Shocker Blast: Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021

COVID-19 Updates

Student guide updated for fall 2021 semester

The fall semester has begun, and we’re excited about your return to campus!

Because COVID-19 continues to require flexibility in our daily lives, we will continue throughout this time to keep you updated on what you need to know for a successful school year.

We have updated our student guide with new information about classes, health and safety, campus events, and more.

See fall 2021 student guide

Tuesday Talks: Camille explains COVID-19 vaccines

For this week’s episode of Tuesday Talks, watch as Nurse Heather Stafford, Student Health Services associate director; Camille Childers, SHS director; Dr. James Keller, SHS medical director, and Kaylee Hervey, Sedgwick County program manager, as they discuss the myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccination.

View Aug. 10 Tuesday Talks

WSU students eligible for vaccine incentives

Join your fellow Shockers and fight the spread of COVID-19. Visit myShockerHealth portal to submit verification of your COVID-19 vaccination. Once you have submitted your vaccination verification, your name will be entered in a prize drawing Aug. 27-Sept. 3.

Read more of WSU students eligible for vaccine incentives

Learn more about the contest in this TikTok clip

News

Webpage helps students navigate course designs

Wichita State University provides its students with a webpage that contains information about course designs for classes. The webpage is based on submissions and updates made by faculty.

Students can see how much of their courses are expected to be in-person, what the exam requirements include, and what to do on their first day of class.

If instructors have not provided information, students can contact them directly.

Course Design webpage

McNair Scholars closing symposium available to watch

Due to COVID-19, the 26th annual McNair Scholars closing symposium took place with an online platform for 2021. The research presentations are now available via YouTube.

Please take time to view these presentations. Each presentation required approximately 200 hours of research for each student.

In addition to the presentations, the Bradley Cole Poster Competition took place as part of the symposium. There were a total of 160 Votes. The winners are as follows:

Brenda Le — First place
Tasnya Rowe — Second place
Andrea Martinez — Third place

Despite the challenges presented by working primarily in an online environment, we are immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of each student. Please join us in celebrating their achievements.

Watch 26th annual McNair Scholars closing symposium

Events and Recreation

Clash of the Colleges registration closing Aug. 18

Wichita State’s First-Year Programs in Student Success and Campus Recreation invite you to join us for Clash of the Colleges on Friday, Aug. 20. Registration will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18.

This event will include relay races, team sports and other competitions between academic colleges to determine who rules the school. Come by yourself or with a group of other new students. All students are required to sign up on the RSVP form before the event.

Please note that registration is first-come, first-served. Virtual Games are also available. Participate in these games from the comfort of your home to win points for your college. Virtual games will go live on the Clash of the Colleges website Aug. 20-27.

President Muma leads freedom of expression panel

Join President Rick Muma, Dr. Teri Hall, Student Affairs vice president, and Dr. Neal Allen — Political Science associate professor, department chair, undergraduate advisor and WSU Washington and Topeka internship coordinator — as they discuss, “Supporting freedom of expression on campus” at noon today, Aug. 11.

Join President Rick Muma, Dr. Teri Hall, Student Affairs vice president, and Dr. Neal Allen — political science associate professor, department chair, undergraduate advisor, and WSU Washington D.C. and Topeka internship coordinator — as they discuss, “Supporting freedom of expression on campus” at noon Aug. 11.

The discussion is part of the Academic Resources Conference Aug. 9-12. The focus of the event is how the campus community can support freedom of expression in classes and on campus. A live stream of the event will also be available via YouTube.

All staff, instructors and campus partners are invited to attend the August Academic Resources Conference which begins today, Aug. 9 through Aug. 12. The events are free, online and open to the campus community. One event each day this week will be offered in a HyFlex format so you can participate online or in-person 2-2:50 p.m. at Devlin Hall (room 010). Please email the Office of Instructional Resources at OIR@wichita.edu if you require an accommodation to participate. The schedule for Aug. 9 is as follows:

Watch 'Supporting freedom of expression on campus'

New food truck joins WSU’s lineup today

Face Stuffers Food Wagon is joining the lineup at Wichita State’s food Truck Plaza 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today, Aug. 11. You can get your meal to go or spread out on socially distanced picnic tables or green space.

View Face Stuffers Food Wagon menu

Suspenders4Hope run and walk Sept. 11

Help support mental wellness and suicide prevention in our local community and register for the first Suspenders4Hope 5K Run for Hope and One-Mile Walk to Remember 8 a.m. Sept. 11 beginning at the Rhatigan Student Center.

This campus event will take place during National Suicide Prevention Week. All proceeds will go to StopSuicideICT, a local collaborative and non-profit.

Involvement Fair 2021 registration available

Join Student Involvement for the 2021 Involvement Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 26 outside of the Rhatigan Student Center. All campus resources, student organizations and volunteer entities are invited to participate.

For more information, email getinvolved@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3022.

Featured Stories

Mullis appointed WSU Army ROTC department chair

U.S. Army Capt. Scot Mullis is the next Wichita State University Army Reserve Officers’ Training (ROTC) military department chair and assistant professor.

Mullis has been an APMS with Wichita State ROTC since September of 2020. He is a 2010 graduate from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in history and he is currently pursuing his Master of Arts in education.

WSU researcher advocates for a community approach to stop bullying

Multidimensional support systems are the key to preventing bullying and cyberbullying and can help lessen the psychosocial side effects of being a victim of bullying, according to a study done by one Wichita State researcher.

“To prevent school bullying and cyberbullying, teachers, parents, siblings, peers, neighbors, community, job status, religion and school policy must be involved in the prevention program,” said Dr. Jeoung Min Lee, assistant professor in Wichita State University’s School of Social Work.

Programs and Courses

Philosophy of Sex and Love course available

The Philosophy of Sex and Love is available for the fall 2021 semester at Wichita State. The course offers a comparative approach to philosophical traditions of the east and the west, from ancient to contemporary. It also examines the ethical, metaphysical and conceptual dimensions of sex and love, familial relationships, gender roles and friendship. The course counts for Asian Studies certificate credits.

For more information, visit the Wichita State University fall 2021 catalog or email xiufen.lu@wichita.edu.

New sustainability and innovation course added

Wichita State University now offers an Applied Sustainability in Innovation course through the College of Innovation and Design. This interdisciplinary minor allows students to select courses from departments all across campus to pursue a broad, holistic educational approach to current topics in sustainability and is available for fall 2021.

Special Offers

Back-to-school sale at Shocker Store

Save on back-to-school items at the Shocker Store Aug. 9-21 at the Rhatigan Student Center store.

Customers can take 20% off backpacks and 10% off school and art supplies. Kits and electronics not included.

Save with Shocker Store Access Now program

If your course is part of the Access Now program, you can now save money on your course materials.

Access Now is a collaborative program among the Shocker Store, faculty, and publishers. Students enrolled in this program will have access to the required course materials on or before the first day of class.

Be sure to purchase your digital content by the add or drop date.

For more information on Access Now visit the website