Shocker Blast: Feb. 27, 2019

 

Open discussion planned today (Wednesday, Feb. 27)

Open Discussions on Feb. 19 and 27, 2019

All students, faculty and staff are invited to an open discussion about campus resources for sexual violence from 1-2 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27) in 264 RSC.

Speakers will include representatives from the Counseling and Testing Center, Office of Institutional Equality and Compliance, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, ڶ Police and Student Health Services. A question and answer period will follow. For more information contact the Student Advocate at student.advocate@wichita.edu.


Campus Rec Health Fair today (Wednesday, Feb. 27)

Campus Rec Health Fair Feb. 27, 2019

Join us as we host an educational and interactive health fair in the upstairs gymnasium at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27) in the Heskett Center gymnasium. Plan to join hundreds of your fellow Shockers as you receive medical screenings and wellness tips from more than 50 vendor booths from Wichita State departments and the community. For more information visit . 


Liberal Arts and Sciences to host Shock the Future Town Hall today (Wednesday, Feb. 27)

LAS Town Hall Feb. 27, 2019

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will host another Town Hall meeting to discuss the Shock the Future referendum from 5:30-7 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27) in Feb. 27, in 208 Hubbard Hall. There will be a short presentation to explain what effects the student infrastructure referendum would have on LAS, and we’ll address frequently asked questions. Then the floor will be opened for a Q&A.

Additionally, pizza and a long-sleeve T-shirt will be provided to those who attend. So that we may order enough pizza, please RSVP to lasreferendum@wichita.edu. If you are unable to attend but still have questions, you may also email your questions to lasreferendum@wichita.edu.


Parking Services reminder

Parking services

Parking Services is experiencing technical issues affecting the reliability of text messages. A portion of lot closure and citation text messages are not reaching recipients.

Please note, men’s basketball has two home games remaining and basketball lots will close on the following dates and times:

Thursday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5 at 5 p.m.

We are working on a solution and hope to have reliability restored soon. We apologize for any inconvenience.


Service-Learning Showcase registration open

Service-Learning Showcase April 24, 2019

The Service-Learning Showcase will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, in 233 RSC. It is a unique opportunity for students who participate in service-learning through applied learning opportunities to showcase their experience through a research or reflective poster about the application of their course work to current community issues.

The showcase is an open forum for students to interact with faculty, staff, community partners and other students to engage in conversation about ڶ’s commitment to the public good. Awards are presented in the following categories: Overall Service-Learning, Community Impact, Innovation and Creativity (i.e., problem solving), and Collaboration/Leadership.

Registration is available here.


Diversity and Inclusion schedules LGBTQ Movie Night

LGBTQ movie night Feb. 27, 2019Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for LGBTQ Movie Night at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27) in 266 RSC. Join us every last Wednesday of each month as we enjoy fantastic queer cinema! Popcorn and snacks will be provided.


Community Service Board invites you to the Giving Back Fair

Giving Back Fair Feb. 28, 2019

Join Community Service Board between 3:30-5 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 28) in 142 RSC, for a fair dedicated to companies that give back to the community, both in the United States and abroad. Participants who stop by during that time will receive raffle tickets for prizes that are available for participating in a variety of craft options at the event. Stop by any time during the fair to learn about companies that do good and cast your vote for the best one!


Volunteer for Food Bank Friday

Food Bank Friday March 1, 2019

Make a difference for a child in need and come help volunteer at the Kansas Food Bank from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Friday, March 1. .


Ulrich Alliance to award two $500 Scholarships this spring – Deadline: March 8

Ulrich scholarships

The Ulrich Museum Alliance will grant a $500 scholarship award to an undergraduate and graduate student currently enrolled in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries for the spring 2019 semester. Applications will be accepted email at ulrichmuseum@gmail.com until 4 p.m. Friday, March 8.

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Graduate & Undergraduate Scholarships

Based on a portfolio review and a short statement of intent, the Ulrich Museum Alliance will grant a $500 scholarship award to an undergraduate and graduate student currently enrolled in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries for the spring 2019 semester.

Scholarships will be presented at the Ulrich Summer Exhibition Opening Party on Friday, April 12.

