WSU Today: Monday, April 8, 2024

News

Here’s how to safely watch the April 8 solar eclipse

On the afternoon of April 8, Wichitans looking up into the sky will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, with the best view at around 1:45 p.m. Central Time. Despite not being in the path of totality, it will still be an event worth watching.

If you’re planning to view the solar eclipse, KMUW offers tips to safely watch, from start to finish, including where to find proper eyewear and alternative methods to view the eclipse.

You can also find additional information on safely viewing the eclipse from NASA, and NASA will host a livestream of the eclipse starting at noon April 8.

Dr. Nick Solomey, professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, also provided insights on what has been described as the “Great American Eclipse” to KWCH.

Where to watch the April 8 eclipse on campus

Shockers viewing the April 8 solar eclipse can do so at a variety of hotspots on campus. Check out the selfie spots tag on the digital campus map for great locations on campus to watch the eclipse from.

Read more of Where to watch the April 8 eclipse on campus

The Shocker Store will be at Riverfront Stadium April 9

Visit the Shocker Store at Riverfront Stadium on the main concourse when Shocker baseball faces Oklahoma State at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 9.

Parking Services has moved to a new location

Parking Services has completed its move into the former Campus Credit Union building and is now operational in the new location.

Lobby and drive thru hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Temporary parking for visitors to the department is located on the south side of the building.

Wichita State has a new exchange partner in Chile

Study Abroad is excited to announce that WSU has a new exchange partner university in Chile available for study abroad programs.

Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez (UAI) has two campuses located in Viña del Mar and Santiago. WSU students can study abroad at UAI for a semester, yearlong or summer programs.

Exchange partnerships allow students to pay their regular WSU tuition fees while on exchange. They offer some courses taught in English as well as many programs in Spanish and Spanish-language courses.

The new partnership officially begins for spring 2025. The deadline to apply for spring study abroad programs will be Sept. 15.

For questions, contact Study Abroad at studyabroad@wichita.edu.

Learn more about the new exchange partner

Human Resources

University announces schedule for the 2024 winter closedown

To help employees plan their time-off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State has shared the winter closedown schedule, which has been approved this year to commence at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 20 and end starting the morning of Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays. In addition, employees may use Presidential Administrative Days to remain in pay status for the four days between Christmas and New Years Day — thanks to President Rick Muma. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Unclassified professional and university support staff who would normally be scheduled to work these days may use accumulated vacation leave or their 2025 discretionary day* during the winter closedown. Non-exempt employees may also use accumulated compensatory time off during the winter closedown.

If your role requires you to work during the winter closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor.

Winter closedown schedule:

Monday, Dec. 23, 2024
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 (Paid holiday)
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Monday, Dec. 30, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024 (Presidential Administrative Day)
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 (Paid holiday)
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025
Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. The official state holidays are Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2025.

Employees required to work during the winter closedown will be allowed to use their four Presidential Administrative Days anytime from Monday, Dec. 23 through Jan. 31, 2025. WSU appreciates your dedication and service to the university.

*The discretionary day for 2024 must be used on or before Friday, Dec. 20 prior to the beginning of the winter closedown. The discretionary day for 2025 will be available starting Sunday, Dec. 22 and may be used during the 2024 winter closedown.

Presentations and Talks

Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences presents Dr. Mark Walsh, Maynooth University, Ireland

Join the Department of Mathematics and Statistics for a public lecture by Dr. Mark Walsh, Maynooth University, Ireland, titled "Isotopy, Concordance and Intermediate Curvatures" at 3 p.m. Friday, April 12 in 372 Jabara Hall. Refreshments will be available at 2:30 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.

Biological Sciences Seminar Series continues with Dr. Jeroen Roelofs April 8

The Department of Biological Sciences’ Seminar Series continues from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 8 in 218 Hubbard Hall with Dr. Jeroen Roelofs, KU Medical Center, with his talk, “Stress Induced Relocalization of Proteasomes into Condensates.”

As always, seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend.

Learn more about biological sciences

Why Taiwan matters: Attend discussion on presidential elections of 2024

Join the Department of Political Science and the Global Learning Center of Wichita from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20 in 100 Lindquist Hall for Dr. Doris Chang’s talk regarding the 2024 presidential election in Taiwan.

Dr. Chang, professor of political science, will discuss the following:

How does the 2024 presidential elections in Taiwan and the United States affect U.S.-China-Taiwan eelations?
How does Taiwan exercise its alternative sovereignty in the international community?
What are the key industries in Taiwan that makes it indispensable to the rest of the world?

