Help shape 成人头条 State by taking brand survey
Help us better serve you by letting us know what you think through our new 成人头条 State University brand survey.
Your thoughts are important in this time of change. Help us make the right decisions to ensure everyone finds value in 成人头条 State and feels welcome in the Shocker community.
Your next few minutes will make an important difference! Share your thoughts on our survey at . A Spanish-language version of the survey is available at .
Campus update from President Golden
Dear Shocker community,
Thank you for another great week last week. We are moving positively to sustain the university鈥檚 momentum, even as we work to care for each other and secure the university鈥檚 future.
Everyone wants to know whether we will get back to a normal fall semester. Provost Rick Muma and I, and many of you, are together working on plans that will allow us to open the campus in stages when we can safely to do so. We are hopeful we can start some form of reopening in the next couple of months, based on the advice of our county and state leaders and health professionals.
I think the provost states it best when we say that for the foreseeable future, we are going to have to 鈥渃o-exist with the virus.鈥� We are all working very hard to plan for an open campus in the fall, but with a 鈥渘ew normal鈥� that will include appropriate social distancing, health checks and other preventive measures. There will be much more information provided on a regular basis as we work through the various steps.
Even as we work on plans for the next 10 days, we are working on plans for the next 10 years, so that 成人头条 State and 成人头条 are considered one of the best places to get an education, start a business, work and live.
Below were some of last week's highlights for me, and I鈥檇 encourage you to make your own list. If you prefer, you can
The details will soon be announced, but it sounds like we鈥檙e going to be able to help a lot of our students with the greatest needs through the stimulus money to be provided to 成人头条 through the federal CARES Act. We are working rapidly to get the required federal forms submitted so that we can receive the money and distribute it to our students in need. More information on that coming soon.
Additionally, 成人头条 State students who need help can complete a request with WSU Office of Financial Aid, which is overseeing distributions from this COVID-19 Emergency Fund for Students. The application is available at . For information about making a donation, go to .
The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved our request to purchase two of our residence halls, The Flats and The Suites, which are privately held and were about to be sold to a company in another state. Not only are we able to take control of these critical halls, but we will be conservatively saving the university $30 million during the 25-year life of the bond.
Because of this, I have guaranteed to lock in the rental rate to all incoming students in those two residence halls for the entire time they live there, generally their sophomore through senior years. This is another way we are working to help our students and their families.
Our Faculty Senate has also been focused on our students and passed a flexible grading policy for spring semester so students can choose to have their earned grade recorded or simply get credit for the course. This is important as we have had to pivot to online / remote learning, as well as the stress the current pandemic is placing on our students.
I enjoyed participating in my biweekly video town hall sponsored by Student Government Association. These provide our students and their families an opportunity to ask questions of myself, Provost Rick Muma, Student Affairs and online learning leaders. Thanks to outgoing SGA President Kitrina Miller for setting up these town halls, and congratulations to . I鈥檓 looking forward to working with them.
We鈥檙e also planning regular video town halls for all faculty and staff. Our first virtual town hall will be at 4 p.m. Friday, April 24. You鈥檒l see details in WSU Today this week.
A number of items made the news this week:
- Via Christi Ascension began using the disposable stethoscopes for COVID-19 patients. It鈥檚 just one more example of the work 成人头条 State, as the Kansas Innovation University, is doing to through innovation to support our community and health care workers.
- Looking ahead from focusing on today to our future, the Kansas Board of Regents approved several long-term proposals. This includes approving a prior request to the Legislature for funding faculty, staff and students through our pan-university convergence sciences initiative, as well as a facility that could be built primarily through non-state revenue specifically targeted for these types of economic development and innovation projects. And, we have been given the chance to remove the aging stands at Cessna Stadium sometime in the future.
When facing a huge, multi-faceted challenge like this pandemic, you sometimes have to focus on just winning the day, doing your very best with what鈥檚 right in front of you. That rolls into winning the week and if you keep winning days and weeks, you end up in a good place.
We all have bad moments and things we wish we had done differently. But we need to forgive ourselves and forgive each other as we work through all of these difficulties.
