Author: Caelin Bragg

The inaugural Entrepreneur Market will highlight the many diverse small businesses in our community run by alumni, students and friends. Browse market stalls from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 in Woolsey Hall to explore unique creations while supporting local businesses.

The Shocktoberfest Parade, which begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 5, is the highlight of the weeklong celebration. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members.

For the best parade experience, grab a spot along Innovation Boulevard, Mike Oatman Drive or Perimeter Road. These locations offer great views and are easily accessible.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in open enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Events occurring this week:

• 3-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7 (online)
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9 in person in 256 Rhatigan Student Center, Edmiston Room
• Monday, Oct. 7: At 3 p.m., attend the Online Open Enrollment Presentation. Registration is not required. Zoom link to join and additional presentation times can be found at wichita.edu/openenrollment

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

With the permanent closure of Lots 3N and 3S, the parking lots nearest Shocker Hall, Parking Services will restore Lot 1 as an option for Shocker Hall students beginning Monday, Oct. 7. Lot 1 runs along Hillside between Alumni Drive and Memorial Drive.

Shocker Hall students choosing to park in Lot 1 will be subject to game day parking rules and must remove their cars from Lot 1 three hours prior to the start of Shocker men’s basketball games. Parking in a reserved game day lot will result in a $50 citation. Students may sign up to receive text reminders about game day parking.

Wichita State’s Wu and Shocker Choirs invite you to “Story Time,” an evening of music and narrative at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 in Wiedemann Hall.

Each song presents its own unique story, taking audiences on a journey through legend and mythology with “The Kracken,” social justice with “Warrior,” and even humor with P.D.Q. Bach’s “The Art of the Ground Round.” Audiences will also experience heartfelt melodies, like the South African hymn “Indodana” and folk songs like “Vichten” from Canada. The diverse repertoire includes poetic pieces such as Langston Hughes’ “I Dream a World” and the cinematic “Ripple.”

The Goddard High School Concert Choir will be featured as special guests for the evening. Tickets are available at no additional charge to Shockers with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a musical tapestry of stories.

President Rick Muma visited the Office of Financial Aid during its regular staff meeting in the Rhatigan Student Center to recognize the office as the next recipient of Rick Rewards. President Muma recognized the Office of Financial Aid for its work in supporting the university’s priority of access and affordability and for assisting Shockers through the new FAFSA process that was put in place last academic year.

Rick Rewards is awarded each month by President Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in open enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Events occurring next week:

• 3-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, online

This is a busy time, so the 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. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2024 is 23,806, according to the annual data released today by the Kansas Board of Regents. This is the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State.

The main WSU campus achieved historic enrollment last year with 17,548 students and exceeded this year with 17,700 students.

At WSU Tech, student headcount increased from 5,655 last year to 6,106 this year — also the highest headcount ever for WSU Tech.

“This record-breaking enrollment is a testament to our steadfast dedication to student success and achievement,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “It is a direct result of our relentless focus on access and affordability and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. By aligning our resources and efforts, we are equipping students with the skills and opportunities they need to lead in their careers and drive progress across Kansas and on the global stage.”

Dr. Scott Hill, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Philosophy in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will present his paper, “Against Strawsonian Motivations for AI Explainability,” to the University of Neuchâtel in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Oct. 1.

Abstract:

“Consider The Explainability Thesis according to which the use of transparent AI to make high stakes decisions is to be strongly preferred to the use of opaque AI. Most AI ethicists agree that the Explainability Thesis is true. But there is disagreement about how to motivate it. Some philosophers argue that the explainability thesis is true because the use of opaque AI would require failing to regard a person from the Strawsonian participant stance. I argue that this is mistaken. I then present my own motivation for the thesis. In particular, the use of opaque AI is risky and has bad consequences. It is for this reason that transparent AI is to be preferred to opaque AI.”

The African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) has announced its annual scholarship application for the 2024-25 academic year. Scholarship applications and eligibility requirements can be found on the AAFSA website. Applications for the scholarship open Tuesday, Oct. 1 and close Oct. 31.

Fill out the scholarship application and email it to Karen Wright at karen.wright@wichita.edu.