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.
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.
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.
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.
On April 22, Wichita state is celebrating Earth Day both in-person and virtually. Stop by the community garden and make your own Earth Day t-shirt, listen to Laura Lapp, vice President of sustainability at Chartwells, and view student research projects and presentations.
Wichita State University Theatre has produced a four-episode web series, “The Rule of Three,” as part of the WSU Theatre season this year. The show was written by Theatre professor and director of filmmaking at Wichita State, Bret Jones.
“The Rule of Three” is a comedy and drama that follows Douglas, a writer in the making, who has three people who are close to him all die on the same day at the same time. They come back as ghosts and haunt Douglas as he tries to get used to their deaths and with them being in his life from beyond the grave.
WSU Theatre has been making a film project as part of their annual season for the past few years. “The training for the actors working in front of the camera is a valued part of our performers’ training,” Jones said. Students that get cast in the film project learn what is required to act on camera, expectations on a set, and other aspects of performing in film. The training complements the students work in theatrical productions, as well as audio work, which the students are exposed to while participating in the theatre program at Wichita State University.
The Rule of Three cast: WSU Theatre students—TJ Wade, Alice Cashman, Nora Dooley, Mirta Santana Morales, and Wesley Sweigart. Student directors: Julian Cornejo, Sang Le, and Ryan Reise.
Wichita State University Opera Theater, under the direction of Opera Director Alan Held, will present two one-act operas by Gian Carlo Menotti at 7:30 p.m. April 23-24 at Miller Auditorium inside of the Duerksen Fine Arts Center. The performances of “The Old Maid and the Thief” and “Amelia Goes to the Ball,” with the Wichita State University Orchestra, will be conducted by Dr. Mark Laycock. The comedies are favorites of audiences and will be presented in English.
The performances are free, but tickets need to be reserved. Each performance is limited to 250 audience members.
