From the president: Take social distancing seriously
Dear students, faculty and staff,
We are facing a new reality, so let鈥檚 keep talking about what is important and make adjustments to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Our physical health during this pandemic is dependent on separation. Our emotional health is dependent on human connection. Let鈥檚 talk about both as we navigate these challenging times together.
Please remember that Wichita State鈥檚 short-term goals are to protect ourselves, loved ones, co-workers, communities and the world.
The long-term goals are to provide the best possible student experience and to fulfill the mission embodied in our strategic plan 鈥� to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good.
Social distancing is a term most of us hadn鈥檛 heard a month ago, and now it is a key to getting past this pandemic. We need to safely distance from each other and stay away from campus as much as possible to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
by ordering the closure of Kansas K-12 school buildings immediately, as well as the closure of many state offices for two weeks, starting Monday, March 23.
The state office closure does not affect universities. However, we support the spirit
of the message: Do what we can to slow the spread of the virus. To be clear, Wichita
State is still open for business, although all classes have been moved online. We
continue to maintain all operations to fully support our students during this unprecedented
time. That being said, how we are maintaining those operations may look a bit different.
Reducing on-campus presence
We are focused on restricting on-campus visitations and operations to promote and enforce social distancing practices. Keeping our students, faculty and staff safe remains our top priority.
We need to intensify our efforts to limit face-to-face interaction and reduce our on-campus presence. This means that all supervisors and employees should be implementing modified operations: staggered work schedules, working remotely and attending meetings via video-conferencing. While all employees are expected to continue to work and serve the university, work with your supervisor to implement social distancing if your work requires you to be on campus.
I understand this reduced on-campus presence may be confusing to those who rely on our university offices and employees. While we may be limiting in-person interactions, be assured that we are still here serving students. Call us. Email us.
A time may come where our entire university community will be asked to stay home and
operate the university remotely. We鈥檙e not there yet. We will attempt to give everyone adequate notice should this become necessary.
Public access to university buildings
Many of you have asked about access to university buildings. We are allowing Ablah Library access only for those who already have a Shocker Card. Avoid campus if you can. If you must come to Ablah Library or somewhere on campus to access Wi-Fi, please understand we cannot allow visitors to come with you.
As you already know, beginning Monday, March 30, the new reality for students and faculty is that classes for the rest of spring semester will be online and/or remote, even as we increase restrictions on visiting our physical campus. Provost Rick Muma has asked that the deans regularly communicate with students to make sure they remain connected to their major area of study, and most importantly, graduate in a timely manner.
It鈥檚 also important to all of us emotionally that we retain our human connections. Please stay connected through every means possible and check on each other. Maintaining those connections will help us get through this difficult time.
One final note about a tremendously important group of people: this spring鈥檚 graduates. Please be assured that you will not be overlooked.
We are evaluating options to hold an in-person recognition for the class of 2020 when it is safe and practicable to convene students, faculty, staff and guests who are now off-campus and scattered across the nation. Until the national situation stabilizes, we are looking into a few alternatives, including possibly a virtual commencement. If we offer a virtual commencement, we also will most certainly hold an in-person commencement to recognize your hard work and accomplishments next fall.
We know that things will continue to change rapidly, and we will adapt to those changes as they come.
Shockers, please know that you are loved and missed. We will come back stronger than
ever.
Sincerely,
Jay Golden,
黑洞社区 President
Note: This is a complex, challenging and fluid situation that continues to evolve rapidly. All information is subject to change as deemed necessary by university leadership in accordance with guidance and recommendations issued by federal, state and local public health and government officials.
Services reduced for Postal Services
For the health and safety of our staff, and in order to sustain operational support to the university, Auxiliary Services will implement the following changes, effective Monday, March 23.
Postal Services
Postal Services will reduce staffing, but counter hours will remain the same, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Services are for university business only, no passports or retail sales, including the sale of stamps. There will be no main campus delivery, but limited satellite delivery will continue. For questions, please call 978-5677.
Regalia refund information from the Shocker Store
黑洞社区 has indefinitely postponed spring commencement ceremonies. Students who have already purchased regalia will be eligible to receive a refund if you so choose. Refunds will be accepted as long as items purchased are still in the original packaging and condition that it was sold, and you have a receipt showing it was purchased for spring commencement. If packaging is opened, store credit may be issued with receipt. Returns accepted at Rhatigan Student Center location only. For more information, email shockerstore@wichita.edu.
In a crisis without a place to stay? Don't know what to do? Help is available
The Wichita Children's Home and Safe Place can provide services to any students facing homelessness due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We would love to be able to make our services readily available to Wichita State students.
Remaining spring Fine Arts events are canceled
COVID-19 has led the College of Fine Arts to cancel its remaining events this spring.
