WSU Today: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026

Human Resources

A road sign with the words Open Enrollment Ahead is pictured on a country road that is surrounded on both sides by trees with fall foliage.

Upcoming 2027 benefits Open Enrollment events

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in Open Enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal at sehp.member.hrissuite.com to make your elections.

Upcoming events:

1:30 p.m. Oct. 14: WSU virtual presentation via Microsoft Teams
9 a.m. Oct. 15: WSU In-person presentation in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room

No registration is required for the WSU presentations. Visit the open enrollment presentations webpage to add these to your calendar and/or access the meeting link.

During this busy time, the HR Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding Open Enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Faculty and Staff Resources

Decorative flyer for the FARE Fall Conference: FARE Fall Conference - "What counts: Building a career, along with all that makes it worth having." Friday, November 6, 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Rhatigan Student Center. Sponsored by the Office of Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence.

FARE fall conference on Nov. 6 will offer faculty support on building a sustainable academic career

The Office of Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence, in partnership with the Office of Instructional Resources, is hosting its first conference for faculty and lecturers from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Rhatigan Student Center. The theme for the day is "What counts: Building a career, along with all that makes it worth having."

The Office of Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence, in partnership with the Office of Instructional Resources, is hosting its first conference for faculty and lecturers from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Rhatigan Student Center. The theme for the day is “What counts: Building a career, along with all that makes it worth having.”

Sessions were designed with faculty in their first six or so years at WSU in mind, but any faculty, doctoral students or post-docs interested in sessions are welcome to attend. Sessions will be led by experienced WSU faculty and staff giving their time to pass on the experience they’ve gained on how to build a successful academic career and what makes it enjoyable and sustainable for the long haul.

Conference schedule:

8:30-8:45 a.m. – Check-in and continental breakfast

8:45-9:20 a.m. – Opening message and keynotes

9:30-10:20 a.m. – Session #1 choices:

Setting your research trajectory and establishing an identity as a scholar
Building your scholarly career and identity in the humanities and fine arts
Translating your clinical, classroom, or industry experience into a researchable question
Integrating real-world learning and career-ready skills into your courses
Building a record of your work in Watermark: What evidence matters and where to enter what (offered twice)

10:30-11:20 a.m. – Session #2 choices:

Building a record of your work in Watermark: What evidence matters and where to enter what (offered twice)
Mentor Mapping: Getting the support you need to achieve your goals
Identifying collaborators and setting up interdisciplinary teams to thrive
Getting started with funding your research or creative activities
Getting to “Accepted”: Demystifying Journal Strategy for Early-Career Scholars

11:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. – Session #3: College-level T&P sessions

12:30-1:20 p.m. – Lunch session: “Designing a Sustainable Academic Life: Boundaries, Time, and the Myth of Doing It All” with Dr. Suzanne Hawley and Dr. Carolyn Speer

Immediately following the event will be the Faculty & Staff Wellness Retreat in the 305/306 RSC, Beggs Ballroom.

Learn more about the course evaluation tool: CES

Periodically, information will be posted regarding Watermark’s Course Evaluations & Surveys (CES) tool to help users better understand Wichita State’s course evaluation tool.

Today’s focus is on the Main Course Evaluation.

The “Main Course Evaluation” is a core set of questions that will be sent to all courses in which the instructor has not selected to “opt-out.”
Instructors can find these questions in CES. While in “Manage Courses,” click on the semester’s project, and then click on “Preview” to view the questions. The questions can also be found in the FAQs on the CES website.
Some courses are not eligible for the “Main Course Evaluation.” These are courses that are appointment-based, research, COOP, Intensive English, Market-Based and weekend-only courses.
There is a dedicated CES website that includes additional information.

For questions, contact Sandra Ranney at evaluations@ces.wichita.edu.

Weather Awareness

Stay informed on WSU’s weather response process

At Wichita State, the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. During periods of inclement weather or extreme cold, we closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions about campus operations.

Each weather event is different, and decisions require input from many parts of the university. Facilities staff assess whether sidewalks, parking lots and campus roadways can be cleared and maintained. Dining and housing staff evaluate whether they can continue supporting the students who live on campus and rely on university services. Academic leaders consider the implications for course requirements, while Human Resources evaluates employee obligations and safety.

Since no decision can perfectly fit the circumstances of every member of our community, WSU emphasizes shared and personal responsibility. 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

Required data labeling is coming soon

Per WSU Policy 19.20 (19.20 / Data Sensitivity Classification) all employees will be required to label all WSU documents and emails by January 2027.

It is highly recommended to take labeling training before this requirement is in place to avoid disruption in your workflow. Training is available in a 40-minute, self-paced online course or a 30-minute in-person training session.

Please work with your department or division leaders to coordinate a training strategy and reach out to askinfosec@wichita.edu to schedule an in-person session or setup online training.

Shocker Store Breast Cancer Awareness Tee. $21.99. For each tee sold, $1.00 will be donated to the Wichita Cancer Foundation

Grab a tee from the Shocker Store to benefit Wichita Cancer Foundation

The Shocker Store is selling a new T-shirt in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For each one sold, $1 will be donated to Wichita Cancer Foundation, who provides financial assistance to local cancer patients. The tee is available at both the Rhatigan Student Center and Braeburn Square stores and through the online storefront.

The offer is good while supplies last. No discounts are accepted on this merchandise.

Call for mentors: FYRE in STEM

Faculty are invited to apply for the 2027 FYRE in STEM program. You can go directly to the FYRE in STEM Mentor application or at wichita.edu/fyre for full information and links for both the mentor and mentee applications.

