Category: Faculty and Staff Resources

Proposals are due to the Office of Research for University Research/Creative Award (URCA) projects no later than 5 p.m. April 3. The URCA opportunity provides funding of up to $4,500 for faculty to retool or reestablish productive research/creative projects or as seed money to develop pilot data where external funding is available.

Proposers must work with a grant specialist in the Office of Research prior to submission and all complete applications require an endorsement from the chair and dean. Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed or considered. Email proposals@wichita.edu today to get started or visit the website for additional information.

WSU graphic elements are now available on Canva, in addition to the ‘new’ minimal theme template available on Canva and InDesign.

On wichita.edu/brandtemplates, visit the brand templates page, under “Strategic Communications Resources,” select the “all downloads” tab, go to the search bar at the top and search “canva” to see new additions.

Questions? Reach out to Jaci Ignudo, senior digital specialist in the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, jaci.ignudo@wichita.edu.

Wichita State is a member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and that means faculty, staff and students have access to a number of perks that are only available to members:

• Find a list of upcoming events designed for those in academia, including conferences, webinars and workshops. Check out all AAC&U events at aacu.org/events.
• Check out the latest news from AAC&U and about higher education at aacu.org/newsroom and get news and event details delivered straight to your email inbox.
• Read the latest publications from AAC&U, designed for students and employees alike to stay up on the latest trends and developments at aacu.org/publications.
• Find even more benefits at the Membership Marketplace, including discounted rates for a number of higher education services and products.

Get started by making your account with AAC&U and put Wichita State University as your affiliated institution, and encourage your students to take advantage of their benefits as members of an AAC&U institution.

The HR Total Rewards team reminds staff and faculty that the application window for summer 2026 Tuition Assistance will be open from Sunday, Feb. 15 through April 15.

Just a reminder, Tuition Assistance applications for summer 2026 are submitted through the Online Application Form.

Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied. There will be no exceptions.

Full program details can be found at wichita.edu/tuitionassistance.

Questions may be directed to tuitionassistance@wichita.edu.

The Faculty Ombuds helps faculty explore options for addressing concerns in a way that supports fairness, equity and respect. Working with ombuds can foster a more inclusive and collaborative university community.
Learn more about the Faculty Ombuds at wichita.edu/ombuds.

The table below is to assist instructors with certain dates regarding CES. These dates are for the spring 2026 semester.

• The first column includes the various start/end (part-of-term) dates for spring semester courses.
• The second column includes dates meant for instructors. This is the timeframe when instructors will receive emails about the CES process and procedures that they should complete. Instructors will receive additional emails during and after the student CES access dates.
• The last column includes the dates that CES will be available for the students to complete course evaluations.

The full CES administrative schedule can always be found on the website.

If your course is in bold, then your spring 2026 CES evaluation process will start soon. Review the start/end dates in each column so you know when your access to the CES system will start and end.

Discover fresh ideas, spark innovation and energize your teaching with “Teaching Matters” — a podcast created for WSU faculty who are passionate about student success. Each episode connects you with practical tools, evidence-based strategies and campus partners ready to support your work in the classroom and beyond.

Hear insights from colleagues across campus, learn about programs you can implement right away and explore approaches that improve learning, engagement and retention.

If you’re looking for inspiration, collaboration or simply new ways to support your students, this podcast is your next stop. Listen and explore at wichita.edu/teachingmatters.

Periodically, information will be posted regarding Watermark’s Course Evaluations & Surveys (CES) tool to help users better understand Wichita State’s course evaluation tool.

Today’s focus is on emails.

• CES uses email communication to send out information regarding the evaluation process. 
• Emails will come from WSU Evaluations (evaluations@ces.wichita.edu).
• Emails are sent according to a specific timeline. CES operates from the course’s part-of-term, meaning the course start and end dates will determine when emails are sent out.
• If you teach courses that are in different terms, you will receive duplicate emails. These emails provide information that pertains to that part-of-term.
• The emails will also inform instructors if they need to take any specific actions regarding their course(s) within CES. 
• Students will receive an email certificate once an evaluation is submitted.
• There is a dedicated CES website that includes additional information.

For questions, contact Sandra Ranney at evaluations@ces.wichita.edu.

Multiple opportunities to engage with the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College are available to faculty and staff. Visit the Resources for Faculty in Honors page for more information.

• Propose an Honors seminar course: Submit a seminar course proposal through the Course Information Management (CIM) system by March 1 for the following spring. Include information in your syllabus about what makes the course Honors. You may use the separate course proposal form for more preliminary ideas and discussion with the faculty council. For more information about current Honors courses, visit the undergraduate catalog.
• Departmental honors courses: Departments may offer an honors (H- suffix) section of any existing department course by adding a cross-listed course through the CIM system. These courses are scheduled and supported by the department. Department chairs are welcome to contact your college’s honors faculty council member with any questions.
• Faculty-initiated honors options: Faculty may invite any student (honors students and students who are not in honors) to earn honors credit for a department course. Each student pursuing a faculty-initiated honors option must submit an honors option agreement form. A student may initiate an honors option in a course by talking with the instructor before the third week of the semester. The submission deadline may be extended for faculty-invited honors option agreements.
• Just curious about Honors? Sign up to receive the honors weekly update, a Friday email with information and opportunities, by emailing honors@wichita.edu

The Shocker Share-A-Meal program sends alerts when leftover, free food is available on campus after catered events. When there are extra portions, anyone who is signed up will receive a notification so they can take advantage of the leftovers.

This initiative helps reduce food waste while keeping the community informed about available leftovers. Signing up is quick, secure and open to all – faculty and staff with a WSU ID and currently enrolled students.

Sign up at wichita.edu/shareameal.