Author: Caelin Bragg

Now, more than ever, it is important to make connections with your fellow classmates, instructors and helpful WSU staff. Try arriving a little early to class to get to know other students and your instructors. Don’t know what to say to your instructor? Check out wsu.news/SuccessTip1 from Student Success for tips on meeting with your professors.

Wichita State’s muscle-bound mascot WuShock has his own lookalike on campus. Unveiled in 2020, the bronze WuShock sculpture stands eight feet tall in front of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center.

Paying homage to the history of WuShock — who’s been WSU’s mascot since 1948 ­— the sculpture features a vintage style of the mascot.

The sculpture was donated to the university by Steve Clark, whose namesake is also the YMCA on campus. The next time you’re visiting the Student Wellness Center or spending time at the Steve Clark YMCA, take a selfie with Wu and tag or DM Wichita State: @wichitastateu.

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.

Steel on the last floor of Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus has started being placed earlier this month, giving a first look at the final size of the location. In just six months, the Wichita Biomedical Campus went from a flat slab of concrete to the towering structure visible now in downtown Wichita. You can see that rapid transformation in the latest timelapse of the construction.

Currently, steel is continuing to be placed every day and the building is starting to take shape downtown. You can watch a continuous livestream of the construction site online.

Phase 1 of the location is a $222 million, 350,000-square-foot joint health sciences center, in downtown Wichita. Once complete, the Wichita Biomedical Campus will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions programs, WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology’s health care program, and the Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy.

Get ready for the ultimate showdown. Clash of the Colleges is back, and this year its celebrating the 11th anniversary with a competition like never before.

Join Clash for a field day Friday, Aug. 22 in Eck Stadium filled with exciting team events, thrilling relay races, virtual challenges and more to see which college will reign supreme. Whether you come solo or with a group of friends, you’re in for an evening packed full with fun and unforgettable moments. Secure your spot now by placing your reservation.

Contact Kaelyn Hannah at kaelyn.hannah@wichita.edu for any questions.

Start off the semester with 14 hours of events, activities, prizes and more during RSC Day Shocker Night. From 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, the Rhatigan Student Center will have 20+ activities for students to kick off the semester, including a balloon artist, live music, free T-shirts, video game tournaments and a foam party. Visit wichita.edu/rscdayshockernight for full schedule of activities. Must show a Shocker ID to participate.

Sponsored by Rhatigan Student Center, Student Engagement & Belonging, Student Activities Council, Community Service Board, WSU Dining and Middle of Nowhere Games.

Visit the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in the Rhatigan Student Center throughout August to try the Pizza of the Month: the Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza.

The Heskett Center throwing open the doors of the Esports Hub — and all students are invited. Come hang out at the Heskett Center’s Esports Hub from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 to explore the space and connect with others in Shocker Nation.

Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first time, this is your chance to dive into the action and see what makes our hub the heart of local esports.

Want your college to secure an early lead for the 11th annual Clash of the Colleges? Rack up points by jumping into the Virtual Clash Games running all week long. Participate from anywhere, on your own time and help push your college to the top of the leaderboard. Ready to play? Visit wichita.edu/clash for the full list of games, step-by-step instructions and all submission links.

Starting Aug. 18, Parking Services will provide mobility rides for students with disabilities. The program is called Shocker Assist, and its hours of the service will be from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday. The change in hours should help with students getting to their classes earlier in the morning and will help with getting to their evening classes.

Reminder: You must be registered with the Office of Student Accommodations and Testing (OST) to qualify for the ride and you must have a Mobility Ride Waiver on file before Shocker Assist will provide a ride. If you have any further questions, email OSAT at osat@wichita.edu or pull up the information listed in the following link: Shocker Assist Transports.