Applications will be accepted via e-mail at ulrichmuseum@gmail.com until 4 p.m. Friday, March 8. Incomplete applications will not be processed for consideration.

Undergraduate Students

Five finalists will be selected for the undergraduate scholarship, and invited to install five works each, for final review, and selection of the award by the Ulrich Alliance. Scholarship finalists will be notified by March 22. The awarded recipient will be contacted by April 5.

Eligibility: Completion of the Foundation Studies Program, and presently enrolled in Mid-Program Review; Junior or Senior standing in the Art, Design and Creative Industries program, and current enrollment in nine or more credit hours.

Download Application

Graduate Students 

Based on a portfolio review installed at McKnight Project Space or Henrion Hall, and a short artist statement, the Ulrich Museum Alliance (UMA) will grant a $500 scholarship award to a graduate major in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries for the spring 2019 semester.

Eligibility: Presently enrolled in the MFA program within the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries and current enrollment in nine or more credit hours.

Download Application


ڶ Weekly Briefing to feature a Shock the Future update from Provost Rick Muma

Weekly Briefing

The ڶ Weekly Briefing will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Marcus Welcome Center.

Provost Rick Muma will talk about the potential impact of the Shock the Future referendum and the upcoming voting process for students March 4-6.

Kevin Harrison, community engagement coordinator, Diversity and Community Engagement, will give the overall university update.

The briefing will be livestreamed and available later that day at . There will be time for questions following the briefing.


Volunteer for Mentoring Monday

Mentoring Mondays March 4, 2019

Join us in helping the youth in our community by providing homework assistance in a variety of subjects from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 4. No experience is required. .


Shock the Future voting March 4-6

Shock the Future voting

Calling on all ڶ students, now is the time to make your voice heard and to vote on ڶ’s future. Polls are open for the Shock the Future campaign from Monday, March 4 to Wednesday, March 6.

The results will be shared around 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.

Happy voting Shockers!


Have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Spring break 2019

Whether you are staying or leaving town for Spring Break, stop by our table from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 28) on the first floor of the RSC. Learn more about how to have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Try our “Drunk Goggles” and learn about making smart choices for common spring break situations.


University Libraries to host advanced webinars on Scopus

Scopus event March 1-7, 2019

The University Libraries is hosting a series of basic and advanced vendor webinars on Scopus, a newly acquired database, from March 1-7, in 217 Ablah Library.

The webinars are open to all faculty, staff, and students. For more information and to sign up for a basic and / or advanced webinar, go to .

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Scopus is considered the largest citation and abstract database of peer-reviewed literature covering a wide range of disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Learn all about searching the database for journal articles, books, conference proceedings, and patents and using the metrics available in Scopus to assess the impact of published research. Those metrics include CiteScore, an alternative to journal impact factor.

With the recent cancellation of Web of Science, Scopus is now a key database for peer-reviewed interdisciplinary research as well as citation searching and metrics.


Participate in the ڶ/McBEE Campus Safety Survey open now

McBEE Campus Survey

Help ڶ & the national McBEE campus consortium strengthen data driven practices in regards to campus safety by completing the ڶ / McBEE Campus Safety Survey accessible through a direct link you received in an email from ڶ on Feb. 11, or you can access the survey via the “my surveys” link in the myڶ portal (scroll to second box on left hand side of the home page).

The short 10-minute survey was available starting Feb. 11. Students participating in the research will be entered into one of two drawings for $250 scholarships and second place $50 Amazon Gift Cards. 

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All current ڶ students age 18 and older are eligible to complete the survey. For more information, check out the “McBEE in 60 Seconds” video in the myڶ portal for more information. 

Questions about the research, and/or ڶ’s participation in the National Multi‐Campus Bystander Efficacy Evaluation (McBEE), should be emailed to Jodie Hertzog, Department of Sociology at Jodie.Hertzog@wichita.edu.


Writing Now / Reading Now this Thursday at the Ulrich Museum of Art

Writing Now / Reading Now Feb. 27, 2019

Margaret Malone is ڶ’s spring 2019 visiting emerging writer, and the author of People Like You, a 2016 Pen Hemingway finalist. Malone will present a fiction reading at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Ulrich Museum of Art. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. prior to the reading.

