Category: University Life

This semester has been trying for so many, but we made it. Many thanks to President Muma, WSU administration, faculty and staff — and last but far from least — our students for making this fall one for the record books.

We in the African American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA) would like to wish you the happiest of holidays! May your celebration or simply rest and relaxation be accompanied with meaningful friends and family.

I’d also like to take a moment to show our appreciation for this year’s AAFSA scholarship recipients:

1. Tamia Trotter (nursing)
2. Breasia Williams (strategic communication)
3. Brandon Griffith (computer engineering and entrepreneurship)
4. Destanee Brigman-Reed (nursing, public health and communication)

Halloween can be a night for people to celebrate and have fun, but that is not the case for everyone. Many college students are currently brainstorming what, or who, they will be for the night. While some people do not intend to wear something offensive, certain costumes can invoke stereotypes that lead to racism, discrimination, and in some cases an increase in violence in those communities.

Whether the harm is intended or not, the result is the same and minoritized communities experience heightened anxiety and tension as they experience these stereotypes. It is important to understand how some costumes are offensive to others and their respective heritage and culture.

One of the main areas of concern is cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation is “the act of adopting elements of an outside, often minority culture, including knowledge, practices, and symbols, without understanding or respecting the original culture and context.” As you decide what, or who you will be this Halloween, take the necessary steps to make certain you will not appropriate someone’s culture.

Remember: A culture is not a costume.

The Shocker Chess club is looking to ramp up its activities for this academic year after a hiatus last year. If you are interested in joining this student organization, please send an email to the club’s faculty advisor Vinod Namboodiri at Vinod.Namboodiri@wichita.edu. The club plans to conduct games both in-person and online and build a community around this royal game.

KVersity, a campus K-pop and hip-hop dance group, will host its first general member meeting 4-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at Hubbard Hall (room 209). This meeting is open to the entire campus community.

If you’re interested in joining our group, this is the perfect time to learn more about KVersity, meet new people and participate in activities. 

Experience the entire month-long celebration as students return to campus to begin the fall 2021 semester.

Welcomefest takes place during the first four weeks of each semester and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include Back to School Bash, Clash of the Colleges, and Involvement Fair.

Hosted by various student groups and campus departments, most events are free and give all students a chance to get acquainted with each other, learn their way around campus, and find ways to connect with the community.

WSU Student Improv Club will again take place at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Wilner Auditorium (room 204). The club will meet outdoors as needed.

There will also be WSU Student Improv Discord available for participants to join a chat, view scheduling, and for access to the auditorium.

For more information, contact wsustudentimprov@gmail.com.

Do you have a love for food? An undying curiosity for the world around you? Are you interested in learning about packaged food from around the world? Wichita State’s Exotic Packaged Food Appreciation Society is looking for members to fill leadership roles and sample new food at our club meetings.

From jerky to candy, ramen to soda, members will get to taste a rich variety of packaged food, learn about the packaging process, materials used, sustainability and the future of the snacks we love so much.

For more information or to become a member, email mnbastian@shockers.wichita.edu.

This unique museum displays cultural objects from all over the world. All of the exhibits were created by students and new exhibits are installed every spring semester.  The collection is also available for research by students and faculty.

The Holmes Museum of Anthropology is located in Neff Hall. The main gallery is located on the first floor, and there are exhibit cases and photo exhibits throughout the building. The main gallery is  open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment and is always free. For more information, you can explore our website www.wichita.edu/holmesmuseum or email holmes.museum@wichita.edu.

The following are summer hours for Ablah Library:

• May 17-31
  • Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 1-5 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed
• June 1-July 23
  • M through Thursday: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 1-7 p.m.
• July 24-Aug. 15
  • Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 1-5 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

For more info on all libraries’ hours, visit libraries.wichita.edu/hours or call our information line at (316) 978-3481.