Category: Faculty and Staff Resources

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.

Join the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 29. And if your team is looking to order promo items for your office, visit the Vendor Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The opening session, breakout sessions and Vendor Fair will all be held on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Attendees may choose to attend two of five sessions.

The new KPERS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan representative, Mike Crabtree, will be on campus for meetings by appointment with employees from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 27 in 240 Rhatigan Student Center, Mayfield Room.

Early conversations can prevent small issues from becoming major problems. Faculty ombudspersons are available to help faculty address concerns informally, before they rise to the level of a grievance. Connect confidentially at wichita.edu/ombuds.

Faculty and staff are invited to join an on-campus training session facilitated by Donna Louden, who brings extensive experience as a trainer and as a member of the International Ombuds Association. This workshop provides practical, everyday skills that can improve your work environment and strengthen campus connections.

Why attend?

• Build confidence in navigating difficult conversations
• Gain tools for active listening and fostering trust
• Understand how an ombuds approach can support a more positive, fair workplace
• Explore whether future ombuds service might interest you

Whether you’re curious about the ombuds role or want to strengthen your everyday communication toolkit, this introductory training is for you.

Mark your calendars now for 12:30 to 3 p.m. April 3.

Contact Carolyn Shaw at carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu to reserve your place today.

When entering activity information in Watermark Faculty Success, there are several new developments that may be helpful to you this Faculty Annual Activity Report (FAAR) season. There are new “Additional Documentation” file upload fields in over 15 activity areas.

In the areas of publications; presentations; contracts, fellowships, grants and sponsored research; intellectual property; research activity; and exhibits and performances, the “People at WSU” fields are no longer linked, meaning each scholar will enter their own data in the best possible way to express their unique contribution in collaborative work.

There is a new program view being phased in by Watermark. This will not be a permanent switch until late spring of 2026, but you may wish to become familiar with the new look.

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.

Award for Research/Creative Projects in Summer (ARCS) proposals are due to the Office of Research no later than 5 p.m. Feb. 6, 2026.  The ARCS opportunity provides funding of up to $4,000 to enable faculty to pursue research or creative projects during the summer.

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.

The Office of Faculty Advancement, Retention, and Excellence (FARE) is hosting a research and writing sprint for faculty from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 14-16 at Wichita State Connect. Before the semester gets busy, join FARE for a quiet space to write and the camaraderie of your colleagues all crushing their writing goals.

FARE will provide drinks, snacks and lunch on the first day. Faculty can choose from half days or whole days. You say you can only come one day? No problem. Come as you are able to. Contact fare@wichita.edu with any questions.

The University Staff Senate has established a scholarship to support the advancement of WSU staff and their dependents. Staff members or their dependents beginning or continuing their first bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply. This scholarship can be combined with university Tuition Assistance and other awards and can be used for tuition, books and fees.

Applications for the University Staff Senate Scholarship close Feb. 1, 2026 for the fall 2026 award. For more information and to apply, visit the Staff Senate Scholarship webpage.