A special gift of time for employees
In times of great change and challenge, organizations often have to ask for one of the most precious things an employee has, more of their time. In appreciation for all the extra time and effort devoted on behalf of WSU during these ever-changing and challenging times, WSU wants to provide back a bit of what it has had to ask of our employees.
WSU is providing benefit-eligible employees three personal days away from work during the upcoming campus shutdown. Employees will not have to use accrued leave on Monday鈥揥ednesday, Dec. 21-23, 2020. If an employee is unable to take personal days away from work on those dates, they may substitute the dates of Monday鈥� Wednesday, Dec. 28鈥�30, 2020.
We wish you and your family a safe and restful Holiday. Please take with you our gratitude for all you do.
For more information about who is eligible for the personal days away from work during the campus shut down, instructions on recording time and information on what to do if you are unable to take a personal day(s) away from work on Monday鈥揥ednesday, Dec. 21鈥�23, click here.
Hiring deadlines prior to the 2020 Holiday Shutdown
The following deadlines will be implemented related to hiring to provide a more positive experience for candidates, while ensuring positions are posted and employees are hired successfully prior to the 2020 Holiday Shutdown.
Benefit Eligible Positions:
- Position descriptions must be approved in PeopleAdmin by noon Wednesday, Dec. 16, to be posted prior to the shutdown
- Hiring requests pending on Dec. 16 will be handled after the shutdown
- To attend the first 2021 New Hire Orientation (NEO) on Jan. 11, 2021:
o Verbal job offers must be accepted by Jan. 5, 2021
o The hire process must be completed by noon on Jan. 8, 2021
Non-Benefit Eligible Positions (i.e. Student/Grad, Lecturer, Temp):
- Hire Request forms must be submitted to employment@wichita.edu by Wednesday, Dec. 16 to be processed prior to the shutdown
- ePAFs must be approved by noon Friday, Dec. 18, to be processed prior to the shutdown; others will be returned to the department to be resubmitted for the next payroll period
*Reminder 鈥� Employees are not able to work if the ePAF has not been approved.
Please email Human Resources at employment@wichita.edu with any questions.
Spring OAT deadline is Feb. 12
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.
Faculty who design courses that provide instructional resources at no cost to students 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).
Learn more about Open Education Resources at the (ARC) Jan 11-15, or contact Maria Sclafani or Victoria Koger in the Library for assistance in finding no-cost resources.
Stay up-to-date on our SEM achievements
Did you miss the annual SEM update? Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management, presents a quick overview of the progress-to-date on our SEM plan. She also provides a look forward at our SEM 2025 goals.
Save the date for Hanover Research Faculty Workshop and Consultations on Jan. 22
麻豆破解版 State University is partnering with Hanover Research to provide faculty with webinars and consultations designed to increase your grant-writing success and research competitiveness.
#1 - Good vs Fundable Proposals Webinar, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 22.
This training will explore the difference between a good project and a fundable one, with particular emphasis on how to speak to funders鈥� expectations around innovation. A panel of grant consultants from a range of backgrounds will follow.
#2 - Faculty Consultations, Friday, Jan. 22
If you register and attend one or more of the Hanover webinars on Oct. 30, 2020, or Jan. 22, 2021. you will have a chance to receive a one-on-one consultation with a grant consultant expert from Hanover Research, who specializes in your area of research. Only eight slots are available and faculty (or groups of faculty with similar interests); must provide a white paper in advance of the Faculty Consultation to be considered for this opportunity.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to register for either of these Hanover Workshops.
Available Blackboard templates will speed your course creation
Spring courses are now loaded into Blackboard, and if you would like to speed up your class development, you might want to try one of the two available Blackboard templates now available to you.
Templates make class development easier because they provide structure, organization, and some standardized content for you. Instructional Design and Access has created two templates, one with a "traditional" organizational style using a "Course Materials" menu item containing 16 weekly folders, and one with each week's content linked in as a "main menu" (left-hand) link that goes directly to the week.
