Shocker Family Newsletter

Dear parents and families,

The academic year has come to an end in this strangest of all springs. In the midst of all the end-of-semester commotion, I wanted to pause for a moment to express my gratitude to those who have accomplished so much. The students completing their semester at home or in alternate locations, the seniors graduating from afar, the families and loved ones who supported them through it all — you all have my appreciation and respect. The spirit and resiliency shown by the campus community has made me — and should make you as well — proud to be a Shocker.

As we dive head-first into the summer months and the Kansas heat ramps up, we are looking forward to keeping you updated via our Shocker Family Newsletter. Thank you for your continued support during this time and we hope you are staying healthy and finding time to relax. This month we are sharing tips on making the most of summer with your student, mental health resources and more.

Let me know if there are topics you would like to see in future newsletters. If you would like more news about the University, you can become a fan of Wichita State’s Facebook page or other social media platforms.

I hope you are all well. My best wishes to you for a safe and productive summer.

Alicia A. Martinez Newell

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

Email: Alicia.Newell@wichita.edu

Phone: (316) 978-6105

Important Dates

Tuesdays – Tuesday Talks with Student Health at 2 p.m.

Wednesdays – Virtual drop-in Q&A with Career Development Center from 9 to 11 a.m.

Thursdays – Virtual meeting hours with Career Development Center from 9 to 10 a.m.

Monday, June 1 – First day of summer classes for 8-week sessions and first 4-week session

Friday, June 5 – Last day to drop a course without it appearing on transcript

Friday, June 5 – Last day to drop a course for full refund

Saturday, June 27 – Last day of first 4-week session

Monday, June 29 – First day of second 4-week session

Reopening Campus

Wichita State is now in Phase 2 of its Shockers United plan to reopen campus, and will be until Aug. 1. Here are some of the things you can expect to see:

All summer classes will remain in an online/remote format
Remote working encouraged where possible for faculty and staff
Employees are expected to conduct a personal wellness check each day prior to coming to campus
Gatherings shall not exceed 15 people through June 8 or as determined by the state of Kansas
Students, faculty, staff and visitors are expected to wear masks and other appropriate PPE at all times, unless walking alone outdoors or working alone in a personal office space
Everyone on campus will maintain six feet of social distancing

To learn more, click here for the full Shockers United plan.

Click here for University information on COVID-19.

Making the Most of Summer with Your Student

Whether your student plans to visit home for a short stay or an extended amount of time, the summer months can be a great time to reconnect.

Whether your student came home earlier than expected this year due to COVID-19 or they are just returning home, you may find that after some time away they are now used to being on their own schedule and may have new habits and ways of operating in the world that differ from before.

Here are a few things to keep in mind and tips for making the most of the summer with your student:

Reflect on the past year

Take time to get to know the independent person your student is becoming. Ask open-ended questions about their classes or major, their friends and social groups, what they like to do in their free time, etc. Help them reflect on their past year, and encourage them to think about what they would like to accomplish or do differently next year.

Make new memories

It’s a good idea to discuss any family plans your student, and ask what their plans are while they’re home to ensure everyone’s on the same page. Talk about how often you’d like to spend time together, or plan a regular family night with a favorite activity. Make sure to keep in mind social distancing in any planning and use this summer as an opportunity to spend quality time together doing activities closer to home, since travel plans may be altered this year.

Navigate conflict

Most people think conflict is a negative thing, but conflict is normal and can result in growth, learning and understanding. Here are some things you can do that lead to a healthy, positive experience if you encounter conflict with your student:

In a conversation, allow your student to share their point of view without interrupting.
What you mean to say is not always what the other person hears—think about the intent and impact of your message.
When sharing your point of view, speak from your perspective. Try to see things from the other side rather than make assumptions.
When agreement is not possible, allow for multiple truths.

Discuss expectations

Since your student has moved out, the expectations may not be clear when it comes to helping out with household responsibilities when they visit home. Discuss expectations when it comes to laundry, dishes and other household chores if your student is staying for an extended amount of time. If you want your student to stick to a curfew while they’re home, try to have a conversation before your student arrives.

Make a checklist

If possible, try to schedule any doctor, dentist or other appointments while your student is home so they won’t need to worry about it later on when they are back at school.

Moving Forward

Another year of college — or perhaps the first — is under your student’s belt. Many students choose to take summer courses to get ahead or to try out new subject areas. You and your student should be mindful of the fact that summer courses can be more demanding than those in the spring or fall; this is because the same amount of material must be covered in a shorter amount of time. Students may want to consider consulting with their academic advisor before enrolling in summer classes.

