Faculty and Staff Virtual Town Hall on Dec. 11
A live YouTube virtual staff and faculty town hall will be held from 3-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. This is an opportunity to hear and interact with Interim President Rick Muma and Interim Provost Shirley Lefever. The event will be moderated by presidents of the UP, USS and Faculty Senates.
Faculty and staff wanting to participate are encouraged to do so during the live YouTube stream. If you don鈥檛 currently have a YouTube account, for more information on how to create one.
You can watch the town hall live and recorded after the event at .
Holiday grab-and-go reception
Interim President Rick Muma and the executive team cordially invite you to a come-and-go reception for an afternoon grab-and-go treat from 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. Please wear your face covering and respect social distancing.
Please RSVP and select a pick-up location that works best for you by Monday, Dec. 7.
Bluestem Lounge, Rhatigan Student Center
King Room, Marcus Welcome Center
Free webinar series for Kansas faculty on Open Educational Resources
Join us for the free Open Educational Resources Webinar Series this semester brought to you by the KBOR OER Steering Committee.
Repositories & Platforms 鈥� 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2
Zoom links to register and descriptions of the sessions are available on the .
Plan With Ease Communication to Employees
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) uses Plan With Ease (PWE) to administer all withdrawals or rollovers from the KBOR Mandatory and Voluntary 403(b) retirement accounts. All employees who are enrolled in the mandatory or voluntary 403(b) have a PWE account, though generally employees do not use this account until after they separate employment or retire to gain access to their retirement funds. PWE recently decided to strengthen the security of the login information used to access this account.
Employees may have already received or will soon be receiving a letter in the mail about their login information for the PWE site. You can find additional information on how Plan With Ease works with the KBOR accounts along with contact information for PWE .
Information on Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs from the 黑洞社区 Fire Safety Office
The COVID-19 Pandemic has caused an increased use of Alcohol-Based Hand Rubs (ABHR鈥檚) also known as Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer. ABHR鈥檚 are considered flammable liquids and therefore their use and storage are governed by the International Fire Code (IFC) and various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes.
The definition of alcohol-based hand rubs is an alcohol-containing preparation designed for the application to the hands for reducing the number of viable microorganisms on the hands and containing ethanol or isopropanol in an amount not exceeding 95 percent by volume.
The use of dispensers containing ABHR鈥檚 shall meet the following criteria:
- The maximum capacity of each dispenser shall be 68 ounces.
- Dispensers shall be a minimum of 48 inches apart.
- Dispensers shall not be placed directly adjacent to, directly above or below an electrical receptacle, switch, appliance, device or other ignition source. The space between the dispenser and the floor shall remain clear and unobstructed.
- Dispensers shall be mounted so that the bottom of the dispenser is a minimum of 42 inches and a maximum of 48 inches above the finished floor.
- Dispensers shall not release their contents except when the dispenser is manually
activated. Facilities shall be permitted to install and use automatically activated
鈥渢ouch free鈥� alcohol-based hand rub dispensing devices with the following requirements:
5a. The facility or persons responsible for the dispensers shall test the dispensers each time a new refill is installed in accordance with the manufacturer鈥檚 care and use instructions.
5b. Dispensers shall be designed and must operate in a manner that ensures accidental or malicious activations of the dispensing device are minimized. At a minimum, all devices subject to or used in accordance with this section shall have the following safety features:
- Any activation of the dispenser shall only occur when an object is placed within 4 inches of the sensing device.
- The dispenser shall not dispense more than the amount required for hand hygiene consistent with label instructions and regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).
- An object placed within the activation zone and left in place will cause only one activation.
6. Storage and use of ABHR鈥檚 shall be in accordance with the International Fire Code.
7. Dispensers installed over carpeted floors shall only be allowed in areas equipped with a fire sprinkler system.
ABHR鈥檚 installed in corridors shall be in accordance with the following:
- The maximum capacity of each dispenser shall be 41 ounces.
- The maximum quantity allowed in a corridor per floor shall be 10 gallons.
- The minimum corridor width shall be 72 inches.
Any questions regarding the placement or storage of ABHRs can be directed to the 黑洞社区 Fire Safety Office at 978-5803 or 978-5531.
Faculty Senate meeting today
The Faculty Senate meeting will be held via Zoom at 3:30 p.m. today (Monday, Nov 30). The senators have been sent the meeting information. If you are interested in joining the meeting, please email Lee Ann Birdwell for the details.