I hope you have had a good week and that many more are ahead. I am keeping you in my thoughts and hope that this past weekend you had a chance to renew your energy and optimism for the days ahead.
Best,
Jay
President Jay Golden
WSU student learns leadership skills during operations internship at Airbus
Editor's note: This story was reported and written before the March 16 move by 成人头条 State University to remote learning and subsequent "Stay at Home" order by the state of Kansas brought on by the pandemic.
- 成人头条 State senior Angelique Banh used the Professional Edge program to help land an internship at Airbus.
- Bill West, Head of Engineering Operations at Airbus, said 成人头条 State students bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the work place.
- Banh uses her 成人头条 State connections to help Airbus employees take advantage of campus activities and resources.
COVID-19 series continues Wednesday
Making sense of the issues surrounding the coronavirus can be challenging. Faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at 成人头条 are helping clear the confusion.
Please join us for the following events, each held at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, now to May 6.
- April 22 鈥淎 history of pandemics,鈥� by George Dehner, associate professor of history
o Meeting ID: 529 143 580
For password information, contact Joyce.dalporto-ward@wichita.edu or call 316-978-6659.
* April 29 鈥淐OVID-19 and the impact on local public health practice and policy,鈥�
Panel discussion led by Melissa Walker, associate professor of public affairs
o Meeting ID: 404 843 017
* May 6 鈥淚n search of a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics,鈥� by Bill Groutas, WSU Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry
o Meeting ID: 796 333 682
College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame selects five recipients for 2020
The 成人头条 College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame will honor five Shockers as the 2020 class of inductees.
鈥淭he College of Fine Arts has a long and storied tradition of superb faculty, backed by unbelievably supportive patrons who have mentored students that have gone on to national and international prominence in their chosen profession," Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said. 鈥淭his class is but a fraction of the deserving people who have been associated with the fine arts at 成人头条 State.鈥�
The 2020 class of the CFA Hall of Fame were to be honored at a special Hall of Fame Gala on May 12th. However, in lieu of a face-to-face induction, the College will post a virtual Hall of Fame that will be posted on its website.
Butler, WSU add two majors to articulation agreement
Leaders of 成人头条 and Butler Community College have signed an agreement that adds two majors to a list of degrees that students can start with two years of study at Butler and complete at WSU 鈥� aerospace engineering and applied computing.
Known as 2+2 agreements, the arrangement allows Butler students earning an associate of science degree in pre-engineering with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be guaranteed admission to WSU upon completion of the appropriate application requirements.
Butler pre-engineering graduates will enter WSU with junior status, as they transfer 64 credit hours from Butler to WSU. Students would then need to complete another 62-64 hours of coursework to receive a bachelor鈥檚 degree from 成人头条 State College of Engineering.
COVID-19 creates new challenges for home health care workers
While hospitals and doctors鈥� offices are seen as the battlegrounds against COVID-19, there鈥檚 another group of medical professionals who are also on the front line: home health care workers.
Dr. Brian Miller 鈥� director of therapy and of for 成人头条-based Love My Nurse Home Health and owner of Miller Contract Therapy 鈥� played a vital role in his patients鈥� health care, even before the pandemic hit.
鈥淚 am responsible for ensuring our patients receive appropriate health care interventions, which include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and social work,鈥� said Dr. Miller, who graduated from 成人头条 in 2011 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
But COVID-19 brought a new set of concerns and challenges to Miller鈥檚 home health care colleagues.
Announcing Virtual Celebration on May 16
We are happy to announce that a Virtual Celebration will be held in honor of the spring and summer 2020 graduates on Saturday, May 16. This online option will allow us to acknowledge their achievements safely during this time of social distancing.
What is a Virtual Celebration?
It鈥檚 an option that allows the university, family, and friends to share in this momentous occasion in an online format. All eligible spring and summer 2020 graduates will receive an email asking them to opt in if they want to participate, and requesting information such as a photo, name pronunciation, and personal message in order to design a custom slide for each participating graduate. Please note: spring and summer 2020 graduates need to check their Shocker email to opt in!
