Shocker Blast: Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022

Health and Safety Updates

Shocker health and safety update

As the fall 2022 semester officially gets underway, we want to remind all Shockers that your health and safety are our priority at Wichita State. We’ve all endured the past two-plus years of uncertainty regarding COVID-19, and now we have the monkeypox virus to think about, too. Please rest assured that your WSU health officials – as well as university leaders – are continuing to monitor public health and government safety guidelines and will keep in close contact with local health officials regarding the latest updates and best practices. With that in mind, we want to remind you of the resources available to you, both on campus and off campus, as you make your personal health safety choices. COVID vaccinations and boosters: Free walk-in vaccines and boosters are available at Student Health Services in the YMCA/Student Wellness Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free walk-in vaccines and boosters are also available at Koch Arena, hosted by Sedgwick County, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 7 and Sept. 14. Get full information about vaccines and boosters here. COVID testing: Free walk-in COVID testing is available through Student Health Services in the YMCA/Student Wellness Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Get full information about testing here. Free COVID testing, by appointment, is available through WSU’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) at 4174 S. Oliver. Get full details about testing at the MDL here. You can also order a free at-home test at https://special.usps.com/testkits. Monkeypox: Student Health Services and university leaders are closely monitoring public health and safety guidance from the CDC and local health officials when it comes to the latest information and safety guidelines regarding monkeypox. Pursuant to current Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidance, the risk of monkeypox spreading in Kansas remains low at this time. But as we’ve done since early 2020, we remain flexible and will continue to monitor the situation and be prepared to adjust if necessary. Masking: Masking while indoors is always an encouraged option, as is proper hand washing and staying home when sick. If you feel sick: Go to or call Student Health Services or visit with your preferred physician. Students can reach out to their instructor if they are sick and unable to make it to class. The latest information on COVID and monkeypox can be viewed at the Student Health Services web page.

Events

Join the SCA for annual Career Connection Root Beer Kegger today

Students are invited to enjoy a hot dog and an ice-cold root beer while learning valuable information about Shocker Career Accelerator 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Aug. 31, at the east Hubbard Hall lawn. Students will also have an opportunity to network with more than 40 employers and find out what employment opportunities are available. To attend, students must present their WSU student ID. Student attire for the event is casual.

The food is first come first serve, while supplies last. Let others know what’s happening at the Root Beer Kegger by tagging #WSUKegger.

AHINSA presents Bollywood Night tonight

Wichita State’s Association of Hindu Students in America (AHINSA) will host a Bollywood Night at 8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 2 at the Beggs Ballroom located in the Rhatigan Student Center. The night will offers students a chance to socialize, dance and listen to the latest Bollywood songs.

The dress code is casual or smart casual for both men and women. Closed-toe shoes are requested for men.

Join the Society of Women Engineers scavenger hunt today

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) will host a scavenger hunt beginning at 6 p.m. today, Aug. 31 at the John Bardo Center Courtyard. The scavenger hunt will include other activities around campus and prizes. Come meet other students and learn more about SWE.

Join First-Year Programs for Syllabus Party today

Get organized and ready to start the semester off your best. The Offices of Student Success’ First-Year Programs invites students to join its Syllabus Party 11 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Aug. 31, at 142 Rhatigan Student Center. During the event, students can bring their class syllabi and planners, electronic or paper, and First-Year programs transition mentors and success coaches will provide supplies, snacks, organizational help and prizes.

Join Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. recruitment week

The Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. recruitment week is taking place now through Sept. 10. During this time, the fraternity will provide students with informational materials, socials and workshops with Counseling and Prevention Services and the Office of Student Success. The workshops will teach students how to manage stress and about other resources available on campus.

WSUPD hosting promotion presentations for police sergeants today

Two candidates for an open Wichita State University Police Department (WSUPD) sergeant position will present at two separate events at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. today, Sept. 2 at 313 Rhatigan Student Center. All students, faculty and staff are welcome to sit in on the presentations. The topic of the presentations is leadership.

Register for Savvy Scholar workshop

The next Savvy Scholar workshop is scheduled 4-5 p.m. Sept. 6 at 217 Ablah Library. Savvy Scholar is a series that helps attendees learn about subjects related to research and library services. Some topics include ArcGIS, writing literature reviews, systematic reviews, writing papers in APA style and EndNote.

KMUW presents solo exhibition by 2022 featured artist Hannah Lee Scott

An exhibition featuring KMUW featured artist Hannah Lee Scott will take place 6-8 p.m. Sept. 2 at Harvester Arts (215 N. Washington, Wichita, KS, 67202). The exhibit, “Close Encounters,” features new works by Scott, titled “Close Encounters,” features all new works by Scott.

View Harvester Arts schedule Learn more about KMUW Artist Series

Featured Stories

Watch highlights from Clash of the Colleges 2022

The final competition to determine “who rules the school” was held Friday, Aug. 26 and included students in each academic college competing against each other in relay races and team sports. The College of Engineering were able to with the competition for the fourth time.

Another honor awarded was the Spirit Award, which went to the W. Frank Barton School of Business.

You can also check out WSU’s social media to see photos and videos from Clash of the Colleges.

Beyond the Classroom: Jon Peterson

Jon Peterson, a senior from Illinois, is diving into the world of finance and venture capital with his internship with the University Venture Fund Crossroads Program.

More than 5,000 Shockers each year take what they’ve learned in the classroom and transfer that knowledge into real-world environments. Applied learning — which is required for every Wichita State student — happens in offices, factories, laboratories, nonprofits, industries and companies across the globe. Students work side-by-side with seasoned professionals to ensure that they’re fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities when they graduate.

Learn more about Jon Peterson

COVID antiviral research will expand through WSU’s acquisition of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer

Wichita State’s Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentations program (NSF MRI) for a 500 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectrometer.

With the money from the grant, WSU is acquiring a high-tech NMR machine that — instead of providing traditional medical images we think of from a magnetic resonance imaging instrument (MRI) — will instead allow WSU researchers to map out or model a three-dimensional image of a protein (or smaller) molecule.

Campus Safety

Help prevent vehicle break-ins

As the new semester starts, the Wichita State Police Department is reminding students, faculty, staff and campus innovation partners to hide their valuable items, take their keys and lock their vehicles. It only takes a minute for personal items to end up in the hands of someone else, so please remember to lock your car when you park.

Use campus signs to help you park

Wichita State has parking signs in every campus lot to help you figure out where you can park.

The signs feature prominent block letters: “V” for visitors; “S” for students; and “F” for faculty and staff. Reserved lots and parking spaces are still marked with red signage as before. For the first time, the signs will include lot numbers, allowing for easier wayfinding.

Visitors to WSU may park without an ePermit three times each semester before an ePermit is required. ePermits are only required during the enforcement period: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays when school is in session.

Mental Health

Find support through CAPS therapy groups

Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) provides a variety of group counseling services to students in multiple areas of focus or concern.

Group therapy is offered due to its effectiveness in addressing multiple challenges individuals face in their lives as well as the unique experience it provides. CAPS runs various groups per semester to address the ever-changing needs of the WSU campus and group therapy is always free. CAPS services are available in a variety of modalities at this time.

Read more of Find support through CAPS therapy groups

Student Resources

Learn more about study abroad opportunities

Study abroad information sessions are offered by the International Education Office to help interested students start exploring their options. Interested students will get to learn about the programs, cost, funding, application process, and more.

Read more of Learn more about study abroad opportunities

Learn more and register for an information session