Shocker Blast: Friday, Jan. 12, 2024

Health and Safety

Advice to prevent cold weather illnesses and injuries

As Kansas expects freezing weather, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) offers advice on how to stay safe and avoid cold weather-related health issues:

Wear appropriate clothing: Hat, scarf or mask that covers face/mouth, a water-resistant coat, gloves, several layers of loose-fitting clothing and water-resistant boots.
Pay special attention to most-affected body parts: Nose, ears, toes, cheeks, chin and fingers.
Know the signs: If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, they should seek medical attention immediately.
- Hypothermia: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness
- Frostbite: Redness or pain on skin may be the first sign of frostbite. Other signs include a white or grayish-yellow area on skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, or numbness
Monitor those at high risk: Although anyone can experience hypothermia and frostbite, some individuals are at a higher risk.

For questions, contact Student Health Services at student.health@wichita.edu or call 316-978-4792.

Learn more safety tips from the KDHE Learn about other health advisories

Parking and Traffic

Parking garage add-on ePermits are still available

Parking Services announced last month the creation of a parking garage add-on ePermit for the spring semester. Any current ePermit holder is eligible to purchase this add-on for $50. The add-on will allow ePermit holders to park on floor two, the ramp to three, floor three and the ramp to four at anytime in the spring semester without having to pay the hourly rate.

This ePermit is for sale in person at the University Police Department. Payment is to be with cash or check only and a limited amount of these ePermits are still available. You must have a current ePermit on file or you will be required to buy one at the time of the add-on purchase.

This is the first semester the add-on is available. Because this is a pilot program, Parking Services is open to feedback and will look to make any necessary adjustments before offering the add-on again in the fall.

Guide to parking on campus: Use campus signage to help you park

Wichita State posts signs at every parking lot on campus to help you find where to park.

The signs feature big block letters and colors: “V” and white for visitors; “S” and green for students; and “F” and yellow for faculty and staff. Reserved lots and parking spaces are marked with red signage.

ePermits can be purchased online and are required to park in student, faculty and staff parking lots while school is in session during the enforcement period from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may park without an ePermit three times each semester before an ePermit is required.

And check out the interactive campus map to find parking lots. Simply select “Parking and Transportation” from the navigation menu and choose the type of parking you’re looking for.

Learn more about parking at WSU

Events and Recreation

Attend Pee for Pizza event Jan. 18

Student Health Services (SHS) is hosting its next Pee for Pizza event from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA.

Pee for Pizza is a sexual health awareness event that allows participants to test for sexually transmitted illnesses such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C and know their status at no additional charge. Pizza is also provided to participants.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza is by reservation only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact SHS at 316-978-4792. Other testing is available upon request.

Campus community invited to biweekly legislative update session

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State. The next meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 12 in 101 Morrison Hall.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students and is held every other Friday following each legislative session.

University Life

Wichita State invites students to enjoy hot cocoa to kick off spring semester

Start the semester off warm and cozy by enjoying hot cocoa with the colleges. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 and Thursday, Jan. 18, the academic colleges at WSU will serve Shockers hot cocoa to ring in the new semester.

Each college will serve the hot cocoa in their respective buildings:

College of Applied Studies: Heskett Center and Corbin Education Center lobbies
Barton School of Business: Woolsey Hall lobby
College of Engineering: Wallace Hall lobby
Fairmount College/Honors College: Lindquist Hall lobby
College of Fine Arts: Duerksen Fine Arts Center in the Miller Lobby
College of Health Professions: Ahlberg Hall lobby

For questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 316-978-3021.