Her mesmerizing and luminous sentences open up the lives of ordinary characters with ordinary hopes—that parents will get back together; that a veggie burrito with extra sour cream will help against loneliness.

Malone’s stories, Cheryl Strayed observed, “shimmer and burn with beauty and sorrow, generosity and wit.” Writing Now / Reading Now is cosponsored by the ڶ Department of English, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Watermark Books & Café, and the Ulrich Museum of Art.


Presentation lineup for FUN / Future Now at the Ulrich this Friday, March 1, at the Ulrich Museum of Art

Ulrich FUN March 1, 2019

This month’s FUN / Future Now at the Ulrich event will feature a number of presentations on Friday, March 1.

FUN / Future Now at the Ulrich is a series of pechakucha-style presentations featuring campus-wide research. Three Fridays, four presentations, seven minutes each.

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  • Courage and Connection: The Power of Story
    Research Topic: Intersection of art + creativity + innovation
    By Ed Baker
    Associate Professor, Theatre Technology and Management, School of the Performing Arts, College of Fine Arts
  • Trigger Warning: Vomit
    Research Topic: Body diversity, identity politics and food
    Brittany Lockard
    Assistant Professor of Art History, School of Art, Design & Creative Industries, College of Fine Arts
  • Looking into the Heart of the Sun: A Space Mission Concept
    Research Topic: Development of space-based detection technologies for neutrino astrophysics, particularly applied to studies of nuclear fusion to the Sun’s core.
    Caleb Gimar
    Graduate Student, Physics Department
  • Understanding Contemporary Work Systems for Fair Design and Robust Operation
    Research Topic: Complex work systems
    Laila Cure
    Assistant Professor, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department, College of Engineering

This program is an extension of Solving for X – a series of exhibitions organized by the Ulrich Museum of Art in collaboration with university scholars across campus. The objective is to explore the potential for the Museum, as a ڶ public access point for the community, to make accessible the fascinating and essential research taking place on campus.


Comedian Matt Bellassai to present show at ڶ

Matt Bellassai comedy show March 7, 2019

Writer, comedian, Internet personality, and 2016 People’s Choice Award Winner Matt Bellassai will present a comedy show at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in Hughes Metropolitan Complex, presented by Student Activities Council.

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Bellassai writes frequently about pop culture, humor, and the struggles of daily life as a twenty-something man-child. He is the former writer, producer, and star of BuzzFeed’s “Whine About It,” a comedic web series that drew a weekly audience of more than 5 million viewers on Facebook. He can currently be found on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook in his new video series “To Be Honest,” where he shares his hilarious commentary on the struggles of life as a single gay man living a childish life in New York.

Tickets can be purchased for $5 to students with ڶ ID (limit one per person), $8 to ڶ faculty and staff with ڶ ID (limit one per person), and $12 to the general public. All ticket options can be purchased in the Student Involvement Office, Suite 216, Rhatigan Student Center with cash or check only. General admission tickets can also be purchased online, via credit card, at ڶMatt.eventbrite.com*.

Tickets are on sale through 3 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Ticket sales will reopen when doors open at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7. All on-site ticket sales will be sold at the general public ticket rate, and can be purchased with cash, check or credit card. Contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 for all event and ticket questions. *Taxes and fees not included in online general public ticket price.

For more information about SAC sponsored events, go to  or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.


Winners announced at Invent for the Planet competition

Invent for the Planet results

Three ڶ student groups were chosen as winners during the recent Invent for the Planet competition. The first place team will submit a 10-minute video presentation of their idea and it will be judged along with all other top teams from the 36 other participating schools. From there, the top six teams in the country will be chosen and taken to Texas for finals. Learn more about Invent for the Planet.

Results are available below.

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First place: The Shield, a device to protect airplane wings from hail damage while on the ground

Abhishek Chidas

Adit Shah

Manpreet Bindra

Siddarth Pathak

Yie Jian Chee

Second place – Shiver, a device that uses micro vibrations to keep ice from accumulating on your car windshield

Ali Qureshi

Jefferson Vieira

Rafael Leite

Third place – Team Freebird, a drone system that helps deliver critical medical supplies to rural medical workers in Peru

Branden Bohl

John Randall

Spencer Lueckenotto

Thomas Nguyen

Trent Madden


Severe weather preparedness drill scheduled for Tuesday, March 5

Inclement weather

This year, as we have done in the past, ڶ will participate in the annual statewide severe weather preparedness drill.

