Category: From the President

Today marks two years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic; but more than that, it’s two years since the true mettle of Shocker Nation was tested.

While we mourn the loss of far too many lives to this virus, it’s my hope that everyone will find some comfort in the closeness and support of our Shocker family. To some, it might feel like the past two years were stolen from us and lost in a sea of quarantines, COVID testing and uncertainty. But I think it’s important to reflect upon our collective achievements as one community:

• When the world shut down, we found a way to stay open; and our students, faculty and staff flipped on a dime to become fully remote in a matter of days.
• When our health care workers were in desperate need of PPE, we led an alliance of businesses to create, collect, and distribute masks, gloves and face shields.
• When our community and state leaders told us we needed to be able to quickly diagnose, quarantine and treat those infected, we erected the Molecular Diagnostics Lab.
• Although COVID has been a constantly changing and evolving situation, we’ve worked diligently to communicate health and safety changes throughout our campus.
• Workers at our Student Health Center has worked tirelessly to get vaccines into the arms of our students, faculty, staff and innovation partners.

We, as an entire planet, have endured so much in that time. Here in Shocker Nation, it’s something we have endured together.

While the pandemic isn’t over, we are starting to feel a palpable sense of hope and optimism that some normalcy — or at least a new normalcy — will return.

To all of you — my colleagues, our amazing Shocker students, and the families and communities who support Wichita State — thank you. Thank you for your understanding, grace and willingness to change the way you teach and learn and communicate.

Thank you for being the best part of Shocker Nation.

President Rick Muma

For the February episode of “Forward Together,” President Rick Muma, Shocker head basketball coach Isaac Brown, and Chamber of Wichita chief executive officer John Rolfe as they discuss making higher education more accessible.

Muma hosts “Forward Together” each month during the fall and spring semesters.

The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good. 

Dear Shockers,

I’m so happy to have you back on campus for the spring semester. I’m so proud of your hard work, dedication and flexibility through these trying times. Please know you always have my support. I’m excited to see what you accomplish this semester.

Go Shockers,

President Rick Muma

Dear colleagues,

I’m so happy to have you back on campus for the spring semester. Thank you for your role in all of our accomplishments and for doing your part to work hard for our students during these trying times. Together we will continue to flourish.

Go Shockers,

President Rick Muma

Dear Shocker family: Thank you for all you’ve done this year to help our Wichita State thrive and for all you’ve done to support our students, our university, and all of Shocker Nation.

Check out this video presentation of President Rick Muma congratulating the 1,100 Shockers graduating at the fall 2021 commencement ceremony. This is the 124th fall commencement ceremony at Wichita State.

Shockers,  

An injunction was issued Dec. 7 by a federal judge in Georgia halting the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for federal government contractors and subcontractors. Because of this injunction, Wichita State University is suspending the employee vaccine mandate requirement and process, effective immediately. Employees are not required to be vaccinated as a condition of employment at the university.   

We have all become accustomed during this COVID-19 crisis to adapting and pivoting quickly when needed. This is yet another example where our university community continues to demonstrate their commitment to compliance, the health and safety of our community, and adjusting when necessary. We will continue to monitor and communicate any further changes on this and other COVID-19 related requirements. 

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to continue to take all reasonable steps to protect your health and to combat the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone to be vaccinated and to get the vaccine booster. Vaccines are readily available at no charge by appointment at the WSU Student Health Center to WSU employees and students, and at most major pharmacies. Employees may also explore options near them at vaccines.gov. 

Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our university! 

President Rick Muma   

Warm wishes for a happy and safe holiday, Shockers! A message from first gentleman Rick Case and President Muma.

Hello Shockers, 

As we begin closing out the year and begin planning for a new semester, we also look ahead to positive changes at Wichita State. One area of growth we’re pleased to share is being led by our Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).  

The goal of this work is to increase education and awareness of federal non-discrimination laws, sexual and campus safety, and to expand the accessibility and transparency of OIEC resources and processes.   

A recent survey aimed at gauging Title IX awareness and prevention indicated that 70% of employees and 63% of students feel discrimination and harassment training should be mandatory. Based on those survey results, we will now require all faculty and staff to complete discrimination and harassment prevention training annually.  

Starting today, Dec. 6, the “Preventing Harassment and Discrimination” training will be accessible on the Faculty/Staff tab on the myWSU page under “Employee Required Training.” Student employees can access the training on the myFinances tab under “Student Required Training.”

Employees are required to complete this training once every academic year. The completion deadline for all current employees is Feb. 1, 2022.   

Consistent with the survey and the Student Government Association’s resolution supporting mandatory Sexual Assault Prevention training, a student version of this training was made mandatory for all WSU students this past fall. 

About the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance  

OIEC is committed to ensuring a work and educational environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.  OIEC is a university resource and encourages Wichita State community members to reach out with any questions about related policies and processes.    

Thank you for your cooperation and support for this important initiative. 

Dr. Rick Muma, president  
Mike Irvin, interim executive director of Institutional Equity and Compliance   

President Muma’s ‘Forward Together’ podcast launches today

A new podcast about all things Shocker Nation has launched. 

“Forward Together” will be hosted each month during the fall and spring semesters by President Rick Muma. 

The “Forward Together” podcast celebrates the vision and mission of Wichita State University. In each episode, President Muma will talk with guests from throughout Shocker Nation to highlight the people and priorities that guide WSU on its road to becoming an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater good. 

The podcast borrows its name from the monthly campus/community newsletter, “Forward Together,” which you should have received yesterday. The podcast is an opportunity to hear about similar university topics first-hand from President Muma and his guests. There is also a video version of the podcast available. 

November’s episode: 
In this inaugural edition, we focus on digital transformation in the arts. We’re joined by Shocker alum Dean Hargrove — writer, director and producer, whose credits include “Columbo” and “Matlock” — and Wichita State’s dean of the College of Fine Arts, Dr. Rodney Miller.

How to listen:
“Forward Together” is available at Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, Apple Podcasts (iTunes), and www.wichita.edu/ftpodcast, Coming soon, it will also be available wherever you get your podcasts. When you subscribe, you’ll be notified when new episodes drop.