Sept. 14, 2021 Voiland College This Week

Go Cougs!

Led by Hongfei Lin, a team of researchers has received a $3.6 million Department of Energy grant to tackle what can arguably called one of humanity’s biggest challenges: how to capture carbon dioxide out of the air to mitigate climate change.

The National Science Foundation reported on the work of Haluk Beyenal, postdoctoral research fellow Abdelrhman Mohamed, and graduate students Eduardo Sanchez and Natalie Sanchez who have developed a way to assess soil health by measuring the electric current produced by its tiniest microbes.

Composite Materials & Engineering Center’s Suzanne Hamada was awarded the Service Recognition Award from the WSU Office of Research Support and Operations. This prestigious award is to recognize an outstanding employee who has performed their grant and contract administration responsibilities above and beyond the expected performance within his/her work unit.


What’s Happening

Tuesday, September 14 @ 11:00 AM

ESIC Seminar Series — Recent advances in mixed-integer distribution grid optimal power flow (DOPF) modelling and applications:
Energy Systems Innovation Center FA21 Seminar Series presents Recent Advances in Mixed-Integer Distribution Grid Optimal Power Flow (DOPF) Modelling and Applications by Dr. Sumit Paudyal.

Wednesday, September 15 @ 3:00 PM

SEL-WSU Collaboration Week (student focused session):
Student Focused Session – Talk to HR representatives and speed networking.

Thursday, September 16 @ 3:30 PM

SEL-WSU Collaboration Week (Panel of SEL experts):
Why everyone should care about cybersecurity and what are SEL’s best practices? A panel of SEL experts will discuss why cybersecurity is important to all of us and best practices for organizations and individuals.

Thursday, September 16 @ 3PM

The inaugural meeting of the Graduate Society of Women Engineers, WE meet & greet, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 16 from 3:00-4:30 PM, at ETRL 101. We cordially invite you to join us and learn more about GradSWE resources and opportunities, talk to faculty and fellow graduate students while enjoying games and food. Please register for the event.

Share Your Event

Add your upcoming events to the WSU event calendar and we’ll share them here each week!


Opportunities

Cougar Cage Funding Proposals Due Sept. 15

Students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to pitch their game-changing projects in need of funding as part of the upcoming Cougar Cage event hosted by the Palouse Club.

WSU Alumni Association Awards – Nominations Due Sept. 15

Nominate amazing WSU alumni, faculty/staff, students, volunteers, and friends for a wide range of WSU Alumni Association awards in recognition of their commitment to and support of WSU.

Fulbright Specialist Program

The Fulbright Specialist Program (FSP) seeks a highly qualified individual to serve as a Specialist and provide expertise and guidance to Karakalpak State University as they are developing and implementing an academic credit system. This project, “Transitioning to the Credit System: Integrating Choice” would involve 1 visit approximately six weeks in length to Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. Ideally this Specialist would travel in February 2022 – however, project dates can be flexible depending on the chosen candidate’s availability. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and the deadline to submit a brief statement of interest and CV/resume is September 27, 2021.

President’s Award for Safety, Health, and Security Awards – Nominations Due Oct. 1

Do you know someone—whether student, faculty, or staff—who has gone above and beyond in helping to keep the WSU community safe, healthy, and secure? Give them the recognition they deserve!

Undergraduate Research Presentation – Research Week Competition

The Office of Research Advancement and Partnerships is pleased to announce its 1st undergraduate presentation of completed (or near completion) research.

WSU undergraduate students interested in presenting on a research project performed during their academic tenure can apply to this competition. Selected finalists will give a 10-minute presentation on Thursday October 14th during the 2021 Research Week. Applications are due September 21st.

Find the application and more information by following this link: Undergraduate Research Presentation.

Faculty Fall Operations and Course Delivery FAQs

To aid the transition back to in-person operations and course delivery, the Provost’s Office has established the frequently asked questions from faculty. If you are interested in submitting a question, please send the same to provost@wsu.edu. The Provost’s Office will add questions and ensure information is aligned with current federal, state, and university policies.

Career Prep for Your Classroom

Faculty- don’t let an unexpected event cause you to cancel class! The Voiland College Internships & Career Services office is always looking for opportunities to educate students about career preparation. Whether you’d like us to cover a whole class period, partial class period, or a few minutes giving an overview of our services, we’re excited to chat with your students! Call Sandi Brabb at (509) 335-3740 or brabb@wsu.edu for more information and to schedule your next class visit.

Canvas Learning Path

Below is a suggested plan containing actions and resources designed to help you learn the elements of Canvas and make it easier to build your course and interact with students.

Available resources include live training events, short videos, links to resources, and information to access WSU personnel who can help you as you build your course(s) in Canvas.


Be Safe Cougs

Learn to Support Cougs in Crisis

We can all help support mental health in our campus community. Learn how to identify Cougs in crisis and connect them with support by signing up for a training at Cougar Health Services. Sessions are available for all WSU locations.

Campus Connect

This 2-hour suicide prevention training program is offered free of charge for all WSU staff and students. Participants learn: Statistics and facts about college student suicide; How to ask if someone is feeling suicidal; Appropriate referrals; Active listening, communication, and relationship building skills.

Mental Health First Aid

Participants in this training learn about symptoms, crisis response, and active listening skills to support someone who is experiencing a mental health disorder such as: Depression and anxiety; Trauma; Psychosis; Eating disorders; Substance abuse; Mental Health First Aid is free for WSU Pullman, Global, and Vancouver campus students.

Preregistration is required and capacity is limited. All registration for Mental Health First Aid and Campus Connect should be completed through our online form.

Concerned about a Coug right now?

The Student Care Network can help.
If you aren’t sure how to respond or who should know about your concerns, Counseling and Psychological Services is available at 509‑335‑4511 and after hours at 509‑335‑2159.

Vaccine Mandated, Masks Required this Fall

Washington Governor Jay Inslee will require all school employees in the state, including those working at colleges and universities, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18. In addition, he reintroduced a state-wide mask mandate, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, in response to the surging Delta variant of the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus.

Return to Campus

Visit Voiland College’s Faculty/Staff Web page to find the steps you need to take to return to work on campus.

COVID‑19 Vaccination Declaration – Instructions

WSU employees who are not vaccinated must file a vaccination exemption request via Workday before Aug. 23. Here’s how to find where in Workday you can complete your COVID-19 vaccination declaration.

VCEA Return to Work Location Distancing and Disinfection Plan for SARS-CoV2 and COVID-19

All Voiland College personnel shall adhere to the Voiland College Distancing and Disinfection Plan.

WSU COVID-19 Information

Visit WSU’s website to get the latest information and resources on WSU’s COVID-19 testing and response.

Send Us Your News

Include your kudos, opportunities, events, and more in the Voiland College This Week newsletter for employees.

DEADLINE: Submit items by 12 pm Thursday for inclusion in the following Tuesday newsletter.