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Arts & Sciences Faculty & Staff Newsletter

Author: marcia

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Posted on by marcia
Arts and Sciences Holiday Party

Holiday Party graphic - purple with gold text and twinkly hollyDec. 5 | 4-6 p.m.
K-State Student Union, Fireside Lounge (near JP’s)
RSVP by 5 p.m. Dec. 2

All College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff members are invited to celebrate the season with colleagues and friends at the collegewide holiday party! Festive appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar will be available. Please RSVP by 5 p.m. Dec. 2. For more information, contact Katie Messerla at kmesserla22@k-state.edu.

 

Commencement Ceremonies

Photo of young woman holding diploma cover and hugging a professor

  • Graduate School Commencement
    Fri., Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum 
  • Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
    Sat., Dec. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
    Graduates line up at 7:30 a.m.

 

K-State Libraries’ Faculty Breakfast: AI Literacy

Tue., Dec. 17 | 8-9:30 a.m.
Hale Library, Dr. Susan K. Peterson Room 181
Register

Learn about AI literacy and resources as well as services available to faculty for teaching, learning and research. Free coffee, pastries and fruit provided.

For information, contact Tara Coleman, program services coordinator at K-State Libraries, tcole2@k-state.edu.

 

Civil Rights Teach-In

purple graphic with textWed., Jan. 29, 2025 | 2:30-5 p.m.
Leadership Studies Building, McVay Family Town Hall

Watch for more information in January.

 

For your students…

Graduation Celebration

Graphic that has a photo of students at a past event and info about the graduation celebrationTue., Dec. 10 | Noon-1 p.m.
Purple Masque Theatre (west side of Memorial Stadium)
RSVP by Fri., Dec. 6

Graduating students are invited to celebrate their big achievement with waffles and a walk down memory lane at the College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2024 Graduation Celebration! RSVP requested by Dec. 6.

 

Spring 2025 Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Symposium

graphic showing event title and photo of people at past eventTue., April 15 | 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
K-State Student Union, Ballroom and Courtyard

All undergraduate students participating in mentored research are encouraged to participate in this two-session symposium. They may exhibit traditional research posters or show artifacts that aid in presenting creative work. Registration will close March 23.

Learn more from the Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research website or by emailing SDUR@ksu.edu.

Students are encouraged to join the symposium Canvas page for information on poster design, presentation tips, printing and more.

 

Nominate an Arts and Sciences student for a university research award!

Nominate an Arts and Sciences student for the University Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Student in Research by Feb. 1.

 

Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Encourage students to apply to present at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol Feb. 26. Applications due Jan. 28.

 

Important dates

  • Dec. 6 – Last Day of Classes
  • Dec. 9-13 – Final Examinations 
  • Dec. 13 – Graduate School Commencement
  • Dec. 14 – Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
  • Dec. 25-31 – Winter Break: Campus Closed
  • Dec. 30 – First Day of January Intersession
  • Jan. 17 – Last Day of January Intersession
  • Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr Day Observed: Campus Closed
  • Jan. 21 – First Day of Spring 2025 Classes. Late Enrollment Fee applies.
  • Jan. 27 – Last Day to ADD Course(s) without Instructor Permission

View full 2024-2025 Academic Calendar (pdf)

HUMAN RESOURCES REMINDERS

Posted on by marcia
Winter Break

In addition to Christmas and New Year’s Day, the university will reduce activity Dec. 26-31. All university offices will be closed during this time except for those providing specific, required services. The university will reopen Thu., Jan. 2. More information about holidays, reduced activity, and leave usage is in the annual University Holiday Memo. 

Have a great break!

 

Use Discretionary Day by December 21

To determine if you have an available discretionary day, log into Employee Self Service/HRIS. If a line for “D-Day” appears, you have an available discretionary day (an hours balance will not be displayed). Once you use your discretionary day, the line will disappear. 

 

Inclement weather guidelines
Photo of Willie the Wildcat mascot in snow
Photo credit: Scott Sewell, USA TODAY

Winter weather is here. For information the university’s weather-related decision-making processes and policies, please review K-State’s inclement weather guidelines.

 

 

 

IN THIS ISSUE

Posted on by marcia
  • Upcoming events, meetings and important dates
  • Human Resources: Holiday and leave guidance
  • Congrats to our Staff Spotlight Awardees!
  • Faculty Spotlight: Laurie Johnson publishes book on American culture wars

UPCOMING EVENTS, MEETINGS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Posted on by marcia
CANCELED – Coffee Collab

Canceled due to scheduling conflict

Tue., Nov. 6 | 10-11:30
Student Union, Room 227

 

Faculty Meeting

Thu., Nov. 21
4-5 p.m. | 114 Willard Hall

All faculty and staff are welcome.