You can learn more about templates and download them at and if you have any questions, contact Instructional Design and Access at IDA@wichita.edu.
Toner replenishment program update
The toner replenishment program is now fully in place. All printers with a DEX MPS tag on the printer will receive an auto-replenishment of toner when your printer gets down to 30% toner life. If your printer was below 30% when the program went into effect, it will not auto-replenish. If this is the case for your printer, please call the phone number on the tag and tell the operator that you need toner; this will be a one-time process, all future orders will be automatic. The operator will need the Equipment ID # on the label.
The program also covers service and parts such as drum kits, fuser kits and toner collection units. When your printer notifies you that you need one of these parts, call the number on the label and order the part. At the end of each monthly cycle, you will receive an invoice from Central Services detailing your toner use for the month. You are only billed for toner use, nothing else. The detailed usage and rate per printer will give you the data you need to determine which printers should be replaced or taken out of service.
Please contact Ellen Abbey if you have any questions regarding this program or if you need assistance in ordering supplies, ellen.abbey@wichita.edu.
WSU Foundation 2020 Requisition Holiday Schedule
Christmas:
WSU Foundation will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25. Please have all requisitions submitted by noon Monday, Dec. 21. Requisitions will be processed on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
New Year鈥檚:
WSU Foundation will be closed Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Please have all requisitions submitted by noon Tuesday, Dec. 29. Requisitions will be processed on Thursday, Dec. 31.
UP & USS joint senate meeting set for Dec. 15
The UP and USS Senates joint meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, via Zoom. All meetings are open to the campus community. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please contact Kayla Jasso at kayla.jasso@wichita.edu for the Zoom link.
View meeting dates, agendas and minutes here.
Save the date: Strategic Communications annual seminar
Save the date for Strategic Communications' annual seminar to be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. The seminar will have a virtual format. This year's seminar will focus on the 125 years of education and innovation campaign. An RSVP for the event will be in WSU Today the first week in January.
Nominate an adult learner for the second annual Adult Learner of the Year Award
In March of 2021, the Office of Adult Learning will host the 2nd Annual Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony. In this ceremony, we will not only celebrate six years as an office, but we will also name an ALOTY, two finalists, a community partner and a WSU partner. We are calling on the WSU community to help us find an adult learner at 麻豆破解版 State deserving of the title, Adult Learner of the Year. The deadline to nominate an adult learner for is Friday, Jan. 29.
A student is considered an adult learner at 麻豆破解版 State if they are a current undergraduate earning their first bachelor鈥檚 degree and be either:
- 24 years or older or
- Military or Veteran student or
- Independent status
More information
ALOTY Criteria:
- 3.00 GPA at WSU (Extenuating circumstances can be reviewed)
- Displays perseverance in obtaining a degree
- Demonstrates Shocker Pride
- Possesses leadership qualities
If you know of a student who meets the following criteria, please and submit their name.
Generation Lead Podcast Series featuring Tajahnae Stocker
Current graduate student Alexus Scott and Student Involvement have partnered together to conduct and produce a podcast series focusing on the development of our next generation's leaders. The podcast series is called Generation Lead and features voices from current WSU students, staff, faculty, and community partners.
Due to the recent virtual change in in-person programming, the podcast series provides high impact dialogue that empowers, challenges, and motivates a generation to lead and take space in their personal capacities with great measure. You can check out previous and upcoming episodes via streaming platforms like Anchor, Spotify, Breaker, and Google Podcasts.
The Creator of Change, we鈥檙e going to learn and discuss more about the ICT Community Fridge Project. The ICT Community Fridge Project has launched and received an abundance of support from the local 麻豆破解版 community. This initiative and movement have been giving back in the form of providing mutual aid. The fridge serves as a resource to reduce food insecurity in targeted areas across the city.
