WSU Today: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024

Executive Searches

Senior executive vice president and provost search process update

Wichita State University is progressing in the search for a senior executive vice president and provost.

Human Resources

University announces schedule for the 2024 winter closedown

To help employees plan their time-off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State has shared the winter closedown schedule, which has been approved this year to commence at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 20 and end starting the morning of Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays. In addition, employees may use Presidential Administrative Days to remain in pay status for the four days between Christmas and New Years Day — thanks to President Rick Muma. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Unclassified professional and university support staff who would normally be scheduled to work these days may use accumulated vacation leave or their 2025 discretionary day* during the winter closedown. Non-exempt employees may also use accumulated compensatory time off during the winter closedown.

If your role requires you to work during the winter closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor.

Winter closedown schedule:

Monday, Dec. 23, 2024
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 (Paid holiday)
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (Paid holiday)
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025
Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. The official state holidays are Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025.

Employees required to work during the winter closedown will be allowed to use their four Presidential Administrative Days anytime from Monday, Dec. 23 through Jan. 31, 2025. WSU appreciates your dedication and service to the university.

*The discretionary day for 2024 must be used on or before Friday, Dec. 20 prior to the beginning of the winter closedown. The discretionary day for 2025 will be available starting Sunday, Dec. 22 and may be used during the 2024 winter closedown.

News

Chris Wright, Liberty Energy CEO, becomes Barton School’s next Entrepreneur-in-Residence

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce that accomplished entrepreneur Chris Wright will serve as its Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the fall 2024 semester. Wright, the founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy (NYSE: LBRT), based in Denver, Colorado, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role.

Liberty Energy, founded in 2011, is a leading North American energy services firm renowned for its innovative completion services and technologies for onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Liberty Energy boasts a market capitalization of $3.33 billion and employs 5,500 individuals.

A self-described tech enthusiast turned entrepreneur, Chris Wright is committed to enhancing human lives by expanding access to abundant, affordable, and reliable energy. He holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT and has completed graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT.

Learn more about the Entrepreneur-in-Residence RSVP for Chris Wright's keynote Sept. 25

Technology

Reminder: Microsoft Defender will complete security scans every Thursday

Information Security and Information Technology Services (ITS) would like to remind you that every week, Microsoft Defender will be completing a full scan of Wichita State-owned computers starting at 3 a.m. on Thursdays.

Please make sure your computer remains powered on to allow the scan to run. If your computer is turned off during the scheduled time, the scanning will start as soon as your computer turns on.

There should be no impact to the end user when the scan occurs during the scheduled time. However, there may be a slight decrease in device performance should the scan run during work hours.

Please note, the Microsoft Defender scan is applied to all Wichita State-owned devices, without exception.

For questions, contact the ITS Help Desk at 316-978-4357, option 1, or helpdesk@wichita.edu.

Events and Recreation

Ease the new semester stress at PAWS & Relax

Start your semester off right at PAWS & Relax, sponsored by TRIO Disability Support Services, a stress management workshop. A team of therapy dogs is waiting to see you for some tail-wagging relaxation and stress-relief.

Shake off those “ruff” starts to the semester and wag your way over to Pete’s Place Lounge on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

Encourage students to explore the library Aug. 30 and Sept. 4

Encourage your students to the library to discover its secrets at a tour at noon Aug. 30 or at 3 p.m. Sept. 4.

Discover the Digital Scholars Commons, a hub for cutting-edge digital resources; the 24-Hour Study Room for anytime productivity; and the captivating VR Zone transforming the learning experience.

Attend an insightful session on navigating the library homepage to access online articles, research sources, streaming content and interlibrary loan services. Faculty and staff are also welcome.

Learn more and register

Join in celebrating Kevin Young’s retirement Sept. 5

Join an open house to celebrate Kevin Young, architect with Facilities Planning, who is retiring after 10 years of service to Wichita State, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Facilities Planning office in Gaddis Physical Plant.

Stop by for refreshments, shared memories and well-wishes to send Kevin off into retirement.

Training Opportunities and Workshops

Join TRIO Student Support Services for a workshop Aug. 23 by Dr. Linda F. Rhone

Join the TRIO Student Support Services staff and participants as they kick off the fall 2024 semester with a workshop facilitated and presented by the SSS executive director, Dr. Linda F. Rhone, starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

RSVP for the workshop

Sign up for Active Threat Training with WSUPD

Join the Wichita State University Police Department in its active threat training using ALERRT’s CRASE curriculum. The Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course, designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by ALERRT in 2004, provides strategies, guidance and a proven plan for surviving an active shooter event.

Topics include the history and prevalence of active shooter events, civilian response options, medical issues, and immersive, hands-on drills and scenarios. This training is open to anyone and there is no cost.

Learn more and register

Academic Integrity 101 training sessions available

Interested in learning more about the Academic Integrity policies and process at Wichita State? Student Conduct & Community Standards (SCCS) is hosting multiple Academic integrity 101 sessions, where it will discuss:

Policy 2.17/student academic integrity
Reporting academic integrity violations to SCCS
Academic Integrity processes
Helpful resources for faculty and instructors

The course is intended for faculty/instructors only. To register for any of the sessions offered through the 2024-25 academic year, go to the MyTraining section of the MyWSU portal and search for “Academic Integrity 101.” The next session is Friday, Aug. 23. Reach out to SCCS at SCCS@wichita.edu for questions.