WSU Today: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026

Weather Awareness

Campus operations update as Wichita prepares for inclement weather

As the Wichita area prepares for a winter weather storm, be sure you are prepared and remain aware of current campus operations.

Over this coming weekend, university operations will remain normal, including the men’s basketball game, Shocker Dining services and WSU Libraries. However, event organizers and instructors have mitigation plans in place and will communicate any changes to weekend events, classes or clinicals. Please reach out to your event organizer or instructor for additional questions.

Continuing operations updates

WSU relies on forecasts and emergency notifications issued by emergency management professionals and meteorologists in monitoring weather that may affect campus operations.

If there are changes to the university’s operations status, they will be communicated via WSU email, WSU social media, the Weather Emergencies Page and Shocker Alerts. Sign up to receive Shocker Alerts to your mobile phone – wichita.edu/alert.

Safety reminders

Dress in layers and limit time outdoors during extreme cold. 
Keep devices charged and check email regularly for updates. 
Weather conditions can vary widely depending on where you live or the time of day you travel. When the university remains open for normal operations, each individual must evaluate their own situation, prioritize personal safety, and make responsible choices about whether it is safe to come to campus.

Review WSU’s full weather response process

News

The front of the NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing and Research

Campus construction update for spring 2026

As you come back to campus for the spring semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State University’s 330 acres and beyond.

Wilkins Stadium

Construction is complete on the indoor softball practice facility adjacent to Wilkins Stadium. Inside the building is a netted softball infield that is divisible into batting and pitching practice areas.

Construction of the softball team and operations building to the south of the new indoor facility is anticipated to start in early March. Construction staging will be in the north section of parking lot 15. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2027.

University Stadium Phase 1A/1B

The renovation of Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium into University Stadium (formerly Cessna Stadium) took a big step forward Jan. 8 when the WSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to invest $38 million into Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2 will begin after the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships May 29-30 with demolition of the west grandstand in June. Construction of the new west stadium will be phased to ensure that seating is available for the 2027 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Construction is scheduled to be complete before the 2028 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships.

Construction continues for Phase 1B. This phase of construction consists of widening the field to hold a regulation-sized artificial turf soccer field and installing a nine-lane track and internal stadium sidewalks that will connect the east and west sides of the facility inside of the fence.

Improvements to the throwing area south of Charles Koch Arena are also underway. A storage building is under construction. Additions also include a longer javelin runway and warmup lanes. Shot put competition will move to this area from inside the stadium.

Construction is anticipated to be completed in April ahead of the KSHSAA State Track and Field Meet on May 29-30.

Ablah Library

Construction is underway on the second floor of the library for a project to relocate the Lowell D. Holmes Anthropology Museum from the current location in Neff Hall. The project is anticipated to be completed in early summer 2026.

The museum relocation is the first step to vacate the building in preparation for demolition of Neff Hall. The anthropology department will relocate to the Geology Building in early 2027 following a renovation in the Geology Building anticipated to begin in summer 2026.

Brennan I, II and III demolitions

Demolition of the three buildings is complete. TRIO/Upward Bound staff have relocated to their new home in Grace Wilkie Hall/Grace Wilkie Annex.

Henrion Hall HVAC Improvements Phase 3 and 4

Construction is underway in Henrion Hall for a project to provide air conditioning to the remainder of the building following recent projects in the sculpture and ceramics classroom areas as well as relocating and expanding the wood shop.

The project will be phased to allow the building to remain occupied but will affect building entrances throughout the year. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

Morrison Hall

Construction is underway in Morrison Hall on a project to replace the elevator and update the finishes/ceiling/lighting on the first floor of the building. The first floor and elevator are anticipated to be open to the public in February 2026.

NIAR Hub for Advanced Manufacturing Research

Construction on the NIAR HAMR building continues to progress. Construction is expected to be complete by the early 2026.

The 170,000-square-foot building is partly funded by an EDA grant and will house advanced manufacturing research labs and associated offices.

