Kansas State University

Commencement Walkthrough

Thu., Dec. 7 | 3-5 p.m. (probably done around 4 p.m.)
Bramlage Coliseum
Everyone participating in the ceremony is encouraged to attend.

Faculty Meeting (note later start time)

Thu., Dec. 7 | 4-5 p.m.
004 King Hall
*Please note, this meeting has been moved to 4 p.m. instead of the usual 3:30 to allow for attending Commencement Walkthrough.

ArtSci Drop-By: Holiday Party

Thu., Dec. 7 | 5:15-7 p.m.
Union Station by JP’s

All Arts & Sciences staff and faculty are invited to this casual, come-and-go holiday party! Festive appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages, including spiced cider, will be provided by the Dean’s Office. Other drinks and cider-spikers can be purchased at JP’s bar.

This party has really filled up! If you are planning to attend and haven’t told us, please tell us as soon as possible. If you no longer plan to attend, it would be helpful for us to know that as well. Thanks!

RSVP using this link

Arts and Sciences Commencement

Sat., Dec. 9 | 8:30-10 a.m.
Bramlage Coliseum 

10th Annual Civil Rights Teach-In

Wed., Jan. 24 | 2:30-5 p.m.
Leadership Studies Town Hall

K-State Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Week

Come see presentations that spark powerful discussions regarding teaching and research as it pertains to current social issues and the legacy of activism at K-State and beyond.

Please encourage your students to attend.

Important university dates

Dec. 8 – Fall 2023 Application for Graduation Closes
Dec. 8-9 – Manhattan Campus Commencements
Dec. 11-15 – Final Exams
Dec. 12 – Deadline to Return I-NR Grades
Dec. 19 – Fall 2023 Grades Due by 5 p.m. (4pm if grading in CANVAS)
Dec. 25-29 – Winter Break: Reduced University Activity—Campus Closed
Dec. 26 – First Day of January Intersession
Jan. 1 – University Holiday: New Year’s Day—Campus Closed
Jan. 12 – Last Day of January Intersession
Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King Jr Day Observed—Campus Closed
Jan. 16 – First Day of Spring 2024 Classes

View full 2023-2024 Academic Calendar (pdf)

University Award nominations due February 1

The Office of the Provost offers the following awards for which nominations are due Feb. 1, which may sneak up on you after winter break. Please consider nominating colleagues for these important awards. Instructions are on the provost’s Awards and Honors page.

• Presidential Award for Outstanding Department Head 
• Presidential Faculty Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching 
• Presidential Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching 

Books on academic and grant writing are available for faculty and staff to borrow. Please contact Laura Hohenbary, laura8@ksu.edu. 

They Say I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing  

How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing 

Writing Science: How to Write Papers That Get Cited and Proposals That Get Funded 

The Grant Writing Guide: A Road Map for Scholars 

New Staff Spotlight Award program

The new Staff Spotlight Award highlights staff members—university support staff and professional staff—each month for their service to the K-State community. Anyone can nominate eligible employees. Read announcement.

Winter Break

The university will reduce activity Tue., Dec. 26, through Fri., Dec. 29. All university offices will be closed during this time except for those providing specific, required services. The university will reopen Tue., Jan. 2. More information about holidays, reduced activity, and leave usage is in the annual University Holiday Memo. 

Use your Discretionary Day by December 23!

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. 

Reminder: New email address for submitting leave

Arts and Sciences Human Resources has a new email address for submitting leave requests. If you submit your time to Shared Services, please use astime@ksu.edu in the box that looks like this: 

This applies to Media and Comm; Art; Biochem; Chem; Geography; Geology; History; Mod Lang; Poli Sci; Psych Sci; Sociol, Anthro and Soc Wk; Soc Transforma Stu; Stats; and Dean’s Office employees. 

Inclement weather guidelines

Now that winter weather is here, please review K-State’s inclement weather guidelines. Start with this Preparing for Inclement Weather article in K-State Today.