Notices and Announcements

CEREO and the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships (ORAP) are co-sponsoring two climate and environmental research proposal development workshops. We understand that large, interdisciplinary proposal development can be a daunting challenge. Luckily, CEREO specializes in providing support and expertise for environmental and climate change focused proposal development.

This opportunity will allow research teams to apply for a two-day, hosted, in-person workshop with CEREO to help rapidly building interdisciplinary team cohesion and move research ideas to proposal drafts.

The funded workshops will include:

Travel support for team members (up to $2,000), meeting space and refreshments (including breakfast & lunch) for two days, guided training on building a compelling interdisciplinary research proposal — including enhancing team cohesion, developing a compelling core idea, and post-workshop support for continued proposal development.

Applications will be open through May 29. For more information on the WSU Climate Change-Related Research Working Group and to apply for this opportunity, please visit our website.

TIAA Consultant Eli Jenkins will be on the Pullman campus on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 11 and 12.

For WSURP and VIP participants, Eli can assist you with the following: developing long-term retirement savings strategies; reviewing/adjusting retirement allocations; or learning about TIAA retirement income options and flexibility.

All WSU employees can participate in the VIP (Voluntary Investment Plan). If you are interested in learning more about this program or saving more for retirement, Eli can provide information about the VIP. Appointment times are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. To schedule a meeting please call 1-800-732-8353, or schedule online.

Please join Washington State University’s President and First Lady on Thursday, May 30, in the Lewis Alumni Centre courtyard for a thank-you reception in honor of Chancellor Elizabeth Chilton.

The reception will provide an opportunity for the university community to extend well wishes and celebrate Dr. Chilton’s tenure at WSU.

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with a brief program starting at 4 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

Portable fire extinguisher safety training is available at the Pullman campus on May 20, 23, and 29. During this live instructor-led course, participants will discover the proper techniques for safely operating a portable fire extinguisher to combat minor fires. Understand the appropriate scenarios for utilizing these extinguishers and when it’s not advisable. Attendees will also explore the various categories of fires and the corresponding extinguisher types suited for each. Engage in practical, hands-on sessions featuring real fire simulations. Multiple sessions are available for each date, enrollment is limited.

Learn more and register in Percipio

The Regents’ Distinguished Alumni Award (RDAA), first presented in 1962, is the highest honor bestowed upon a Washington State University alum. The RDAA honors alums who have made a truly distinguished contribution to society or who, through personal achievement, have brought distinction to Washington State University. View past recipients.

The RDAA recognizes and celebrates select WSU alums for their achievements with the highest level of distinction from WSU. This award program is a collaborative effort of the WSU President’s Office, the Board of Regents, and the WSU Alumni Association. Learn more about the RDAA program.

Submit nominations no later than July 15.

Questions? Contact the WSU Alumni Association at alumnievents@wsu.edu or 509-335-6902.

Next week, a Verizon 5G FOSC project contractor will mobilize and begin excavation in preparation for new pole and conduit installation for infrastructure. The main area of impact will be the sidewalk crossings at N Fairway Ave and a single lane closure on Stadium Way on the southbound lanes; the bus stop area, sidewalk and single lane closure, on Stadium Way in front of Vogel Hall will be closed; the sidewalk and single lane closure, on Stadium Way in the southbound lane between the SCUE garage entrance and Troy Lane, and finally Veterans Way, sidewalk and street, from College Ave up to the loading dock entrance to Eastlick/Heald will be completely closed with detour signage posted to go around using Spokane Street. The interruptions will be occurring between now and the end of May. Please observe all traffic signage and personnel. There will be flaggers onsite in some of these locations. If you should have any questions, please address them to Jeremy Griffin, facilities construction manager, at jeremy.griffin@wsu.edu. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and we thank you for your patience.

On May 23, 3–4 p.m., Jonathan Follett, president of Walla Walla Foundry, will discuss iconic art fabrication, starting with Mine Camp (1991) by Edward and Nancy Reddin Kienholz. The Foundry, now a top global art fabricator, showcases bronze fragments and a replica of Mine Camp in the exhibition Beyond Hope: Kienholz and the Inland Northwest until June 29, 2024. Originally a bronze casting foundry since 1980, it now employs 100+ staff, crafting in bronze, copper, brass, steel, silver, zinc, wood, resin, glass, and wax. Equipped with cutting-edge technology like digital design, CNC machines, 3D scanning, and water jet cutting.

