Shocker Blast: Nov. 30, 2020

FEATURED STORIES

SEM Tip for 113020

Graduation – what’s your plan?

For those of you graduating, congratulations! For those who aren’t, ENROLLMENT IS UNDERWAY so you can continue your momentum to graduation. Have you run your degree audit and met with a faculty and academic advisor? Do you know how many credits you will complete next year? It’s a good idea to have a plan to reach graduation, and we want you to think about how you may be able to complete 30 credit hours next academic year.

Consider enrolling in a pre-session or summer class to help you reach 30 hours without overwhelming yourself during the fall or spring semesters. It may look something like this:

	15 (fall) + 15 (spring) = 30
	15 (fall) + 3 (spring pre-session) + 12 (spring) = 30
	12 (fall) + 12 (spring) + 6 (summer) = 30
	3 (fall pre-session) + 12 (fall) + 12 (spring) + 3 (summer) = 30

No matter how you build your 30 hours, you may have the potential to graduate earlier, begin your career sooner, reduce your student loan debt and increase your GPA. Talk to your advisor about options you may have.


Honors College admission requirements

Make the most of your college experience by joining the Cohen Honors College!

All current students are eligible to apply. Starting this year, there are no minimum ACT / SAT or GPA requirements. Applicants are evaluated on their preparation for challenging academic and professional work as well as creative approach to solving problems, urge to make a positive impact on the community and in the world, and open-minded embrace of diversity in backgrounds, values and perspectives.

Go to Cohen Honors College Admission Requirements to learn more and start your application. Applications are reviewed monthly November through August.


Call for Fiscal Year 2022 Educational Opportunity and Student Services Funding requests

It’s again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government Association for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY ‘22. Through the student services fee, these programs provide financial support to facilitate students’ academic pursuits (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs / activities delivered directly to students (Student Services).

If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the Budget Review Officer should receive an email from the Budget Office 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. 29.

NEWS

Are you stressed?

Are you stressed?

We get it. With the end of the semester and holidays approaching, not to mention the pandemic, we have seen a lot of students who are experiencing more stress than usual. Let us help! Email student.success@wichita.edu to schedule a quick one-on-one session and receive some effective, quick techniques to help you manage your stress in the coming weeks.

Student Success


Library holiday hours

University Libraries schedule through the holiday season

University Libraries will have the following hours through holiday break:

End of term hours at Ablah Library (Nov. 30 – Dec. 13)

Monday – Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Saturday 1-5 p.m.

Sunday CLOSED

Winter Intersession hours at Ablah Library (Dec. 14-20)

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday CLOSED

Please note that hours are subject to change. Stay up to date with library hours and policies at .


National Student Exchange

Want to experience a different city & university? Apply for National Student Exchange by Feb. 1

National Student Exchange allows undergraduate, domestic students the opportunity to study at one of nearly 200 universities across the United States and Canada – while paying regular WSU tuition and earning credit toward your degree.

The application materials for exchange during fall 2021 and spring 2022 are available at and are due Feb. 1, 2021. If you have questions, please contact Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu.


Generation Lead

Generation Lead Podcast Series featuring Jadyn Stutey!

Current graduate student Alexus Scott and Student Involvement have partnered together to conduct and produce a podcast series focusing on the development of our next generation's leaders. The podcast series is called Generation Lead and features voices from current WSU students, staff, faculty, and community partners.

Due to the recent virtual change in in-person programming, the podcast series provides high impact dialogue that empowers, challenges, and motivates a generation to lead and take space in their personal capacities with great measure. You can check out previous and upcoming episodes via streaming platforms like Anchor, Spotify, Breaker, and Google Podcasts.

Jadyn Stutey and Alexus are going to have a candid conversation about leadership and loyalty. As a leader, we’re loyal to the commitments we commit to day-by-day and year-by-year. Jadyn has been a member of 10 organizations in her stint at WSU and held executive roles in more than five of those.

During Jadyn’s involvement and commitment, she’s also started a multicultural organization of her own! During the last couple of months, our nation and the student body has seen its series of tests and trials as it pertains to loyalty. Alexus remembers being involved like Jadyn, and Alexus was faced with the decisions of honoring herself, my roles requirements, and those whom she served. Take a listen!

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Shocker Strong prize drawing

Complete 8 of 11 Shocker Strong modules to be entered to win a $500 book scholarship

In addition to boosting your resilience and coping skills, the Shocker Strong Resilience Program could also help pay for your books! Complete and submit eight of 11 modules in Blackboard to be entered to win one of five prizes. That's five chances to win! Available prizes are two book scholarships worth up to $500 and three Shocker Surprise Grab Bags. Learn more at .

Not seeing Shocker Strong in Blackboard? Sign up at !

Entries are due by midnight Friday, Dec. 4.

STUDENT NEWS

Free tutoring

Free tutoring and academic mentoring for diverse Shockers!

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is offering free tutoring and academic mentoring!

Our tutors help students develop a deeper understanding of class material and gain successful skills that can improve their overall GPA.

Our academic mentors offer biweekly meetings to help you with academic success skills, such as time management, effective studying and note-taking, test preparation and more!

