WSU Today: Jan. 7, 2020

Congratulations to advisors and Advising Centers on helping us navigate forward!

Help us celebrate the following advisors and Advising Centers who are leading the way in utilizing SSC Navigate to help us reach our retention goals!

Sherena Langley and Kathy Munsterman (College of Applied Studies) - Best Targeted Campaign Results

College of Fine Arts - Most Strategic Scheduling

Frank Barton School of Business - Best Overall Reports

OneStop - Most Appointments Scheduled

We'd like to send special congratulations to the College of Health Professions for receiving the fall 2019 Navigating Forward Award. Their leadership and willingness to model the way for others is appreciated and truly valued.

We offer continued appreciation for all advisors on campus for their important service and commitment to our students.

PowerUp with new Microsoft Office 365 features

Are you curious about new features and updates in Microsoft Office 365? PowerUp with knowledge at a quick informational session in January with Microsoft Certified Trainer Ali Levine. Artificial Intelligence, time saving tips, new accessibility settings, creative inspiration, and even a couple extras for fun … this will be an action-packed hour. Sign up in myTraining and we will save you a spot and a free guide.

The session will be offered twice:

• 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8
• 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15

Microsoft PowerUp

January HealthQuest upcoming events

It’s the start of a new plan year, which means a fresh start for HealthQuest points! Employees enrolled in 2020 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and HSA/HRA rewards dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year!

You may have noticed that the HealthQuest portal has been completely re-designed for 2020 and all employees and spouses must re-register. Click here for registration instructions.

HR Total Rewards is holding three HealthQuest labs in January to help employees get registered, tour the HealthQuest site and get started on activities. Sign up through myTraining.

Registration is open for the inaugural Wichita State University Analytics Showcase

The WSU Analytics Showcase will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 17, in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Registration is free for students and faculty, but space is limited.

Contact the Analytics Showcase organizers

Learn more and register for the Showcase

Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) application forms are open

The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely-available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs on the student body.

The project has two elements:

1. OAT Course Designation: Provides an incentive to faculty based on a $10/student course fee, which will be applied to an approved course that is using Open / Alternative textbooks that have no cost to the students. This money is split between the department offering the course (60%) and the Open / Alternative Textbook grant program (40%).
2. OAT Grant Program: Provides $2,000-5,000 grants to faculty who apply for the grant to redesign a course with no-cost resources, or to write or contribute to an open educational resource, or other alternative text that can be provided to the students free of charge. These grants are funded by the course fees.
   Read more on Open / Alternative Textbook application forms.

   The OAT Initiative will be managed by Academic Affairs. OAT Course Designations and Grant Applications will be submitted via web form and reviewed by a panel be made up of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries , a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA), and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).

   Apply now for Fall 2020 course designation. Deadline: Feb 1.

   Grant applications will be due May 1 for AY 2020-21.

   Open / Alternative Textbook Initiative

State designates holiday schedule for 2020

The following are holidays for the state service in calendar year 2020, per a memo to all state agencies from Gov. Laura Kelly:

New Year’s Day – Wednesday, Jan. 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, Jan. 20

Memorial Day Monday, May 25

Independence Day – Friday, July 3

Labor Day – Monday, Sept. 7

Veterans Day – Wednesday, Nov. 11

Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 26 and Friday, Nov. 27

Christmas Eve – Thursday, Dec. 24

Christmas Day – Friday, Dec. 25

In addition, Kelly authorized a discretionary day for state employees, which is for observance of a holiday or other special day during pay periods attributable to calendar year 2020.

