Category: News

Beginning Aug. 25, all WSU employees and 1099 contractors should submit their International Travel Requests through WSU’s Team Dynamix Client Portal.

This process allows for the assessment of information provided by you about your upcoming international travel and WSU’s Policy 13.20 requirements and restrictions. Remember, you should start this review process at least 30 days prior to your departure date, and any requests for international travel that exceed 21 calendar days in duration or include travel to elevated risk locations will be denied. 

Assessments submitted through the portal are typically complete within 48 hours of submission. However, timelines may be extended based on the complexity of the situation and current availability of personnel and resources.

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, for a third time, has recognized Wichita State with a Highly Established Action Plan Seal designation.

WSU is joined by only 230 other universities in the country with this designation and is the only four-year university in Kansas.

This recognition is made possible by the efforts of Student Engagement and Belonging and the Shockers Vote! Coalition, and the extensive, nonpartisan programming and outreach both groups do to promote a civically engaged student population at WSU.

Wichita State was one of only 82 inaugural universities to receive the award in 2022. Since then, WSU has been recognized during each election cycle, in 2024 and now in 2026.

Update: The Barton School of Business Centennial Bash 5K Run/Walk has been moved to the campus sidewalks, meaning no lot or road closures will be necessary. The event will still start at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Students, do you love Wichita State? Do you love new Shocker gear? Do you enjoy creating engaging Instagram content? If so, apply to become a Shocker Store brand ambassador.

Selected students will work with the Shocker Store to use Instagram and other avenues to increase student knowledge of Shocker Store products, services and more. As a bonus, you’ll receive free Shocker merchandise.

Deadline to apply is Sept. 9. For more information or to apply, visit wichita.edu/shockerstoreamb.

The Wichita State University Police Department maintains the university’s lost and found program and works to reunite lost items with their owners.

If you have lost an item:

Students, faculty, staff and visitors who have lost an item on campus should:

• Contact the WSU Police Department at 316-978-3450 to inquire about lost property.
• Submit a lost item report online.
• Provide as much detail as possible, including the item’s description, location and approximate date and time it was lost.

Note that lost and found items are retained for 30 days before they are disposed of in accordance with university policy.

Help UPD return your property:

The easiest way to recover lost property is to ensure it can be identified and returned to you.

UPD strongly recommends:

• Marking personal belongings with your Shocker ID number at a minimum.
• Whenever possible, also include your name and phone number using a permanent method such as an engraved tag, permanent marker or durable label.
• Labeling items commonly lost on campus, including water bottles, calculators, backpacks, keys, bicycles, laptops and chargers.

For electronic devices:

• Set your lock screen or wallpaper to display contact information such as your name, phone number or email address.
• Use device features that allow lost devices to display a contact message while locked.
• Keep device registration and serial number information in a safe place.

Taking a few minutes to identify your belongings can significantly increase the chances of having them returned if they are lost.

If you’ve found something on campus, bring it to the WSU Police Department so they can help return it to its owner.

All lost and found items should be turned in to the University Police Department. UPD maintains a log of both found items and items reported lost to help reunite property with its owner as quickly as possible.

If your building maintains its own lost and found area, UPD requests following these procedures:

• If a wallet, electronic device or other valuable item is turned in to you, call 316-978-6315 to report the item and arrange for pickup or deliver it directly to UPD.
• Submit all found items to the University Police Department on a bi-weekly basis. This allows UPD to compare items against its lost property records and increases the chances of returning them to their rightful owners.
• If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Jenni O’Crowley at jenni.ocrowley@wichita.edu.
• Anyone who has lost an item should be directed to UPD or encouraged to submit a report.

Note: In accordance with UPD’s Lost and Found Policy, items are held for 30 days before being disposed of.

If you have a parking or traffic citation dated May-August, you are eligible to donate to get your fines waived. Donations may be dropped off at the Student Engagement & Belonging office in 216 Rhatigan Student Center between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4.

