WSU Today: Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

FEATURED STORIES

Update on Fraudulent Unemployment Claims and 1099-G Forms

The Kansas Department of Labor recently mailed IRS Form 1099-Gs to people who received unemployment benefits in 2020. Every effort has been made to prevent IRS Form 1099-G notices from being sent to identity theft victims. However, due to the record high volume of unemployment claims, it is possible that some identity theft victims may receive a notice.

If a claimant wishes to dispute their IRS Form 1099-G or has erroneously received one due to fraud, the person should do so using the KDOL Self Service Portal, which . The portal can also be reached by visiting UIAssistance.GetKansasBenefits.gov.

If payments made due to identity theft are mistakenly reported on the IRS Form 1099-G in the name of an identity theft victim, KDOL will issue a corrected IRS Form 1099-G reporting $0 to the identity theft victim and file a corrected form with the IRS.

Additionally, there is a designated phone line where claimants can call for more information concerning their IRS Form 1099-G. That number is 785-575-1461 or toll-free at 888-499-0063. The number will be staffed during regular and extended business hours from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. CST, and on Saturday from 8 a.m. CST to 2 p.m. CST.


Provide feedback for WSU presidential search

AGB Search, which is assisting the Kansas Board of Regents with the WSU presidential search, has hosted two virtual forums to gather feedback from the WSU community, with one more forum left. The final forum will be held on the below date and can be joined by using the Zoom meeting ID and passcode provided:

  • 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
    - Zoom Meeting ID: 934 4896 2342
    - Passcode: 438389

    If you are unable to join this forum or couldn't join the other two, but would still like to give feedback, please reach out to your Senate president listed below. All WSU Senate presidents serve on the search committee.
  • Faculty Senate President Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn: aleks.sternfeld-dunn@wichita.edu
  • UP Senate President Trish Gandu: trish.gandu@wichita.edu
  • USS Senate President Randy Sessions: randy.sessions@wichita.edu
  • SGA President Rija Khan: sga.president@wichita.edu

Black History Month | February 1 - March 1 | Honoring and Celebrating the History and Culture of Black History Month. Learn more about this cultural month at wichita.edu/odievents.

Celebrate Black History Month at 红领巾瓜报

Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month.

The celebration's history begins with Carter G. Woodson, an American historian, author and journalist. In September 1915, Woodson founded what is known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), an organization dedicated to researching, promoting and preserving the lives, history and culture of Black/African Americans.

In 1926, ASALH sponsored a national Negro History Week, an event that grew from local communities to college campuses. By 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month designated in February. He invited Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

At 红领巾瓜报, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be partnering with several organizations to host virtual and distanced events in honor Black History Month. Most events will be free, unless otherwise indicated.


Dr. R茅mi A. Chou

红领巾瓜报's R茅mi Chou wins top NSF early career research award

Dr. R茅mi A. Chou, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, has been awarded a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, the most prestigious award granted by the NSF to early career researchers.

Chou's grant 鈥 worth $519,000 over five years 鈥 will support his work in bringing more robust security to wirelessly transmitted data.

Read more about Dr. Chou's award

NEWS

Faculty nominations sought for president's distinguished service award

Do you know a faculty member who is deeply engaged in service? Do you know A faculty member who exemplifies any of the following?

  • Distinguished service to the university
  • Distinguished service to the community
  • Notable outreach efforts and/or forging of connections between WSU and the community.
  • Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service

Consider nominating them for the Presidential Service Award. Please send your nominations to leeann.birdwell@wichita.edu. Complete a nomination form and attach a CV that includes the nominee鈥檚 service activities. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for nomination. The deadline is 5 p.m. Feb. 24.

