Deadline extended to June 1 for proposals to President鈥檚 Convergence Sciences Initiative
The deadline has been extended to June 1 for the first round of proposals for the new President鈥檚 Convergence Sciences Initiative.
Successful proposals will be funded for three years, with a budget not to exceed $100,000 per year.
Proposals are especially encouraged from researchers working together across academic disciplines, at different points in research careers, and including students.
The focus is on research that addresses societal problems. Broadly defined themes are:
- Health disparities and health delivery
- Digital transformation
- Sustainability
- A theme you propose
Click here for more information about the President鈥檚 Convergence Sciences Initiative.
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.
Continuity of Instruction Task 5: Building Assignments in Blackboard
To support instructors during this time of transition from in-person classes to online / remote delivery, Instructional Design and Access has created 10 set of tasks to help those who are new to online learning to be successful. Each day we will post one "Task Set" for instructors to work through.
Task Set #5: Building Assignments in Blackboard
Task 5 walks instructors through how to use the Assignments tool in Blackboard to build assignments and populate their gradebook. Please send any questions to IDA@wichita.edu.
Important message from Facilities Services
In response to COVID-19, Facilities Services, like all other departments, will practice social distancing to the greatest extent possible. To help ensure the health and safety of our staff, and that of those faculty, staff and students still on campus, we are utilizing staggered work schedules and working remotely where possible to reduce our on-campus presence.
We are committed to ensuring we meet the critical custodial and maintenance needs of 黑洞社区. However, we need help identifying where to focus our attention. If you have continuing or unique needs, or your department will not be utilizing their building space, please let us know by calling ext. 3444 or 316-978-3444. You can also e-mail me at bobby.smith@wichita.edu
At the appropriate time in the future, Facilities Services will ensure all 黑洞社区 buildings are clean and ready for use. As of today, we are suspending campuswide daily cleaning so we can focus on spaces that continue to have a human presence. Our focus in these spaces will be on restrooms, trash removal and cleaning / disinfection. For those staff/departments still working on campus, please let us know if you need disinfecting products and we will make every effort to provide the products you need.
During regular working hours, to ensure appropriate and timely response, it is essential that work order requests for Facilities Services assistance be made online here. For urgent situations outside of regular working hours, please contact our 黑洞社区 police department at 316-978-3450, who will then contact our on-call personnel.
The following Facilities Services leadership staff will be splitting their time between on campus work and telecommuting, and will be available most any time.
Eason Bryer, Director of Facilities Maintenance Operations eason.bryer@wichita.edu
Ann Renollet, Director of Finance and Administration Operations annmarie.renollet@wichita.edu
Pablo Gonzalez, Director of Custodial Services and Event Support pablo.gonzalez@wichita.edu
Mike Strickland, Director of Environmental Health and Safety mike.strickland@wichita.edu
Bob Smith, Executive Director bobby.smith@wichita.edu
Thank you for your understanding and for partnering with Facilities Services during this challenging time.
Bob Smith
Executive Director, Facilities Services
Services reduced for Central Services, Postal Services and Shocker Printing Solutions
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.
Central Services
The Central Services supply office will close window service and staff will monitor orders remotely. Order pick up will be available daily in Morrison Hall, room 010, between 9-11 a.m. If you have an immediate need, please text Angie Tucker at 316-518-7166. To place an order, go to .
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.
Shocker Printing Solutions
Shocker Printing Solutions staff will monitor orders received via our digital storefront and come in to print as needed. Printed proofs will not be available during this time, however, our staff will contact you if they feel there is a problem with your file. Pickups will be scheduled as needed. Email questions to shockerprinting@wichita.edu. To place an order, go to .
Managers of USS and non-teaching UP employees: It鈥檚 goal planning time!
myPerformance evaluations for USS and Non-Teaching UP employees are available for 2020-21 goal planning. Managers should add expectations, competencies, and goals for the 2020-21 review period, then meet with their employees to review. Don鈥檛 forget to provide them a hard copy of their evaluation for reference throughout the year! Goal planning should be completed by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, March 31.
For more information (including quick reference guides and other assistance), go to .
* Your direct reports will not be able to access their 2020-21 myPerformance evaluation until the Employee Self-Evaluation step beginning Jan. 16, 2021, which is why you should provide a hard copy of their 2020-21 review and review it with them.
* Managers have access to update and edit their direct reports myPerformance evaluations as many times as they would like until Employee Self-Evaluation time beginning Jan. 16, 2021!
* Save then SUBMIT! Make sure to SUBMIT after saving every time you update a myPerformance evaluation! Your direct reports will not be able to see the information and you will still have access to their evaluation until Jan. 16, 2021, even after selecting SUBMIT.
* Need a copy of a past performance evaluation? Check the box that says, 鈥淪how completed and expired tasks鈥�, then 鈥淪earch鈥�! Save it as a PDF or print as needed.
* Do you or your employees need help with Goal Planning? Register through myTraining for 鈥淲here Are You Going? Goal Setting for Personal and Professional Success.鈥� This free workshop is facilitated by ComPsych/Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and qualified employees will receive a HeathQuest point for completing the session. Seating is limited, registration is required.
Facilities Services positions open to 黑洞社区 employees only
Facilities Services is looking for a Building Trades Manager and a Building Automation Specialist. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. To apply, go to Internal Postings and follow the directions. For questions or assistance, contact the Talent Acquisition Team.
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
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.
Applications Training seeks your input about online training options
ITS Applications Training is exploring options for online and remote training sessions. Your input would be greatly appreciated! to share your thoughts.
University Libraries offers spaces for easy recording / editing
If any Wichita State faculty are looking for places to easily record / edit for online teaching, University Libraries offers both its One Button Studio (Ablah second level) and Sound Booth (Ablah C-Space). Reserve online at .
Make your home equity work for you!
What can a home equity loan do for you? The equity in your home is yours to use how you want to use it. Weather that's helping pay for college, consolidating bills, vacation, or home improvements. Check out our rates online today at . You can use our loan payment calculator and apply online.
We look forward to helping you put your home equity to work for you. Campus CU is an Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 411233