Author: Caelin Bragg

The University Police Department wants to remind students, staff, faculty and partners about the appropriate channels for reaching emergency services while they’re on campus.

If you are on campus with a phone:

Calling UPD directly at 316-978-3450 is ideal for getting immediate assistance. Calling 911 will connect you with Sedgwick County and could result in longer wait times for responders.

If you are on campus without access to a phone:

Use one of the many emergency telephones across campus, which are identifiable by the blue light located atop them. These phones connect straight to UPD, and even if you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, an officer will be sent to the location. You can view the locations of all emergency phones on campus through the campus map.

Other resources:

• Dial 988 or text 741-741 to be connected to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
• Submit a CARE Team report for potentially concerning, but non-emergency, behaviors.
• Counseling and Psychological Services provides mental health treatment to students. Learn more about Counseling Services.

SEAS (the Student Early Alert System) is a tool used by faculty to identify students who, if they continue with their current academic behavior, are in danger of not doing well in their course.

Instructors may go into the system at any time during the semester to flag your academic behavior for attendance, participation, assignments, quizzes and exams. The instructor will then send you an email encouraging you to seek assistance from them or other university resources.

When you get the email, you are not in trouble. It is a nudge for you to look at your current habits and see how you can improve. This message will also include a link to “raise your hand” virtually for assistance from the Student Success team if you need it.

Remember, your best resources for success in the classroom are your instructors.

Dear Shocker community,

Welcome back to a new semester at Wichita State. I hope you had a restful break and meaningful time with family and friends.

As we begin a new semester, our work continues with clear priorities, a shared sense of purpose and a commitment to steady progress. In December I shared that as part of the university’s budget planning for the current and next fiscal years, we were preparing for a 3% General Use (GU) budget reduction for FY 2027, with the possibility of additional adjustments.

Based on updated projections — including a possible additional 3-5% reduction in state funding and the projected continued decline in revenues driven by further decreases in international enrollment — we must now revise that outlook. At this time, we are planning for a 7% budget reduction next fiscal year. 

The specific budget reduction steps will look different across divisions, and this will likely require an additional reduction in our workforce in some areas. I recognize how difficult and personal these decisions are for our campus community. We will be working with our campus leaders to make thoughtful, responsible choices about how to best allocate resources in their areas while continuing to deliver strong outcomes for our students. 

As I previously shared, higher education as a whole continues to face sustained financial pressures, and further changes in student visa policies have led to declines in international enrollment, a trend we anticipate will continue. These factors are unfolding alongside broader, well‑documented national challenges in public higher education.

The reality is that we must adapt to continue to fulfill our mission for our students and our community. At the same time, we must remain focused on the initiatives that will position our university for long-term growth and success. These include investments in strategic enrollment management plans, paid applied learning for students, partnership initiatives as part of our Innovation Campus and Wichita Biomedical Campus, and supporting our Shocker student-athletes.

As we continue this work, I am deeply grateful for the resilience, professionalism and dedication of our campus community. Together, we will navigate these challenges and ensure that Wichita State is well positioned for the future.

Sincerely,
President Rick Muma

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

Partnership Building 3B 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.

Welcomefest takes place during the first four weeks of the spring semester and features dozens of activities designed to help students kick off the new year and get connected on campus. Popular programs for new and returning Shockers include Winter Welcome Jan. 22, the Involvement Fair Jan. 29 and a variety of social, cultural and involvement-focused events.

Consider sharing this series of events with your students to help welcome them to campus or to help them get reconnected after the break. All Welcomefest events can be found at wichita.edu/welcomefest.

Welcomefest events are hosted by Wichita State departments and student organizations across campus and coordinated by Student Engagement & Belonging. If you have questions, call 316-978-3022 or email seb@wichita.edu.

As a Shocker, you’re equipped with numerous resources at Wichita State to support your academic journey. Some highlights include:

• The Shocker Success Center right next to the RSC is the hub for most of the resources you’ll need as a Shocker, including the Shocker Learning Center, or as a place to relax and study between classes. Additional support includes the Office of International Education on the lower level; and Adult Learning, Military and Veterans Services, and Hispanic-Serving Initiatives on the third floor.
• With your Shocker ID, you have access to the Student Wellness Center, which can treat both physical and mental well-being. Schedule a medical appointment with Student Health Services at studenthealth.wichita.edu or a counseling session with Counseling and Psychological Services at wichita.edu/caps.
• All students can get a free membership to the YMCA both on campus at the Steve Clark YMCA and to 11 other YMCA in the greater Wichita area. Head over to the Steve Clark YMCA and set up your account. Remember to bring your Shocker ID.
• In case of an emergency, the Wichita State Police Department is on call 24/7. You can call 316-978-3450 to reach WSUPD directly. Calling 911 will connect you with Sedgwick County dispatch, which may result in delays, so make sure to save WSUPD’s number on your phone. Additionally, there are emergency phones located across campus that connect you straight to WSUPD, and even if you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, an officer will be sent to the location.

While your studies are important, equally important is getting to know your peers and just having fun during your college years. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of events at Wichita State designed just for that.

There are over 200 Registered Student Organizations on campus, all hosting regular events throughout the semester. Check out ShockerSync to learn more about the different organizations on campus and view the calendar of events every day for new activities.

To help get you started, Welcomefest has dozens of events now through Feb. 15 to help students like you engage with your peers, including the 2026 Winter Welcome from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 in front of Shocker Hall with bumper cars, curling, warm drinks, light snacks and community.

Additionally, WSU’s thriving fine arts and athletics scenes give Shockers like you a chance for a deeper connection to the community. With your Shocker ID, you can attend all WSU fine arts and athletics events on campus at no additional charge, thanks to the Student Government Association. You can get started with:

• Women’s basketball versus Memphis at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Charles Koch Arena.
• Men’s basketball versus East Carolina at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 in Charles Koch Arena. You can reserve your free ticket now at goshockers.com/StudentTickets.

Wichita State University is committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech and expression on our campus.

Visit the WSU Freedom of Expression web page for more information.

You can also view the Kansas Board of Regents’ Statement on Free Expression here.

As we begin a new semester, there’s a familiar instinct to talk about fresh starts. What feels more fitting at Wichita State is to talk about steady progress: building knowledge, gaining experience and moving closer to what comes next.

Over the past year, our university moved ideas into action, expanding applied learning, strengthening student support, growing partnerships and advancing research that matters. Those efforts did not stop when the calendar turned. They continue because students like you show up ready to learn, create and contribute.

In 2026, we are focused on helping you build on that momentum. Progress comes from consistency, focus and the willingness to keep pushing forward — in the classroom, on the job, in the lab, on stages, courts and fields, and across campus.

This is hardly news to you. You live this work every day — through hands-on learning, meaningful projects and connections that extend well beyond campus. Momentum like this is built step by step, and you are an essential part of it.

Thank you for what you bring to Wichita State and to each other. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish this year.

Go Shockers!
President Rick Muma

Thank you for reading the first Shocker Blast of the spring 2026 semester. This special edition features information that will serve you throughout the semester, so take note and save this for later.

There’s a lot of information in every Shocker Blast that’s useful to you as a student, like your special Shocker perks, hidden gems on campus, events with your peers, important deadlines and more. Look for it in your email every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.