Author: Lainie Mazzullo

All Wichita State students are invited to an informal Q&A, free snacks and an opportunity to meet Norah O’Donnell, anchor for the CBS Evening News and “60 Minutes” contributor.

The event is at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

Capacity is limited.

RSVP now

O’Donnell is a multiple Emmy Award-winning journalist with nearly three decades of experience covering the biggest stories in the world and conducting impactful, newsmaking interviews. She is currently the only woman anchoring an evening news broadcast. During her career, she has covered six presidential elections and interviewed every living president of the United States.

In the event of inclement weather and/or an emergency event, the university shall take all reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.

Should such an event occur, the university may implement a temporary adjustment to its class and/or operations, including late start and moving class instruction and non-critical operations to remote delivery, where possible. Critical campus operations will continue to operate on-campus to the fullest extent possible.

In order to facilitate the university’s decision making and communication process, and to recognize potential childcare challenges faced by university students and employees, the university will typically align with USD 259 in closing campus facilities or moving to remote learning/operations due to inclement weather or national, state or local emergencies.

See the full WSU inclement weather guidelines.

Please take a moment to read how you will be informed of changes to normal on-campus operations:

• We strongly encourage you to sign up for the ShockerAlert System, which will send weather and class alerts to your phone and email.
• In the event of a change to normal on-campus operations, you will also receive a message to your WSU email account.
• The Wichita State website will be updated with a warning message during a inclement weather or emergency situation that impacts classes or activities on campus.
• WSU’s official X account and Facebook page will be updated with pertinent information.

For more information about the weather outlook at any time, consult the National Weather Service forecast for Wichita.

In the event of inclement weather and/or an emergency event, the university shall take all reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.

Should such an event occur, the university may implement a temporary adjustment to its class and/or operations, including late start and moving class instruction and non-critical operations to remote delivery, where possible. Critical campus operations will continue to operate on-campus to the fullest extent possible.

In order to facilitate the university’s decision making and communication process, and to recognize potential childcare challenges faced by university students and employees, the university will typically align with USD 259 in closing campus facilities or moving to remote learning/operations due to inclement weather or national, state or local emergencies.

See the full WSU inclement weather guidelines.

You can also refer to timekeeping guidelines and the WSU Human Resources website for more information.

Please take a moment to read how you will be informed of changes to normal on-campus operations:

• We strongly encourage you to sign up for the ShockerAlert System, which will send weather and class alerts to your phone and email.
• In the event of a change to normal on-campus operations, you will also receive a message to your WSU email account.
• The Wichita State website will be updated with a warning message during a inclement weather or emergency situation that impacts classes or activities on campus.
• WSU’s official X account and Facebook page will be updated with pertinent information.

For more information about the weather outlook at any time, consult the National Weather Service forecast for Wichita. 

Shockers,

As another semester comes to an end, some undergraduate students may start to receive information regarding their eligibility to receive an Associate of Arts (AA) degree this fall. These AA degrees are a celebration of your achievements so far during your time with Wichita State.

The AA degree is just a steppingstone to your goal of earning your bachelor’s degree. Eligible students will receive further information via email in January. The AA degrees will be awarded to all students who meet the degree requirements after each semester’s end.

As further recognition for your accomplishments so far, the WSU’s Provost Office will host an event in the spring for all students who receive their AA degree. More information on the event will be available at a later date.

AA degrees exist under the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students can contact the Registrar’s Office at 316-978-3055 for further information about the process.

Wichita State congratulates all Shockers on their achievements so far and will continue to support them in their pursuit of their bachelor’s degrees.

Starting this fall semester, undergraduate Shockers working toward their bachelor’s degrees who meet the requirements will automatically be awarded associate degrees.

While Wichita State has offered an Associate of Arts (AA) degree for some time, the new initiative will award the AA degree automatically every semester to undergraduate students who meet the requirements while they pursue their bachelor’s degree. The degree is awarded to celebrate their achievement of making it halfway to their bachelor’s.

The AA degree exists under the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Students can contact the Registrar’s Office at 316-978-3055 for further information about the process.

Veteran actor Barry Corbin, known for his roles in “Urban Cowboy,” “Stir Crazy” and “Lonesome Dove,” is coming to Wichita State University as a featured speaker.

He will present “Barry Corbin: From Shakespeare to Cowboys,” noon-1 p.m. Oct. 6 in 200 Ahlberg Hall.  Admission is free, and anyone is welcome to attend.
 
Corbin, who is in Wichita for the Tallgrass Film Festival Oct. 5-8, will discuss his decades-spanning career.

A native of Texas, the classically trained actor has been a fixture of movies and television since the late 1970s. Additional credits include “Better Call Saul,” “Northern Exposure,” “War Games,” “The Closer” and “No Country for Old Men.” A Marine Corps veteran, Corbin studied theater arts at Texas Tech University.
 
Corbin’s appearance is sponsored by Wichita State’s Department of History and the Society for Public Historians.

