Author: Caelin Bragg

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the legislature relevant to Wichita State. The next meeting for the legislative session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room. The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students.

Wichita State is proud to announce a transformative $1 million gift from an anonymous 1958 graduate of the University of Wichita to support need-based scholarships in the Barton School of Business.

This gift will directly benefit students who face financial challenges — particularly first-generation students — who make up nearly half of Wichita State’s enrollment. On average, first-generation students receive less financial support from their families and are more likely to rely on private loans to fund their education. Currently, 46% of Wichita State’s undergraduate student population are first-generation college students, highlighting the importance of private financial support.

“Ensuring access and affordability is a promise to our students,” President Rick Muma said. “This gift, alongside the generosity of countless alumni and donors, is a profound reminder that our students’ success goes further with the support of Shocker Nation behind them.”

Watermark’s Course Evaluations & Surveys (CES) tool is Wichita State’s course evaluation tool. Find information throughout the semester in WSU Today about CES.

Today’s focus is on “What Is CES?”

• CES is a course evaluation platform from Watermark. The evaluation portion of the platform is called “Course Evaluations & Surveys” and at WSU is referred to as CES.
• CES is easy to use and is integrated with Blackboard.
• CES results are electronic and will be available at the end of the semester, shortly after official grades are due.
• Using CES should increase response rates.
• There is a dedicated CES website that includes additional information.

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

Wichita State University is committed to the safety of its campus community and provides fire safety resources to help Shockers stay safe on and off campus.

Learn more and find resources on how to stay safe on the Fire & Safety Office webpage, including information on:

• Working with open flames, heat or sparks
• Proper use of extension cords
• Restrictions for potentially dangerous decorations
• Proper use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics
• WSU’s commitment to a tobacco free campus
• How to use fire extinguishers in the case of an emergency
• Filling out a permit to host a grilling activity
• The prohibition on the use of portable space heaters
• The potential fire hazards of battery powered mobility devices
• General advice on fire safety off campus
• Keeping corridors free of storage and equipment for emergency evacuations

For more information or questions, contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Wichita State University will be open Monday, Jan. 26 for normal operations. In-person classes will be in session, and campus operations will continue as normal.

University leadership carefully reviews weather forecasts, transportation conditions, campus safety, essential services and the potential impact on education, research, residential life and applied learning, assessing safety risks and whether they can be mitigated through campus response and individual caution, before deciding to remain open. Because everyone’s circumstances are different, you are encouraged to assess your own situation and use reasonable judgment in deciding if it’s safe for you to travel to campus.

Students with questions or who are unable to safely travel or get around on campus can reach out to their instructor.

Faculty or staff with similar concerns should immediately contact their supervisor or department chair to develop an alternative plan that accommodates your needs and minimizes disruption to operations.

Facilities Services personnel are working hard to clear roadways and sidewalks on campus. Using caution and allowing for extra travel time is always advised.

We understand that weather-related decisions can impact individuals in different ways.

Please know that these decisions are made with the best intentions by university leaders who are working diligently to balance the safety of our community with the need to maintain operations. We appreciate your flexibility.

Join the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 29. And if your team is looking to order promo items for your office, visit the Vendor Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The opening session, breakout sessions and Vendor Fair will all be held on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Attendees may choose to attend two of five sessions.

Jonathan Cross and Stephen Cross Jr., investment adviser representatives with Voya Financial, will be available for in-person meetings at Wichita State Monday, Feb. 9. Faculty and staff can get one-on-one advising and review their Voya Financial accounts as part of their KBOR retirement plan, or new employees can receive assistance in enrolling in their KBOR plan.

If you are interested in meeting with Jonathan or Stephen, you can schedule a time to meet and select the “Wichita State University / One-On-One Financial Counseling” while selecting your location. Time slots are limited, so reserve a time soon. For questions, you can call 316-788-0788.

Kurzweil 3000 is a powerful reading, writing, studying and test-taking tool available to all WSU students for free. Encourage students stop by for open training either between 8 a.m. and noon Monday, Feb. 2 or between 1 and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, both in 106 Shocker Success Center, Assistive Technology Lab.

Contact the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing at osat@wichita.edu or 316-978-3309 for questions regarding Kurzweil 3000 or the training.

Power. Propaganda. Political intrigue. Discover how art and architecture shaped politics, religion and society by taking Power and Art History (ARTH 125C), CRN: 23339, this spring. The deadline to enroll in classes for the spring semester is today, Jan. 26.

Peek behind the political curtains in Diplomacy and Negotiation (POLS 361), CRN: 22251, which explores the strategies, psychology and cultural and political pressures that drive high-level negotiations. Today, Jan. 26, is the last day to enroll in full-term classes for the spring 2026 semester.