Town Hall recap
Acting President Rick Muma and Kansas Board of Regents President Blake Flanders joined a virtual staff and faculty town hall on Monday. Faculty Senate President Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn, USS Senate President Randy Sessions and UP Senate President Trish Gandu moderated.
The town hall is available on the .
- Muma addressed budget planning for fiscal year 2022. He reiterated plans for a 10-percent cut, depending on November鈥檚 revenue estimates for the state of Kansas. Fall enrollment, he said, came in stronger than expected in terms of revenue.
鈥淭hat will help, but we won鈥檛 know the full picture until we start our spring enrollments (next month),鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l have a better understanding once that gets underway to look at the full picture of our budget.鈥�
- Muma said 67 of the 238 eligible people applied for the university鈥檚 early retirement program. Applicants will be notified on Wednesday of their status. Those accepted have until Oct. 28 to submit their intent to retire.
- Muma discussed Monday鈥檚 launch its COVID-19 Voluntary Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing Program. Every two weeks, WSU will select a random sample of undergraduate, graduate, non-degree seeking and other students with an on-campus presence and notify them of the availability of voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.
- Muma said Spring 2020 commencement included around 600 students on Saturday. Fall commencement, spread out over two ceremonies to allow for social distancing, is planned for Nov. 22
- Muma said his top priority as acting president is to keep faculty, staff and students moving forward and offer support, reassurance and opportunities to discuss the transition.
鈥淥bviously, the budgetary issues will be very important for whoever the interim is, and the next president,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l be working with faculty and staff to help shape that going forward.鈥�
- Many of the priorities outlined by former President Jay Golden remain important, Muma said. Those priorities include Convergence Science Proposals designed to support research, goals for research, digital transformation that includes four degree proposals under review by the Board of Regents, the National Institute for Digital Transformation and construction projects for Hubbard Hall and Clinton Hall.
- Flanders said he expects the Board of Regents to discuss selecting an interim president on Wednesday at its meeting. He said he expects an interim president soon. The timeline for a search for a permanent president remains uncertain, pending more discussion. He described three options for a search process 鈥� a board-led search (in which the board interviews and selects), a search in which a committee interviews and recommends three-to-five candidates for the board to select from, and a search in which finalists come to campus for open forums before the board makes a selection.
鈥淚 think the board will evaluate all those options and determine what鈥檚 the best fit,鈥� Flanders said.
Deadline for OAT course designations is approaching
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs for students. Applications for Fall '21 courses are due by Nov 15 (in preparation for fall schedule building in January).
Faculty who design courses that provide instructional resources at no cost to student are eligible for an OAT course designation. Students pay a flat $10 course fee, with these funds being split between the department offering the course and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (which funds faculty to develop more OAT courses / materials).
The OAT Initiative is managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations are reviewed by a committee composed of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
New Training: Microsoft Teams Advanced for Team Owners
ITS Applications Training is excited to announce a new Microsoft Teams training: Teams Advanced for Team Owners!
This session will focus on the fine details of the teams module within the teams program. This session will cover team creation, team types, managing team membership, tags, team settings, team codes, file recovery, file access monitoring, basic Teams SharePoint navigation, and more. We recommend that you attend Teams Essentials prior to attending Teams Advanced.
Teams Essentials and Teams Advanced sessions will both continue to be listed regularly in myTraining (log in through myWSU) and are currently offered as remote sessions.
Questions? Contact Ali Levine at ali.levine@wichita.edu.
Global Village Assembly at WSU
Global Village Assembly: Open Mic zoom event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. It will be an intersectional sharing of idea using words, poems, music and other media of your choice. The topic will be 鈥淰ision for Leadership鈥� personal, groups, community etc.)
The event is organized by Women鈥檚 Studies & Ethnic Studies, and sponsored by the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
Zoom information
from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
Password: 129377, or iPhone one-tap :
US: +13462487799, 99582683585# or +16699006833, 99582683585#
Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592
Meeting ID: 995 8268 3585
or
Want to do a test call? Go to .
