WSU Today: Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022

News

WSU’s NIAR ATLAS announces NASA Space Apps hackathon in Wichita

NASA’s International Space Apps hackathon is coming to Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) Oct. 1-2.

RSC Labor Day weekend hours

Due to the Labor Day holiday, the Rhatigan Student Center (RSC) and its departments will have altered hours Saturday, Sept. 3. The building and departments will also close Sunday, September 4, and Monday, Sept. 5.

View RSC operating hours

Student debt relief plan explained

Have questions about the government’s newly announced student debt relief plan?

For answers and information, go to the Debt Relief Announcement on the Federal Student Aid webpage.

Additional links and content are available at wichita.edu/debtrelief.

Human Resources

Mid-review for 2022-2023 myPerformance evaluations due Sept. 30

Annual Non-Teaching Employee Performance Evaluations for 2022-2023 are still accessible to managers to complete the mid-review step of the myPerformance evaluation cycle. Mid-review should be completed by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30.

The 2022-2023 review period began March 1, 2022 and ends on Feb. 28, 2023. Managers should update/add content regarding expectations, competencies and goals for the current review period, then meet with their employees to review and provide an updated copy of the evaluation.

Take advantage of September HealthQuest events

Employees enrolled in 2022 coverage through the State Employee Health Plan can earn a premium discount worth $480 annually and Health Savings Account (HSA)/Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) reward dollars up to $500 per year for each employee and covered spouse, just by participating and logging healthy activities throughout the year.

In September, there are five events currently scheduled worth up to 27 credits.

Sept. 6, on-campus Biometric Screening 266 Rhatigan Student Center RSC. Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (Worth up to 23 credits)
Sept. 6, on-campus Health Coaching. Schedule your appointment today in the HealthQuest portal, or by calling 1-888-275-1205, option 3. (one credit)
1 p.m. Sept. 7, EAP Webinar “Tools to Handle Stress.” (One credit)
11 a.m. Sept. 8, HealthQuest Wellness Webinar “Musculoskeletal Health: Back and Neck.” (One credit)
1 p.m. Sept. 21, EAP Webinar “Being Accountable in Work and Life.” (One credit)

Take advantage of some of the on-demand and online options to earn HealthQuest credits.

Online Wellness Assessment: You can earn 10 credits for completing this assessment.
2022 HealthQuest Program Overview Video and Quiz: You can earn three credits for watching this video and completing the short quiz.
Virtual Health Coaching Sessions: You can earn up to 15 credits (max one health coaching per day, one credit each) by scheduling Health Coaching Sessions. You can choose a health coach who is a nurse (RN), a dietitian or a trainer when scheduling sessions.
Learning Modules: You can earn up to 12 credits by completing on-demand learning modules in the HealthQuest portal. There are many different topics to choose from.
EAP On-Demand Trainings: You can earn up to 10 credits combined by completing EAP On-Demand trainings that you can access through the HealthQuest portal and attending EAP webinars (max one credit per day).
KPERS Financial Wellness Learning Module: You can earn 10 credits by completing this five-week learning module.

Access the HeatlhQuest portal Check out all currently scheduled HealthQuest events

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.

Events

Grab lunch at Food Truck Plaza today

Stop by the Food Truck Plaza for lunch from The Flying Stove, Brazita Bites, Wheat Street Dogs 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. today, Sept. 2. Get a meal to go, or spread at the beautiful green space.

Attend Startup Speaker Series event tonight

Local entrepreneur and former Wichita State student Steven Werner, founder of Lawn Buddy and Blue Ox, will discuss his experiences starting out and how to deal with uncertainty as you begin your entrepreneurial journey 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, on the second floor of Devlin Hall (the building located near Cessna Stadium by E. 21st St. N.).

This free event is hosted by Office of Innovation and New Ventures and and is meant to help like-minded individuals meet and discuss their ideas and answer their questions about startups.

Learn more Amazon Web Services Campus Invent

Faculty and staff are invited to join the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation (NIRDT) at a Campus Invent 8:15 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at Woolsey Hall. During the event, participants will learn how Amazon Web Services (AWS) can help transform teaching, learning and research at Wichita State.

The event will also explore and demystify applications and tools delivered through the AWS cloud computing platform in an interactive classroom setting through conversation and hands-on labs. This training will help participants gain a better understanding of digital transformation through exploring opportunities to leverage AWS services (available free to educators) and access to ongoing guidance through AWS office hours.

The AWS Campus Invent is a free, one-day educational event that brings the experience of an AWS conference to WSU.

View agenda for AWS Campus Invent Register for AWS Campus Invent

Teaching Matters series to launch with lunch Sept. 9

The Retention Fellows are sponsoring a lunch beginning at 11: 30 a.m. Sept. 9 at 265 Rhatigan Student Center. The lunch is part of a new series called “Teaching Matters,” and the topic of the September lunch is, “Off to a Good Start.”

Faculty, students and staff are invited to attend the event. Space is limited and registration is required.

Attend luncheon Sept. 9

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.

Join fall ignitor program

The first session of an eight-week ignitor course will take place 5:45-7:15 p.m. Sept. 19 on the second floor at Devlin Hall. Ignitor is an accelerator program focusing on the ideation pre-seed phase. It provides structured support for innovators and entrepreneurs. This course is free and open to the entire campus community.

During the program, participants will learn how to improve an idea, conduct customer discovery, build a minimum viable product, gain valuable user feedback, develop a business strategy and how to pitch to customers and investors.

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

Training Opportunities and Workshops

Sign up for NASA Workshop and funding consultations

Dr. Stephanie Vivod, NASA John H. Glenn Research Center research chemical engineer, will present how to successfully apply for NASA funding and will give an overview of NASA funding opportunities at a workshop at 2 p.m. Sept. 8 via Zoom.

Vivod will also be available for one-on-one meetings to answer questions and provide guidance on applying to NASA for funding. after the virtual session.

To attend the NASA funding overview workshop, contact proposals@wichita.edu. or sign up via myTraining. Please also email proposals@wichita.edu to sign up for a session to meet individually with Vivod Sept. 8 or 9.

Sign up for WSU Office of Research Workshops

The Wichita State Office of Research has many upcoming workshops to assist faculty and staff in applying for external funding. Fall 2022 semester workshop topics currently include the following:

Introduction to the WSU Office of Research
Using Pivot to Search for Funding
Creating a Biosketch with SciENcv

For more information or to sign up or to watch previous workshop recordings, visit the workshop website.

Visit the workshop website