On June 1, 2021, the university will continue the Shockers United campus reintegration plan. This will include rescinding or revising a number of temporary policies and procedures, and reorienting our plans and protocols, as we transition over the summer toward a return to in person operations for fall 2021. The university’s plans, policies, and protocols implemented in response to COVID-19 supplement other existing university policies and procedures. These COVID related policies and procedures are contingent on current conditions and health guidance and are subject to change as deemed necessary by the University.
As we move forward, we should remain mindful of the guiding principles and public health considerations that have provided a framework for our response from the start of the pandemic. We should also continue to leverage technology enhancements (Zoom, Microsoft Team’s, and other virtual formats) and encourage basic health and safety practices that have served us well during the pandemic.
Health and Safety Practices
The university strongly encourages all employees to consider getting vaccinated.
During the reintegration phase, the university will modify the following health and safety measures:
Face Coverings – Face coverings are encouraged, but not required. In limited circumstances, face coverings may be required.
Social Distancing – Physical distancing is still encouraged where possible, but not required.
Personal Health Screening – Individuals are responsible for screening their personal health, staying home if sick, and seeking medical advice as appropriate. Individuals subject to any isolation or quarantine requirements imposed by the local health department remain responsible for complying with such requirements.
Cleaning and Disinfecting – Individuals should continue to keep the areas in which they personally work or are assigned to monitor sanitized. The University maintains a significant inventory of cleaning and disinfecting supplies. Supervisors may utilize the facilities work order system to request personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings and disposable masks.
• Practicing Personal Hygiene – Individuals should continue to wash their hands often and use hand sanitizer when washing isn’t practical. Avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose, and use good respiratory etiquette like covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Remote Work
Starting June 1, 2021, the university will resume business operations which generally requires in person work. Exceptions to a return to previous work arrangements such as requests for remote work, will be made on a case by case basis and discussed with the supervisor. Such requests should follow the Remote Work Guidance.
For the 10th year straight, Wichita State University has been named as the top transfer destination for Kansas community college students.
About 900 Kansas community college students transferred to Wichita State, and one in every four students who choose to transfer from a Kansas community college to a four-year school chose Wichita State in 2019, the most recent data available.
Learning the signs of digital distress can help you recognize when students or friends might be struggling.
Change in tone: If someone you know suddenly changes their general tone or expresses hopelessness, it may be a sign of distress, especially if they starting talking about death or disappearing.
Change in frequency: If someone suddenly changes the amount they post or talk — either notable increase or decrease — it may be important to reach out.
Change in amount appearing on camera: Not appearing in a Zoom class or an online hangout isn’t always indicative of distress, but someone changing the amount they appear could be.
Distressing environment: If it appears from video calls or online classes that someone’s environment is chaotic or distressing, consider reaching out or connecting them to resources.
No show: Someone not showing up for class or online hangouts without letting others know could be a sign of distress.
Unresponsive: Not replying to the group chat isn’t necessarily a sign of distress, but a sudden change or going completely unresponsive could be a sign of distress.
Disengaged: While on a video call, someone appearing disengaged could be a sign of distress, especially if that’s a sudden change.
Wichita State Baseball will host two Family Days throughout the remainder of the season: Sunday, May 16 and Thursday, May 20. Join the Shockers for some family fun sponsored by The Wichita Eagle. Purchase includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, and four bags of popcorn for only $32. Come support Head Coach Eric Wedge and the team, as they take on conference opponents USF and Memphis.
Wichita State Baseball will be hosting its First Responders and Military Appreciation Day on May 15. Free admission for all military, firefighters, police, paramedics, and nurses with I.D. confirmation. Come enjoy the game as the Shockers take on conference opponent USF.
Wichita State Baseball will be hosting Kids Day on Saturday, May 22 vs. Memphis. Kids eight grade and younger receive free admission with a purchase of an adult ticket. Bring the kiddos and come support the Shockers as they take on the Tigers.
On Saturday, May 29, Blackboard’s login page and landing page (the place you come to first when you login) will change significantly. This is a cosmetic change and will not impact Blackboard’s functionality. The change will be triggered at 8 a.m., and by 9 a.m. it will be complete.
What will happen on May 29? Our login area will become streamlined with a photo of campus on the left side of the page, and a login box on the right. You will access the login area the same way you do now, and your same credentials will work. Once you login, you will access your “my courses” area by clicking the “courses” link in the left-hand menu.
What will not change? Once you enter your course, it will look very similar to how it looks now. There will be some color changes as all courses will be standardized in terms of color. Everything should be in the same place, however. And tool availability will be the same. Your courses will still be in “old familiar Blackboard” and will not be in the “Ultra course format.”
Why is this change is happening on May 29? This date allows spring term grades to be turned in and for summer pre-session classes to be complete before the cosmetic changes to the login and landing pages happen.
How will students will be notified? Students will be notified through Shocker Blast and their advisors. Please help spread the word.
Where to go with questions: The Office of Instructional Resources has created an FAQ page. If you have other questions, please send them to OIR@wichita.edu
On Saturday, May 29, Blackboard’s login page and landing page (the place you come to first when you login) will change significantly. This is a cosmetic change and will not impact Blackboard’s functionality. The change will be triggered at 8 a.m., and by 9 a.m. it will be complete.
A doctoral student in communication sciences and disorders is conducting a study on comparison of an existing and a newly developed clinical technique for evaluating function of the middle ear. Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal hearing, have not had an ear infection in the past three months, nor had a cold or flu in the past two weeks. Participants will receive a no-cost comprehensive hearing evaluation and ear examination prior to testing. The testing will take about one hour in Room 106 Hubbard Hall. We have implemented a virus protection plan following university guidelines. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kara Barrus at 316-650-5329, or Dr. Xiao-Ming Sun at Xiao-Ming.Sun@wichita.edu. Sidebar Content
