Year: 2024

Welcome back for the spring semester, Shockers! I hope your break was restorative and that you’re ready to start the new year off strong. There are amazing things happening here in Shocker Nation, and each of you are what make Wichita State so great.

As a way to celebrate you and kick off the semester with a bit of fun, I’d like to invite you to the second annual Winter Welcome, from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19 at the President’s Residence, behind Wilner Auditorium. Enjoy ice skating, an inflatable snow globe, a life-size Lite Brite, free snacks and drinks — and a chance to spend time with your friends and colleagues.

Wishing you a successful and fulfilling semester, and I look forward to seeing you all on campus later this week.

Dr. Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president

In response to expected inclement weather, Wichita State University will move to remote operations Tuesday, Jan. 16. Critical campus operations will remain open.

Critical campus operations that will remain open include student housing, dining options (which may reduce business hours as needed), campus police, facilities services, research laboratories (at faculty discretion), student wellness (which may reduce business hours as needed) and operations otherwise designated by the president, athletic director or any vice president.

At this time, classes and university operations are expected to resume Wednesday, Jan. 17 as scheduled.

In response to expected inclement weather, Wichita State University will move to remote operations Tuesday, Jan. 16. Critical campus operations will remain open, and employees who support these operations are expected to report to campus. All other employees should work remotely when possible. Classes will be moved to remote delivery.

At this time, classes and university operations are expected to resume Wednesday, Jan. 17 as scheduled.

Students with questions can reach out to their instructors, and employees can reach out to their supervisors.

Critical campus operations that will remain open include student housing, dining options (which may reduce business hours as needed), campus police, facilities services, research laboratories (at faculty discretion), student wellness (which may reduce business hours as needed) and operations otherwise designated by the president, athletic director or any vice president.

Employees can refer to the timekeeping website for more information on time reporting, pay and leave.

See university inclement weather guidelines for general information.

Additional updates will be shared as it becomes available. Thank you for your cooperation as we work together to ensure the safety of our campus community.

As Kansas expects freezing weather, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) offers advice on how to stay safe and avoid cold weather-related health issues:

• Wear appropriate clothing: Hat, scarf or mask that covers face/mouth, a water-resistant coat, gloves, several layers of loose-fitting clothing and water-resistant boots.
• Pay special attention to most-affected body parts: Nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin and fingers.
• Know the signs: If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, they should seek medical attention immediately.
  • Hypothermia: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness
  • Frostbite: Redness or pain on skin may be the first sign of frostbite. Other signs include a white or grayish-yellow area on skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness
• Monitor those at high risk: Although anyone can experience hypothermia and frostbite, some individuals are at a higher risk.

For questions, contact Student Health Services at student.health@wichita.edu or call 316-978-4792.

Start the semester off warm and cozy by enjoying hot cocoa with the colleges. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 and Thursday, Jan. 18, the academic colleges at WSU will serve Shockers hot cocoa to ring in the new semester.

Each college will serve the hot cocoa in their respective buildings:

• College of Applied Studies: Heskett Center and Corbin Education Center lobbies
• Barton School of Business: Woolsey Hall lobby
• College of Engineering: Wallace Hall lobby
• Fairmount College/Honors College: Lindquist Hall lobby
• College of Fine Arts: Duerksen Fine Arts Center in the Miller Lobby
• College of Health Professions: Ahlberg Hall lobby

For questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 316-978-3021.

Student Health Services (SHS) is hosting its next Pee for Pizza event from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA.

Pee for Pizza is a sexual health awareness event that allows participants to test for sexually transmitted illnesses such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C and know their status at no additional charge. Pizza is also provided to participants.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza is by reservation only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact SHS at 316-978-4792. Other testing is available upon request.

Wichita State students can attend on-campus university fine arts and athletics events at no additional charge with a Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Support your fellow classmates and faculty while exploring some of the creative pursuits WSU has to offer and display your Shocker pride at home athletic games.

Wichita State University is committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech and expression on our campus.

Visit the WSU Freedom of Expression web page for more information.

You can also view the Kansas Board of Regents’ Statement on Free Expression here.

Join the Student Government Association (SGA) Student Senate for a meeting at 6:30 p.m. today in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail room. There will also be a livestream available on the SGA YouTube.

The Wichita State SGA is the governing entity for the student experience at the university. SGA is charged with promoting and stimulating student participation in the university’s activities and providing an official channel of communication between the students, faculty, staff and administration.

Parking Services announced last month the creation of a parking garage add-on ePermit for the spring semester. Any current ePermit holder is eligible to purchase this add-on for $50. The add-on will allow ePermit holders to park on floor two, the ramp to three, floor three and the ramp to four at anytime in the spring semester without having to pay the hourly rate.

This ePermit is for sale in person at the University Police Department. Payment is to be with cash or check only and a limited amount of these ePermits are still available. You must have a current ePermit on file or you will be required to buy one at the time of the add-on purchase.

This is the first semester the add-on is available. Because this is a pilot program, Parking Services is open to feedback and will look to make any necessary adjustments before offering the add-on again in the fall.