 

CANCELED – Dec. 5 faculty meeting

 

Arts and Sciences Holiday Party

TENTATIVE
Thu., Dec. 5 | 4-6 p.m.
Location to be decided

The Dean’s Office will host a collegewide social to celebrate the holidays and our ArtSci community. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Commencement Ceremonies
  • Graduate School Commencement
    Fri., Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum 
  • Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
    Sat., Dec. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
    Concourse workers arrive at 7 a.m., before graduates line up at 7:30.

 

Other events around the college and university

Post-Election Connection

graphic showing animated potted flower and cactus being friendly and text with details about Post-Election Connection eventWed., Nov. 6 | 1:30-5 p.m.
Spectrum Center, 207 Holtz Hall

This is an opportunity for all K-Staters to decompress and find community after a stressful election season. Enjoy a cozy atmosphere, activities and fall treats, as well as pizza courtesy of the Alumni Association!

 

KSUnite: Stronger Together

Nov. 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
K-State Student Union
Classes will not be canceled for this year’s event.

We are “One K-State,” unified in meaningful, sustained actions that benefit all Wildcats. Through honest, transparent conversations, we foster a culture where everyone feels they belong.

  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Community Portrait Project with Nate McClendon (interactive activity)
  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cats Cupboard Food Drive Donation Drop-Off
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Kansas State Community Resource Fair
  • Noon-1:15pm | K-State Community Panel
  • 1:15 p.m.-2 p.m. | KSUnite Ice Cream Social

 

Bilingual Spanish-English storytime for your little ones

splashy, colorful graphic that says Cuenta Cuentos Tell Tales Bilingual Storytime and has the logos of Manhattan Public Library and K-State Modern LanguagesSaturdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 | 11-11:30 a.m.
Manhattan Public Library

The department of modern languages has teamed up with Manhattan Public Library to present ¡Cuenta Cuentos! Tell Tales!, a weekly bilingual Spanish-English storytime throughout November! It is aimed at children ages 3-8, but all are welcome! More information is on the MPL event calendar.

 

Important dates

Nov. 11 – Veterans Day (university open, classes in session)
Nov. 24-30 – Thanksgiving break for students
Nov. 28-29 – Thanksgiving holiday/Campus closed
Dec. 6 – Last Day of Classes (Grade rosters created at 5 p.m. in KSIS)
Dec. 9-13 – Final Exams
Dec. 14 – Arts and Sciences Commencement
Dec. 10 – Deadline to Return I-NR Grade
Dec. 17 – Grades Due by 5 p.m. (4 p.m. if grading in CANVAS)
Dec. 18 – Grades available in KSIS
Dec. 25-31 – Winter Break: Reduced University Activity—Campus Closed

View full 2024-2025 academic calendar

HUMAN RESOURCES

Posted on by marcia
Annual University Holiday Memo

The university has released its annual Holiday Memo, which provides information about holidays and reduced activity during Winter Break.

Veterans Day – Nov. 11

The university will be open and classes in session on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. Only employees required to conduct necessary business should be requested to work. Non-exempt employees who work shall be compensated at 1.5 times (either time or pay). Exempt staff who work will be given equivalent time off at a later date. More info is in the Holiday Memo.

Discretionary Day: Use it or lose it

Be sure to use your 2024 discretionary day by Dec. 21. You can determine if you have an available discretionary day by logging into Employee Self Service/HRIS. If a line for “D-Day” appears, you have an available discretionary day (an hours balance will not be displayed). Once you use your discretionary day, the line will disappear.

CONGRATS TO OUR STAFF SPOTLIGHT AWARDEES!

Posted on by marcia

Congratulations to Emily Mann, academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Tari Philips, accounting specialist in the Division of Biology, on being selected for university Staff Spotlight Awards! This monthly award recognizes university staff for their service to the K-State community.

headshot of Emily MannMann was selected for the August award. Her nominator said that she thinks strategically about each student’s case and does extensive research to help create the most efficient degree plan possible, mindful of time and money. When students are in a rut, Emily helps them think strategically about new pathways available to them, and she continually develops her advising skills to better serve her students.

headshot of Tari PhilipsPhilips was selected for the September award. Her nominator said that she is an outstanding accounting specialist who has assumed substantial responsibilities beyond that position, including training new personnel, and is generous with her time and expertise to keep the Division of Biology business office running smoothly.

 

 

IN THIS ISSUE

Posted on by marcia
  • Upcoming events and meetings, including the State of the College
  • Good to know: HR, degree requirements, important dates
  • Resources and opportunities, including college awards and grants
  • Congrats to advisor Ben Worcester
  • Ribbon-cutting for renovated Student Lounge

UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Posted on by marcia
Arts and Sciences Benefits Presentation

Mon., Oct. 7 | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
318 Calvin Hall

All ArtSci faculty and staff members are invited to this 30- to 45-minute presentation from the university’s benefits team. A question-and-answer session will follow along with opportunities for one-on-one discussions. Feel free to eat your lunch during the presentation.