Visitor parking is available south of Ahlberg Hall, between WuShock Drive and 17th Street. A paid parking garage is also available next to the Rhatigan Student Center, west of Ahlberg Hall.

More than 60 new faculty members joined Wichita State this summer and fall.

They hail from six academic colleges, including:

• Barton School of Business: 5
• College of Applied Studies: 10
• College of Fine Arts: 10
• College of Health Professions: 7
• College of Engineering: 9
• Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: 8

Welcome to Wichita State!

Welcome to Wichita State, Shockers! Or if it’s not your first time here – welcome back!

I love this time of year. It’s always so fun to meet new students and their families and to be part of the excitement of new beginnings!

I hope these first few weeks of campus life are a great experience for you. You may find yourself with a multitude of questions, from “Where is Jabara Hall?” to “Who’s my advisor?” If so, please know that’s OK! Everyone has questions. There is nothing wrong with that. You are not supposed to know everything. But, if you DO have questions, please ask them! 

Go to OneStop, reach out to your instructors, your success coach or anyone really, and ask your question. We are all here to help.

In my role as provost of WSU, I am privileged to lead the academic experiences that shape your educational journey. My goal is to support every single one of you in academics and your growth as thoughtful, engaged and successful individuals.

From our offices in 107 Morrison Hall — please feel free come by and see me — my team and I are committed to enhancing your overall university experience in several ways.

For example: 

• Academic excellence: Our team in Academic Affairs works with each college and student support offices to ensure that the academic experiences you are engaged in are intellectually stimulating and aligned with the demands of our evolving world.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion: As the most diverse campus in the state, I firmly believe that the vibrant mix of cultures and backgrounds that characterize Wichita State University is our most valuable asset. We strive to create a space where everyone flourishes.
• Supporting you holistically: Your emotional and physical well-being are crucial to your success. Our team collaborates with departments and offices across WSU to ensure that support systems are in place to address your holistic needs. That includes services such as counseling, health and wellness, tutoring, paid internships and co-ops, our Shocker Support Locker and many others… the list is extensive.
• Research and innovation: Wichita State is a hub for innovation and discovery, and we’ve built a solid reputation around solving problems for our community and our state. One way we do that is through the applied research happening across campus. Whether you’re a first-year undergrad or earning your Ph.D., there are tons of chances to participate in incredibly interesting and useful research.
• Applied learning: This term may be new to you. Basically, because of our location in Kansas’ largest city – and through the many partnerships we have with businesses all over the state and right here on our Innovation Campus — students have more opportunities than you’ll ever find in the typical college town to apply their learning in real-world settings through internships, co-ops, student employment and applied research positions. Last year, WSU students earned more than $30 million through nearly 9,000 of these applied learning experiences.

I’m honored to be a leader at Wichita State, and everyone in my office and across campus is dedicated to ensuring that your educational experience is transformative, inspiring and empowering.

I’m privileged to work alongside our talented faculty and staff to make this journey exceptional for each student. Our doors are always open, and your voices are heard.

If you have any questions about what you read here today, check out our website, ask me on my social media (@wsuprovost on Instagram; @WSU_Provost on X) or send an email here.

Have a great year.

Go Shockers!
Provost Shirley Lefever

With the fall semester upon us, it’s always a good time to remain aware of the health care services available at Wichita State for faculty, staff and students. 

In May, the public health emergency for COVID-19 expired, which prompted changes at WSU, including how to get tested and receive vaccinations. Visit wichita.edu/covid for more information. 

Testing is available for free through the WSU Molecular Diagnostics Lab, at certain sites throughout the city or through Student Health by appointment only. Vaccines are available for a fee through Student Health, while supplies are available, or at sites throughout Wichita. 

Individuals may choose to wear a mask at any time. 

Wichita State monitors COVID and other health advisories in our community and stays connected to the latest CDC guidance. Stay up to date on WSU guidance and information here.  

In other health reminders, faculty and staff can visit the Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic for minor and acute medical issues. Appointments are required for the clinic. 

Learn more about the clinic. 

If you work directly with students, please let them know that if they have any physical health needs, they can go to the Student Health website or directly to the Wellness Clinic in the Steve Clark YMCA. Students with mental health needs have robust services available to them via WSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services. 

The U.S. Government has issued an interim rule for federal contractors that prohibits the presence or use of any applications developed by ByteDance — including the social networking service TikTok — on any devices used for federal contract work, including personally owned devices and those issued by the university. These newly imposed restrictions require WSU to immediately prohibit access to these applications on any university network.

Individuals who have the TikTok app on a personally or university-owned device (such as a computer or cell phone), and who use or intend to use such device in the performance of a federal contract, must immediately remove the TikTok application from that device. Individuals who are not performing under a federal contract may access TikTok while on campus on their personal devices using their personal cellular networks.

Individuals will still be able to access TikTok on the university’s network throughout most residential areas (Shocker Hall, The Flats and The Suites).

The university will continue to provide updates and guidance as it becomes available. Please direct any questions or comments to general.counsel@wichita.edu.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to navigate these important security compliance obligations.