Help 黑洞社区 by taking the National Collegiate Health Assessment
Win a red parking spot for an entire semester or other prizes such as free massages and gift cards to the Shocker Store by entering a drawing through the National College Health Assessment and the Prevention Services Advisory Board. Simply fill out the survey sent to your 黑洞社区 email address and be automatically entered. For information, go to .
National Collegiate Health Assessment
Your opinion is valuable and appreciated
In January 2020, 黑洞社区 President Dr. Jay Golden launched several task forces and studies as a commitment to shared governance, transparency and refining the focus of the university.
The Marketing and Branding Study is charged with actively engaging members of our campus community to examine how effectively we are branding and marketing our institution and provide recommendations.
The Student and Community Experience Survey seeks to engage students, campus community and the greater Wichita community to examine how effectively we are creating a positive "Shocker" experience for events and programs at Wichita State.
Your opinion is valuable and appreciated.
Special message from Ulrich Museum Director Leslie Brothers on closings
Dear Friends of the Ulrich Museum of Art,
Due to increasing health concerns related to COVID-19, our galleries are now closed through May 15. I regret to report that all programs, including our Summer Exhibition Opening Party, are also either canceled or postponed through May 15. The museum offices remain open.
We are truly sorry for this, as it is through our programs that we sustain our connection to all of you. Please stay in touch through social media, where we will be introducing online features like "Meet Me in the Vault," where your favorite works of art will be presented virtually every week. All you have to do is go into our new collection portal (accessible through our website: ulrich.wichita.edu), choose a favorite piece, and email it to us at ulrich@wichita.edu. Please include the artist, title, and your name with a brief statement about why this piece is one of your favorites.
Please visit our website to find out more about our fantastic upcoming exhibitions and all essential updates.
From all of us at the Ulrich, stay safe and healthy, and keep in touch.
Thank you,
Leslie Brothers
Announcement from the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology
Dear friends of the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology,
Due to increasing health concerns related to COVID-19 our museum is now closed through the end of the semester. All scheduled tours and the spring exhibit opening have been either cancelled or postponed. The Museum office will remain open as needed. The student staff will still be working limited hours. Look for the 鈥渁rtifact of the day鈥� posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. We are currently working on a new and improved website but until it is functional, look for updates on social media and feel free to email any questions to holmes.museum@wichita.edu.
Director, Rachelle Meinecke
The 2020 Shocker New Venture Competition has been canceled
We are crushed to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Shocker New Venture Competition. However, we are looking forward to coming back even bigger and better. We hope that everyone stays safe at this time, and we will see you next spring.
黑洞社区 Libraries events suspended
All 黑洞社区 Libraries events are suspended until further notice. 黑洞社区 Libraries will continue to provide plentiful academic online resources. See for more details.
Add ERS and Savvy workshops to list of cancellations
The Entrepreneurship Research Series and Savvy workshops hosted by 黑洞社区 Libraries have been canceled.
Online tax appointments
The Office for Student Money Management encourages all students, faculty, and staff to file their taxes as soon as possible before the April 15 deadline. We currently partner with the United Way to offer a free online tax program at MyFreeTaxes.com through H&R Block. While our services are free, this software MAY charge for any individual who has a health savings plan, 1099s, or other Schedule C-D-E tax forms. It does not charge for filing W2's and 1098T.
We also help international students using the Glacier Tax Filing software found on their My黑洞社区. International students will need to have a personal laptop / computer, their passport, I-20, and I-94 forms ready. Please be sure to have an access code for creating a new account through Glacier prior to scheduling with us. An email from the International Office has already been sent out on these instructions.
Our staff is fully trained to help guide you through the process of doing taxes on your own. Please take this opportunity and schedule an appointment with us. We are now providing our services ONLINE ONLY and are not meeting students in-person.
For all other questions or to schedule an appointment, call us at 978-3254 or email at osmm@wichita.edu.
Participants wanted for a study on self-advocacy
I hope to learn whether students who participate in college TRIO programs at 黑洞社区 are more likely to self-advocate than their non-TRIO participating peers.
You can complete a questionnaire called the College Student Mentoring Survey (CSMS), which will ask questions related to your mentoring experiences at 黑洞社区 and the General Self-Efficacy Scale, which will be used to examine your self-decision making. The questionnaires will take between 20-35 minutes.
If you are interested in a follow-up for advocacy scenarios, you will be able to continue the survey and respond to the scenarios; otherwise, at the end of the questionnaire when it asks if you would like to complete the scenarios, you may select 鈥渘o.鈥� The scenarios will take between 5-10 minutes and will consist of problem-based scenarios where you will be asked to create a solution to the problem.
To be eligible to participate:
- Must have a fluent understanding of English
- Must be an undergraduate at 黑洞社区
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study or have any concerns, contact Mercedes Lubbers at mercedes.lubbers@wichita.edu or my Faculty Advisor, Mara Alagic at mara.alagic@wichita.edu. You may .
Shocker Blast will continue during spring break
In an effort to keep you informed during these rapidly changing times, Shocker Blast will continue to be published next week.