You can drop in any of the listed times or schedule an appointment. See when we are open, what classes are offered, and how to request appointments at !


Spanish course

WSU offers Spanish course for Shockers who grew up speaking Spanish with family

SPAN 321, WSU's Spanish course for heritage speakers, will be offered again in spring 2021. The course offers bilingual Shockers an opportunity to develop their Spanish reading and writing skills, while exploring topics related to Spanish-speaking communities in Kansas.

Spanish for Heritage Speakers


in-person service learning

Enroll for an in-person service-learning course in psychology!

The INSPYRE research lab (directed by Dr. Samantha Gregus) is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a 3-hour service-learning course in psychology (PSY 416) for the spring 2021 semester!

Prior to enrolling in PSY 416 (Psychology and Problems of Society) mentors are required to: pass an interview and background check, have reliable transportation, lunch availability from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at least twice a week, and attend class on Mondays from 3:30-6 p.m.

We have a course syllabus, class readings, and paper assignments. Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. We are interested in recruiting mentors from any college and major.

For more information, please contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu ASAP.


TRIO DSS supports students with disabilities - applications open!

WSU's TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) Program is excited to enroll students with disabilities for this academic school year. They offer numerous free services such as academic advising, career development, study skills assistance, financial literacy assistance, tutoring, and more. Many DSS graduates cite DSS as a critical program on campus that provided the support, university connections, and resources necessary for their success.

Quotes from DSS graduates and more information

I will apply what I have learned through TRIO DSS to the next chapter of my life - completing a Master's Degree! I am really thankful for the relationships that I have formed through TRIO DSS and look forward to what new challenges there are to conquer in my near future.

-Tiffany H.

My advisor believed in me when everyone wrote me off. That kind of belief and caring is so strong, it turned a college dropout into a student with a WSU GPA of 3.8 who is going to graduate in a month. I was able to get my first all “A” semester last fall because of their encouragement. Without my advisor’s support, I do not think I would be graduating at all.

-Ben L.

For more information, or to apply, go to or call 978-5949. TRIO DSS is located in 158 Grace Wilkie Annex.


LAS Scholarships

Apply now for LAS Scholarships / Fellowships available in 2021/22

The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites all LAS students planning to continue their education at ͷ in the 2021/22 academic year to fill out a LAS General Scholarship / Fellowship application found here.

The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2021.

EVENTS

New F45 scheduleNew F45 class schedule starts today

The Heskett Center's interim fitness schedule will start on Monday, Nov. 30. We will offer one F45 class at noon and another one at 5:15 p.m. Monday through Friday until Dec. 18. Download the FitDegree app to check class availability and to reserve your spot.

Shocker Fit Schedule


Dr. Abigail Rymer to give Physics Seminar talk on Dec. 2

Our last speaker of the fall semester will present a talk at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, via Zoom. The talk features Dr. Abigail Rymer, John Hopkins University, MD, and the title of this talk will be “Neptune-Odyssey: Flagship Mission Concept Study for the Neptune-Triton System.” Visit our website for the Zoom details.

Physics Seminar


Pee for pizza

Pee for Pizza: Free STI testing on Dec. 2

World AIDS Day is in December! One way to prevent AIDS is to regularly get tested for HIV. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, Positive Directions, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and Student Health Services will host Pee for Pizza, which includes free HIV testing. Walk-ins will not be accepted, so call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment for this medical service. Masks are required.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Tuesday Talk 12120

Free STI Testing resources are available for WSU students

Join Nurse Heather and Positive Directions representatives Storm Dial and Brett Hogan for a discussion about free STI testing resources available to WSU students. View it .

Don't miss out on free STI testing at Pee for Pizza this Wednesday, Dec. 2! Please call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment for this medical service. Walk-ins will not be accepted.


Santa letter 1

Santa letters available at WSU Post Office

WSU Postal Services is selling letters to Santa now to Wednesday, Dec. 16. The letters will be sent to Santa Claus, Indiana, and will receive a pictorial cancellation when sent to the recipient. The cost per letter / envelope is $1.50 and covers all postage.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Free WuBear

Free WSU Bear with $75 purchase at the Shocker Store

Get a free WSU Bear from the Shocker Store! Spend $75 in store at our RSC or Braeburn Square locations, or online at and get a cuddly, Shocker friend (while supplies last). Limit one bear per customer, per visit. Merchandise sub-total must be $75 or greater.


Wu bucks

Earn Wu Bucks from the Shocker Store

Shop the Shocker Store for the holidays and earn Wu Bucks towards more Shocker gear! For every $50 spent now through Dec. 24, in our RSC location or Braeburn Square location only, earn a $5 coupon to be used in January and February on any in-store purchase. Some exclusions apply, see store for details.


Saturday Sale at Shocker Store

Saturday Sale in the Shocker Store

This Saturday save on some great gifts in the Shocker Store! That day only, take 20% off blankets, drinkware and ornaments. Sale is in both the RSC and Braeburn Square locations.


Free shipping

Free shipping at shockerstore.com

Not a local Shocker? Don’t worry, the Shocker Store has free shipping with a $75 purchase at through Dec. 17! Not valid on textbook purchases.