Category: From the President

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.

President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case cordially invite you to the faculty and staff Wichita State Winter Party 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Shirley Beggs Ballroom located in the Rhatigan Student Center.

The President’s Executive Team will be there to greet attendees at this come and go event. Winter Party attendees will receive a complimentary holiday mug while supplies last. There will be one mug available per person.

To attend, RSVP for one of the three time slots listed at the official RSVP link no later than today, Dec. 1.

Greetings, Shocker family! This year has flown by, and we’re already looking toward the holiday season. I want to thank you all for your hard work and dedication to Wichita State University. As a token of my appreciation, I’m happy to remind you of the following announcements for our hardworking faculty and staff:

First, the university will be giving all benefits-eligible faculty and staff members, with the exception of the President’s Executive Team, a $500 bonus with their paycheck today, Nov. 12.

Second, WSU is providing benefits-eligible employees two personal days away from work during the upcoming campus shutdown. Employees will not have to use accrued leave and may take these days between Dec. 18 and Jan. 2.

It’s my hope that you’ll use the monetary bonus and the extra paid days off to make the end of 2021 a little bit brighter.

See these frequently asked questions for more information on your bonus and leave days.

And finally, I’d like to invite all of you to the Wichita State 2021 Winter Party. Please join me from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8 in the RSC Beggs Ballroom. We’ll have a winter wonderland full of foods from around the world, beverages, Shocker pride, and festive spirits. I hope to see you all there!

Again, thank you so much for all you’ve done this year. Your dedication to our students and our university has been sincerely appreciated and valued, and I look forward to another year with Shocker Nation.

Go Shockers!

Shocker students,

Welcome to the 2021-2022 academic year! I hope you had a fun and productive summer. Here at WSU, we have been preparing for positive and exciting changes and growth. One area we are pleased to share is being led by Wichita State’s Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance (OIEC).

Beginning this fall, OIEC is partnering with Student Government Association and Student Affairs on a number of initiatives to increase education and awareness of Title IX and campus safety, as well as continuing to expand the accessibility and transparency of OIEC resources and processes.

One of these initiatives is the Sexual Assault Prevention training requirement for all WSU students, faculty and staff. You should have received an email announcing that an online course has been assigned to you by Wichita State University. It is important that you complete this training on or before Oct. 24, 2021. The training will take no more than an hour and a half.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the training can be found on OIEC’s website.

If you would like to report sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation, go to www.wichita.edu/reportit.

Sincerely,

President Rick Muma

It’s great to see so many Shocker faces on campus! Keep yourself safe and healthy, enjoy our beautiful campus, and best of luck this semester.