Performances

Wichita State Opera Theater to present Mozart masterpiece, ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ (The Marriage of Figaro), April 12 and 14

The Wichita State Opera Theater will present Mozart’s comic masterpiece, “Le Nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro) at 7:30 p.m. April 12 and 3 p.m. April 14 in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

The production is directed by WSU Opera Theater Director Alan Held. The WSU Orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Mark Laycock. Long recognized as one of the pillars of operatic repertoire, the story features some of Mozart’s most famous arias and ensembles as it follows the troubles and antics of Figaro and his young bride, Susanna, on their wedding day.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series welcomes Distinguished Guest Artist, Alcee Chriss, organist.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series will present Distinguished Guest Artist, Alcee Chriss, in an organ recital on the Marcussen organ at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 in Wiedemann Hall.

Winner of the 2017 Canadian International Organ Competition, Dr. Chriss is widely regarded as one of the leading young organists of the modern times. He studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and received his doctorate from McGill University in Montreal. Dr. Chriss is also active as a church musician and guest lecturer, and he remains engaged with his lifelong love of gospel and jazz music, which he will demonstrate during the concert.

Tickets are available at the College of Fine Arts Box Office and at wichita.edu/organ.

Learn more about organ events at WSU

Events

Ignitor 2.0: Empower your business with feedback and strategy

For entrepreneurs facing the daunting task of refining their business strategy, Ignitor 2.0 offers a lifeline.

Throughout a free four-week training course, learn the art of soliciting actionable feedback, refine your value proposition and craft a solid business model canvas.

Join from April 30 to May 28 and empower yourself to turn your startup dreams into reality.

Learn more and apply

Corbin Connect invites educators to evening of collaboration April 15

Join Corbin Connect for an evening focused on summer engagement opportunities for students and educators from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15 at Wichita State Connect.

The event, What’s Hot This Summer: Educators Involved With Wichita, is free for educators, education students and community organizations, and complimentary cookout style dinner will be served.

Local organizations with summer educational programs will share opportunities for local P-12 students and volunteer opportunities for educators.

RSVP to attend

Join SAC at inaugural Shockers Got Talent student competition

Make plans to attend the inaugural Shockers Got Talent at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in the CAC Theater. Taking the stage are 13 student acts to compete for most talented Shocker. Attendees can experience a variety of performances including singers, pianists, dance groups, rapping and a full band. The judges will select first, second and third place with acts receiving scholarships in the amount of $1000, $800 and $500 respectively.

Campus community invited to Wildlife Wednesday at the RSC

Join the Rhatigan Student Center for Wildlife Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 10 in the RSC East Atrium.

Have some fun interacting with Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s ambassador animals. A different animal will be featured every 30 minutes.

Join student-led project for situational awareness seminar

Essential Awareness, a student-led project, is holding two situational awareness seminars that will educate the student body. The class will enhance one’s understanding of criminal profiling concepts, awareness levels and how to assess your environment. Choose from the following dates to attend or come to both:

5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 12 in 110 Woolsey Hall
Noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in 110 Woolsey Hall

If you are in a group of three or more each of you will be able to choose between:

Rainier Arms Firearms Academy: 20% off training class
A free range pass

A donation of $5 per person is required for entry. Screenshot your donation receipt or bring cash upon entry to the seminar.

Learn more and register/donate

Training Opportunities and Workshops

Join HOPE Services for naloxone administration training

Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services presents DCCCA’s one-hour naloxone administration course to the campus community to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and respond to an overdose crisis using naloxone and other resources.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids — including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Upon completion of the training, each participant will receive a free naloxone kit.

Students can fill out the online form to register.
Staff and faculty can register on myTraining through myWSU.

Student Success and Persistence

Wichita State wins accolades at 2024 NODA Region IV Joint Regional Conference

Wichita State’s Student Success: First-Year Programs (FYP) attended the Region IV Joint Regional Conference in Columbia, Missouri, from NODA – National Orientation Directors Association. At the conference, representatives from FYP received awards for their efforts and results in orientation, transition and retention of students.

Kim Sandlin: Outstanding NODA Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional
Kim Sandlin, director of Student Success, received the Outstanding Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of a professional to the field of orientation, transition and retention who has five or more years of professional experience in higher education.
Annie Wasinger: Best Undergraduate Educational Session
Annie Wasinger, intern for FYP, received the Best Undergraduate Educational Session award for her topic entitled, “Is It Accessible? Is it REALLY Accessible?” Annie’s presentation will be presented at the National NODA conference in Portland, Oregon, in November.
Hafsa Sadaf: Most Creative Solution in Case Studies
Hafsa Sadaf, senior transition mentor for FYP, received the Most Creative Solution in Case Studies Award alongside three other orientation leaders from various universities.
Kate Potter: Best Presentation in Case Studies
Kate Potter, transition mentor for FYP, received the Best Presentation in Case Studies Award alongside three other orientation leaders from various universities.
Winter Welcome: Innovation in Retention Programs
The Winter Welcome event, hosted by FYP, received the Innovation in Retention Programs Award. The award seeks to recognize innovative and effective approaches in retention.

