Author: Caelin Bragg

As WSU evolves and refines the pay variables utilized in the Market Based Compensation (MBC) Program, collecting and analyzing our employees’ work history for relevance to their current position is necessary. Understanding an employee’s relevant work history will provide additional information to assist in the proper placement of individual employees within the correct pay range quartile and allow the university to analyze the gap in pay for our existing employees. During the recent stakeholder feedback sessions with university leadership, there was overwhelming support from leaders to explore options for collecting this information for the FY25 pay analysis.

We are pleased to share that we have identified a method for collecting related work experience data. In the coming weeks, we will launch a survey process to capture the work history for all benefit eligible, non-teaching employees*. Here is what you can expect of this process:

• Step 1: Employees self-report work experience via a secure, online survey.
• Step 2: Self-reported data is analyzed by Segal Consulting to identify where further review or information may be needed.
• Step 3: Leaders review and make final determination of the total years of experience to be utilized for their respective employees.

The timeline for collecting the data will be tight, and we appreciate your prompt attention and response during the self-reporting phase of the process. More information on how to access the survey will be provided via email closer to the kick-off date, which is anticipated in early November.

*This collection process will include benefit-eligible, staff employees who participate in the MBC program. Employees not included in the data collection include faculty, Division of Industry & Defense Programs employees, coaches, non-benefit eligible employees and students. Faculty are not included in this data collection because faculty rank is used in lieu of prior work history.

CALL TO ACTION: Start gathering your work history so it makes self-reporting your work history easier to complete. Below are links that will assist you in gathering this information. Please note: these systems may not contain your entire related work history, so you may still need to gather additional information.

Click here to learn how to view your WSU job history since January 2006.

Click here to learn how to view your application for employment, if you applied for a job with WSU after March 26, 2014.

Hello, Shocker family!

Even though it’s only October, I’m likely not the only one who is thinking ahead to the upcoming holiday season. Having a break to rest and refresh — as well as spend time with loved ones — is one of the many perks of working at Wichita State.

And on that note, I’m happy to announce that for this year’s winter break — in alignment with other Regents universities — benefits-eligible WSU employees will also be given Dec. 26-29 without having to use accrued leave time, in addition to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

The winter break will look like this:

• Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 (accrued leave)
• Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 (accrued leave)
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 (accrued leave)
• Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 (accrued leave)
• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 (paid holiday)
• Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 (paid day)
• Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 (paid day)
• Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 (paid day)
• Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 (paid day)
• Monday Jan. 1, 2024 (paid holiday)

Please refer to these frequently asked questions for more information on your leave days and what to do if you work during the winter break.

Thank you for all you do to make Shocker Nation what it is. Your efforts, enthusiasm and dedication are truly appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the rest of the semester and are looking forward to an enjoyable and relaxing winter break.

Go Shockers!
President Rick Muma

Open Enrollment for 2024 closes at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. If you have not yet submitted your enrollment by that time, you will be enrolled in a default medical plan. Members who waived medical coverage in 2023 will continue to be waived in 2024 if they do not submit an enrollment.

Still need help making your 2024 election decision? Don’t worry, just ask ALEX.

The Total Rewards team has created multiple instructional documents with images of the portal and step-by-step instructions. Get help with:

• Logging in/Registering your account
• Adding a new dependent to coverage
• Making your online elections

Please 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.

Wichita State University is hosting the annual Expanding Your Horizons Workshop, a one-day event from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 that introduces middle school girls to a variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas.

Attendees will meet STEM role models, participate in hands-on activities and learn more about careers in those fields. The keynote speaker is Clarice Phelps, an American nuclear chemist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She is recognized as the first African American woman to be involved with the discovery of a chemical element.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch, a T-shirt and a WSU bag.

Faculty from the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University and WSU’s Innovation Campus partners assembled for an hour of networking and making connections Oct. 25.

Featured faculty from each school in the College of Fine Arts shared a sample of scholarly and creative activities to Innovation Campus partners and other faculty from across campus. 

The mixer was part of a series of networking opportunities facilitated by WSU to encourage knowledge sharing and establish relationships among faculty and Innovation Campus partners. The College of Applied Studies was the featured college for the spring mixer.

2024 Benefits Open Enrollment is almost over. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2024 elections by the deadline on Oct. 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.

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.

Since it’s baseball, call it that home run moment — the reaction you see when something finally clicks for a young student.

“They get really excited when they get an answer correct, because they know that they’re growing,” said Natalee Delgado, a freshman marketing major and Rudd Scholar at Wichita State University. “They’ll see that they got it correct and their little mouths just drop, and they get this big smile.”

That’s an experience 30 of Wichita State’s Rudd Scholars get often as they work with youngsters in the Bright Lights Educational Enrichment Program at the Leslie Rudd Learning Center at League 42’s McAdams Park baseball complex. Each afternoon, several of them work on math skills with students in fifth through eighth grade and literacy with students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to a Halloween Open House from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Grace Wilkie Annex.

Stop by the TRIO DSS Office, the Office of Online & Adult Learning, the McNair Scholars Office and the ROTC Office to enjoy spooky snacks and creepy crafts and learn more about what each office has to offer. Students are also welcome to participate in a costume contest.

Questions about the open house can be sent to TRIO DSS at 316-978-5949 or trio.dss@wichita.edu.

Shocker Gaming Club will host a Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) Halloween Party to celebrate the release of the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25 at the Heskett Center E-Sports Hub.

There will be an opportunity to play Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted in VR (on a first-come, first-serve basis), classic Halloween movies and a FNAF-themed costume contest, with the winning prize being a ticket to watch the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie.

The art of looking convincing in a sword fight or brawl is crucial to stage and screen. Punches don’t hit flesh and knives lay flat against the victim.

The audience must believe it is real and dangerous.

“When I tell them I can kill the six inches around them, they definitely give me some interesting looks,” said Emily Redfield, a Wichita State University theater performance major.

In July, WSU seniors Redfield and Cat Kee attended the National Stage Combat Workshop in Ruston, Louisiana. The three-week course offered instruction, testing and certification with weapons such as swords, shields, firearms, rapiers, daggers and quarterstaffs.