As a higher education institution, where thousands of perspectives and viewpoints convene, we provide space for civil conversations and discourse to express and learn from each other.
Please see the university’s latest policies, guidance and resources related to free speech and expressive activity.
Fri., Oct. 11
This is a break for students. The university is open but there should be no classes or assignments. Learn more.
Dear Colleagues,
I hope you had a great summer and are excited for the 2024-2025 academic year! We want you to have everything you need to thrive. In this and future newsletters, you’ll find useful information, resources and updates about our college and events. We are planning some fun and informative activities for staff and faculty and hope you’ll join us.
Coming up first is our Arts and Sciences Welcome Social at 4 p.m. today, Wed., Aug. 14, in the Alumni Center Tointon Great Room. All staff and faculty members are invited to come catch up with colleagues and meet new faculty members before classes begin. We’ll provide refreshments and the marching band will entertain us as they rehearse in Memorial Stadium!
We also hope you’ll join in at least one of our three ArtSci Drop-By events this semester. All college staff and faculty members are invited to this casual get-together following the Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 faculty meetings. More details are below.
Watch for our Coffee Collabs, too. They offer an opportunity to learn from university partners and network with colleagues who have similar interests or roles as you.
Lastly, please consider joining in the faculty meetings. We want your input. This semester, we’ll be working on the college strategic plan, developing a workload policy, giving feedback on the new strategic enrollment plan, finding ways to increase efficiencies, and discussing new IT policies.
We continue to work hard to improve our systems and policies, communicate better with everyone in the college, and set the college up for success. If you ever need anything, please contact my office at asdeans@k-state.edu. Your input is valued.
Respectfully,
Chris Culbertson, Dean
Professor of Chemistry
Wed., Aug. 21 | noon-1 p.m. | Calvin Hall Lawn
ArtSci students are invited to meet fellow students and college leadership while enjoying Call Hall ice cream!
First Thursday of every month | 4-5 p.m. | 114 Willard Hall (in fall)
All faculty and staff are welcome, but only faculty members who are eligible to vote in elections for Faculty Senate may vote.
We encourage you to tell us about your department’s events and add them to K-State’s event calendar on Localist. Tag the college in your event entry, under Departments, if you want the event to populate to the college’s event calendar and homepage. To share events with us or get help submitting events to Localist, contact Marcia Locke, marcia@ksu.edu.
Many policies, forms, awards and other resources are accessible on the college’s Faculty and Staff Resources page, located under our ‘About’ tab.
Show off our college’s great staff members by nominating them for the university’s Staff Spotlight Award! This monthly award honors university support and professional staff for their excellent service to the K-State community. Winners are featured in K-State Today and receive $100 from the President’s Office. Anyone can nominate eligible employees. Nominations are due by the first of each month.
Consider helping our students transition from college to career by serving as a mentor in our ArtSci Mentorship Program! We invite faculty, staff and alums from all professions to participate. There is special interest in biology, chemistry, data science, economics, graphic design, health and law/legal.
The fall 2024 program begins Sept. 9 and ends in December. Apply by Sept. 2. Create a WildcatLink account and request membership in the ArtSci Mentorship Program. Once approved, you’ll receive emails via the WildcatLink platform regarding orientation and next steps.
To learn more, contact the program’s coordinator, Zac Malcolm, at malcoz@ksu.edu, and read this story about some mentors and why they do it.
9-Month Employees
Your first paycheck will deposit 9/13/2024. The last paycheck of the academic year will deposit 6/6/2025. Pay periods and pay dates for the academic year can be found below.
Conflict of Interest
All full-time faculty and unclassified staff and other employees who have potential or possible conflicts of interest or time commitment must disclose relevant significant financial interest. Please complete your Conflict of Interest form as soon as possible. Log into HRIS -> Employee Self Service -> Personal Information -> Conflict of Interest. We will begin sending reminder emails to all who have not completed theirs August 30.
HealthQuest Reminder
To receive your premium discount for 2025 health insurance, you are required to earn 40 credits before 12/31/2024.
More information is on K-State’s HealthQuest page.
Hiring a Student Employee (Shared Services departments only)
It is important that student employees complete hiring paperwork before they begin working. Complete the Student Hire form, have your department head sign and date it, and then send it to ashumanresources@ksu.edu. We will work as quickly as we can to get your student hired.