The building is located on Innovation Boulevard between the Partnership Building 1 and The Suites. The first floor is primarily labs with offices on the second floor.

Partnership Building 3B

P3B, located between Partnership Building 3 and The Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Wichita, is under construction. It will house the Forensic Crime Gun Intelligence Laboratory for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The building is expected to be complete early in spring 2026.

Icon depicting a website with a plus sign and a mouse, representing the action of adding features or content.

Browser extensions on WSU computers will become more secure on Feb. 3

Starting Feb. 3, all browser extensions on WSU-managed devices will be blocked, except for a specific list of approved extensions. This change will enhance the privacy and security of WSU data by preventing the unwanted collection of sensitive information and conflicts with enterprise applications or technology policies. Most extensions currently in use across campus are already approved, and a majority of users will experience no disruption in their day-to-day internet browsing.

If you notice a browser extension that you need for your job no longer works after Feb. 3, submit a Desktop Support – Help Me Fix ticket. Under “What needs to be fixed?” select “Defender Block Exception,” and then select “Browser Extension” as the exception type. Learn more about the new policy and exemption process.

Justin Neal holds up a Pizza Shuttle pizza box

Pizza Shuttle coming to Wichita State’s Braeburn Square

Justin Neel is the guy you want in charge of the menu.

“Pizza is what I love. It’s what I do,” said Neel, co-owner of Social Tap, which has a location at Wichita State’s Braeburn Square. Neel has more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry — 17 of those specifically in pizza.

Now, Neel and partners Luke Luttrell and David Hopkins are bringing another pizza option to Braeburn Square: Pizza Shuttle.

Pizza Shuttle aims to start serving the public sometime during the week of Jan. 26 and will initially be open from 11 a.m. to midnight. Though if demand necessitates it, the restaurant will extend its late-night hours.

Events and Recreation

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Save the date for Associate of Arts and Associate of Science recognition event Feb. 5

Save the date and join Wichita State for a recognition event for students who’ve received their Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees at WSU from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 5 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. Refreshments will be served at the come and go event.

WSU Libraries Invites you to LOVE DATA WEEK, an international celebration of data, with live-streamed webinars and crafts. Ablah Library, February 9th - 13th, Online or In Person.

Save the date for Love Data Week Feb 9-13 at Ablah Library

Love Data Week is an annual celebration of data, taking place every year during the week of Valentine’s Day. Organized by ICPSR, the theme this year is “Where’s the Data?” — a way to get people thinking about data’s journey from collection through storage and preservation.

University Libraries invites students, faculty and staff to attend a series of events Feb. 9-13, online or in-person at Ablah Library. Join livestreamed interactive webinars from the presenting institutions and make binary code bracelets.

See the full event schedule

Volunteer Opportunities and Surveys

Wu’s Big Event registration is now open

Join WSU’s largest one day volunteer event. Wu’s Big Event is quickly approaching. Join your fellow Shockers for a morning of volunteering throughout the community. Individuals, groups, organizations, students, staff and faculty are all invited to attend. Check-in for Wu’s Big Event will be from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. Feb. 7.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom with a light breakfast and kick-off celebration. Participants will then load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until noon and return to the Beggs Ballroom for lunch and closing festivities.

The event will end by 1:30 p.m. Transportation to and from service sites is provided.

For additional information, email CSB@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Illustration of people cleaning up trash in a greenspace. Text: Volunteer Fair, no registration required. January 26th from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., RSC First Floor. Stop by the first floor of the RSC to learn about nonprofit organizations

Stop by the Volunteer Fair to learn about volunteering opportunities

Are you curious about volunteering, but aren’t sure where to start? Stop by the Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 on the first floor of the RSC to learn about ways that you can get involved.

There will be representatives from more than 30 non-profits on hand who can tell you about how you can get involved with volunteering. Once you have visited with five organizations, you can enter a raffle to win a prize as well. For questions, email civicengagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.