Tajahnae Stocker has developed a program that precisely acknowledges the disparities and provides relief to the barriers and challenges that folks are faced with daily. Being a current student, we will explore the creation of her recent idea and discuss what leadership capabilities it鈥檚 taken to develop such a viable resource in such a short amount of time
Donate to Adult Learner Scholarship in honor of Dr. Susan Norton
Susan Norton, director of the Office of Adult Learning, will retire this month. Her last day at WSU will be Friday, Dec. 18. She has been at 麻豆破解版 State since 2008.
Norton is requesting that instead of having a retirement party, she would like those who can, to donate. The WSU Foundation has helped set up for those who would like to donate toward an Adult Learner Scholarship.
Nominate your GTA for the 2021 SGA Graduate Teaching Award of the Year
Started in Spring 2019, the 麻豆破解版 State University Student Government Association awards the SGA Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year. The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and recognize outstanding graduate teaching assistants for their contributions to the mission of 麻豆破解版 State University.
If you know any outstanding GTAs, nominate them today! Nominations for the 2021 SGA Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year are now open and will close at 5 p.m. March 12, 2021. Click here to nominate your academic advisor today.
Want to learn more about internal grant opportunities? Attend the WSU Faculty Support Committee Panel Discussion
WSU Office of Research Workshop: The WSU Faculty Support Committee & Internal Funding Opportunities: Dec. 15, 2020
Join the WSU Faculty Support Committee for a panel discussion about internal grant funding opportunities available to WSU faculty, including the URCA, ARC and MURPA. The WSU Faculty Support committee will describe each funding opportunity, the rating criteria that is used to evaluate applications and how to improve your likelihood of receiving this internal funding. The workshop will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Please sign up through myTraining or by emailing proposals@wichita.edu.
GRASP 2021 abstract submission is open!
The Graduate School is now accepting abstract submissions for the 17th annual Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium. GRASP 2021 will be held on Blackboard again this year with video presentations open for WSU community viewing starting on April 2. Please encourage your graduate students to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their research! Abstract submission closes on Feb. 11.
PTAC to host virtual workshop on Dec. 15
Kansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) will host a virtual workshop regarding the basics of doing business with federal, state and local governments.
The workshop titled 鈥淐ompeting for Government Contracts: Basic Training,鈥� will be
offered as a virtual program from 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. The program
focuses on an overview of the way government agencies purchase goods and services.
Also provided will be information on how a company can become a contractor to agencies
at all levels of government.
The workshop will be taught by Scott Knapp. Registration is required in advance to attend the workshop,and can be accomplished .
TIAA financial consultant available for online scheduling
TIAA virtual retirement advice and guidance meetings are available for online scheduling .
Jeremy Kohn, the Kansas based TIAA Financial Consultant who serves the WSU community, is available for meetings and can also be reached directly at jeremy.kohn@tiaa.org if you need assistance in scheduling a meeting. Jeremy can help you confirm you are on track for retirement and provide set of specific recommendations on how to invest your TIAA funds.
KMUW talks with experts about how to cope with social isolation over the holidays
The holiday season looks different this year, as the pandemic is keeping families and friends apart. We鈥檒l discuss how to cope with social isolation during COVID-19 with a group of expert panelists. The conversation will be livestreamed on KMUW's Facebook page and EngageICT.org starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. To ask a question, email it to info@kmuw.org or comment on the live Facebook video.
Our panelists are:
- Eric Litwiller, Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas
- Alicia Martinez Newell, 麻豆破解版 State University CARE Team
- Dr. Michelle Vann, Vanntastic Solutions
Spring recruitment events
Mark your calendars for the spring 2021 recruitment events! Members of the admissions
staff will reach out to academic colleges and departments on any events that require
assistance.
Shocker Legacy Day - Jan. 30
Shocker Saturday - Feb. 13
Black & Yellow Day - Virtual - Feb. 15
Student Ambassador Society Leadership Conference - Virtual - March 3
LEAD Luncheon - March 6
Shocker Saturday - March 13
Shocker Saturday - March 20
Shocker Saturday - April 3
The Parent Information Workshop that typically takes place at the end of January will
be replaced with a series of virtual events for parents of admitted students.
