WSU Today: Monday, May 6, 2024

Weather Awareness

Weather awareness at Wichita State

In the event of inclement weather and/or an emergency event, the university shall take all reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.

Read more of Weather awareness at Wichita State

Meet a Shocker

Desmond Cockrell, College of Fine Arts

Desmond Cockrell, from Tulsa, advises fellow Shockers to take advantage of people on campus who offer advising, counseling and career help. He is the first of four siblings to earn a bachelor’s degree and hopes his story can encourage others to succeed in college.

Learn more about the grad

Jordan Cline, Fairmount College

Wichita State’s affordability and location brought Jordan Cline to campus. He will use his major in criminal justice to attend graduate school.

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Om Hitendra Mahajan, College of Applied Studies

Om Hitendra Mahajan’s goal is to continue his education in sport management as he prepares to revolutionize sports and sports careers in his home country of India. He is getting his start working with professors and mentors at Wichita State University.

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Christine Cleary, College of Health Professions

Christine Cleary was one of Wichita State University’s 2020 Rudd Scholars. From Clearwater, Kansas, she moved to Wichita for college, which required her to adjust to living in a city, but thanks to the Rudd Scholarship, she was able to fully devote herself to college life and will graduate with her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene.

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Marco Villela, Fairmount College

As a first-generation student, Marco Villela had to learn his way around the college life, from enrollment to moving to a new city, but he was able to persist and earn his bachelor’s degree, with plans to continue his education by pursuing a Master of Arts in criminal justice at Wichita State University.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers needed for spring 2024 commencement

Volunteers are needed May 11 at Charles Koch Arena for Wichita State’s spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. Three volunteer shifts are available: 7:30-11:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Volunteers will welcome guests and graduates at the event, and food will be provided.

Volunteer for spring 2024 commencement

Assistance needed for state baseball, softball and track

5A state baseball and softball will be held on Wichita State’s campus May 23-24 and state track May 24-25. Last year, these activities brought more than 30,000 people to campus. The university is asking for help from the campus community to drive golf carts and staff tents during these events.

Human Resources

9/10 month exempt faculty and staff have salary spread option available for 2024-25

Now is the time for 9/10 month benefit-eligible faculty or exempt staff members to elect or cancel annualized salary spread for the 2024-25 academic year.

If you currently are paid over your 9/10 month appointment and would like to have that pay spread out over 12 months beginning with the pay period starting Aug. 4 for the 2024-25 academic year, complete the Annualized Salary Spread Agreement no later than July 5.

If you are currently paid your 9/10 month appointment salary over 12 months and would like to cancel that election for the 2024-25 academic year, complete the Salary Spread Cancellation Form no later than July 13.

If you do not wish to make any changes to your current pay schedule, no action is necessary. For questions, email HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu.

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.

Awards and Recognitions

Chris Snyder awarded at Global InfoSec Awards RSA Conference 2024

Wichita State University Industry and Defense Programs (IDP) is proud to announce that Chris Snyder, IDP director of information technology and security, received the Trailblazing Chief Information Security Officer award from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry’s leading electronic information security magazine.

Snyder leads the Information Technology team and cybersecurity program for IDP. His team supports over 1,500 employees working within 22 distinct research labs and technology centers. Prior to joining WSU, Chris spent 30 years in Air Force cyberspace operations and airspace management. His Air Force career included multiple command positions, highlighted by his selection to stand up a diverse new Cyber Operations Group, comprised of a Security Operations Center, a cyber hunt team and a cyber red team. Chris is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and holds a Chief Information Officer Certificate from National Defense University. He graduated from Embry Riddle University with a Bachelor of Science in aeronautics and later earned a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Barton School accepting nominations for ‘Beyond’ Hall of Fame 2026 inductees

The Barton School of Business is poised to host its esteemed “Beyond” Hall of Fame 2026, dedicated to recognizing, honoring and celebrating industry executives and business leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their communities and the advancement of the Barton School. The illustrious inductees of the inaugural Hall of Fame in 2024 were Frank Barton, Clark Bastian and Fran Jabara. Nominations for this prestigious event's next group of inductees are being welcomed until Friday, May 10, 2024.

