Freshen up your skills at the August Academic Resources Conference
The Academic Resources Conference is back for August! Now is the time to plan your schedule for this free, online training conference. Check out our Aug. 10-14 events here.
For the most up-to-date information, please join the Conference's Facebook Group.
Everyone is welcome at the ARC! Please help us spread the word to GTAs, adjunct instructors, new faculty, and any student-facing staff. No sign-up is necessary for most sessions; just click the Zoom link in the August schedule and enjoy!
Academic Resources Conference instructions
New syllabus template available
The newest course syllabus template is now available. Language regarding university policies and available student resources has been provided in a hyperlink instead of inserted into the body of the document. This will allow this content to be update regularly without faculty having to change their syllabus or search for the newest template. If you would like to remove these additional pages from your template, just insert the following link instead: www.wichita.edu/syllabuspolicies.
Submit your WelcomeFest events
Welcomefest takes place during the beginning of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including an online guidebook, web listing and more. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is noon Monday, Aug. 3.
Please note, Student Involvement reserves the right to deny or terminate any events that are not planned completely or are deemed inappropriate for Welcomefest and/or the people in attendance.
To register your event, go to www.wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions, contact Student Involvement at 316-978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.
Athletic Department forms Diversity & Inclusion Council
Wichita State Athletics has formed a Diversity and Inclusion Council. The purpose of the WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council is to advance Shocker Athletics' commitment toward diversity, inclusion, and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
The WSU-ICAA Diversity and Inclusion Council was formed organically in early June after watching the shocking death of George Floyd. Although Mr. Floyd was not the first victim of egregious behavior, his death served as the ultimate motivation for change.
The Kansas NSF EPSCoR office is seeking white papers for Major Initiatives to Improve Research Infrastructure
Kansas NSF EPSCoR (KNE) is announcing a funding opportunity for Major Initiatives to Improve Research Infrastructure in the focus area of Adaptive and Resilient Systems.
In summer 2021, Kansas NSF EPSCoR will submit a Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-1 proposal to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). To develop the proposal, KNE is seeking proposals that will make up a key component of this multi-million dollar/multi-year request to NSF.
The selected initiative is expected to foster an interdisciplinary research community of engineers, computer and computational scientists, social and behavioral scientists, and natural scientists that creates new approaches and engineering solutions for the design and operation of infrastructure, processes, or services.
One major initiative will be selected to be included, along with other infrastructure-building components, in the $20 million RII Track 1 EPSCoR proposal, which will be submitted in August 2021.
White Papers Due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020
Full Proposals Due by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2020
Q&A Sessions: Only researchers from Kansas universities will be admitted to Zoom meetings. Register for a meeting at noon Friday, July 24, and noon Thursday, Aug. 13, and download the RFP at the KS NSF EPSCoR website.
If you have any questions or wish to submit to this opportunity, please email the WSU Office of Research at proposals@wichita.edu and a grants specialist will be assigned to assist you.
Incoming graduate students can ask questions about SHS on Aug. 4 Tuesday Talk
For new Shockers this fall, join Nurse Heather and WSU students to discuss what graduate students need to know about staying healthy at Wichita State. Tune in to Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, and ask questions about managing your health on campus.
August HealthQuest upcoming events
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!
In June, the Health Care Commission (HCC) voted to reduce the number of HealthQuest credits required to receive the 2021 premium incentive discount. The credit requirement was reduced from 40 points to 20 points, due to the exceptional circumstances created by COVID-19.
In addition, the HSA/HRA Dollars awarded for each HealthQuest credit completed has been increased from $10 to $20 per credit, up to the maximum of $500 per member. This change applies only to the 2020 plan year and is retroactive for credits earned since January 1.
In August, there are 3 events currently scheduled, worth up to 39 points total! There are also a variety of On-Demand or online options with up to 46 points available.
- Registration for the last Naturally Slim session in 2020 runs through July 31 with a session start date of Monday, Aug. 17. Register here during the registration window. (15 points)
- Tuesday, Aug. 18, on-campus Biometric Screening by appointment only in 266 RSC. Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3! (Up to 23 points)
- 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, “Developing Grit - Strategies for Success in Work and Life” EAP webinar. Register online. (1 point)
Now is good time to take advantage of some of the On-Demand and online options to earn HealthQuest points.
- Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 points (max 1 health coaching per day, 1 point each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
- Learning Modules: You can earn up to 5 points by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are 18 different topics to choose from.
- EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to 8 points (max 1 point per day) by completing EAP On-Demand trainings and webinars that you can access through the HealthQuest portal. There are 32 different topics to choose from.
- HealthQuest Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 5 points by completing this four-week learning module.
- Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 points for completing this assessment.
- 2020 HealthQuest Program Overview Video & Quiz: You can earn 3 points for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
We’ll publish upcoming events each month, but if you’d like to plan in advance, check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events.
Access the HealthQuest portal at https://KansasHealthQuest.CernerWellness.com.
Please consider volunteering for the October 2020 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!
As a volunteer, you'll work with a group of fun people who will feed you well. 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. More details about the types of volunteer positions are also listed on that page.
Further questions may be directed to the Commencement Office at commencement@wichita.edu
Thank you for your consideration! - Commencement Team
Required fire drills to be held on campus the week of Aug. 3-7
State fire regulations require that fire drills be held annually for all campus buildings. The 2020 fire drills will be conducted the week of Aug. 3-7.
Fire Safety personnel will conduct the drill some time during each scheduled day. When the alarm sounds in your building, evacuate the building in an orderly fashion to your designated assembly point(s), at least 50 feet from the building. Emergency Building Coordinators will assist with the evacuation. Environmental, Health and Safety staff will evaluate each drill.
Monday, Aug. 3:
Brennan 1, Brennan 2, Brennan 3, Garvey International, Intensive English, Henrion Hall, Fiske Hall, McKnight Hall, Wilner Hall, Ahlberg Hall, Elliott Hall
Tuesday, Aug. 4:
McKinley Hall, Jardine Hall, HR Building, Rhatigan Student Center, Morrison Hall, Wiedemann Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center, Jabara Hall, Clinton Hall, Neff Hall
Geology Building, Engineering Building
Wednesday, Aug. 5:
Koch Arena, Hubbard Hall, Devlin Hall, Corbin Hall, Eck office, AEGD, Metro Complex, Marcus Welcome Center, Woodman Alumni Center, LETC
Thursday, Aug. 6:
Heskett Center, Lindquist Hall, Grace Wilkie/Annex, Ablah Library, Media Resources Center, Wallace Hall, Beggs Hall, Aviation Testing Lab, NIAR building, NIAR Atlas,
John Bardo Center, NIAR Crash Lab
Friday, Aug. 7:
213 N. Mead, 238 N. Mead, West Campus, Central Power Plant