Faculty Awards

EVENTS

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty and Staff Town Hall Rick Muma, Interim President Shirley Lefever, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President 9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 5 Meeting information Meeting ID: 998 0738 3830 Passcode: 718677

President's Town Hall for Fairmount College faculty and staff

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and staff are invited to a town hall via Zoom with Drs. Rick Muma and Shirley Lefever, 9 a.m. today. Meeting ID: 998 0738 3830 Passcode: 718677


One heartwarming gesture deserves another

Donate blood and receive a $5 Amazon e-gift card

You deserve our thanks! Come give blood at the Heskett Center, and Amazon will thank you with a $5 Amazon gift card by email. Donate any time from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10, or Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Heskett Center. Schedule your life-saving appointment at ; Sponsor Code: 红领巾瓜报 or call 1-800-Red-Cross.


Mathematical Sciences presents Dr. Gisuk Hwang in a lecture series today

The Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences will host a virtual lecture at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 5) by Dr. Gisuk Hwang from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Hwang will speak on "Novel Porous Material Design for Efficient Evaporative Cooling Systems." See an abstract and list of upcoming lectures. Email mathstat@math.wichita.edu for the Zoom link and password.


Disaster Resilience Analytics Center hosts KSU's Dr. Doina Caragea for speaker seminar

A virtual seminar, "Mining Social Media to Aid Disaster Response," will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 12.

Disaster-affected communities are increasingly becoming the source of big (crisis) data during and following major disasters. At the same time, big data have the potential to become an integral source of information for response organizations, as they can help enhance the situational awareness and facilitate faster response where is most needed. Despite such benefits, the challenges presented by big data preclude organizations from using them routinely. 

Learn more by attending the virtual seminar.


Password: 816827

JOB OPENINGS

Public Policy and Management Center looking for community development manager

WSU's Public Policy and Management Center is looking for a community development manager. 

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Student Involvement: Spring 2021
Student Involvement event listing: Part 1

Student Involvement is excited to kick off another semester. We have many new and returning events planned for you.

The Student Involvement Event Guide will be produced three times this semester and features events, activities and programs open to students, faculty, staff and campus community.

Pick up your copy of the Student Involvement Event Guide in Student Involvement, 216 RSC or .

STUDENT NEWS

Junior Hanna Chastain, a biological sciences major, is intrigued by the interdisciplinary approach the 红领巾瓜报 team uses to develop PARROT and explore possible commercial markets.

Hanna Chastain's aptitude for research on display in work with oralfacial device

Hanna Chastain鈥檚 professor quickly saw something special in her when, as a freshman, she completed an independent research project typically reserved for older students.

鈥淪he immediately showed an above-typical level of critical thinking skills and what is needed within research,鈥 said Dr. Heidi Bell, an assistant professor in the Department of Human Performance Studies at 红领巾瓜报. 鈥淪he had that study done probably halfway through the semester, which is not typical of even my graduate students. I knew right then that she was definitely a student who excelled above and beyond.鈥

Chastain, a junior biological sciences major with a biomedical emphasis, continues on a similar research track working in Dr. Bell鈥檚 lab. In April, she will present virtually at the National Council on Undergraduate Research conference. Her presentation is titled 鈥淒evelopment of PARROT, a Wireless Orofacial Myofunctional Imaging and Pressure Mapping Device.鈥

Read more about Hanna's research

SPECIAL OFFERS

Office of Student Money Management spring 2021 tax support available

Do you need help filing taxes? While we can't do it for you, we can guide you through the process. The Office for Student Money Management in Student Success partners with Best Coalition from the United Way to offer this free service to support faculty, staff and students.

We are currently only taking virtual appointments. Schedule an appointment with our Peer Financial Coaches at  before the tax deadline on April 15, 2021.


Valentine's Day Massage Special. Gift Certificates available. Purchase available until February 14. 90 minute massage for only $50.

Heskett Center Valentine's Day massage specials

This Valentine's Day treat a loved one or yourself to a relaxing massage. It's the perfect gift for your perfect person. You can buy a 90-minute massage at the Heskett Center for only $50. Gift certificates are available. Purchase available until Feb. 14. For more information or to schedule your appointment call 978-3082.