Faculty training and help setting up spring classes
There are faculty training opportunities available to faculty this Friday, Dec. 7. There will also be help available for any instructor who wants to set up spring classes in Blackboard.
To sign up for faculty-focused training in Word or Excel, or to attend the “Spring Class Clean-up / Improvement” time, go to myTraining. All events can be found on Dec. 7 in the training calendar.
Shared Governance Discussion Groups
During the town hall meeting in September, the university gathered feedback on four strategic priority areas. Priority #1 is to advance a culture of shared governance built on trust and integrity.
The university will hold discussion groups to bring faculty, staff, administration and students together to discuss how we all can make an impact through shared governance. This will be a guided discussion to share with each other, learn from one another, and generate thoughts about shared governance at the university.
The discussion group will go through a process to:
- Identify the current perception of shared governance at the university.
- Identify how faculty, staff, and administration participate in shared governance.
- Identify who you think makes decisions, who is consulted, and who must approve decisions that are made.
- Vision what shared governance could be at the university.
There will be 11 discussion groups scheduled at varying times as shown below.
Wednesday, Dec. 12: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-3 p.m., 3:30-5 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13: 9:30-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-3 p.m.; 3:30-5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 14: 9-10:30 a.m., 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m.
Please access myTraining on the myWSU Faculty/Staff page to register for a session. You may be asked to change sessions to make sure each session represents a cross-section of the university.
We will consolidate the input from each discussion group, identify consistent themes, and recommend a plan that will be shared at open forums to ensure that it accurately reflects the input from the discussion groups and to provide an opportunity for feedback.
A look back when President George H.W. Bush honored the WSU baseball team
When the WSU baseball team won the College World Series in 1989, the team was honored by President George H.W. Bush at the White House. The picture above is courtesy of ϱ Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives.
President Bush died on Nov. 30, and the university is closed today (Wednesday, Dec. 5) in honor of his service.
Notice of Revisions to the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects
The revised “Common Rule” for the protection of human subjects is set to go into effect on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. This involves some big changes in the way research is reviewed and approved by the IRB. In order to implement the changes, there will be a submission freeze on all new study submissions from Dec. 15, 2018 to Jan. 21, 2019.
For more information, go to the IRB website
Invitation to SBIR/STTR Innovation Summit on Dec. 12
Learn how to access non-dilutive funding and meet one-on-one with SBIR experts from 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, in 264 Experiential Engineering Building.
This workshop begins with an overview of the SBIR program, and how it differs from the STTR program. After covering recent and pending changes in SBIR/STTR, the discussion turns to a recommended process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal to any agency.
If you think you already know the Greenwoods' four-step process, come hear their new process which now entails seven steps. Each attendee also will be eligible for a free review of their Phase I proposal.
The cost of the event, including lunch, is $25 for general admission and $5 for WSU students. This event is open to the public.
Call for Fiscal Year 2020 Educational Opportunity and Student Fee funding requests
It's again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 20. Through student fees, these programs provide funding for financial assistance to students (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs / activities delivered directly to students (student fees).
If you've submitted requests in the past, the Budget / Review Officer should have received an email from the Budget Office last week 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. 25.
Getting to know MSC Software
is interested in hosting a “Getting to Know MSC Software” event at ϱ aimed at providing attendees the chance to meet and talk with MSC Software experts in a variety of products and technologies. Before confirming the event, MSC Software would like to get a better understanding of the software topics that are of most interest to the Wichita engineering community to make sure they bring the proper technical experts to answer all questions. Please take a minute to fill out the simple .
The event will educate attendees on MSC Software's product line and offer a deeper understanding of the true capabilities within specific software applications. It will be set up as an open-house-style event where attendees can come and throughout the entire day. It is also expected to include one-on-one discussions. To learn more about MSC products ahead of time, visit the following links for the offerings based on application, industry or product:
WSU Weekly Briefing to feature Anand Desai, dean, W. Frank Barton School of Business
The WSU Weekly Briefing will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Marcus Welcome Center.
