WSU Today: Nov. 25, 2019

 

EAP services Nov. 2019

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers wide variety of services to employees at no charge

As an employee of the State, benefits-eligible employees of WSU and their dependents have access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services at no charge. EAP can provide information and connect you with professionals who can help with a wide variety of services, and your use of EAP services is completely confidential.

Some services provided are:

  • Connecting with a financial expert for financial related issues and questions
  • Legal advice for concerns such as divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt, landlord / tenant issues, etc.
  • Locating support groups
  • Short-term personal counseling services
  • Family and parenting questions
  • Customized resources and referrals for child and elder care, moving, pet care, home repair, selling a home, college planning and more.

. To check out the EAP services offered visit the EAP Website at using Company ID: SOKEAP or call EAP at 1-888-275-1205 (option 1).


Martin Ratcliffe observes a portion of the Andromeda galaxy through his backyard telescope

Honors astronomy faculty makes an expanding universe feel a little smaller

Martin Ratcliffe, adjunct professor in the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, teaches students that space and the people who study it aren’t all that far away. This article: from Andrew Martin, marketing intern.

Read Martin's full story


Research Workshop on Nov. 26, 2019

WSU Office of Research to host a research workshop on applying to the National Science Foundation's Research Traineeship Program

Research Workshop: Applying to the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program (NSF NRT – NSF 19-522)

The workshop will be held from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, in 265 RSC, for faculty interested in learning more about the NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program.

To RSVP, sign up through myTraining at myWSU, email proposals@wichita.edu, or call the WSU Office of Research at 978-3285.

More info on research workshop

The WSU Office of Research is hosting a research workshop on applying to the National Science Foundation’s Research Traineeship (NRT) Program. Coleen Pugh, WSU Graduate School Dean and Associate Vice President for Research & Economic Development, will share information about this grant program, which supports graduate students. Pugh has more than 30 years of experience in the research field of Polymer Science, and has served on the NSF NRT panel.

Representatives from the College of Engineering Dean’s Office and the WSU Graduate School will be present to brainstorm and collaborate on ways to strengthen collaborative proposals to the NSF Research Traineeship Program. Any team that is interested in submitting a proposal to NSF NRT is welcome to attend this workshop and strategize around this specific NSF opportunity.

Please attend this research workshop to learn more about this funding opportunity, to refine your research ideas, and/or to improve your chances of success in applying to the NSF Research Traineeship Program.

About the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program*

The National Science Foundation NRT Program is dedicated to supporting highly effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas through the use of comprehensive traineeship models that are innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs.

The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative models for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate education training. The NRT program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.

Proposals are requested in any interdisciplinary or convergent research theme of national priority, with special emphasis on the research areas in NSF's 10 Big Ideas. The NSF research Big Ideas are Harnessing the Data Revolution (HDR), The Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier (FW-HTF), Navigating the New Arctic (NNA), Windows on the Universe: The Era of Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (WoU), The Quantum Leap: Leading the Next Quantum Revolution (QL), and Understanding the Rules of Life: Predicting Phenotype (URoL).

Funding is for up to five years in duration, with a total budget up to $3,000,000, inclusive of trainee support.

More Information: *This information has been summarized – .

Limited Submission: Note, this is a limited submission opportunity – ͷ State University can only submit two proposals. Letters of intent are due Friday, Dec. 6 (with full proposals due Feb. 6, 2020). As such, if you are interested in applying to this grant opportunity, you must email proposals@wichita.edu by Wednesday, Nov. 27, in order to express your interest. If more than two WSU teams are interested in applying, an internal competition will be held.


Call for limited proposals

WSU Office of Research announces internal deadline for NSF Research Traineeship Program (NSF NRT – NSF 19-522) Proposals

ͷ may only submit two proposals to the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program. The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new, and potentially transformative models for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduate education training. The NRT program seeks proposals that explore ways for graduate students in research-based master’s and doctoral degree programs to develop the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.

Letters of intent are due December 6th (with full proposals due Feb. 6, 2020). As such, if you are interested in applying to this grant opportunity, you must email proposals@wichita.edu by Nov. 27, 2019, in order to express your interest. If more than two WSU teams are interested in applying, an internal competition will be held.

Questions? Call 978-3285 or email proposals@wichita.edu

 


Key Performance Indicators

Strategic Planning: Don’t miss out!