Submit the office RSVPs: annual SEM gathering on Oct. 28
The annual SEM gathering will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28. Please submit the office RSVPs.
For all of those across campus engaged in Strategic Enrollment Management -- we won鈥檛 gather in the ballroom to report on and celebrate our SEM accomplishments this year, but we will have a special SEM movie that we want to share, along with some movie snacks, and on opportunity to socialize in-person or in multiple zoom rooms!
Offices are encouraged to consider hosting a small viewing party in a conference room for those staff who want to get together, while also supporting remote participation. Check with your supervisor to see if they have submitted an RSVP for your office / department.
RSVPs can be submitted here.
Celebrate Women in STEAM Week!
You're invited to attend the 2020 Virtual Women in STEAM Gala, hosted by "Let's Go Full STEAM Ahead!"
Women in STEAM Week is held every year in October. We're celebrating now to Oct. 18, to honor the women throughout history who have paved the way for future innovators in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), and to empower the next generation so that they can accomplish anything they dream.
"Let's Go Full STEAM Ahead!" was founded by 麻豆破解版 State student Sierra Bonn. Learn more at .
Ulrich Virtual book discussion later today examines powerful portrait of Ugandan girl
The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to join it virtually at 6 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 13) for what promises to be an exciting discussion of Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi's novel, "A Girl is a Body of Water."
KMUW's Beth Golay, host of the "Marginalia" podcast, will lead a discussion of this powerful portrait of a young Ugandan girl and her family. You can pick up your copy of the book at program co-sponsor Watermark Books & Cafe. The discussion is free and open to all, but you have to register to get the .
Orders accepted. Order now using the link provided.
The International Student Union announces Fall 2020 INTERFEST: International Food Festival from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, on the lawn of Neff Hall.
Each semester, WSU students prepare and sell dishes from their native countries for this event. The festival provides a platform for intercultural sharing where the WSU community and visitors can try out diverse cuisine and learn about the origins and cultural significance of a particular dish. It also serves as a fundraiser for international student associations, although small groups of students also participate to have as many diverse dishes as possible.
The format has changed from previous semesters - diners will need to preorder and then pick up their food. The order link is here.
Veteran and Military Art Expo hosted by Veterans Upward Bound is seeking art entries now to Oct. 30
Veterans Upward Bound, part of TRIO, is seeking art submissions for our first Virtual Art Expo.
We are seeking all types of art from veterans, military (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard), veteran spouses, military spouses, veteran children, military children and community service providers whose work touches the military and/or veteran community.
With your art, please include a short narrative or recording about what it means to you and how you were inspired to create it.
WSU students and staff who meet the entry criteria are strongly encouraged to submit an entry!
This is a non-competitive show, just an expo for you to display your creative side! The expo will be held on VUB鈥檚 YouTube channel from Nov. 2-20.
Veterans Upward Bound is an educational and skills program designed to meet the needs of today's veterans. VUB's goal is to prepare veterans for post-secondary education, regardless of desired institution. All services are free to veterans who meet the eligibility criteria.
By submitting a piece of art, you will help drive awareness of our beneficial service throughout the community.
Please join in! Submit a picture, sound byte or video by email to Veterans.upwardbound@wichita.edu.
October issue of Teaching Today is now available
The October issue of Teaching Today is now available!
This month's issue explains what you need to know about archiving Blackboard classes, uncovers a new cheating website for Zoom-based classes, and as a Halloween special, it even gets you the information you need if you would like to host your own Zoom-based "murder mystery."
We hope you enjoy it, and if you would like to request an article in a future issue, please let us know at IDA@wichita.edu.
avvy Scholar Workshops continue through October
University librarians are here to help strengthen Shocker research! Savvy Scholar Workshops continue Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 with a full fall schedule available at .
Virtual panel series seeks to identify critical conversations surrounding the pandemic
How are "expert" perspectives formed in relation to the pandemic? How is research done and what resources are needed?
In this series, library and departmental faculties will explore approaches and methodologies for researching the impacts of COVID-19, as well as issues relating to the disruption and potentials of academic research during a pandemic.
