Author: Caelin Bragg

As the federal administration transition unfolds, new executive orders and policy changes are shaping federal research funding, compliance requirements and other areas affecting our university community. To help navigate these changes, the university has established a “Federal Administration Transition – Guidance for Researchers” webpage, which will provide up-to-date information on how new federal directives may impact research, funding and compliance.

This webpage will serve as a central resource for faculty, researchers and staff to stay informed about key developments, including:

• Executive orders affecting federally funded research
• Changes in federal agency priorities and compliance requirements
• Guidance on hiring and award management in light of potential funding shifts

We encourage you to check the webpage regularly, as updates will be posted as soon as information becomes available. Keep in mind that federal agencies are still interpreting new policies, so there may be a delay in full implementation and university-specific guidance. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide the most accurate and timely information possible.

For specific questions or concerns, contact the responsible Office of Research:

• If your award is supported by the Academic Office of Research, reach out to postaward@wichita.edu.
• If your award is supported by the IDP Office of Research, reach out to contracts@idp.wichita.edu.
• If you are not sure, feel free to reach out to either office for additional guidance on which office supports your award.

To help promote mental health and wellbeing, Wichita State is hosting a “Suspenders4Hope Day at WSU” Wednesday, Feb. 12 to spread awareness to the community.

The day will be filled with events to help the community learn more and engage with the mental health resources on campus as well as recognize the Mental Health Advocates who have helped elevate the Suspenders4Hope message. And be sure to wear your Suspenders4Hope T-shirt throughout the day to help show your support.

The events of the day:

• Head over to the Rhatigan Student Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Suspenders4Hope tables where prevention ambassadors and the WSU cheer team will hand out tickets to the Shocker men’s basketball game later that day and other Suspenders4Hope resources.
• From 1 to 3 p.m., there will be a free Suspenders4Hope Preventing Suicide in the LGBTQ+ Community training session hosted by HOPE Services. Sign up ahead of time online.
• Hear from a panel of experts on mental health from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom. The panel will be hosted by the specialized advisor team to talk through common mental health issues, what to listen for from students and provide an overview of services available to students.
• Finish the day off by blacking out mental health stigma in Charles Koch Arena as the men’s basketball team takes on UTSA starting at 6:30 p.m. as the team recognizes the Mental Health Advocates on campus. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a free Suspenders4Hope T-shirt, and the first 100 attendees who show up in their own Suspenders4Hope shirts will receive a free bracelet. And don’t forget, students can get a ticket to the game at no additional charge with their Shocker IDs. $20 discounted tickets are also available at goshockers.com using the special promo code “SUSPENDERS”

Make it a Shocker sports day and show your support for your fellow classmates on the men’s and women’s tennis teams as they both host matches Friday, Feb. 7. Both matches have free admission to attend.

• Men’s tennis will host Texas Tech at 1 p.m. Feb. 7 at Genesis Health Club, 1551 N. Rock Rd.
• Enjoy free food and drinks as the women’s tennis team takes on Kentucky at 5 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Wichita Country Club, 8501 E. 13th St. N.

Faculty and staff are invited to a virtual town hall with university leaders from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

You can access the streamed town hall on YouTube. Staff and faculty interested in submitting questions for consideration can email townhall@wichita.edu before the town hall, or questions can be asked in the YouTube chat during the town hall.

The Wichita State University Police Department wants to remind Shockers to stay vigilant of scammers. A current scam going around fraudulently claims to come from the police notifying the individual that they are at risk of being arrested if they do not pay. Make sure you’re informed of the telltale signs of scammers:

• The police will never notify an individual over the phone that they have a warrant for their arrest, and the police will never demand payment through cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, or through gift cards.
• Do not share personal or financial information over the phone unless you are certain of the caller’s identity. If you are ever concerned a caller may be a scammer, hang up and find a phone number from a trusted source, such as an official website or phonebook, and call back to confirm.
• Make sure to reach out to law enforcement if you have been contacted by one of these scammers or have fallen victim to them. WSUPD can be contacted at 316-978-3450, and the Wichita Police Department can be contacted by dialing 911. You can also file a police report to the Wichita Police Department by calling 316-268-4221. And make sure you contact your friends and family so that they know to not engage with potential scammers.

WSUPD is here to help the campus community stay safe and hopes that everyone can help keep their peers safe from scammers. If you have questions, email WSUPD at police@wichita.edu.

You can learn more about the scam callers by watching the PSA video from the Wichita Police Department.

Former Kansas City Royals star Mike Sweeney knew a lot about Wichita and Wichita State from his life in baseball. He knows even more now that he is a future Shockers baseball dad.

“It had been a while since I had been in this great city,” he said at Saturday’s First Pitch Banquet at Charles Koch Arena. “When I stepped on campus here, I knew there was something different. When I met Coach (Brian) Green and his coaching staff, I knew they were setting themselves apart from every other staff in the country.”

MJ Sweeney, his oldest son, decided to play baseball for the Shockers and Green in 2026. The recruiting visit brought Mike Sweeney back to Wichita and, ultimately, to spending Saturday as the keynote speaker.

Students are cordially invited to an exclusive Q&A session with this year’s Craig W. Barton Speaker Series headliner, Ben Stein — economist, lawyer, actor and prolific author — at 2 p.m. March 11 in 209 Hubbard Hall. RSVP at wichita.edu/meetben.

Stein, a Yale Law School valedictorian, has worked as a speechwriter for former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, authored more than 30 books on finance and law, and has become a key figure in exposing the junk bond scandal. Widely recognized for his iconic role in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and for hosting “Win Ben Stein’s Money,” Stein continues to speak on economics and politics.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual Wichita State event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation. Previous speakers include Robert Gates, 22nd United States secretary of defense (2006-2011); Cody Keenan, former White House director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama; and Norah O’Donnell, former anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

Heading to Charles Koch Arena for a Shocker men’s basketball game? Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has you covered with free shuttle services to and from all men’s home basketball games. Park conveniently and for free at Braeburn Square and let Fuzzy’s do the driving.

The next game is Sunday, Feb. 16 against Memphis, so come early, grab a dinner and enjoy a round of drinks with friends before hopping on the shuttle to kick off game day.

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7 virtually via Microsoft Teams.

To find a link to the meeting, reach out to Olivia Kerschen, executive assistant to the president, at olivia.kerschen@wichita.edu.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students. Legislative updates are held every other Friday.

The School of Performing Arts is hosting a screenwriting workshop for your students with Los Angeles-based screenwriters, Derick and Rebecca Otto, from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room.

Students will learn:

• The structural basics and elements of a feature screenplay 
• How to construct an idea into a one to two sentence logline and develop that into a first draft 
• The collaborative nature of writing with producers, executives and directors 
• How to navigate the business side of the industry 

This is a good opportunity for your students to enhance their skills and understanding of screenwriting outside of their normal classes.