Author: Quang Nguyen

Wichita State launched a campus-wide university climate survey and it will close today. April 29. The survey was sent to all official university email addresses. All students, faculty and staff are asked to participate in this confidential survey about the campus environment.

This survey is meant to guide Wichita State as it works to continue its mission of inclusive excellence. Every member of the campus is encouraged to participate. Students who participate in the survey will be entered into a giveaway.

Wichita State will launch a campus-wide university climate survey today, April 18. The survey will be sent to official university email addresses. All students, faculty and staff are asked to participate in this confidential survey about the campus environment.

This survey will guide Wichita State University as it works to continue its mission of inclusive excellence – a commitment to being an inclusive campus that reflects and promotes – in all community members – the evolving diversity of society. Every member of the campus is encouraged to participate.

Students who participate in the survey will be entered into a giveaway for a chance to win one of 10 $50 gift cards.

Wichita State University is embarking on a campus-wide university climate survey. This is an important opportunity to share your perspective and your voice. Climate surveys are key in the journey to establishing equity and inclusivity for any university, and it is critical we are conducting this again. Effecting change requires each member of our community to participate in efforts to build a community where all are welcomed and valued.

How the survey will work
On Monday, April 18, a survey invitation will be emailed directly to all active students, faculty and staff official university email addresses from Hanover Research, an independent market research and analysis surveyor. The survey will be live through April 30. You will be asked direct questions, and you can also fill in open-ended answers of your campus experiences and your thoughts. The study is for research purposes only; all information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research and will only be reported to Wichita State University. The survey should only take 20-25 minutes of your time.

The survey will enable WSU to elevate and accelerate the university’s work to ensure we are an equitable, diverse, accessible, and inclusive community. The university encourages you to participate thoughtfully. We are making great strides in inclusive excellence – a commitment to being an inclusive campus that reflects and promotes – in all community members – the evolving diversity of society. Wichita State believes that diversity and inclusion efforts are not complete until it addresses the current state of the climate. This survey will help us in our continuous efforts to ignite change and showcase our work. As we get more responses, we will get better results in representing our community. Please check your emails in the next few days for your individual link and take the time to complete the survey.

What staff members should note
On April 6, The Docking Institute of Public Affair sent out a survey to all University Support Staff (USS) and Unclassified Professional Staff (UPS) and representatives with the subject: USS-UPS Staff Climate Survey 2022 a few weeks ago. While they are seeking input on climate, their survey does not talk about the climate on campus. Instead, it discusses the climate of working with the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) system. 

For more information, contact the Climate Survey representative at climatesurvey@wichita.edu.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host the next edition of Diversity Lecture Series at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14 via Facebook Live. The Diversity Lecture Series features distinguished leaders and experts to help inspire campus dialogue, community engagement and learning about the national narrative on diversity and inclusion. Leah Thomas is an environmentalist with a love for writing and creativity. Thomas is passionate about advocating for and exploring the relationship between social justice and environmentalism.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion invites students who identify as Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) to attend our upcoming listening sessions.

We are interested in learning more about your thoughts and experiences as a student at Wichita State University. If you decide to participate, you will be helping to improve the university climate for you and for future students.

There will be two sessions taking place:

• 12:30-2 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 in 142 of the Rhatigan Student Center
• 3:30-5 p.m. Monday, April 25 in 265 of the  Rhatigan Student Center

In order to attend, you must register for the event at the link below.

The annual Phenomenal Women Awards recognizes women for their accomplishments and contributions to our community through their scholarship, activism, and commitment to excellence.

Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Phenomenal Women Awards: Kaelyn Hannah, Dr. Carryl Baldwin and Dr. Marci Young.

Learn more about our recipients at wichita.edu/phenomenal.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is interested in learning more about the experiences of School of Art, Design and Creative Industries (ADCI) students at listening sessions March 3 and 4. Students who participate will help to improve the school. The listening sessions will take place at the following times and locations:

• 5 p.m. March 3 at the RSC (Room 264)
• 1 p.m. March 4 via Zoom

Registration is required to attend each of these sessions. Each session will be limited to the first 15 people registered.

For more information, contact Alicia Sanchez at Alicia.sanchez@wichita.edu.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 14th annual Phenomenal Women Awards. The awards, which are presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, recognize women for their accomplishments and contributions to their community through their scholarship, activism and commitment to excellence.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate women who have made a difference in their lives. Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, March 11. 

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, Jan. 17 celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America.

On this day, Wichita State commemorates the timeless values King taught—the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that defined King’s character and empowered his leadership.

To celebrate the holiday, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has compiled a guide of celebrations taking place in Wichita for 2022.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will close temporarily at noon Friday, Dec. 10 for staff development. The office will re-open on Monday, Dec. 13.