The Strategic Planning Committee is currently working on establishing key performance indicators (KPI’s) for the recently refreshed Strategic Plan. Please make sure that your department / unit is represented in regular reporting by submitting your strategic initiatives and tactics by Sunday, Dec. 1. For instructions on entering information about initiatives that drive the university mission forward, please see the Strategic Planning website.


SBIR / STTR Innovation Summit Dec. 11, 2019

SBIR/STTR Innovation Summit coming Dec. 11

This is a livestream event from NMSU’s Arrowhead Center featuring powerhouse speakers addressing the Navy SBIR / STTR program’s $350 million in non-dillutive funds available to small businesses. On site one-on-one sessions with a Navy SBIR representative will be available by appointment.

SBIR / STTR Innovation Summit


Office of Human Resources will close early on Wednesday Nov. 27

The Office of Human Resources will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 27. The office will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2.


Tuition Assistance deadline Dec. 2, 2019

Tuition Assistance deadline approaching

The HR Total Rewards Team reminds staff and faculty that the deadline for spring 2020 Tuition Assistance applications is Monday, Dec. 2.

A fillable PDF application can be found online here. For more program information, visit .

Applications with incorrect or incomplete information, including missing signatures, will be returned to the applicant for completion, and will be considered submitted as of the date of submission of the fully completed form.

Applications returned for completion will be denied if they are not submitted with all complete and accurate information prior to the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received each semester, late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.


U.S. Census Bureau is offering high-paying, flexible jobs

The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting significant temporary job opportunities to interested people, who can apply at .

The decennial census is a pillar of our representative democracy. Hundreds of billions of dollars a year are spent and many important decisions are made by the public, private, and non-for-profit sectors, based on the results of the decennial census.

The decennial census is the nation’s largest peacetime mobilization. Recruiting and hiring up to 500,000 individuals to serve as Census Takers is a top priority for the 2020 Census. To reach its employment goals, the U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting 2.7 million applicants. Census positions offer flexible work hours, including daytime, evenings and weekend. Hourly rate range from $13-$30 per hour, and all applications can be completed through .


United Way fall 2019

Join your colleagues and support the United Way!

Have you noticed the growing energy and sense of pride in our community? Innovation and optimism are bubbling up all around us. The strength of our community is largely defined by how we take care of one another. You might not always know the problems your neighbors or coworkers face, but United Way does. They fund 81 local programs and initiatives that meet needs in the areas of education, income and health.

When you give to United Way, you help people have access to financial counseling to get out of debt and stay out of debt. You pair third grade students with reading tutors who help them improve their reading skills. You deliver meals and groceries to homebound seniors. You are someone’s hero when you give to United Way.

Donate online at  or complete and return your pledge card to the WSU Payroll Department at campus box 038. United we fight. United we win. Please give.


WSU Foundation 2019 requisition holiday schedule

The WSU Foundation will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please have all requisitions submitted by 5 p.m. today (Monday, Nov. 25). Checks will be processed by Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The WSU Foundation will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 25 for the Christmas holiday. Requisitions will be processed as usual. The WSU Foundation will be closed, Wednesday, Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday. Requisitions will be processed as usual.

Happy Holidays!


Audiology doctoral students need participants for their research projects

WSU graduate students in the Doctor of Audiology program need participants for their research projects. They are studying clinical techniques in audiology for evaluating function of the ear.

Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal hearing, have not had an ear infection in the past three months, nor had symptoms of cold, flu, or nasal allergy in the past two weeks.

Participants will receive a free comprehensive hearing evaluation and ear examination prior to testing. The testing will take about one hour. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Brigid Derby at brderby@shockers.wichita.edu or 816-405-4969, or Professor Xiao-Ming Sun at Xiao-Ming.Sun@wichita.edu.


Bloomfield Organ Series

Join us for the Annual Christmas Organ Concert in Wiedemann Hall

Please join us for the Annual Christmas Organ Concert as part of the Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis tomorrow (Tuesday, Nov. 26) at 5:15 p.m.

Come hear festive music for Thanksgiving and sing well-loved Christmas songs and carols with the beautiful Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall. Admission is free!

Please note that this is on Tuesday, not Wednesday, because of the Thanksgiving break.

Learn more about the organ series.


Women of WSU Holiday Luncheon coming Dec. 12

Let's celebrate the holidays with a luncheon at Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 29th & Rock Road beginning at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. We are having a turkey lunch with chantilly cake for dessert. The cost is $16.