“For about 23 of my 25-year career on campus, I have been involved directly or indirectly with our orientation programs and welcoming new students to Shocker Nation,” Sandlin said. “It’s something I look forward to every year. Recently, as our work in Student Success and Persistence has grown, I’ve found deeper meaning in the work we do every day. The most rewarding part is seeing the data on how our efforts in Student Success are helping Shockers succeed. I am grateful for receiving the Outstanding NODA Orientation, Transition, and Retention Professional award; however I couldn’t have earned it without the hard work that the Student Success team at Wichita State does every day for students.”

Additionally, FYP hosted six different educational sessions for attendees at the conference:

Austin Helgerson and George Giem: “Networking in 2024: Building Meaningful Connections During Orientation and Beyond”
Annie Wasinger: “Is it Accessible? Is it REALLY Accessible?”
Hafsa Sadaf: “Language Diversity Matters: Improving Orientation for Non-Native English Speakers”
Kaelyn Hannah: “The Struggle is Real: Rebuilding and Rebranding Your Orientation Leader Team”
Juan Gurrola: “Let’s Talk About it: Equality vs. Equity”
Trinity Madden: “Silent Expression: Decoding Body Language and Understanding Non-Verbal Communication”

“I’m super proud of the students and staff in First-Year Programs,” Sandlin said. “We intentionally challenge our returning staff every year during their training to develop and facilitate interesting conference sessions that add value and knowledge to the region and profession.”

University Life

SGA hosts Wellness Week 2024 April 8-12

Join Student Government Association (SGA) for Wellness Week 2024 from April 8 through April 12.

Monday will have wellness resources tabling from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center.
Tuesday will have a nutrition and exercise presentation with Andy Sykes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in 262 RSC, Herrman Room, as well as a presentation for nutrition on a budget from 1 to 2 p.m. in 233 RSC, Santa Fe Trail Room.
Wednesday is “Waiting to Exhale,” a workshop dedicated to understanding and managing anxiety in college, from 2 to 3 p.m. in 265 RSC, Lucas Room.
Thursday is tabling for National STI/STD Awareness Week while promoting Pee for Pizza with Student Health on the first floor of the RSC.
Friday is a dedicated Self Care Day, so make sure you take time for yourself.

For more information, reach out to sga.wellness@wichita.edu.

Enrollment

Summer and fall 2024 registration is now open

Summer and fall course schedules are available online. Encourage your students to enroll now to secure their classes.

Students can view the course schedule and enroll by using Banner and logging in with their myWSU information.

Summer classes are a great way for students to catch up on credits and graduate sooner.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Courses are available in two-, four-, or eight-week schedules with online, hybrid and in-person formats.

Learn more about summer classes.

Students can reach out to their academic advisor with any questions about scheduling summer and fall classes.

Please refer to the timeline for when registration opens for each classification:

Monday: Seniors (90+ earned credit hours), Honors College members, student athletes and graduate students
Tuesday: Juniors (60-89 earned credit hours)
Wednesday: Sophomores (30-59 earned credit hours)
Thursday: Freshmen (0-29 earned credit hours)
Friday: Non-degree bound students

Mental Health

Attend Mental Health and Movement Class at YMCA April 11

It’s Wellness Week. Join HOPE Services for the free Mental Health and Movement Class from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Thursday April 11 in the Steve Clark YMCA, where safe spaces are created for people to explore movement, the benefits of moving their bodies and how to use the resources at the YMCA.

The weekly class is open to anyone and sponsored by the YMCA and HOPE Services. Wear whatever clothing you prefer for this activity. Each week will have a different focus, and attendees can come to any or all.

12:30 p.m. April 11: Group movement class
12:30 p.m. April 18: Mini-personal trainer session with equipment
12:30 p.m. April 25: Circuit training, Y 360 and keeping moving

Faculty and Staff Resources

Faculty, staff clinic available on campus

Faculty and staff can visit the Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic for minor and acute medical issues only. Appointments are required for the clinic.

Open the drop down to learn more about the services offered.

Read more of Faculty, staff clinic available on campus

Learn more and visit the clinic website