WSU Today: Monday, Oct. 20, 2025

Shared Governance

Key findings from spring Docking Institute UPS/USS satisfaction survey

This past spring, the UPS-USS Council of the Kansas Board of Regents worked together to conduct a survey on its campuses with support from the universities’ administrative leaders. This council represents both Unclassified Professional (UPS) and University Support Staff (USS) at the six Regents universities, and the survey focused on topics related to employee satisfaction.

The survey was conducted in April by the Docking Institute and was emailed to 1,951 UPS and USS employees at WSU. The Docking Institute received 517 completed surveys, resulting in a response rate at WSU of 26.5%. The response rate decreased considerably from the 2022 survey, when 37.5% of staff members responded. It should be noted that only 31 USS employees responded to the survey. Across all six participating universities, the Docking Institute received a response rate of 36.6%.

Key findings:

More than 70% of WSU UPS employees and 60% of WSU USS employees said their work is greatly appreciated by their immediate supervisors. Over half of both groups also feel appreciated by their coworkers. In fact, WSU USS employees reported higher appreciation from department heads (58%) compared to the statewide average (41%).
About 45% of USS employees and 40% of UPS employees said morale had worsened in the past two years. Salary stagnation and added duties without additional pay were the main reasons cited. Concerns about leadership, workplace culture and workload were also noted.
Pay and compensation ranked as the most important issue for both USS and UPS. Nearly 90% of WSU USS employees and more than 80% of WSU UPS employees placed it at the top of their priorities.
Employees placed high importance on flexible scheduling, hybrid work options, improved health care benefits, tuition assistance and professional development. Parking, workload balance and leadership transparency were also frequent concerns.
Nearly 30% of USS employees and more than a third of UPS employees said they are looking for another job. Most of those reported interest in leaving for off-campus employment. This is consistent with the statewide average.
Roughly 80% of WSU UPS employees and 87% of WSU USS employees said they enjoy the things they do at work and feel sufficiently trained to complete their duties. This is higher than the statewide average.

As the Staff Senate moves forward, along with WSU administration, it will look closely at the results of the survey to determine what initiatives can be developed on campus to act on the issues and topics brought forth in the responses. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions as Staff Senate proceeds, reach out to Staff Senate President Jacob Mendez or to your representative.

The Staff Senate thanks President Rick Muma for agreeing to fund the survey for Wichita State employees.

Learn more about the Docking Institute survey

Faculty and Staff Resources

Faculty and staff are invited to the first meeting of the WSU Faculty/Staff Club

The university is excited to launch a feasibility study for a WSU Faculty/Staff Club. The purpose of the WSU Faculty/Staff Club will be to advance the engagement and fellowship among faculty and staff.

Commencement regalia deadlines for faculty and staff are coming up

The Shocker Store is taking regalia rental orders from faculty and staff members who are planning on attending the fall 2025 commencement. The deadline to place your rental order is 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. Email Julie at shockerstore@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7021. Payment is due when you place your order. If you would like to purchase custom academic regalia, the deadline is Friday, Oct. 24.

Flu vaccines now available at Student Health Services

Student Health Services has flu vaccines available for WSU students, faculty and staff. Cost is $25 plus administration fee but may be free with your health insurance benefits (all plans are different). Financial assistance for self-pay students may be available for the administration fee. Walk-in to the Student Wellness Center 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday for your flu vaccine before cold and flu season.

Student Health Services is also hosting two upcoming pop-up flu shot clinics:

4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in the Shocker Hall lobby
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room

Yellow sign on side of road featuring text 'Open Enrollment is here.'

Supervisors asked to help with 2026 benefits Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment window to submit 2026 benefits elections is now more than halfway over. Supervisors will begin receiving email updates this week if members of their team have not submitted 2026 elections. The HR Total Rewards team is asking all supervisors to help spread the word to all staff and faculty that Open Enrollment is mandatory.

Events and Recreation

Employees reaching service milestones will be honored at upcoming service recognition events

Wichita State employees who reached a service milestone between the dates of Sept 2, 2024 and Sept. 1, 2025 will be honored at events hosted by the university in November.

Cartoon illustration of men fishing in boats

Don’t miss the final two Common Read activities

Come participate in sustainability-themed events linked to the Common Read book this year: “Eat Like a Fish” by Bren Smith. Space is limited so RSVP soon.

Water Sustainability: Conserving Our Most Precious Resource: 12:30-2 p.m. Thursday Oct. 23 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. Capacity is 40 people, so RSVP is required. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn more about water sustainability, calculate their water footprint, discuss strategies to conserve water and develop a personal action plan to reduce their water footprint.
Kelp is the new Kale: 12:30-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in 262 RSC. Capacity is 30 people, so RSVP is required. The workshop discusses food experiences and foods that people may eat more of in the future. Samples will be provided.

RSVP for Corbin Connect Speaker Series – ‘Smart Schools: Navigating AI in K–12 Education’

The College of Applied Studies invites you to a panel discussion exploring how AI is being used in classrooms and administrative offices across Wichita Public Schools (USD 259) at noon Wednesday, Oct. 29 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Room. Hear firsthand insights from education professionals on the opportunities and challenges AI brings to K–12 learning.

Boxed lunch provided courtesy of Credit Union of America Spots are limited, so RSVP by Oct. 24 to reserve your seat.

A red and white flyer with pictures of pizza on it. And the words pizza and politics. Political Science Professor Dr. Hall will be leading a discussion Global Tariffs. Join us in Lindquist Hall 417 on Wednesday, October 22, at 12:30. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. Please email Dr. Middlewood (alexandra.middlewood@wichita.edu) for dietary accommodations or any questions.