We will also have a gift exchange game. If want to participate, purchase and wrap a nice gift with a value of $15 to $20.

RSVP by Thursday, Dec. 5


Trademark Tuesday workshop

Learn what to do after registering a trademark at Trademark Tuesday!

Now that you've registered your trademark, learn how to maintain your federal trademark registration during an interactive question and answer session with experts from the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC). This event is intended for individuals with a beginning to intermediate level of knowledge of trademarks.

To get the most out of this event, we recommend participants attend the Trademark Tuesday session from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in 217 Ablah Library. Additionally, we recommend participants view informational videos regarding trademark registration before the session and prepare questions to ask the trademark experts. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, email sara.butts@wichita.edu.


Submit your spring events for the Welcomefest listings

Welcomefest takes place during the first two weeks of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the Springfest, Shocker Resource Fair, Syllabus Party, RSC Unplugged and more!

You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including a printed guidebook. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

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, please visit wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions, please contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.

WSU Spring Welcomefest Events


World AIDS free Day Dec. 3, 2019

World Aids Day free HIV testing

Know Your Status on World Aids Day! Free HIV testing will be available from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, on the RSC 3rd floor. Confidential testing with results in minutes is sponsored by Student Health Services, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Housing and Residence Life, KU Med of ͷ, and Positive Directions.


7th Annual Puppy Paddle

Bring your pups to the 7th Annual Puppy Paddle!

Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Heskett Center for our 7th Annual Puppy Paddle! Bring your furry friends to this free event and take a dip in the pool! You and your puppy can swim together, chase tennis balls or practice jumping in. This event raises money for animals in need through donations and will showcase dogs from the ͷ Animal Action League in need of a fur-ever home.


WSUSSLHA's Annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser

Student Speech and Language Hearing Association to have annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser 

ͷ's Student Speech and Language Hearing Association (WSUSSLHA) is having their annual fundraiser from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Barnes and Noble, 1920 N Rock Road. Join WSUSSLHA for shopping, book readings and crafts. WSUSSLHA will also provide gift wrapping for your Barnes and Noble purchase. Donations are welcome, and WSUSSLHA hopes to see you there.


The Flats will host an open house on Dec. 3

Flats open house

Come join us from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 for our Flats open house. Food will be provided, tours given and staff on-hand to answer any questions you may have about our on-campus apartments!


WSU international shirts

International T-shirts are now on sale!

Do you want a T-shirt that celebrates the diversity of our campus? International Education T-shirts are on sale as part of our celebration of International Education Week! All sizes will be sold for only $5.99. Limited sizes and colors are available. To order, please visit www..


RSC Thanksgiving Break hours 2019

RSC Thanksgiving Break hours

The RSC and its departments will be opened shortened hours on Wednesday, Nov. 27. The building and all departments will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 to Sunday, Dec. 1 for Thanksgiving Break. All hours of operation can be found at .


Play Beat Saber VR at the C-Space in Ablah Library

Beat Stress with Beat Saber

Are finals making you stressed? Take a break from studying and play Beat Saber to refresh yourself. Beat Saber is a virtual reality rhythm game that features the player slicing blocks representing musical beats with a pair of red and blue light sabers and takes place in a surrealistic neon-noir environment. This application is available on both HTC Vive and Oculus Rift at C-Space, Ablah Library.

For more information visit  or contact us at cspace.library@wichita.edu.


Black Friday at the Shocker Store - 20% off total purchase

Black Friday at Shocker Store Braeburn Square

Come shop for Shocker gear on Black Friday (Nov. 29)! That day, take 20% off your total purchase at the Shocker Store Braeburn Square location. Store hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Black Friday. Sale is not valid with other discounts or promotions, and some exclusions apply. Happy shopping, Shockers!


Visit the Shocker Store for the annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale

12 Days of Christmas Sale at RSC Shocker Store

Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for their annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from Dec. 2-14. Or, shop the sale online at and get free shipping with promo code 12DOC if you spend over $75. New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion, or while supplies last. Visit the Shocker Store Facebook page each day to find out the new sale item(s). Happy holidays, Shockers!


Soup of the Week at Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes - Hamburger veggie

Soup of the Week at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes

Soup is back at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes just in time for the cooler weather! A different soup will be featured each week, Monday-Friday. Grab a cup for $2.99 or a bowl for $3.99. For Nov. 25-27, the Soup of the Week is Hamburger Veggie.