Do your students have a plan for graduation?
As enrollment for spring is underway, ask students you work with if they have a graduation plan. If they are not graduating and haven鈥檛 begun to think about next semester, encourage them to schedule an appointment to speak with their faculty, academic and specialized advisors about their academic and personal goals. Enrolling as early as possible helps students get the classes they want and need to stay on track and develop a schedule that best meets their needs in and out of the classroom.
Call for Fiscal Year 2022 Educational Opportunity and Student Services Funding requests
It鈥檚 again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government Association for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 鈥�22. Through the student services fee, these programs provide financial support to facilitate students鈥� academic pursuits (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs / activities delivered directly to students (Student Services).
If you鈥檝e submitted requests in the past, the Budget Review Officer should receive an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, please contact Lauren Smith, Jason Post, or David Miller in the Budget Office at 978-3030 for more information.
Requests are due no later than Friday, Jan. 29.
Attention future Shocker Adelante Scholars
Wichita State offers new scholarship opportunities geared toward Hispanic and Black students joining Shocker Nation! Thank you, Yolanda and Gene Camarena! (See graphic for eligibility details and where to apply)
University Libraries schedule through the holiday season
University Libraries will have the following hours through holiday break:
End of term hours at Ablah Library (Nov. 30-Dec. 13)
Monday 鈥� Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday 1-5 p.m.
Sunday CLOSED
Winter Intersession hours at Ablah Library (Dec. 14-20)
Monday 鈥� Friday 8 a.m.鈥�5 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday CLOSED
Please note that hours are subject to change. Stay up to date with library hours and policies at .
Excellence in Research nominations
Nominations for faculty excellence awards in creative activity, research and community research are due to the Office of Research by Friday, Dec. 4. Please go to Excellence Awards for the nomination form and instructions.
Please register to attend Introduction to 黑洞社区 Office of Research
Introduction to the 黑洞社区 Office of Research Workshop: 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Join Fran Cook of the 黑洞社区 Office of Research for a one-hour Zoom workshop, from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Topics will include 1) 黑洞社区 Research Office resources and contacts, 2) finding funding, 3) project budgeting and 4) grant-writing tips, with time for questions and answers.
Email proposals@wichita.edu to receive login information.
Health Professions faculty and staff - Sign up for IRB and Data Security Workshop
黑洞社区 Office of Research Workshop: Institutional Review Board Overview and Data Security: Dec. 4, 2020 and Dec. 8, 2020
Register to attend the virtual 黑洞社区 Office of Research Workshop: Institutional Review Board Overview and Data Security.
Linda Steinacher, IRB/IACUC administrator, will discuss the process of applying to the 黑洞社区 Institutional Review Board for research involving human subjects.
Misha Jacob-Warren, Deputy General Counsel, will discuss the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and its relevance to university researchers.
Finally, Mark Rodee, Chief Information Security Officer, will discuss data security with regard to sensitive data such as personally- identifying information, controlled unclassified information, and research data in general.
This workshop is recommended especially for those in health professions and those whose research involves working with human subjects or sensitive data. Two sessions will be offered: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, or 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Dec. 8,
Please sign up through myTraining or by emailing proposals@wichita.edu.
New F45 class schedule starts today
The Heskett Center's interim fitness schedule will start on Monday, Nov. 30. We will offer one F45 class at noon and another one at 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 18. Download the FitDegree app to check class availability and to reserve your spot.
Dr. Abigail Rymer to give Physics Seminar talk on Dec. 2
Our last speaker of the fall semester will present a talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, via Zoom. The talk features Dr. Abigail Rymer, John Hopkins University, MD, and the title of this talk will be 鈥淣eptune-Odyssey: Flagship Mission Concept Study for the Neptune-Triton System.鈥� Visit our website for the Zoom details.
Employees 鈥� Please review your personal information by Dec. 11
In an effort to maintain current HR data and to better serve our employees, Human Resources is asking all employees to perform a quick review of their personal information within Employee Self-Service by Friday, Dec. 11. Personal information includes:
- Mailing address
- Personal email and phone
- Emergency contact information
- Ethnicity and race
- Veteran classification
- Disability status
To access and review your personal information, please log in to my黑洞社区.wichita.edu and access the Employee Self-Service link titled:
Address / Email / Phone / Emergency Contacts
Thank you for keeping your personal information current, and please contact Human Resources with any questions at HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu.
