena parking lot. It鈥檚 first come, first served!
Volunteer opportunity with Meals on Wheels
Join the Community Service Board delivering meals with Meals on Wheels. Learn more at .
Lock your car doors and protect your belongings
麻豆破解版 State police report that multiple cars have had things taken where students park late at night. All of those cars had been left unlocked.
Please lock your car doors, hide your belongings, put them in the trunk, or take your belongings with you.
Don鈥檛 give a thief an opportunity to make you a victim. The WSU PD takes great pride in keeping the campus safe, but we need your help to accomplish that.
Please, if you see something, say something!