Go to for a full list of expert panelists, event descriptions, and direct Zoom links for this virtual series.
Questions? Message meghann.kuhlmann@wichita.edu.
No-cost webinars to help you start your business
The Kansas SBDC will present the following no-cost webinars:
Startup and Start Right
Noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13
Protect all your hard work by starting your business legally. Learn how to quickly startup in just 10 steps. This workshop will cover licenses and permits, federal and state tax IDs, business structure, funding, marketing and other essentials.
Cause and Effect Cash Flow
Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14
What is the 鈥渃ause鈥� of your low cash? Learn how a cash flow projection can 鈥渆ffect鈥� positive change on your finances. Presenter Frank Choriego will cover the relationship between cash flow and inventory, credit, sales, and profits.
Start an Online Business
Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15
This eCommerce crash course outlines some website building platforms that can help you start an online business. Whether you want to turn your hobby or idea into cash in your pocket, create a job for yourself, or start a small business, this webinar will show you the basics of selling online and get you off to a good start.
You can register online at KSBDC Workshops.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Technology Takes the Wheel event on Oct. 16
AAA Kansas and 麻豆破解版 State University invite you to attend our third FREE Technology Takes the Wheel庐 event, mapping our transition to autonomous vehicles from 9-11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16,
Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges regarding connected and self-driving vehicles involving the vehicle-infrastructure relationship, safety and security. Will Kansas be ready? Will you?
Please mark your calendar as we examine the new technologies and the requirements of transportation and security infrastructures for AV systems and what is being done to bring this future of transportation to reality.
Technology Takes the Wheel Registration
Physics Seminar Series features Dr. Mario R. Perez, NASA HQ, Washington, DC on Oct. 14
Our next Physics Seminar will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, via Zoom; the meeting ID is 944 200 607 56.
This talk will feature Dr. Mario R. Perez from NASA HQ, Washington, DC, and the title will be 鈥淎strophysics Discoveries and the Upcoming Decade.鈥� We hope you can join us for this virtual talk.
UP & USS joint senate meeting set for Oct. 20
The UP and USS Senates joint meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, via Zoom. All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for the Zoom link.
View meeting dates, agendas and minutes
State Employee Health Plan updates in response to COVID-19
Governor Laura Kelly announced four (4) provisions on March 13, 2020 that have been extended through October 31, 2020 for employees and dependents enrolled in medical insurance through the State Employee Health Plan.
- SEHP will cover medically necessary diagnostic tests that are consistent with CDC guidance related to the COVID-19 at no cost share to member, where it is not covered as part of the Public Health Service response.
- SEHP will allow early refills on 30 or 90-day prescription medications and/or allow
members to use their mail order benefit.
More information
- Given the nature of the COVID-19 outbreak, seeking in person medical care has the potential to further spread the virus. SEHP partners with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas to provide Telehealth services with a virtual doctor鈥檚 office. There is 24/7/365 access to this service. The member cost share will be waived for any Telehealth service. In addition to telehealth services provided by Teledoc or Amwell, the member cost share will also be waived for services from your in-network physician that are billed as telehealth services.
- For plan participants that reside in the Topeka area, the HealthQuest Health Center available to members enrolled in the health plan, is located at 901 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka
- Phone screening is recommended before going to the center: 785-783-4080
- If a patient walks into the clinic, they will have them put on a mask and clean their hands with hand sanitizer. The health center staff will evaluate the patient鈥檚 symptoms and recommend they isolate if the initial findings and/or symptoms present are a positive indicator for the virus.
- COVID-19 testing is available at the HealthQuest Health Center for State of Kansas employees. Curbside testing will be available at the center by appointment only.
For all up to date information regarding COVID-19 and the WSU campus please visit www.wichita.edu/covid19.
Changes to your HSA/HRA/FSA for 2020 due to CARES Act
Due to the recent CARES Act legislation, there have been some updates to how you can use your HSA, HRA and/or Healthcare FSA funds. Updates include the ability to use funds for over the counter (OTC) medications without a prescription and for menstrual care products. These changes are retroactively effective to Jan. 1, 2020.