The annual drill this year is Tuesday, March 5. If the weather is clear that day, all of the severe weather sirens in Sedgwick County will go off at 10 a.m. When the severe weather sirens sound, proceed to your designated severe weather shelter area.

Emergency Building Coordinators in each building will ensure that all building occupants safely make their way to the designated severe weather shelter area.

Departments should use this opportunity to ensure that all faculty, staff and students know where to go to protect themselves in a severe weather event.


Jump!Star call for entries: Tell a ‘star story’

Jump!Star call for entries

As part of the Creative Concourse of the Diverse Women's Summit, Jump!Star artist George Ferrandi invites members of the ڶ community to submit their own "star stories" inspired by Jump!Star's 12 star characters.

Presentations could be stories, images, poems, monologues, videos, songs or performances. All presentations must be seven minutes or less, relate to the attributes of the Jump!Star characters, and meet the submission deadline of Wednesday, March 6.

More information


‘How to Fly a Spacecraft’ lecture to be presented Thursday, Feb. 28

Wichita Space Initiative Lecture Feb. 28, 2019

Join the Wichita Space Initiative's Space Exploration Lecture Series as we welcome ڶ Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Atri Dutta, who will give a talk entitled "How to Fly a Spacecraft."  Dutta's presentation at 1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 28) in 264 RSC, will provide a brief overview of the history of astrodynamics, techniques for spacecraft trajectory optimization, as well as ڶ's CORE Laboratory's cutting edge work on astrodynamics and its application to different space missions. The lecture is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Wichita Space Initiative and the Space Exploration Lecture Series, go to .


Got Milk? A look at consumer buying behaviors based on design elements and symbolism

Got Milk study

Are you the primary grocery shopper in your household? A graduate student in the Elliott School of Communication is looking for focus group participants to discuss buying habits and product packaging. The purpose of this research is show marketers how to better advertise products through packaging.

The focus groups will be held March 4 (ages 25-34), March 5 (ages 18-24), March 11 (ages 35-50), and March 12 (ages 50+) from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Participants will receive a $25 gift card upon completing the focus group.

For more information or to RSVP, email Katie Miller at kjmiller4@shockers.wichita.edu.


Volunteers needed for research study of students who are taking or have taken an online course

Research Topic / Purpose of the study: The purpose of this research study is to explore the higher educational experience of Returning Adult Students and Traditional Students; looking at whether they prefer online learning or traditional classroom experiences.

Procedures: Participants will respond to an online survey that should only take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous (no personal or identifying information is collected.)

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Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:

Participants must be over the age of 18 and have participated or be currently participating in an online course.

To participate, click on the link and .

Contact:  If you have any questions regarding this survey, contact Amy Belden at amy.belden@wichita.edu or Jaehwan Byun at jaehwan.byun@wichita.edu.

Your participation in this research study is appreciated.


Volunteers needed for research study in Human Performance Lab

Students who are in good physical condition with no known vestibular, muscular, or neurological disorders, are needed for a research study in the Human Performance Laboratory in the Heskett Center. 

The purpose of the study is to determine whether tongue posture within the mouth affects an individual’s functional balance. Such findings may improve an individual’s balance at rest and during movement.

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Participants’ functional balance will be tested using the BlOdex Balance System while maintaining two different tongue posture. Participation is expected to last about 45 minutes.

Inclusion / Exclusion criteria:
Participants must be 18 or older

No known muscular disorders

No known balance or vestibular disorders

No known neurological disorders

No known tongue or oral health disorders.

If you are interested in participating in the study, contact Hanna Chastain at hjchastain@shockers.wichita.edu or call 316-554-6954.

If you have any questions or concerns, email Heidi Bell at Heidi.bell@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5150.


Graduate student seeking participants for coping with depression research project

A ڶ graduate student working on her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is seeking volunteers to participate in a project that compares two approaches for coping with depression. This study will be conducted within the Department of Psychology (Jabara Hall) under the supervision of Robert Zettle, and will require your involvement for 18- 20 weeks. The study involves eight weekly treatment sessions.