Spring 2021 Tuition Assistance deadline is tomorrow
The HR Total Rewards team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for Spring 2021 Tuition Assistance applications is Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Reminder: Tuition Assistance applications for Spring 2021 are submitted through the .
The fillable PDF form will no longer be accepted. Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.
Full program details can be found here.
Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.
Changes to your HSA/HRA/FSA for 2020 due to CARES Act
Due to the recent CARES Act legislation, there have been some updates to how you can use your HSA, HRA and/or Healthcare FSA funds. Updates include the ability to use funds for over the counter (OTC) medications without a prescription and for menstrual care products. These changes are retroactively effective to Jan. 1, 2020.
Your NueSynergy debit card may not immediately work for purchases of these items as merchants are in the process of updating their systems to accommodate these changes, but you are able to pay out of pocket and submit reimbursement requests through the NueSynergy .
You can find more information from NueSynergy here: . If you have more specific questions about eligible purchases, you can reach NueSynergy directly at 1-855-750-9440 for further assistance. When calling, identify yourself as a State of Kansas employee, and be prepared to provide your SHaRP ID (found by logging in to my黑洞社区 and hovering the mouse over the white box in the 鈥淪HaRP ID鈥� channel).
Congratulations Bender of Twigs Class of 2020!
Bender of Twigs was conceived in 1951 by then University of Wichita President Harry Corbin (1949-1963), his assistant Kathryn Griffith, and English Professor Bill Nelson. This unique designation is bestowed upon employees who have served 25 years of service to 黑洞社区.
The name "Bender of Twigs" is a reference to the similarity between the way a young sapling bends toward the light as it grows and how faculty and staff help lead the student in their search for knowledge.
Go to wichita.edu/BenderOfTwigs2020 to learn more about the Bender of Twigs Class of 2020 (recently inducted during Service Recognition on Nov. 19), and to read their induction remarks online!
Generation Lead Podcast Series featuring Jadyn Stutey!
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 黑洞社区 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.
Jadyn Stutey and Alexus are going to have a candid conversation about leadership and loyalty. As a leader, we鈥檙e loyal to the commitments we commit to day-by-day and year-by-year. Jadyn has been a member of 10 organizations in her stint at 黑洞社区 and held executive roles in more than five of those.
During Jadyn鈥檚 involvement and commitment, she鈥檚 also started a multicultural organization of her own! During the last couple of months, our nation and the student body has seen its series of tests and trials as it pertains to loyalty. Alexus remembers being involved like Jadyn, and Alexus was faced with the decisions of honoring herself, my roles requirements, and those whom she served. Take a listen!
to listen now via Spotify.
Free 黑洞社区 Bear with $75 purchase at the Shocker Store
Get a free 黑洞社区 Bear from the Shocker Store! Spend $75 in store at our RSC or Braeburn Square locations, or online at and get a cuddly, Shocker friend (while supplies last). Limit one bear per customer, per visit. Merchandise sub-total must be $75 or greater.
Earn Wu Bucks from the Shocker Store
Shop the Shocker Store for the holidays and earn Wu Bucks towards more Shocker gear! For every $50 spent now through Dec. 24, in our RSC location or Braeburn Square location only, earn a $5 coupon to be used in January and February on any in-store purchase. Some exclusions apply, see store for details.
Saturday Sale in the Shocker Store
This Saturday save on some great gifts in the Shocker Store! That day only, take 20% off blankets, drinkware and ornaments. Sale is in both the RSC and Braeburn Square locations.
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.
Free STI Testing resources are available for 黑洞社区 students
Join Nurse Heather and Positive Directions representatives Storm Dial and Brett Hogan for a discussion about free STI testing resources available to 黑洞社区 students. View it .
Don't miss out on free STI testing at Pee for Pizza this Wednesday, Dec. 2! Please call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment for this medical service. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Student Involvement Ambassador nominations
Student Involvement Ambassadors is looking for students who are passionate about getting involved. We are a team dedicated to recruiting new Shockers, connecting current students to opportunities, celebrating campus leaders and sharing our story.
Do you know someone who would excel at communicating the value of involvement to others? Consider nominating an outstanding student to serve as a Student Involvement Ambassador!
Student Involvement Ambassadors
Santa letters available at 黑洞社区 Post Office
黑洞社区 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.