Learn more

Online chat functions within applications such as Zoom and Teams provide an efficient and convenient way to quickly catch up with co-workers on projects, get quick answers to work related questions and easily collaborate with others without having to leave your office. Although these applications provide great benefits, records created such as chat history, files shared, etc. may become a part of official university records and as such, are subject to be pulled for audits, investigations, legal holds and/or public records requests.

Employees are encouraged to regularly review BPPM 90.01 University Records-Retention and Disposition, BPPM 90.03 Retention of Electronic Communications, and the Records Retention Schedule at Records Retention and Disposition to determine what records must be maintained and for how long and which records can be disposed of and how.

Employees should regularly review chat histories and documents shared, and dispose of any that are not required to be retained as part of an official record. Teams functionality has been updated to allow users to delete their whole conversation, instead of each line, by simply right clicking on the name of the person and selecting ‘Delete’.

For questions, please contact:

• Internal Audit
  ia.central@wsu.edu or 509‑335‑5336
• Public Records Office
  wsu.pubrecords@wsu.edu or 509-335-3928
• Office of Policies, Records, and Forms
  prf.forms@wsu.edu or 509-335-2005

Grow and develop your skills with these upcoming courses and opportunities! 

• Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, June 3
  Learn more and register in Percipio for this 8-week series

  Class sessions will include guided instruction in mindfulness practices, gentle stretching, didactic presentations, and group discussions in a safe and engaging setting.

• Bite-Size Book Club: Q&A with the Author, Dave Mitchell, June 4
  Learn more and register for the Q&A

  Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to attend this special Q&A session of BSBC, facilitated by Dave Mitchell, author of our spring selection, The Power of Understanding Yourself. Participation in the the spring series of BSBC not required for this session.

• Learning in Cougar Country: Learning Administrator Collaborative, June 5
  Learn more and register for Learning in Cougar Country

  This half-day virtual event is focused on enhancing support and resources for WSU’s Learning Administrators. Featuring presentations, and breakout sessions focused on a variety of topics including:

  • Trends & issues
  • Role responsibilities
  • Compliance training & assignments
  • Reporting actions, routine processes, etc.
• Crucial Accountability Book Review, June 11
  Learn more and register in Percipio for this 2-part series

  Crucial Accountability offers tools for improving relationships in the workplace and in life. Learn how to deal with violated expectations in a way that permanently solves the problem at hand without harming the relationship.

Portable fire extinguisher safety training is available at the Pullman campus on May 20, 23, and 29. During this live instructor-led course, participants will discover the proper techniques for safely operating a portable fire extinguisher to combat minor fires. Understand the appropriate scenarios for utilizing these extinguishers and when it’s not advisable. Attendees will also explore the various categories of fires and the corresponding extinguisher types suited for each. Engage in practical, hands-on sessions featuring real fire simulations. Multiple sessions are available for each date, enrollment is limited. Learn more and register in Percipio.

Last chance for spring 2024

Friday, May 17
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Greenhouses by Ferdinand’s, WSU Pullman

• Cougar red tomatoes in 3 1/2″ pots at $1.50 each
• 4-packs of flowers, tomatoes, and peppers at $2.25 each
• 16″ deck planters at $38.50 each
• Begonia, fuchsia, and wave petunia hanging baskets at $36.50 each
• 5 1/2″ geraniums at $4.50 each
• 16″ and 18″ pulp hanging baskets at $48.50 and $54.50 each

Today marks the last opportunity for members of the WSU community to submit their applications to serve on the advisory committee tasked with selecting Washington State University’s 12th president. Individuals interested in securing one of the five at-large positions are strongly encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline expires.

For those wishing to apply, the online application and further details regarding the search process are available on the Presidential Search website. Any inquiries regarding the application process can be directed to WSUPresidentSearch@imsearch.com.

Join us for this unique system-wide opportunity to interact with fellow readers, engage in perspectives, and hear more from Dave Mitchell, the author of our spring series selection, The Power of Understanding Yourself. For over 25 years, Mitchell has delivered light-hearted presentations surrounding communication styles, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationships through his “laugh and learn” style. With his additional titles of Live and Learn, or Die Stupid! and The Power of Understanding People, this session is anticipated to be informational, interactive, and fun.

* This Q&A session is open to all WSU employees, staff, and faculty, regardless of registration in the Bite-Size Book Club spring series course. *

Learn more about this author and register in Percipio for the June 4, facilitated session from 1–2:30 p.m.

