黑洞社区 Freedom of Expression website
Wichita State has launched a to highlight the university鈥檚 commitment to freedom of speech, thought, association and inquiry. The site, built from the product of 黑洞社区鈥檚 Free Expression working group, includes university values, links to relevant policies, a calendar of upcoming events and a Frequently Asked Questions section. The site will continue to be updated as the University continues to work to provide relevant content and helpful information.
Drop / refund date extended for full-term courses
Wichita State continues to make every effort to promote student success in these unprecedented times. In recognition of the unique challenges this fall semester brings for our students and faculty, an adjustment is being made to the drop / refund date for full-term courses.
Students will have through Friday, Sept. 4, to drop a class without it appearing on their transcript and with a 100% refund.
If you are a federal aid recipient, you should contact the Office of Financial Aid (316-978-3430) before dropping to see how it could impact your financial aid.
To verify if a refund can be given for a book, contact the Shocker Store (316-978-3490). All terms and conditions for financial aid will remain the same for fall 2020.
The Office of Academic Affairs announces new emeriti faculty
The following have been named as new emeriti faculty by the Office of Academic Affairs:
Frank M. Rokosz, Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Human Performance Studies.
Julie A. Scherz, Associate Professor Emerita, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Marlo A. Schommer-Aikins, Professor Emerita, Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational and School Psychology
Wichita State ATLAS meets the unprecedented needs of the aviation industry
- ATLAS is multi-disciplinary manufacturing environment and engineering education program. It was created to meet the unprecedented needs of the aerospace industry.
- ATLAS has $30,000,000 worth of manufacturing equipment, multiple projects lined up for federal agencies and strong financial backing from investors.
Virtual Shocker Resource Fair
Jump into the school year by discovering the programs, resources and opportunities waiting for you at Wichita State across our amazing campus departments.
Every day, we will feature various campus departments, how to connect with them, and what they can do to help you be a successful Shocker. Students interact with our Facebook and Instagram posts by dropping a 馃尵 (wheat emoji) in the comments to be entered into a raffle to win a prize!
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Discover your antibody test status when you give blood
As an additional health service to our donors, the American Red Cross is testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Red Cross donors can expect to receive their antibody test results within 7-10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at .
for more information,
The next 黑洞社区 Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Heskett Center lobby.
Schedule your appointment now at ; enter Wichita State or call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Your vote makes all the difference in the world! Be sure you are registered to vote. Get started today by visiting to register here in Kansas or back in your hometown.
Sign up today to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot. Let's show them that #shockersvote.
Questions? Contact gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu for more information.
Master of Social Work Informational Sessions - all students invited!
The School of Social Work is hosting three 鈥淢SW Info Sessions鈥� to help prospective students discover more about the Master of Social Work program at 黑洞社区. This is geared to both social work majors and for those with majors outside of social work. We encourage you to share this with your students and recent graduates of all majors!
Attendees will have this virtual opportunity to discover more about the field, meet faculty, and learn how to apply as a regular program or advanced standing student. The priority deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2021 for those who wish to enter in the 2021-22 school year.
If students have questions or would prefer to speak one-on-one, please direct them to Shaunna Millar, MSW Program Director and Clinical Professor, at shaunna.millar@wichita.edu.
The Zoom log in information for the September session is , password socialwork - password: socialwork.
Volunteers needed for a research study
Research Topic/Purpose of the study: We want to understand the impact of kitchen and cooking-based, nutritional education for healthcare students and providers focused on concepts of a healthy diet and cooking.
Procedures: Participants in this study will complete a two hour, six-session cooking class focused on how to help patients cook and eat a healthy diet. Before and after learning, participants will be asked about nutritional and cooking knowledge related to a healthy diet. For participating, you will receive groceries, grocery cards, and recipes from the course!
Time: Participation is expected to last about six weeks.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be age 18-65
- Must be a healthcare (dental, medical, nursing, communications, public health, athletic training, physical therapy, medical laboratory, psychology, etc) practitioner or student
Location: 黑洞社区
Contact: If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Nicole Delimont at Nicole.delimont@wichita.edu or call 785-249-5533.
Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering IME Colloquium presentation today
You鈥檙e invited to an IME Colloquium from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Aug. 28) via Zoom.
鈥淚nternet of Things based Cyber-Physical System framework for Real-Time Operations,鈥� will be presented from 11-11:30 a.m. by Vatsal Maru, an industrial engineer.
Location: Zoom Link, ID: 988 9885 1927, Password: 638536
Abstract
The research proposes an intelligent cyber-physical system (CPS) framework using object detection for real-time operations in an Internet-of-Things (IoT) connected physical environment. To facilitate real-time object detection, we used a variant of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) known as Faster R-CNN (R stands for the region proposals). The control action related to the detected object is exchanged with the actuation system using Real-Time Data Exchange (RTDE) protocol. We demonstrate the proposed framework to perform pick-and-place operations as it is a widely performed operation on a production floor using a Universal Robot (UR5) as an actuation system.
Speaker Biography
Vatsal Maru is an industrial engineer. His work experience began as a mechanical design engineer at R. V. Tools, followed by a manufacturing and quality engineering roles in India and the US. Vatsal pursued BE in mechanical engineering from Marwadi Engineering College, Gujarat, and MS from the ISME department at Wichita State. His master鈥檚 thesis was 鈥淒esign of multi-echelon supply chain systems to optimize cost and service levels.鈥� He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in ISME department and working on intelligent systems. His recent publication is titled 鈥淚nternet of Things based Cyber-Physical System framework for Real-Time Operations.鈥� He is currently interning at Case New Holland (CNH) as a supply chain engineer.