MarchingOrder will provide a webpage, specifically designed for 成人头条鈥檚 spring and summer 2020 graduates, with shareable links for social media posts and the ability to download a custom slide. In addition, there will be a link on the commencement webpage to a digital program that will list the graduate's name, degree, and any academic honors received. There will be an option to download, print or share digitally with family and friends. The celebration will also include pre-recorded remarks from the President, Provost, Deans, and Alumni Association.
We look forward to celebrating the spring and summer 2020 graduates in this unique way!
Stay connected with KMUW's Distance Socials
KMUW has launched a series of virtual events to help our community stay connected from home. These "Distance Socials" are convened on Zoom or streamed live on KMUW's Facebook Page, and anyone can participate.
Up next is Literary Feast, KMUW's monthly book club, at 5 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday, April 22). We'll discuss "The Glass Hotel" by Emily St. John Mandel, the award-winning author of "Station Eleven." Go to kmuw.org/distance-socials to register for the Zoom meeting.
Then, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, join us on Facebook Live for Digital Democracy on Tap: Victory Gardens. We'll get tips and advice from an expert panel on how to successfully start and maintain a home vegetable garden. Learn more at KMUW.org.
Direct questions for returning library materials to librarystaff@wichita.edu
University Library items may be returned through the book drop on the east side of Ablah Library or once the libraries have open hours. There are no fines for late library materials. Please e-mail librarystaff@wichita.edu for questions.
WSU graduate helps Reno County deal with COVID-19 data and respond
Working in politics appealed to D.J. Gering. He saw himself crunching numbers for a campaign or researching policy and turning those experiences into a career with a think tank.
鈥淲hen I graduated from WSU, I told myself the one thing I really didn鈥檛 want to do was health,鈥� he said.
Three years later, Gering is helping his community deal with a pandemic as a public health analyst for the Reno County Health Department.
After event cancellation, Emerging Artists prizes awarded virtually
Every year, the Art & Design Advocates host Emerging Artists, an event that showcases work by some of the most talented students in the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries at 成人头条 State. The March 14 event was canceled due to novel coronavirus concerns, so the group responded with a virtual awards ceremony. Three students took home cash prizes totaling $1,750.
Resources available to support students, staff, and community during this challenging time
We are living and working in a time of change and disruption. Not only disruption of what we do and how we do it, but disruptions in relationships integral to our personal and professional lives. As a result of these circumstances, we may experience anxiety, stress, sadness, loneliness, grief, and so on. Connecting with people who share similar experiences during this time can be critical for our physical and emotional health.
To help you navigate these changing times, the WSU Community Engagement Institute has added a list of resources to the Kansas Support Groups Website. This includes information on resources related to physical and mental health, self-care, safety, and more.
The website also houses an online database with information on various local, state and national support groups and resources. This database is available year-round and is searchable by county or topic.
Find resources related to COVID-19 and others at or email supportgroups@wichita.edu for more information.
RSC Engraving resumes production
Having now settled into working remotely and social distancing, the RSC Engraving Shop is ready to resume production to serve all of your engraving and award needs. We realize that while in-person classes have been temporarily halted, the need to recognize students, faculty and staff for their achievements may be more important than ever!
In an effort to promote social distancing, in-person orders are not being taken at the present time. Instead, you can start an order by emailing rsc.engraving@wichita.edu or leaving a voicemail message at 316-978-7048.
Upon completion we will arrange for curbside service for pick-ups or even deliver completed orders when feasible.
Spring Shocker Sale Online
Looking to find some great deals on Shocker gear without leaving your house? The Shocker Store is having a Spring Shocker Sale online at shockerstore.com from now to Sunday, April 26. It will feature select products at awesome prices! Plus, free shipping on orders over $25. May not be combined with other discounts or promotions. See product images and pricing on the .
eGift Cards now available at Shockerstore.com
The Shocker Store is now offering electronic gift cards that people can purchase online at shockerstore.com and have emailed to someone to use immediately! These electronic gift cards are only valid for use online at shockerstore.com, not valid for use in store locations. Great option to use during this social distancing time.