Applications are due by Oct. 20 so organizers can make mentor-mentee matches by early November. Feel free to forward this information to any STEM colleagues you think might be interested in mentoring FYRE students in spring 2027. For any questions, contact Moriah Beck, Talaty Endowed Research Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, at moriah.beck@wichita.edu.

Events and Recreation

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

Wichita State University employees who reached a service milestone between the dates of Sept. 2, 2025 and Sept. 1, 2026 will be honored at events hosted by the university in October.

All faculty and instructors welcome! Midterm Coffee Break with Student Success and OSAT. Wednesday, Oct. 7. 8:30 - 11 a.m. at the RSC Starbucks.

Faculty and instructors, join Student Success and OSAT for a midterm coffee break

Faculty and instructors deserve a midterm break, too. Swing by the Starbucks in the Rhatigan Student Center from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 and enjoy your favorite drink on Student Success and the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing. Stop by the Student Success and OSAT table to pick up your drink ticket while supplies last.

Offer does not apply to mobile orders. As you recharge, take a moment to connect and learn about the resources available to support you and your students throughout the rest of the semester.

Flyer for a Wichita State University event titled “Paws & Relax.” At the top, five cartoon dogs of different breeds peek over a large white dog bone displaying the event title. The flyer lists the event details: October 6 (Tuesday), 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (drop-in), Ablah Library (1st Floor). The text “hosted by:” appears near the bottom above the logos for Wichita State Student Success and WSU Libraries. The design features a light gray background with a repeating pattern of paw prints, hearts, and dog bones, surrounded by a gray border. The overall theme promotes relaxation and stress relief through interaction with therapy dogs.

Take a study break and unwind with therapy dogs at PAWS & Relax Oct. 6

Need a break from midterm stress? Join Student Success and University Libraries for PAWS & Relax from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Oct. 6 on the first floor of Ablah Library. This drop-in event gives you the opportunity to relax, recharge and spend time with therapy dogs during one of the busiest times of the semester.

Short wellness breaks can reduce stress, improve focus and support overall wellbeing, making this a great chance to step away from studying and return feeling refreshed.

No registration is required. Stop by whenever your schedule allows and enjoy a few moments of comfort, connection and stress relief.

"Campus Wide - Not open to public. Bi-annual e-waste & shredding event. Friday, October 16 | 11 AM - 1 PM | NetApp SE Parking Lot. Sponsored by: The NetApp Green Team. Hosted by:" and logos for NetApp and WSU. Clip art of different electronics accepted to bring, including phones, batteries, printers, computers, keyboards, stereos, tablets, routers.

NetApp’s fall e-waste and shredding event for campus community scheduled for Oct. 16

Faculty, staff, students and campus partners at Wichita State can visit NetApp on the Innovation Campus for its semesterly campus e-waste and shredding event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in the NetApp parking lot, Lot 44S.

This event is exclusive to WSU faculty, staff, students and campus partners and not open to the public.

The following are items that can be disposed of during the event:

Personal documents accepted for secure shredding
Personal electronics accepted, including appliances. No TVs accepted
- Note: For recycling old TVs, refer to Sedgwick County’s recycling guide
Secure data destruction for e-waste (hard drive shredder)
On-site assistance available for larger loads

The event is sponsored by the NetApp Green Team.

Professional Development

Updated Microsoft power user curriculum and digital credential available to WSU faculty and staff

The Microsoft Power User Program is getting an upgrade. Your power user journey now has a tool to track your progress, along with some shiny new badges to showcase on your resume, email or LinkedIn.

New power users

WSU employees can request the Microsoft Office 365 or Microsoft Cloud power user curriculum in myTraining to begin their power user path. Once enrolled, progress is tracked automatically in myTraining.

If you still have trainings to complete, you can select the course(s) needed directly from the curriculum and register for an upcoming session.

Current power users

You will soon receive an email from WSU’s new credentialing platform, Territorium, with instructions on how to access and display your updated power user badges.

Check out the Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Cloud power user curriculums in myTraining to start your power user path today,

Register for Microsoft SharePoint foundations training

This hands-on training, from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 virtually via Microsoft Teams, is designed to help you confidently navigate, manage and collaborate within SharePoint sites.

Whether you’re new to SharePoint or looking to strengthen your existing skills, this session will provide a practical introduction to SharePoint’s core features and best practices. You’ll learn how to find information quickly, collaborate with colleagues, manage documents, and make the most of your team’s online workspace.

To register, log in to myTraining and search for “SharePoint 1: Foundations.” Space is limited, so register early.

Student Success and Persistence

Mid-semester SEAS check

Instructors: This is an ideal time to provide student feedback in the Student Early Alert System (SEAS). SEAS allows you to share observations on attendance, participation, assignments and quizzes/exams for all students.

Please also review previously flagged students. If a student has shown improvement, removing or updating the flag helps ensure the accuracy of the data and better reflects the impact of early intervention.

Find SEAS via myWSU: Home or Teach/Advise tab, SEAS link
Find SEAS via the new myWSU: Employee tab, SEAS card

Note: If your SEAS link is empty, try clearing your cache or cookies and logging back in.

Thank you for supporting early intervention. For more information about SEAS, visit the SEAS website.

Faculty and staff are invited to participate in a walk and talk with first-generation college students

Faculty and staff are invited to sign up to participate in a walk and talk event with a first-generation college student on Nov. 3 as part of National First-Generation College Celebration Week.

WSU first-generation students will be invited to sign up to walk and talk with a WSU faculty or staff member to learn more about their college experience and share their own story. By signing up to participate in the First-Generation Celebration Week walk and talk program, both the faculty/staff volunteer and the first-generation college student will both receive a limited-edition pair of WSU first-gen Shockers socks.

For more information or questions, contact Brett Petersen-Bruner, associate vice provost for Student Success & Persistence, at brett.bruner@wichita.edu.