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The first two weeks involve one hour sessions and the remaining six sessions will be half-hour sessions. Participants who complete all sessions will be contacted one week and two months later for follow-up measures.

Participants must be at least 18 and will be screened in three stages to determine their eligibility. 

If you are interested, complete an  (30 minutes) to assess your initial eligibility.  The next two stages will be conducted in person for 20 and 50 minutes respectively.

For more information, contact Yvonne Chaw at jxchaw@shockers.wichita.edu or call 316-978-6347.


Clarinetist Katsuya Yuasa to present recital on March 7

Clarinetist Katsuya Yuasa March 7, 2019

The Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation and Wichita Mu Phi Epsilon Alumni Chapter present clarinetist Katsuya Yuasa, 2017 Mu Phi Epsilon Concert Artist at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in Wiedemann Hall. Yuasa will be accompanied by Bridget Hille. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is suggested. A reception will follow the recital.

Yuasa has performed widely in the U.S. as a soloist and chamber musician. He is a founding member of  Cosmos New Music, which will make its Carnegie Hall debut this summer. In addition to performing and giving master classes, Katsuya maintains an active schedule as a teacher at Florida A&M University and at Florida State University.

Yuasa will present free masterclass at 11 a.m. earlier that day in C116 Duerksen Fine Arts Center.


DiverseCity Showcase Kick-off information

DiverseCity Showcase April 15, 2019

Marche Fleming-Randle, vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement, will provide remarks to kick-off the start of DiverseCity. We encourage you to stop by and view all of the work from the submissions that highlight successes related to diversity. The showcase kick-off will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, April 15, in 233 Rhatigan Student Center.

Call for submissions

All students, faculty, staff, student organizations and departments are invited to submit entries that are examples of diversity or highlight successes related to diversity. We are looking for all kinds of diversity entries from individual / group projects, workshops, events, mixed media, photography or artwork. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, March 15.

For more information and to submit your entry, go to .


ڶ announces game day changes at Eck Stadium

Eck Stadium changes

Wichita State Athletics will break ground for the new Phase V renovation at Eck Stadium during the 2019 season. It includes a new 10,000-square foot performance facility that will feature a strength and conditioning center, locker room, media room, player lounge and offices for coaches and staff.  

It will have an effect on parking, ticket office location, and the west entrance to the stadium. The construction zone will take over approximately 50 parking spots in the lot west of the stadium.


RSC Unplugged features Aaron Lee Martin

RSC Unplugged Feb. 27, 2019

Stop by the Rhatigan Student Center every Wednesday for the live music series, RSC Unplugged. Aaron Lee Martin will provide music from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27), in the RSC’s Starbucks Lounge. Grab a cup of coffee and relax with some great music!

During RSC Unplugged from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Wednesday, Feb. 27) you can take $1 off frappuccinos and lattes size grande or larger at Starbucks in the RSC.


Register for Safe Zone LGBTQ Training

Safe Zone Training March 6, 2019Safe Zone LGBTQ Training will be held from 2:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in 266 Rhatigan Student Center. The goal of Safe Zone LGBTQ Training is to educate and create and sustain a welcoming and inclusive environment for the LGBTQ campus community.

Registration is required to attend this training. Go to to register.


Experience the Tunnel of Oppression

Tunnel of OppressionThe Tunnel of Oppression, a multisensory exhibition of some of the most difficult and complex issues we face today, will take place from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, March 4-5, on the third floor, Rhatigan Student Center. Tours will begin in 208 Rhatigan Student Center.

The tunnel experience will demonstrate the concepts of privilege, power and the reality of hate crimes and covert and open acts of oppression as our community experiences them. Participants are guided through a series of scenes that aim to educate and challenge them to think more deeply about issues of oppression.

Some of the topics included in the tunnel are racism, sexism, homophobia, body image, classism, xenophobia, transphobia and ableism. The tour of the tunnel will be followed by a discussion facilitated by professional staff from the Counseling and Testing Center.

Go to for tour times and more information.


¡DZ!

Come join us for Informal Spanish Conversation at El Cafecito from 12:30-1:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Look for our information table in the RSC.