Anand Desai, dean of the W. Frank Barton School of Business, will discuss the impact the student referendum will have on all WSU students.
Tracee Friess, director of communications for research and technology transfer, will provide an overall university update.
The briefing will be livestreamed and available later that day at . There will be time for questions following the briefing.
Now accepting applications for Retention Faculty Fellows!
Faculty who are interested in serving as a Retention Faculty Fellow are encouraged to review the position description and submit the application materials. Retention Faculty Fellows will work with Student Success and Success Coaches to support the goals of the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and identify and support students in their college who may be at risk of not persisting to graduation. If after reviewing the position description you have questions, please email kim.sandlin@wichita.edu.
Retention Faculty Fellows position description
Ulrich Museum of Art announces new creative communications manager
Nick Drake
The Ulrich Museum has announced Nick Drake as the new creative communications manager, effective yesterday (Tuesday, Dec. 4). Drake is a graphic designer and project manager with more than 10 years of experience in the marketing industry.
After seven years at Capital Enterprises, Drake took his experience in project management and production to RSM Marketing, where he worked as the resource manager, and more recently as a graphic designer and production specialist.
He received a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas with an emphasis in strategic management. He has lived most of his life in Wichita, where he attended the Independent School and worked at the Wichita Center for the Arts in high school. Drake is an active member of the Wichita creative community, showcasing digital art and performing music at local venues.
Barton School advising center accepting applications for office assistant
The Barton School of Business undergraduate advising center is currently accepting applications for the position of office assistant through Sunday, Dec. 9. .
Grant Funding Opportunity from WSU's Regional Institute on Aging
The Regional Institute on Aging (RIA) at ϱ is pleased to announce a new competitive funding opportunity for interdisciplinary faculty research. Two $20,000 grants will be awarded for two interdisciplinary research projects at WSU that contribute to new knowledge and practice related to well-being in older adults.
This funding opportunity advances two goals of the university's strategic plan: Goal 1 - Guarantee an applied learning or research experience for every student by each academic program and Goal 4 - Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge. Proposals must actively involve faculty members at WSU from at least two distinct disciplines and more than one college. The deadline for RIA proposals is Friday, Dec. 21. For more information go to .
Grad students at the Ulrich event on Friday, Dec. 7
Graduate students are invited to celebrate the end of the semester with a fun party from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the Ulrich Museum of Art, WSU's modern and contemporary art museum.
Enjoy plentiful free hors d'oeuvres and beverages, including adult beverages, with ID. Unwind with friends and faculty, and enjoy viewing the wonderful exhibits on display.
The event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and Ulrich Museum of Art.
Accounts Receivable and Cashiers will close early on Friday, Dec. 7
Accounts Receivable and Cashiers will be closed for staff development from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7.
Chili Cook-off and Student Appreciation Day tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 6)
The Human Performance Studies Department invites students, faculty and staff to its Chili Cook-off and Student Appreciation Day from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 6) in the Heskett Center lobby.
Sample some great chili, vote for your favorite overall favorite and see which student and which faculty / staff wins the Judges' Choice Award.
Bring a minimum of one nonperishable food item for a local food bank or a $2 donation, and join us for a great treat.
Door prizes also will be given away.
Enjoy a free short chair massage
We know the end of the semester can be tough. Take a break with a short chair massage offered for free by Campus Recreation from 2-5 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 6) in the Heskett Center lobby.
Shocker Honors Scholar receptions
The Office of Admissions hosted Shocker Honors Scholar receptions on Nov. 12-13, honoring the top 10 percent of high school juniors in Kansas. More than 650 students and guests attended.
During the event, students and their guests had the opportunity speak with faculty and staff in the Academic Open House portion of the evening. Each academic college, as well as student life areas, were assigned a room in the RSC, where WSU faculty, staff and students were available to speak with the students interested in a major from their college.
Shocker Store closed in RSC; open in Braeburn Square
The Shocker Store in the RSC will be closed today (Wednesday, Dec. 5), but the Braeburn Square Store will have normal hours.
RSC Unplugged has been moved to 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the RSC Starbucks Lounge.