Admitted Student Receptions will take place virtually throughout February. Events
will be hosted by geographic area including events for students from the 麻豆破解版 metro
area, northeast Kansas, all other areas of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and
all other states.
Shocker Honors Scholars Receptions are scheduled to take place in April with two on-campus,
one in Oklahoma City and one in Overland Park. Black & Yellow Day is scheduled for
April 16. AVID Day is scheduled for April 21. Admissions will reevaluate these programs
as April approaches.
Freshman & Sophomore Day will likely be moved to Summer 2021.
Questions about any of these events can go to Mandy Harmon, associate director, at
mandy.harmon@wichita.edu.
Faculty stories featured in the news
Our 麻豆破解版 State faculty are remarkable. Their stories are regularly captured in the news featuring their research, engagement with students, and service to the community.
A collection of recent news stories can be found on the Faculty Advancement webpage (scroll down to see the stories). Check out what your colleagues are doing and share your latest accomplishments with Strategic Communications.
Student Affairs congratulates and recognizes retiring staff
Student Affairs would like to congratulate our retiring staff and thank them for their dedication to our vision of connecting every student!
Linda Claypool is retiring from her position in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs after 17 years of service.
Jean Ann Dandurand is retiring from her position at Student Health Services after 16 years of service.
Judy Gariepy is retiring from her position at Student Health Services after 23 years of service.
Kathy Stewart is retiring from her position in the Office of Disability Services after 38 years of service.
If members of the campus community have cards or well-wishes for Linda, Jean Ann, Judy or Kathy, please send them to Box 128 (RSC 231) by Dec. 17.
WPCE congratulates and recognizes retiring staff
WPCE would like to congratulate Linda Ambler and thank her for her dedication and unwavering commitment to our department over the past 35 years. Linda began her career at WSU in 1985 and has been organizing and planning the Community Education classes ever since.
Please join us in congratulating Linda on her many years of service to the university by sending her well wishes and cards to Box 136 or email them to her at linda.ambler@wichita.edu through Dec. 17.
Shocker strength coach puts holiday muscle into campaign for Harbor House
Hannah Wilkinson's office in the Student-Athlete Center is packed with boxes. She loads up her pickup with trips to the post office.
Wilkinson, 麻豆破解版 State鈥檚 associate head strength and conditioning coach, is taking donations for Catholic Charities Harbor House domestic violence shelter and service. The campaign is an extension of the toy drive that strength and conditioning coach Kerry Rosenboom organized in previous years.
Pictured above: Hannah Wilkinson, 麻豆破解版 State associate head strength and conditioning coach, is taking donations for Catholic Charities Harbor House domestic violence shelter and service.
Free shipping at shockerstore.com
Not a local Shocker? Don鈥檛 worry, the Shocker Store has free shipping with a $75 purchase at through Dec. 17! Not valid on textbook purchases.
Extra discount on clearance merchandise
Now through Dec. 18, take an extra 10% off already-marked-down clearance items in the Shocker Store! Sale is in RSC store only.
Santa letters available at WSU Post Office
WSU Postal Services is selling letters to Santa now to Wednesday, Dec. 16. The letters will be sent to Santa Claus, Indiana, and will receive a pictorial cancellation when sent to the recipient. The cost per letter / envelope is $1.50 and covers all postage.
Enroll for an in-person service-learning course in psychology!
The INSPYRE research lab (directed by Dr. Samantha Gregus) is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a 3-hour service-learning course in psychology (PSY 416) for the spring 2021 semester!
Prior to enrolling in PSY 416 (Psychology and Problems of Society) mentors are required to: pass an interview and background check, have reliable transportation, lunch availability from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at least twice a week, and attend class on Mondays from 3:30-6 p.m.
We have a course syllabus, class readings, and paper assignments. Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. We are interested in recruiting mentors from any college and major.
For more information, please contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu ASAP.