Perspectives on the Pandemic talk explores rethinking the city and the community on Sept. 2
Cities are places characterized by constant activity, dense social interaction, and innovation fostered in collaborative working environments. With the widespread adoption of social distancing, bans on large gatherings, and remote work as public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, those quintessential urban characteristics have been fundamentally transformed. Will those changes be temporary or permanent? And what will they mean for the future of urban economies, neighborhood life, and inequality in the coming years?
In this presentation, 黑洞社区 urban sociologist Chase Billingham will address these questions, drawing out many of their implications for important urban processes like social dislocation, economic development, and gentrification. While offering a broad perspective on issues affecting cities in general, the discussion will draw special attention to potential impacts of the pandemic on urban growth, decline, and inequality in the Wichita region.
The talk will be presented via Zoom at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2.
Billingham is an urban sociologist whose research examines gentrification, economic development, education, and stratification in US metropolitan areas. His work has been published in Sociology of Education, City & Community, Urban Studies, and other outlets in sociology, education research, and urban affairs.
In published academic research and in public commentaries in The Wichita Eagle, Billingham provides a sociological perspective on current issues in urban development and inequality affecting the Wichita region. Along with introductory sociology and core courses in statistics and social theory that are required for sociology majors, Billingham also teaches courses in social inequality and urban sociology.
Join Clash of the Colleges Virtual Games
It's on! This event is a competition between academic colleges to determine who rules the school. This year we are also hosting Virtual Games! Minute-to-win-it home games, talent showcase, e-gaming, scavenger hunts, virtual escape rooms and more.
Want to earn points for your college? Participate in these games from now to Monday, Sept. 14 in the comfort of your own home and make your college proud! Visit for more information and to register.
If you have any questions, email tahrima.musa@wichita.edu.
Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address
Join the Student Government Association for the Fall 2020 State of the Student Body Address at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, featuring Student Body President Rija Khan and Legislative Response issued by Speaker of the Senate Olivia Babin. President Khan and Speaker Babin will lay out the Association's agenda for the 63rd Session.
We will livestream on the and will be shared to the SGA Facebook.
Freh Wuhib has article published in journal
Dr. Freh Wuhib
Dr. Freh Wuhib, a senior Instructional Designer at Instructional Design and Access in Media Resources Center, recently had an article published in 鈥淭he Community College Enterprise: A Journal of Research and Enterprise.鈥� The article was titled 鈥淭echnology in Practice: Faculty Support Through Open Lab.鈥�
Wuhib also has taught courses in the School of Education in the College of Applied Studies as an adjunct instructor.
Community Service Award presented to graduate student Barb Myers
Barb Myers
Wichita State graduate student Barb Myers, founder and president of the Wichita Friends of the Pioneers, will receive a Community Service Award from Eunice Sterling Chapter NSDAR for voluntary conservation efforts at Highland Cemetery at 9 a.m. today (Friday, Aug. 28) at Highland Cemetery, 1005 N. Hillside Avenue. This award recognizes worthy individuals who have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through community activities in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical or conservation endeavors.
Myers is a student in the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at 黑洞社区 doing her thesis on African American cemeteries and a focus on museum studies.
According to Wichita State History Professor Jay Price, Myers has almost single handedly revived the stewardship of Highland cemetery along with a devoted cohort of colleagues and supporters.
During the past five years, Myers has led the restoration and preservation of more than 700 graves at Highland Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Wichita formed in 1868. The purpose of the Friends of the Wichita Pioneers is to provide renovation, educational experiences and recordkeeping support to the City of Wichita for cemeteries and mausoleums. She has organized and led many educational tours, which in turn helps educate the general public about the important history of the cemetery.
Wallace Hall closure this weekend
Wallace Hall will be closed to occupants on Saturday, Aug. 29, and Sunday, Aug. 30, so that new motor control circuits can be added to the recently installed electrical distribution system.
The building closure is due to portions of the fire alarm system being offline and building power converting to emergency generator only.
American postpones volleyball competition until spring
The American Athletic Conference announced that it will postpone all competition and
conference championships in the sports of men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball
until the spring of 2021 to align with the NCAA championship season. A decision regarding
cross country competition will be forthcoming pending further NCAA clarification.
The decision was approved by the conference's athletic directors and senior woman
administrators following the NCAA Division I Board of Directors' confirmation that
NCAA Division I fall championships would move to the spring.
Get connected to campus with Student Activities Council
Follow SAC on Instagram for a chance to win a prize! All you have to do is like, follow, and share our post on our Instagram for a chance to win. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Reserve your spot for Pee for Pizza on Wednesday, Sept. 2
On the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Positive Directions, ODI, and SHS will hosting Pee for Pizza. Reserve your spot NOW for free STI testing.
Call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment; no walk-ins will be accepted. Masks will be required at this event.
We need your help at Commencement!
Please consider volunteering for the October Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 10. This time-honored tradition provides our very own Wichita State graduates with well-deserved congratulations and a formal celebration of their accomplishments! You'll play an important role in helping us make sure that everyone is welcomed and that things are running smoothly.
If you are interested in participating, please fill out the Volunteer Form located on our volunteer page where you can also find more details about the types of volunteer positions available.
Further questions may be directed to the Commencement Office at commencement@wichita.edu.
Have questions about insurance for international students?
Have questions about insurance for international students? Join SHS Office Manager Sheryl McKelvey as she explains the basics of enrollment, the waiver process, and more.