 

Coffee Collab: Engagement

purple graphic showing foamy cup of coffee and info about Coffee Collab event

Tue., Oct. 8 | 10-11:30 a.m.
110 Leasure Hall
Led by Dr. Mary Kohn, Director, Chapman Center for Rural Studies
RSVP by 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and/or tell us about your engagement work on the same form.

Network and learn about support for community engagement. Share ideas to boost engagement, learn about college and university resources, and identify needs to expand ongoing efforts.

Please tell us about your community engagement work, even if you don’t plan to attend, so that we can recognize our college’s commitment to engagement—anything from fair exhibitions to multi-year engaged research. Use this survey to share your current or future engagement activities.

 

State of the College Presentation and Faculty Meeting

purple graphic showing info about the State of the College presentationThu., Oct. 10 (rescheduled from Oct. 3)
3:30-5 p.m.
106 Kedzie Hall

Dean Culbertson will give the State of the College presentation and then the October faculty meeting will take place. It will include discussion of strategic planning for the college and other faculty meeting business. The agenda and Zoom link were sent via email Oct. 3. If you have questions, please contact Stacy Vars, sjvars@k-state.edu.

 

ArtSci Drop-By

Graphic showing purple neon pizza and info about the Oct 10 2024 ArtSci Drop-byThu., Oct. 10 (rescheduled from Oct. 3)
5-6:30 p.m.
Fireside Lounge outside Union Station by JP’s

Join us at this fun, informal social for all ArtSci faculty and staff! A heavy appetizer buffet will be provided!

 

Coffee Collab: Arts and Sciences accounting and human resources

CANCELED

Tue., Nov. 6 | 10-11:30
Student Union, Room 227

Join us for coffee, pastries, networking and a review of all things ArtSci accounting and human resources!

 

Other special events around the college and university

Multilingual Film Festival: Sustainability on Screen

graphic with info about Sustainability on Screen Multilingual Film Festival and the 3 movies to be shownAll showings will be at 6 p.m. in Wildcat Chamber at the Student Union.

Oct. 7 – Les glaneurs et la glaneuse (The Gleaners and I)
Director: Agnès Varda, 2000
French with English subtitles

Oct. 8 – Ixcanul
Director: Jayro Bustameante, 2015
Mayan and Spanish with English subtitles

October 9 –Roter Himmel (Afire)
Director: Christian Petzold, 2023
German with English subtitles

Sponsored by Department of Modern Languages

 

State Senate Candidate Debate

graphic with photos of Usha Reddi and Brad Starnes and info about the Oct 9 2024 State Senate Election Debate

Wed., Oct. 9 | 6-7:30 p.m.
Student Union Courtyard

The KSU Young Democrats, Department of Political Science, Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy (ICDD), and Riley County Republican Party have partnered to bring debates and a town hall to campus. Students will have the opportunity to engage with local candidates for state legislature and learn how to vote.

Events will be streamed on ICDD’s YouTube channel.

 

From the Ashes: Printmaking, Preservation and Renewal conference

Graphic image showing black and gold sunflower and white text in middle of flower that says From the AshesWed.-Sun., Oct. 2-6
Various locations around campus and Manhattan

This Mid America Print Council Conference, sponsored by the art department, will explore the relationship between printmakers and the natural environment. The public is welcome.

 

K-State’s 9th Annual Indigenous Peoples Day

Healthy Communities: Navigating Colonization and Restoring Indigenous Lifeways

graphic with info about K-State Indigenous Peoples Day and info about presenters

October 14 | 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom
Sponsored by K-State Indigenous Faculty and Staff Alliance and many others

This event features several illuminating and inspiring presentations, a short film and lunch catered by an Indigenous chef! Registration requested.

 

AI and the Future Symposium: Trust AI?

graphic showing two photos of peopleTue.-Thu., Oct. 15-17
Various campus locations and Manhattan Public Library

This free event features a variety of panels, lightning talks and workshops to help K-State and Manhattan community members learn about artificial intelligence. It is coordinated by the modern languages department, Hale Library and more.

 

Flint Hills Military History Symposium: War and Technology 2024

graphic showing a tank and airplanes in desertFri.-Sun, Oct. 18-20
Locations in Manhattan and Fort Riley

The history department is partnering with Fort Riley Museums to present this symposium that bridges the gap between classroom and battlefield.