Read the story from the Barton School

Parking and Traffic

Current garage add-on ePermits extended, next ePermit dates announced

Due to the success of the recently formed parking garage ePermit add-on, Parking Services is excited to announce current ePermits will be extended through June 30, from their original expiration date of May 9, at no additional charge to current add-on ePermit holders. The garage add-on ePermit will now be available for six months at a time at the same cost of $50 per ePermit. The dates of these ePermits will be Jan. 1 through June 30 and July 1 through Dec. 31, with each add-on going on sale Jan. 1 and July 1, respectively. You must have a current ePermit on file to purchase the add-on. Add-on ePermit holders are responsible for renewing their add-on if they want to continue to park in the garage, reminders will not be sent out when the ePermit expires.

Garage add-ons can be purchased in person at the Parking Services Building (the old Campus Credit Union) with cash or check only, lobby and drive-thru hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 978-5526 or email wsuparking@wichita.edu with any questions.

News

Information requested for office copier lease renewal

The process of preparing for the upcoming copier fleet lease agreement renewal, set for Nov. 1, is currently underway. Your feedback as a current lessee of an ImageQuest Xerox copier is invaluable to navigate the decision-making process.

By taking a few moments to complete the survey, you will provide crucial insights that will directly influence the choices regarding the copier fleet. Your responses will help tailor offerings to better meet your needs and ensure a smooth transition into the new lease agreement. Responses are requested no later than May 10.

Take the survey

Lyndsay Pletcher promoted to executive director of budget

Lyndsay Pletcher has been promoted to the executive director of budget in the Division of Finance and Administration.

Lyndsay currently serves as senior budget analyst in the division, where she’s been since 2021. She previously served in the Human Resources Office as an operations lead and generalist from 2016 to 2021.

A search was conducted for the position earlier this year. Lyndsay brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and expertise to the role.

Professional development opportunity available through the Kansas Leadership Center

Staff Senate and Human Resources are excited to offer faculty and staff a professional development opportunity made possible through grants they wrote and were awarded by the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC). The grant provides a select number of seats for their leadership development path which starts with step one, When Everyone Leads.

Based on KLC’s bestselling book, “When Everyone Leads,” the six-hour course makes leadership accessible and inclusive, unleashing capacity for collective leadership in teams, organizations, coalitions and communities.

All faculty and staff are invited to go to the HR professional development website to learn more and find instructions for submitting an interest form.

Events

TRIO DSS invites campus to ‘PAWS & Relax’ during finals week

TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) invites the campus community to de-stress with “PAWS & Relax” during finals week. Stop by from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, May 6 and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 7 on the front lawn of Grace Wilkie Annex for Pups ‘n Pops(icles).

Attend the annual FYRE in STEM Research Showcase May 8

Mark your calendars from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday May 8 on Ablah Library’s first floor for a captivating showcase of research projects from the First-Year Research Experience (FYRE).

Explore a diverse array of topics spanning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and prepare to be shocked by the creativity of next-gen shockers.

The event is open to everyone, and food will be provided, so mark your calendars and don’t miss out.

Learn more about FYRE

Take a break with a free cup of tea at the Ulrich this week

Having a stressful week? Stop in anytime from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, May 6 through Friday, May 10 at the Ulrich Museum to savor a free cup of tea, relax with some artwork and enjoy the solitude of Wichita State’s own modern and contemporary art museum.

Share your thoughts with Wichita Transit

Stop by the bus stop near Elliott Hall between 9 a.m. and noon Tuesday, May 7 to share your thoughts with Wichita Transit as it currently develops a Network Plan to guide improvements over the next several years. The proposed route and schedule changes aim to:

Adjust routes to provide more convenient and viable service
Improve frequencies to reduce wait times
Increase access to employment, education and other destinations.

OAK Supercomputing Conference and High Performance Computing Security Workshop hosted at WSU

The campus community is invited to the OAK Supercomputing Conference and High Performance Computing Security Workshop at Wichita State University.

ignitor 1.0: Ignite ideas, empower entrepreneurs

With less than one week left until ignitor 1.0 kicks off, now’s the time to act.

From refining your idea to mastering startup language, the free program has everything one needs to start building their idea into a profitable business.

The eight-week programs occur from 5:45 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays from May 9 to June 27.

Learn more and apply