WSU Today: Thursday, July 2, 2026

Human Resources

University shares schedule for the 2026 Winter Break

To help employees plan for time-off and work schedules throughout the year, the university has shared Winter Break has been approved this year to commence at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, and the university will reopen on Monday, Jan. 4, 2027. The break is 10 business days, three of which are paid holidays. Thanks to President Rick Muma, employees may use four “Additional Personal Days” to remain in pay status during Winter Break. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Unclassified Professional and University Support Staff may use accumulated paid leave, Additional Personal Days or their 2027 discretionary day* to cover time off during Winter Break. Non-exempt employees may also use accumulated compensatory time off during Winter Break.

If an employee’s role requires them to work during Winter Break, it must be approved in advance by their immediate supervisor.

Dates of Winter Break:

Monday, Dec. 21, 2026
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2026
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026 (paid holiday**)
Friday, Dec. 25, 2026 (paid holiday)
Monday, Dec. 28, 2026
Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2026
Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2026
Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026
Friday, Jan. 1, 2027 (paid holiday)

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. This year the official state holidays (bolded) are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Employees required to work during Winter Break will be allowed to use their four Additional Personal Days anytime from Dec. 21, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027.

*The discretionary day for 2026 must be used on or before Friday, Dec. 18, 2026, prior to the beginning of Winter Break. The discretionary day for 2027 will be available as of Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026 and may be used during the 2026 Winter Break.

**The governor may designate additional paid holidays for state employees, often around holiday seasons in some years. In 2026, with Christmas falling on Friday, the governor has designated an additional holiday for Thursday, Christmas Eve.

Learn more about Winter Break

WuHire updated to improve efficiency

In Wichita State’s efforts to refine the WuHire system, we are committed to identifying features that improve efficiencies and align with institutional standards. To support these priorities, and with your partnership, we are implementing a process from last year again. The following does not apply to IDP due to differences in data entry methods and hiring processes. Effective immediately, job requisitions may not be copied if the original requisition was created prior to July 1, 2026. This change is essential to ensure accurate data flows between WuHire and subsequent integrated university systems, uphold compliance, and maintain consistency as we continue our … Continue reading "WuHire updated to improve efficiency"

Read more of WuHire updated to improve efficiency

Coming soon: 2027 annual appointment notices

The 2027 fiscal and academic year annual appointment notices will be available online through myWSU during the week beginning Monday, July 6. You will then need to log in and acknowledge your appointment notice by Aug. 31.

Note that University Support Staff (USS), non-benefit-eligible employees (students, lecturers and temporary employees) and WSU Intercollegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) employees are not subject to the annual appointment notice process.

Appointment notices are generated based on your information at a specific point in time with the beginning of the fiscal year for staff and 12-month faculty (June 7) or the beginning of the academic year for 9/10-month faculty (Aug. 2). If your information changes after that point in time, it will not be reflected on your 2027 fiscal year appointment notice.

Faculty and Staff Resources

Faculty/Staff acute care clinic at Student Health

Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic available on campus

Faculty and staff can visit the Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic for minor and acute medical issues only. Appointments are required for the clinic.

The clinic is located in the Student Wellness Center within the Steve Clark YMCA. Most appointments are $30 to $50 for an office visit evaluation by a Student Health Services medical provider, dependent on insurance. The office visit cost does not include the costs for laboratory services, medications or radiology services. Call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment. Accidents or injuries while on the job are not eligible for appointments and instead are considered Workers Compensation, call Human Resources for guidance.

Co-pays or deductibles are the employee’s responsibility and depend on personal health insurance benefits.

Volunteer Opportunities and Surveys

Graphic for the 12th Annual Clash of the Colleges with colorful powder clouds in the background. Large text reads “Clash of the Colleges” and “Volunteers Needed” next to a red megaphone icon. WSU Campus Recreation and First-Year Programs logos appear in the bottom corners.

Call for volunteers for 12th annual Clash of the Colleges

The Office of First-Year Programs and Campus Recreation is thrilled to announce the 12th annual Clash of the Colleges, and this year’s event promises to be bigger than ever. Organizers are seeking enthusiastic staff, faculty and alumni to help make this event a success.

As a volunteer, you’ll not only play a key role in one of WSU’s biggest campus traditions, but you’ll also receive a special Clash of the Colleges T-shirt and bandanna. Plus, you’ll be entered into a raffle with exciting prizes up for grabs.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage with the campus community and be a part of a memorable event. If you’re interested in volunteering, complete the sign-up sheet by 5 p.m. July 31.

Contact Kaelyn Hannah at kaelyn.hannah@wichita.edu for any questions.

Dining

An aerial photo of Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus

Take a lunch outing to Braeburn Square on campus

Wichita State’s Braeburn Square, conveniently located on the Innovation Campus, is home to a number of restaurants that make for a perfect outing during the lunch break.

Enjoy dining at our numerous partners:

Subs, sandwiches and more from Jersey Mike’s
Affordable and speedy pizza from Pizza Shuttle
Mexican food and frosty beverages with Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Pizza, burgers, drinks and more from Social Tap Drinkery, including Sungrano Pizza and Wheatly’s Burgers
Korean-style corn dogs and sides from Two Hands Corn Dogs
Authentic Indian options from Rajadhani Indian Cuisine
Coffee, tea, snacks and much more from the free-standing Starbucks

Additionally, do some shopping and fly your Shocker pride by purchasing merch from the Shocker Store, or stop by Meritrust Credit Union for convenient, on-campus banking services.

Learn more about Braeburn Square