 

Homecoming Week Oct. 20-26

Cheerleaders walking in Homecoming 2023 parade

  • Homecoming Philanthropy 5K | Sun., Oct. 20
  • Paint the ‘Ville | Mon. Oct. 21
  • Children’s Carnival | Wed., Oct. 23
  • Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally | Fri., Oct. 25
  • K-State Football vs. KU | Sat., Oct. 26

View more Homecoming activities

 

George S. Bascom Lecture on Current Issues in Clinical Medicine

Photo of Webster Cavenee, PhD

Fri., Nov. 1
3:30 Lecture
Fiedler Hall Auditorium
5-6 p.m. Reception
Johnson Cancer Research Center

Tumor Heterogeneity: An Active Process That Dictates Therapeutic Response

Webster Cavenee, PhD, K-State alum, Director Emeritus of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California at San Diego

Sponsored by Johnson Cancer Research Center

 

Power Luncheon

Thu., Nov. 14 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Holiday Inn at the Campus
Sponsored by Johnson Cancer Research Center

Join in this impactful program designed to bring together cancer survivors and advocates to enhance cancer patients’ well-being. Registration is required.

 

Student events — Please tell your students!

Lunch with the Deans: Undergraduate Researchers

Tue., Oct. 8 | Noon-1 p.m.
301 Calvin Hall
RSVP required by 5 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4.

Helping Professions Networking Night

Tue., Oct. 8 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Student Union Ballroom
Co-sponsored by the College of Health and Human Sciences

For any K-State student considering a career in social services, social work, mental health, community engagement, youth or family advocacy, social justice organizations, criminal justice and similar areas.

Lunch with the Deans: First-Generation Students

Mon., Nov. 4 | Noon-1 p.m.
301 Calvin Hall
RSVP by 5 p.m. Thu., Oct. 31

 

View all ArtSci events

GOOD TO KNOW: HR, DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, IMPORTANT DATES

Posted on by marcia

Human Resources and Accounting

Action required—Health Insurance Open Enrollment

You must re-enroll for 2025 health benefits even if you do not intend to change your coverage. Enrollment is open Oct. 1-31. Learn more.

Veterans Day policy

The university will be open and classes in session on Veterans Day, Mon., Nov. 11. Only employees required to conduct necessary business should be requested to work. Non-exempt employees who work shall be compensated at 1.5 times (time or pay). Twelve-month exempt staff or faculty who work will be given equivalent time off to use on a later date. If you work on Veterans Day in a Shared Services department (see below), please email astime@ksu.edu with your supervisor copied.

More information is at PPM Chapter 4860.

Shared Services departments: Art; Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics; Chemistry; Miller School of Media and Communication; Geography and Geospatial Sciences; Geology; History; Modern Languages; School of Music, Theatre, Dance; Political Science; Psychological Sciences; Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work; Statistics; Social Transformation Studies

Voting Privileges: Election Day – Nov. 5

Polling locations are generally open 7 a.m.-7 p.m., allowing most employees to vote outside work hours. If an employee cannot get to the polls outside of work hours, time should be allowed to go vote without leave being charged.

ArtSci H.R. and Accounting events Oct. 7 and Nov. 6

We invite all college faculty and staff to our Benefits Presentation on Oct. 7 and our Coffee Collab on Nov. 6. More information is in the Upcoming Events and Meetings section of this newsletter.

 

ArtSci degree requirements update

Overlay and Restricted Electives request form now available 

An updated fillable form is now available for departments to submit requests for a course to be added to the designated restricted electives or overlay list. Five committees have been formed and will begin reviewing requests this month. Courses submitted this past year will be considered and departments do not need to resubmit them. Please submit any further requests as soon as possible. 

 Committee Meeting Schedule for Fall 2024 
  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay – Oct. 15 
  • Global Perspectives Overlay – Oct. 22
  • U.S. Multicultural Overlay – TBD 
  • Natural Science Restricted Elective – Nov. 12
  • Quantitative Social Science Elective – Nov. 1

More details were sent via email and can be found on the college degree requirements, electives and overlays page. For questions, contact Associate Dean Scott Tanona, stanona@ksu.edu, 532-6900, or Curriculum Development Manager Becky O’Donnell, bodonnel@ksu.edu, 532-0357.

 

Important dates

Oct. 11 – Wildcat Pause Day (student break, no classes, university is open)
Oct. 25 – Last Day to Withdraw from regular session course—‘W’ on transcript
Nov. 1 – Deadline to apply for several Arts and Sciences Awards
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day (K-State open, classes in session)
Nov. 24-30 – Thanksgiving Break: No Classes
Nov. 28-29 – Thanksgiving Holiday Observed: Campus Closed

Full 2024-2025 academic calendar

Student enrollment begins Oct. 21

Faculty and staff members with advisor responsibilities should be reaching out to students, scheduling campaigns, and meeting with students to support them during enrollment. More info about enrollment dates is on the Registrar’s Priority Dates & Enrollment Times page.