Your NueSynergy debit card may not immediately work for purchases of these items as merchants are in the process of updating their systems to accommodate these changes, but you are able to pay out of pocket and submit reimbursement requests through the NueSynergy .
You can find more information from NueSynergy here: . If you have more specific questions about eligible purchases, you can reach NueSynergy directly at 1-855-750-9440 for further assistance. When calling, identify yourself as a State of Kansas employee, and be prepared to provide your SHaRP ID (found by logging in to myWSU and hovering the mouse over the white box in the 鈥淪HaRP ID鈥� channel).
Shocker alums power through the unprecedented as school principals
Cindy Graves has only one regret about earning her Master in School Leadership degree at 麻豆破解版 State University: 鈥淚 didn't take the class Leading a School During a Global Pandemic. I must have missed that day,鈥� she joked.
Graves and thousands of other school principals around the nation are pioneers in pandemic school leadership. Get to know two Shockers who are leading their schools through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image above: Jeff Freund, principal of Robinson Middle School in 麻豆破解版, uses Bitmojis and humor to encourage and communicate with the school's students and families.
Cluck Cluck Boom @ Fuzzy's
Give your hunger the bird! Introducing new fried chicken tacos at Fuzzys. The Baha Hot Chicken Taco - our take on Nashville Hot with a chicken tender dipped in Baja Hot sauce, garlic sauce, lettuce, dill pickle slices, tomatoes and feta. The Cluckin' Friend Chicken Taco-Crispy Chicken Tender, garlic sauce, bacon, avocado slices, shredded cheese, tomatoes and ranch.
Learn 2 Row with Shocker Rowing
Join Shocker Rowing Learn 2 Row between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Boats and Bikes at River Vista. Safely learn the basics of rowing and get on the river with the athletes. For more information, go to wichita.edu/shockerrowing.
Public invited to Fall World Series game on Oct. 17
Hey Shocker fans, 麻豆破解版 State Baseball is back in action this fall with the Fall World Series. Game five will be open to the public and have free admission at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Masks will be required to be worn at all times.
For more information, visit the link in the newsletter. We look forward to seeing you back at Eck Stadium!
Join us for this week's Virtual Wellness Programs
Join Student Health this week as they discuss Sexual Health. Relax and destress with Counseling and Prevention. Get your workout on with Campus Recreation with Core Exercise tips and discussion. We hope to see you online!
Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis
Come and enjoy a half hour organ recital in the Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis recital series at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. Davis will perform on the great Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall on the campus of WSU. Free admission. Works performed will be Jehan Alain's two famous Fantasies and C茅sar Franck's Pi猫ce H茅ro茂que.
You can attend in person or watch through the live stream on the WSU School of Music's Facebook page. Tune in just before 5:15 p.m.
Use your Shocker Dollars in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
Did you know that the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes accepts Shocker Dollars? Shocker Dollars are accepted for food and non-alcoholic beverages. Sorry, play and alcohol are excluded. Visit today to use yours!
Student Support Services is accepting applicants for the Martinez Inspire Scholarship
Calling all first-generation students, limited-income students and students of disability status: we are looking for you who want to be served by a program who recognizes and empowers first-generation and limited-income students and students of disability status to achieve their higher-education aspirations. TRIO Student Support Services offers academic advising, individualized tutoring, scholarships exclusively for SSS participants and much more.
Please share this scholarship opportunity with students who may qualify.
As a new participant, we are excited to offer the Student Support Services Martinez Inspire Scholarship. For the fall 2020 semester, we are offering $150 to students committed to joining our program and being an active participant.
In order to be eligible for this opportunity, we want you to apply to be a Student Support Services participant and let us help guide your academic life at WSU. This can be done by completing the SSS Application Form available in the SSS office or online. The first 15 students to complete the application form, get accepted and attend their first advising appointment (in-person or virtual), will be eligible for the $150 SSS Martinez Inspire Scholarship.