Join the Political Science Department for pizza and politics

Dr. Michael Hall, associate professor of political science, will be leading a discussion on global tariffs. at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in 417 Lindquist Hall. Pizza and refreshments will be provided.

For questions and dietary accommodations, email Dr. Alexandra Middlewood at alexandra.middlewood@wichita.edu.

Watch ‘The Princess and The Frog’ and create your dream vision board with SAC and AKA

The Student Activities Council (SAC) and Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, Inc. invite you to a magical movie night featuring “The Princess and The Frog” at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 208 Hubbard Hall. Enjoy the film and stick around to make your own vision board inspired by Tiana’s dreams and determination.

Open to students and the public — come create, relax, and let the good vibes roll.

Required Training

WuHire training is required for WSU employees in hiring manager or department admin roles

To enhance the hiring experience and ensure compliance, training is required for all WSU WuHire users in hiring manager and department admin roles.

Access requirements

Users who do not complete the training will not be able to:

Create job postings
Move candidates through the hiring process
Create offers in WuHire

New to the role?

If you or your team members are newly assigned to hiring manager or department admin roles, training is required before access is granted.

Who’s exempt?

Training is not required for:

Search chairs
Search committee members
Approvers

Unless they also initiate or manage hiring actions in WuHire.

Training details

Sessions are available in myTraining
Each class is limited to 20 participants
Next classes are Oct. 29 and Nov. 10

If you have questions or need help determining whether this applies to you or your team, contact Krista Thacker at krista.thacker@wichita.edu.

Campus Safety

Help keep campus safe and sustainable and avoid feeding wildlife

While squirrels and other wildlife are a familiar sight on campus, leaving food out for them can attract pests and other unwelcome visitors. The university encourages the community to help maintain a safe and sustainable campus environment.

News

OAL Student Spotlight, Kristen Knott with her family

Celebrate National Transfer Student Week with a story from one of our students

Wichita State is proud to celebrate National Student Transfer Week (Oct. 20-24) by recognizing the diverse journeys of all Shocker transfer students. WSU is kicking off the week by sharing the story of Kristen Knott, a health management online student who’s living out the very lesson she’s always taught her children: there’s no single timeline for success, and there’s more than one way to reach your goals.

Campus is invited to celebrate with the week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Shocker Success Center. Explore the building and connect with campus offices stationed across the lower level, first, second and third floors. Just like Kristen, WSU wants you to discover that you have a team of Shockers rooting for you to succeed.

Read Kristen's story

Fix Your Content Day is coming – Help Wichita State reach number one

Are you ready to improve digital course accessibility and make a real impact? Join Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence (FARE) and the Office of Instructional Resources (OIR) for Blackboard Anthology’s Fix Your Content Day — a worldwide event where instructors work together to enhance course materials using Anthology Ally’s color-coded dials. Every improvement made on Nov. 17 and 18 counts toward Wichita State’s goal to climb the leaderboard. Last year, WSU finished second in the world, and with your help, WSU can reach the top.

Ablah Library lower level reopening Oct. 20

Ablah Library’s lower level will reopen to the public Monday, Oct. 20 following a six-month closure.

Read more of Ablah Library lower level reopening Oct. 20

Are you affiliated with a fraternity or sorority organization? Let Student Engagement & Belonging know

Student Engagement & Belonging is reaching out to Wichita State faculty and staff who are affiliated with a fraternity or sorority organization. Whether you are an alum, current member or have served in an advisory role. Your affiliation helps build stronger connections between students and the broader campus community. It also helps celebrate and recognize the contributions of FSL members across campus.

If you are affiliated with an FSL organization, take a moment to complete the brief survey form.

Fine Arts

Wichita State University Opera Theater presents ‘Scenes and Songs’ Oct. 24

Wichita State University Opera Theater will present its annual “Scenes and Songs” program at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 in Wiedemann Hall. The exciting evening features the students in unique staging of opera classics as well as lesser known works.

Selections will be performed from “The Tenderland,” “Mefistofeles,” “The Rake’s Progress,” Bernstein’s “Mass,” “Trouble in Tahiti,” “A Little Night Music” and “Die Zauberflöte.” WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of Alan Held, professor, with assistance from Dr. Hilary Taylor, assistant professor of voice. Bridget Hille is the pianist.

Tickets can be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office online or by calling 316-978-3233. Students receive one complimentary ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association. Other discounts apply.

Promotional graphic for the Wichita State University Rie Bloomfield Organ Series. The image features organist David Briggs seated at a large pipe organ, wearing a black buttoned concert jacket, with warm golden lighting highlighting the woodwork around him. Below, a stylized illustration of a pipe organ appears in gold and gray tones. Text on the image reads: “Wichita State University Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Marcussen Organ · Wiedemann Hall Guest Artist David Briggs Oct. 21 | 7:30 p.m.”

From Bach to Chaplin: An evening with David Briggs at Wiedemann Hall

Internationally acclaimed organist David Briggs, Artist-in-Residence at New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, performs at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Wiedemann Hall as part of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series.

Briggs’ program highlights his virtuosity and imagination, featuring works by Bach, Ravel, Dupré, Vierne and Dukas, along with a live improvisation to Charlie Chaplin’s 1917 silent film “The Immigrant.” Following intermission, audience members are invited to stay for a conversation with the artist, offering insight into his creative process and performance approach.

Briggs’ artistry has earned praise from The New York Times, which called him “one of our finest organists.”

Tickets are available through the College of Fine Arts Box Office. WSU students receive admission at no additional charge with a Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Professional Development

HPC training event – Learn to harness high performance computing

Join a focused, hands-on introduction to high performance computing (HPC) designed for researchers, students and professionals looking to accelerate their computational workflows from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 online. Make sure to register ahead of time.