This is a friendly reminder that the Fine Arts Parking Garage on the Pullman campus is scheduled for necessary repairs and maintenance. The garage will temporarily close beginning Thursday, May 16. The anticipated completion date for this project is mid-August 2024.

We apologize for any inconvenience; Patrons may utilize the nearby Smith Center (SCUE) Garage for the duration of this project.

Please contact Transportation Services with any questions.

transportation@wsu.edu
509-335-PARK (7275)

The Office of Tribal Relations is partnering with the Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships to offer Tribal Engagement and Consultation mini grants. These grants are meant for researchers who demonstrate experience collaborating with Native communities and are seeking funds for tribal outreach and engagement on a current or new project that will lead to the submission of an extramural grant proposal.

Funds can be utilized for activities (e.g., travel, listening sessions, tribal elder or cultural specialist stipends, participant honorariums, etc.) that enhance the research partnership.

Proposals for the mini grant will be due today, May 15, at 5 p.m. The grants are for use during the summer and following academic year. Mini grants will be up to $1,500 and the PI must be a faculty member at WSU (any track and rank).

Find more information and apply online.

This informational series addresses the root cause behind many organizational and familial issues: the failure to address broken promises and unmet expectations. It highlights how individuals often avoid holding others accountable for their actions, leading to escalating problems and decreased performance. Research underscores the significant impact mishandled disappointments have on both morale and organizational effectiveness, with repercussions extending to personal relationships. The course equips participants with the skills to address such situations effectively, resolving issues while preserving relationships and enhancing overall performance. By providing tools for managing broken promises and fostering accountability, Crucial Accountability aims to improve workplace dynamics and personal relationships, ultimately resolving issues permanently.

Register in Percipio for this informative upcoming series starting Tuesday, June 11, from 1–3 p.m.

WSU Insider will continue to be updated online each weekday through the summer, though the volume of fresh postings as well as the daily push email will be less frequent. The online WSU Announcements section and the WSU Events calendar will continue to be managed daily as well.

Look for news highlights in the daily push email Monday through Thursday through late August with Friday emails resuming around the start of the fall semester.

Please contact wsunews@wsu.edu with any questions.

The WSU WellCoug Program is excited to let you know of a 10-session summer series, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, provided by Robin Bond and Trymaine Gaither.

The program has shown to help participants with addressing chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, general stress, and stress-related health issues. The sessions will include guided instruction in mindfulness practices, gentle stretching, didactic presentations, and group discussions in a safe and engaging setting. Daily home practices will be assigned for outside of class.

The Zoom series will run June 3–July 29, for a total of 27 hours. Register to attend via Percipio, with a target audience of 25 attendees. Supervisor approval is needed due to the comprehensive nature of this program and potential impact on traditional work schedules.

We hope you are able to participate!

Learning and Organizational Development is excited to share with you a new offering in the WSU Training for Supervisors journey, Supervisor Support Roundtable Discussion, and Q&A.

This course, led by HRS subject matter experts, aims to provide a collaborative platform for supervisors to address questions, concerns, and challenges related to managing employees throughout their lifecycle. This is also an invaluable opportunity to gain perspectives and insights from colleagues who have or are currently experiencing similar hurdles.

* Participation is restricted to supervisors who have completed the core requirements of the Training for Supervisors program. *

Registration is filling quickly, so don’t miss your opportunity to attend the spring class! Reserve your space for Wednesday, May 15, from 1–3 p.m. in Percipio.

Elevating Cougs: Empowering You to Share and Grow

Elevating Cougs isn’t just about showcasing knowledge; it’s about fostering growth, both personally and professionally, and sharing the expertise that we know exists throughout all levels of our organization. As we gear up for another installment of our largest internal employee development event, consider stepping onto the stage and sharing your expertise with our community.

If you’ve never presented before, don’t worry! We’re here to support you every step of the way, from brainstorming ideas to refining your delivery. Together, let’s make Elevating Cougs 2024 the best one yet. Let’s inspire, educate, and elevate one another as we continue on our journey of growth and development.

Visit the Elevating Cougs web page to learn more about the benefits of presenting, how to get involved, and sample topics such as soft and/or technical skills.

Ready to submit your presentation proposal, or want to nominate a presenter? Complete the proposal form online.

We look forward to seeing you on stage!

— Elevating Cougs Organizing Committee