K-State Today May 31, 2018
From the president
An update from President Myers
Dear K-State Community:
As we enter the second week of hardship caused by the devastating Hale Library fire, frustration is growing. We have made heroic progress bringing systems online, relocating employees and developing creative workaround solutions. Many of you, however, still lack access to basic tools you need to work, and when pressed for answers by others, have none.
At the same time, classes are being held, undergraduates will soon flock to campus for orientation and enrollment, and international student and graduate student enrollment continues. We’re in the season for 4-H, Boys State, summer camps and many other activities. For some it’s business as usual, for many it’s not. Serving these constituents without our full capability is a tremendous challenge.
The way we have come together should make us all proud. That’s the Wildcat Way.
Work is in process to stabilize the temperature and humidity in Hale caused by the extensive water and smoke damage to the building. Library staff have been relocated to various places around campus and are working hard to develop alternate ways of delivering library information services to the K-State community. Please be patient as this dedicated team gets these services up and running.
Efforts continue around the clock to bring more IT systems on board. We understand how important these tools are to you and are working hard to bring them back. The loss of our data center was a major event and how we respond defines the character of our family.
I encourage you to check the update page daily and check the ITS blog for the latest information on the status of systems. The situation is fluid, but continues to improve. Please avail yourself of this information and continue to check K-State Today. If you have information that needs to be posted in Frequently Asked Questions, please send it to vpcm@ksu.edu. Information is being added to this site daily.
My confidence remains strong in the ability of the K-State family to respond to this challenge. We’ve faced fire before — and tornadoes, and ice storms. Each time we’ve come back strong and built for a better future. Let’s follow that tradition of perseverance and help each other through this trying time.
Richard B. Myers
President
Kansas State University
News
University operations continue to come online following the May 22 Hale Library fire. Belfor Property Restoration continues to stabilize the interior temperature and humidity levels of Hale Library.
The IT Services Walkup Help Desk has been relocated to the second floor of the K-State Student Union in the Cat’s Pause Lounge. The help desk can also be reached by phone at 785-532-7722.
Library staff members are establishing offices in various locations across the Manhattan campus. At this time, email is the best way to contact library staff. Plans are still being developed for other library services and will be announced as soon as they are final.
Finally, all K-State websites in the content management system, or CMS, have been restored. Non-CMS sites, preview sites, search, CMS forms and image galleries remain unavailable.
Changes in requests for hazardous waste pickup
The Department of Environmental Health and Safety asks that requests for pickup of hazardous, medical or radioactive waste be temporarily submitted by email to safety@k-state.edu.
The hazardous waste pickup form is still viewable but will not submit your request to Environmental Health and Safety. Please refer to the form to include all necessary information in your email request.
If you have other questions or concerns, contact the department at safety@k-state.edu or 785-532-5856.
Visit k-state.edu/safety/ for more information.
Peter Dorhout reminds all to seize opportunities to inform the public of the value of K-State research, plus find the Funding Connection, a concept paper opportunity for collaborative project teams at K-State, and more.