State memo regarding discretionary holiday

For your convenience in addressing discretionary holiday issues, the following items are provided as general policies and clarification regarding the discretionary holiday:

1. The discretionary holiday is designed to give eligible state employees an additional day off available to use for observation of a religious holiday, family event or other special occasion. This holiday is subject to an employee’s advance request and subsequent supervisory approval.
2. For the purpose of the discretionary holiday, an eligible employee is defined as an employee: 1) who is eligible for either the group health insurance program or KPERS, and 2) who has worked for the state in an eligible position for six continuous months.
3. All eligible employees shall receive hours equal to the number of hours regularly scheduled to work for a discretionary holiday.
4. All hours for a discretionary holiday shall be taken on the same day and in no case will an employee earn more than one discretionary holiday in a designated year of SHARP pay periods.
5. The discretionary holiday must be taken prior to certain SHARP pay period dates that occur during the last part of December or the first part of January. The specific dates will be provided each year.
6. An employee shall not be paid for the discretionary holiday in lieu of taking the time off. 
7. The appointing authority shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that all eligible personnel receive the holiday during the calendar year.

Don't forget about accessibility revisions when completing your FAR

From Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management

As our campus continues to work on improved accessibility in many areas, faculty are redesigning coursework and modifying documents to be fully accessible. This valuable work can be time consuming and often requires some creative pedagogical modifications.

Faculty are encouraged to include details of this work in their Faculty Activity Record (FAR) in section I on Teaching / Librarianship. The Instructional Design and Accessibility office (IDA) is happy to do a review of revised courses and provide a letter of support to document this work, if desired.

Graduate School staff returns to Jardine Hall

The Graduate School will return to 107 Jardine Hall beginning today (Wednesday, Jan. 8). It may take staff a bit longer than usual to respond to calls and emails during the move, which is slated to be finished by the end of the day on Thursday, Jan. 9.

The Graduate School expects to be fully operational again in their permanent location of 107 Jardine Hall on Friday, Jan. 10. We apologize for any inconvenience.

WSU students connect with military and private industry to open career paths

Wichita State students work at Firepoint and learn research and networking skills as part of their applied learning experience. Their experiences can connect them with military and labs and technologies that spark an interest in a career opportunity.

Firepoint is a technology-transfer partnership and its work can help the Army maintain a supply of trained civilian workers.

Pictured above: Wichita State students Michael Hamlin (left) and Luke Kuffler work at Firepoint, a technology-transfer partnership between the university and the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center.

Read complete story on WSU students and Firepoint.

Sign up for Preventing Suicide Training

Looking for something to do while classes are out? Help support your community by taking the #WSUWeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training, where you’ll learn tools such as the Share, Ask, Support method, so that you can aid someone in need.

The next training will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9.

Sign up through your myTrainings tab in myWSU, or visit Wichita.edu/SuicidePrevention to learn more.

Submit your applications for Senior Honor awards

Applications are being sought for Wichita State’s 2020 Senior Honor awards.  This is considered one of the most prestigious honors a student can receive at WSU. Up to 10 students are chosen for this honor each year. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14. To review the eligibility requirements and application process, go to www.wichita.edu/seniorhonor.

Volunteer opportunities available

VolunteerICT has hundreds of volunteer opportunities from local nonprofits looking for volunteers. All students, faculty and staff have an account through myWSU. Set-up is simple and easy by visiting our website at Wichita.edu/volunteerICT.

Website Usability Study - Participants needed

Participants age 18 and older who have experience using websites for renting apartments are needed to help evaluate the usability of a website. If you are interested, please take a few minutes to take the screening survey here.

If you qualify, you will be contacted to schedule a time to participate. This study takes place at the WSU main campus and lasts about 60-90 minutes. Participants in the study will earn $25 for their time.

Questions can be directed to Traci Hart at Traci.Hart@wichita.edu at 978-3812.

Springfest registration is open!

Springfest is a kick-off for the spring semester for both student organizations and university departments. Located in the Heskett Center Gym, this event acts as a way for WSU students to check out the many different organizations we have on campus, as well as discover the amazing resources this campus offers. Along with informational tables, Springfest includes music, inflatables, food, prizes and contests for all students to participate. Registration is taking place now until 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27. For questions, contact Maggi Hole at student.orgs@wichita.edu

Springfest 2020

Try the Wild West Burger in January

Stop by the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in January to try their Burger of the Month, the Wild West Burger! It’s topped with your choice of cheese, an onion ring and BBQ sauce. Want a meatless option? Ask for it with our beanie burger!