Author: Sara Ornelas

As we make plans to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, here are some select FAQs addressing questions we are hearing from students.

• What are important dates for Fall 2021? Where there be a fall break?
  • Full-semester classes begin on Aug. 16. The last day of the fall semester will be Dec. 2, with finals proceeding as originally scheduled from Dec. 4-9. The commencement date and details will be announced at a later time.
  • Fall break is scheduled for Oct. 9-12.

•  What will my classes look like?
  • Students should visit the wichita.edu/summer2021 and wichita.edu/fall2021 webpages to see what additional details instructors have posted about how their courses have been designed. Instructors initially posted information in March, prior to the recent changes by the country regarding masking and event capacities. Instructors have been given the opportunity

• What do I need to know about online exams and proctoring?
  • Some instructors require students to have proctored exams for online testing. The university supports ProctorU and Respondus for proctoring options.
  • Additional information can be found at the Media Resources Center’s Online Testing page.

Additional FAQs about summer and fall can be found on wichita.edu/covidstudents.

As we work to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, the COVID Operations group would like to highlight some FAQs related to classroom instruction.  Additional questions can be directed to carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to be addressed by this operational group.

As we work to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, the COVID Operations group would like to highlight some FAQs related to classroom instruction.  Additional questions can be directed to Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to be addressed by this operational group.

FAQs Set #7:  Questions about the Classroom and Campus

• What are the classroom capacities for the summer and fall?
  • Regular classroom capacities will be resumed with no more distancing limitations in the classroom. Instructors may choose, however, to divide their classes as they have previously in order to have fewer students in a classroom at a time to maintain distancing. Our hybrid class codes will allow for flexibility in these course designs.

• Can instructors request a new classroom based on changed class capacities?
  • The Registrar’s Office has ensured that all courses are in rooms that can hold the quota of the course. Special requests will be considered if they are needed to allow for additional enrollment, to address medical concerns or to accommodate a specific mode of teaching. The department chair or department schedule builder can contact schedulebuilding@wichita.edu with these select requests.

Additional FAQs about teaching this summer and fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.

As we work to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, the COVID Operations group would like to highlight some FAQs related to classroom instruction.  Additional questions can be directed to Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to be addressed by this operational group.

FAQs Set #6:  Questions about Health

• Can instructors ask students if they have been vaccinated?  
  • No. We cannot ask questions that violate people’s health privacy.

• Can instructors require students to be vaccinated if they want to be in person?
  • No. We can encourage people to take advantage of getting a vaccine but cannot require it.
• How can instructors manage a situation where a student doesn’t feel safe to attend in-person classes?
  • Instructors have been asked to provide information in advance regarding their in-person expectations for classes next semester in order for students to make informed decisions about enrolling. Students can be encouraged to visit with their advisors to see if an online option is available for them. Instructors may consider replicating in-person learning experiences in a remote or online format when their program provides only one section of a course.
  • The emotional, financial, and social disruptions caused by COVID-19 uncertainty have created serious challenges for many of our students. It is important that instructors refer students who might need assistance to the WSU CARE Team to learn options for addressing mental health and wellness during COVID-19.
  • If a student believes they have a condition that requires accommodation where they cannot attend in person, they should contact the Office of Disability Services. Instructors will work with ODS to meet these identified accommodations.
  • There may be some classroom management options that will help a student feel more comfortable. For example, suggest that they arrive early and leave last so they do not have to get too close to others as they enter the room.

Additional FAQs about teaching this summer and fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.

As we work to return to a more normal campus environment for summer and fall, the COVID Operations group would like to highlight some FAQs related to classroom instruction.  Additional questions can be directed to Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to be addressed by this operational group.

FAQs Set #5:  Questions about Health

• Can instructors still wear a mask while providing instruction?
  • Yes.
         
• Can instructors be compelled to take off their masks to teach?
  • No. This is a personal choice. If students have trouble with hearing or comprehension, a microphone might be advisable or use of a face shield instead of a mask. If an accommodation need exists, the instructor needs to consult with ODS.

• Can instructors require masks in the classroom or when students visit their office?
  • No. We are following county guidelines. There is no longer a mask mandate. We can encourage COVID-healthy behaviors, including masking and distancing as space allows. It is fine to let your students know that you prefer that they wear a mask, but we cannot enforce it.
  • You may choose to meet students in a larger conference room if that is more comfortable than a smaller office or arrange for a virtual meeting instead.

• If an instructor has students who want to socially distance and students who don’t, can they designate part of their classroom for distancing?
  • Instructors can manage seating in their classroom as they choose. We encourage instructors to spread students out in the classroom to the best extent possible.

Additional FAQs about teaching this summer and fall can be found on the COVID-19 university webpage.

Teams of two to four people will work together during this one-day, virtual design challenge hosted by the College of Innovation and Design, in partnership with the Kansas Business Group on Health, to answer the question, “How might we make it easier to connect rural residents to their doctor to provide daily health information?”

To provide the opportunity for work/life balance, job satisfaction, and a more inclusive workplace, Wichita State University recognizes the need to offer flexible working arrangements. The university also recognizes that guidance may be helpful for employees who want to request a flexible work arrangement and in determining when Flexible Work Arrangements may be mutually beneficial for both the employee and the University/department.

HR has developed a dedicated webpage for Flexible Work Arrangement that provides information to help identify if a situation is suitable for the requested arrangement. A recorded training session is available on the website with detailed information and can be viewed on demand. Requests for assistance may also be made of the HR business partner assigned to the department.

Examples of Flexible Work Arrangements offered by the university are:

• Compressed Work Week

• Flextime

• Job Sharing

• Reduced-Time Work

• Remote Work

It is important to remember that Flexible Work Arrangements are a privilege and not all employees or positions are eligible for a Flexible Work Arrangement. Flexible Work Arrangements, if granted, are not a contract of employment and do not provide any contractual rights to continued employment or continued flexible work. All University policies and procedures continue to apply.

The honorees for the 2021 University Faculty Awards will be recognized at 2 p.m. Friday, May 7 in Lowe Auditorium at the Eugene Hughes Metropolitan Complex. The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.

To RSVP for in-person attendance or view the livestream visit Wichita.edu/facultyawards.

2021 University Faculty Award honorees:

• Academy for Effective Teaching: Sergio Salinas
• Excellence Award for Community Research: Michael Birzer
• Excellence in Online Teaching: Amy Chesser
• Excellence in Research: Michael Rogers
• Excellence in Teaching: Aaron Rife
• Young Faculty Risk Taker: Mythili Menon
• Young Faculty Scholar: Patrick Bondy

The Leadership in the Advancement of Teaching, Excellence in Accessibility Award, Excellence in Creative Activity Award and the Faculty Risk Taker awards were not awarded for 2021.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance is hosting a virtual Resource Panel at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 28. Panelists will include representatives from Student Health Services, Counseling and Prevention Services, the University Police Department, and the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, and the Title IX Coordinator. Panelists will discuss their roles on campus, services, and resources available to all students and employees.

The panel will be presented via Zoom. To register and receive the Zoom information, please email oiec@wichita.edu.

There has been a location change for our event.

Shocker Yoga with the Graduate Student Council has been moved indoors due to inclement weather. End wellness week with us, led by the amazing Rex Hafenstine, at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 23 inside the Heskett Center. Ask the front desk where we are as we may be either upstairs at Court B or in Studio Room 145.

For questions, contact Amy at aebauman@shockers.wichita.edu.