Email Addresses to know if your department uses Shared Services
Accounting-related inquiries (purchase orders, travel, BPC, reimbursements, etc.): sscas@ksu.edu
HR-related inquires (how to view paycheck, change tax allowances and update retirement; health insurance info; etc.): ashumanresources@ksu.edu
Time and leave reporting or help: astime@ksu.edu
2024–2025 Paid Holidays
9/2/2024 Labor Day Holiday
11/11/2024 Veterans Day Holiday*
11/28/2024 Thanksgiving Holiday
11/29/2024 Thanksgiving Holiday
Many personnel changes have occurred in the Dean’s Office and among our department heads since late spring. Congratulations to all who were hired, appointed and promoted!
Congratulations to Arts and Sciences advisors Molly Berstein (left) and Emily Mann on receiving Charlie Awards from the K-State Advisor Forum! The peer nominated award recognizes outstanding academic advisors for their hard work and dedication. It celebrates those who creatively engage in their work, have a positive impact on students, and demonstrate leadership.
Bernstein, the academic advisor for the art department, received the May award.
“Molly is patient and informative when working with her own students, and very helpful and responsive when working with other advisors who have students considering art minors.” Read more
Mann, an academic advisor for the college, received the August award.
“Emily’s advisees are lucky to have such an amazing advocate in their corner helping them to succeed.” Read more
Wed., April 3 | 10:30-noon
K-State Student Union, Room 207
Office of Research Development representatives will talk about resources available to you through ORD including help finding funding and collaborators, internal funding competitions, proposal writing skills, and more. RSVP requested but not required. For more info, contact Laura Hohenbary, laura8@ksu.edu.
Thu., April 4 | 3:30-5 p.m.
004 King Hall and Zoom
Thu., April 4 | 5:15-7 p.m.
Fireside Lounge outside Union Station by JP’s
Enjoy relaxed social time with friends and colleagues from around the college. A heavy appetizer buffet will be provided and the bar in JP’s will be open. No RSVP required. But the first 40 guests will have the best food selection!
Sat., April 6 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
K-State Manhattan Campus
The College of Arts and Sciences Expo will be in the Union Courtyard, and other fun activities will take place all around campus, including glassblowing, fine arts exhibitions, a critter fair, a physics demo that might cause sparks to fly, a broadcast studio tour, and more! Learn more.
Mon., April 22, Earth Day | 4:30-7:00
4:30 Reception with experts | 5:30 Film screening | 6:30 Panel discussion
K-State Student Union, Forum Hall and Courtyard
Dave Kendall, Prairie Hollow Productions, will show parts of his latest documentary, “Hot Times in the Heartland,” about the local impact on and response to climate change in Kansas. The film, which is airing on multiple PBS stations, features four K-State experts who will give a panel discussion after the screening: John Blair, biology; Chuck Rice, agronomy; Logan Thompson, animal science & industry; and Chip Redmond, Kansas Mesonet. Read more.
Co-sponsored by Students for Environmental Action, College of Arts and Sciences, and Kansas Water Institute
“Treaties, Teaching, and First-Gen Land Grant Responsibilities”
Tue., April 23 | 3:30-5 p.m.
204/205 Multicultural Center
and Livestream
Lisa Tatonetti is a professor of English and K-State’s 2023-2024 Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholars. Learn more.
Wed., April 24 | 4 p.m.
K-State Alumni Center
Get help with publicity! Submit your info for K-State’s Summer Camps website by April 12! Learn more.
Faculty members are encouraged to nominate outstanding research for the Kirmser Undergraduate Research Awards by April 19.
Undergraduate students enrolled full-time in any College of Arts and Sciences major are invited to apply for research awards to conduct projects with faculty mentors. The deadline for fall projects is May 1.
Congratulations to College of Arts and Sciences advisors Sarah Buchanan and Chloe Wallace on receiving the February and March Charlie Awards from the K-State Advisor Forum! The peer-nominated award recognizes outstanding academic advisors for their hard work and dedication. It celebrates those who creatively engage in their work, have a positive impact on their students, and demonstrate leadership.
Sarah Buchanan is the academic advisor for the psychological sciences department. Read more.
Chloe Wallace is the academic advisor and program administrator for the environmental science program. Read more.