Guidelines for staying safe when decorating offices, rooms this holiday season
Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when faculty, staff and students gather for holiday parties and decorate their offices or rooms. Decorating is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit, but fires and injuries caused by improper use of electrical decorations, such as lights or the use of candles or other open flame items, injure or kill many people each year. Take some basic precautions to ensure we all remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.
Decorations of all types shall be either non-combustible or adequately treated to render them fire resistant. Decorations are allowed 14 calendar days before the holiday or event. All decorations are expected to be removed no later than seven calendar days after the holiday or event. Artificial wrapped presents kept on the floor are limited to lobby areas. Keep wrapping paper on artwork to a minimum (i.e., less than 10% of the wall). The use of trees or wreaths shall be restricted to artificial types containing a UL or FM tag or seal indicating satisfactory fire resistance. No live or cut trees or wreaths are allowed. Do not use strings of lights on metal trees.
Streamers, garlands, lights and other decorations shall not run along or across halls, obstruct or restrict aisles, passageways, or corridors; be hung from smoke detectors or sprinkler heads or obstruct exits signs, fire extinguishers or other fire equipment. Holiday lighting strings must be double insulated or grounded and have an approval rating from either UL or FM. A maximum of three strands may be connected together. No extension cords shall be used to light strings of lights, only a circuit breaker protected power strip shall be used.
- Decorations may not be attached to doors, walls, or painted surfaces by any methods which would damage the surface or leave behind adhesive residue (i.e., low adhesive masking tape is preferred). Any costs associated with damage caused by installation or removal of decorative materials will be the responsibility of the department.
- Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following list:
- Latex balloons, silly-string, bubbles, glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed.
- Fireworks (including sparklers) or weapons of any kind.
- Live animals (except for those assisting individuals with disabilities).
- Any item with an open flame, such as candles or incense.
- Decorative materials may not be placed on fire doors, smoke doors, light fixtures, electrical equipment, electrical outlets, circuit breaker panels, etc.
- Cut trees, tree branches, pinecones, wreaths, mistletoe, and live potted plants. Artificial trees, wreaths, and other seasonal decorations must be fire/flame-retardant. It is the department鈥檚 responsibility to save packaging material as proof to the fire marshal that decorative materials have received flame-retardant treatment.
The following list of materials may not be used for decorations under any circumstances because they are inherently combustible or cannot be flame proofed:
- Bamboo
- Cedar Trees or Branches
- Corn Stalks or Shucks
- Cotton or Confetti (loose, in large quantities)
- Dry Moss or Leaves
- Flammable Powders or Liquids
- Hay or Straw (loose or baled)
- Paper Streamers (serpentine)
- Plastic Sheeting or Pellets
- Sawdust
- Tumbleweeds
- Wood Bark or Shavings
If you have questions, please contact the 黑洞社区 Fire & Safety Office at 978-5803 or 978-5531.
黑洞社区 Fire & Safety wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.
黑洞社区 offers Spanish course for Shockers who grew up speaking Spanish with family
SPAN 321, 黑洞社区's Spanish course for heritage speakers, will be offered again in spring 2021. The course offers bilingual Shockers an opportunity to develop their Spanish reading and writing skills, while exploring topics related to Spanish-speaking communities in Kansas.
TRIO DSS supports students with disabilities - applications open!
黑洞社区's TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) Program is excited to enroll students with disabilities for this academic school year. They offer numerous free services such as academic advising, career development, study skills assistance, financial literacy assistance, tutoring, and more. Many DSS graduates cite DSS as a critical program on campus that provided the support, university connections, and resources necessary for their success.
Quotes from DSS graduates and more information
I will apply what I have learned through TRIO DSS to the next chapter of my life - completing a Master's Degree! I am really thankful for the relationships that I have formed through TRIO DSS and look forward to what new challenges there are to conquer in my near future.
-Tiffany H.
My advisor believed in me when everyone wrote me off. That kind of belief and caring is so strong, it turned a college dropout into a student with a 黑洞社区 GPA of 3.8 who is going to graduate in a month. I was able to get my first all 鈥淎鈥� semester last fall because of their encouragement. Without my advisor鈥檚 support, I do not think I would be graduating at all.
-Ben L.
For more information, or to apply, go to www.wichita.edu/dss or call 978-5949. TRIO DSS is located in 158 Grace Wilkie Annex.
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.