Here is a quick guide for donation numbers and types:

Parking citations:

• $0-$30 tickets – Must donate 10 non-perishable food or hygiene items
• $31-$50 tickets – Must donate 15 non-perishable food or hygiene items

Traffic citations:

• $45 tickets – Must donate two household/hygiene items. This can include but is not limited to tissues, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, etc.
• $75 tickets – Must donate one baby item. This can include but is not limited to baby formula, diapers, wipes, etc.

If you have any questions, reach out to Lauren Madison at lauren.madison@wichita.edu or stop by the Student Government Association office in 219 RSC.

As WSU starts the fall 2026 semester, you will notice ongoing and new construction across Wichita State University’s 330 acres and beyond:

Crossland Stadium:

Construction is underway on Phase 2 of the stadium replacement project on the recently named Crossland Stadium. Demolition of the west grandstand is well underway and anticipated to be complete at the end of August.

Construction of the new west stadium will be phased to ensure that seating is available for the 2027 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships. Construction is scheduled to be completed before the 2028 KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships.

Wichita Biomedical Campus:

Construction continues on the Wichita Biomedical Campus building in downtown Wichita. Signage on the south side of the building was recently installed. The 350,000-square-foot building opens for classes in the summer of 2027.

Wilkins Stadium (Wadsworth Team Operations Center):

Construction is underway on the Wadsworth Team Operations Center, an addition to the indoor practice facility for the softball team completed last year. The project is anticipated to be completed in early 2027. The facility will include a locker room, team room, offices and athletic training areas for the Shocker softball team.

CAC Theater:

Construction is complete in the first phase of the accessibility upgrades to the theater. Improvements include an exterior wheelchair lift, widened entry doors, the addition of an accessible restroom and ticket booth, and an accessible seating platform within the theater area.

Ablah Library/Geology Building renovation:

Construction is complete on the second floor of the library for a project to relocate the Holmes Anthropology Museum from its former location in Neff Hall. A grand opening will be held later this year.

The museum relocation is the first step to vacating the building in preparation for demolition of Neff Hall. The anthropology department will relocate to the Geology Building in early 2027 following the ongoing renovation in the Geology Building.

St. Paul Catholic Student Center:

Construction of a parking lot and improved plumbing and drainage was completed this summer. The access road on 17th St. is now available to access both the Gaddis Physical Plant and St. Paul. A new rectory for priests, seminarians and guests will be completed by spring 2027. 

Henrion Hall HVAC improvements Phase 3 and 4:

Construction continues in Henrion Hall for a project to provide air conditioning to the remainder of the building following recent projects in the sculpture and ceramics classroom areas as well as relocating and expanding the wood shop.

The project will be phased to allow the building to remain occupied but will affect building entrances and classroom/studio spaces throughout the year. Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

Internet exchange point:

Construction is underway on the IXP facility on the north side of 21st Street across from Eck Stadium. The building will be the first internet exchange port in the state of Kansas. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early fall.

Vivian Zavataro, executive and creative director of Wichita State University’s Ulrich Museum of Art, has announced that she will be leaving the university effective Sept. 18 to become executive and artistic director at the Riverside Art and The Cheech Museum in California.

Since joining Wichita State, Zavataro has helped advance the Ulrich’s mission as a nationally recognized university art museum, strengthened community engagement and led numerous initiatives that have expanded the museum’s impact on campus and throughout the region.

“Vivian’s leadership, creativity and commitment to the arts have left a lasting mark on the Ulrich Museum and Wichita State University,” said Dr. Monica Lounsbery, senior executive vice president and provost. “We are grateful for her many contributions and wish her continued success in her new role.”

The university will announce plans for interim leadership and the search for the museum’s next executive and creative director in the coming weeks.

Balancing classes while raising children takes dedication, resilience and heart. This September, during Student Parent Month, the Office of Online and Adult Learning (OAL) would love to spotlight the experiences of students who are juggling academics and family caregiving responsibilities.

Would you be willing to share your story? OAL would love to learn about your journey, your challenges and successes and the routines or moments that help you stay motivated.

By sharing your experience, you can help create a stronger sense of community for fellow student-parents while inspiring others who are navigating similar paths. Your story matters, and we’d be honored to help tell it.

If you have questions, call 316-978-8325 or email oal@wichita.edu.