Summer is a quieter time to take stock of the past year and readjust if needed. Expect students to push for even more independence and be increasingly future-oriented. This will inevitably create changing dynamics in the family. Take time to listen to each other’s perspectives, set boundaries where necessary, and compromise with each other as much as possible. Remember, adjustments take time, and your student has developed some new perspectives from which the whole family can benefit.

How Can Families Help?

Review the events of the past academic year together. Identify successes and problem areas and ask your student for feedback about how they plan to adjust.
Review your student’s financial needs for the coming year. Evaluate changes that may be needed for money management.
Increase expectations for your student’s personal decision making and taking care of academic/career responsibilities.
Encourage your student to visit the Career Development Center for assistance in exploring career and work-based learning opportunities.
Continue to express confidence in your student’s ability to be a successful Wichita State Shocker!

Conversation Starters

What resources did you find helpful on campus this year? Which ones would you like to use in the coming year?
What can your family do to help you succeed?

President's Connection – Community and Alumni Newsletter

In this month’s edition, I hope to share with you some key updates on how Wichita State University continues to manage during the global pandemic while, importantly, working hard to advance the institution to even greater heights.

Open Campus

While last week was shortened as we honored those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, it proved to be a very important week for Wichita State University.

First, our campus welcomed back our faculty and staff on the day after Memorial Day. This went very smoothly and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a vast number of professionals who developed and implemented detailed health and safety plans, reconfigured offices and open spaces, and created revised business operating plans. While we never stopped operating as a university during the pandemic and continued to provide our students with a high-quality education, it was heart-warming to see many of our staff come back on campus. I am making it a priority to walk around to the various divisions and personally thank everyone for their dedication during these difficult times. I have even tried my hand at baking and delivered homemade chocolate chip cookies to our wonderful staff.

Click here to read more of this month’s President’s Connection.

Financial Aid News

COVID-19 Scams

Ari Lazarus is a Consumer Education Specialist for the Federal Trade Commission who has written a very topical piece on COVID-19 scams targeting college students. Click here to check out Ari's article.

Summer Aid Disbursement

There are a few simple guidelines to keep in mind about the payment process at Wichita State:

You must pay your fees according to the Summer 2020 Schedule of Courses. If you do not have financial aid pending, you will need to make other payment arrangements to avoid any late charges.
Your financial aid (with the exception of Federal Work-Study) will be applied to your charges first and, if applicable, to your on-campus housing charges next.
Funds will be applied to your charges as they become available, but no earlier than the time listed in the Schedule of Courses, or no earlier than 10 days prior to your first scheduled course for Summer 2020.
If your financial aid is more than your total fee bill, you will receive the excess aid through direct deposit or a paper check. If you have completed direct deposit enrollment with the Accounts Receivable Office, direct deposits began on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Paper checks started to be mailed on Thursday, June 4, 2020.
Funds cannot disburse between June 24, 2020 and June 30, 2020 due to end-of-year fiscal reporting requirements. These dates are subject to change.

Federal Work Study

The deadline for completing a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 academic year is June 30. Keep in mind that students will need to have a FAFSA on file to be considered for federal aid for the summer term. Students may visit studentaid.gov to begin this process. The office of Financial Aid can assist with any questions you or your student may have regarding FAFSA completion.

Last Call for FAFSA Completion

Deadline for Summer 2020 SAP Appeals

Students must make Satisfactory Academic Progress to be eligible for federal financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid will review a student’s quantitative (time-based) and qualitative (grade based) progress after each semester.

Students who did not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress after the Spring 2020 semester have the option to submit an appeal. All appeals must be received in the Office of Financial Aid before June 12, 2020. Any appeals received after the June 12 deadline date will be held for review for the next semester.

Please visit the Office of Financial Aid website for the appeals application and additional requirements at wichita.edu/sapappeal.

The office of Financial Aid can be contacted via phone at (316) 978-3430 or via email at finaid@wichita.edu.

Campus News

Student Health Services

As of June 1, students are instructed to resume using the Wellness Center’s main entrance in the lobby of the Steve Clark YMCA. If visitors to Student Health are experiencing fever, cough or other symptoms of illness, Student Health advises them to call 978-4792 before coming into the center.

Student Health Services is offering Tuesday Talks on various health topics at 2 p.m. every Tuesday. These videos can be viewed live on the Student Health Facebook page, and previous recordings can be view on their YouTube channel.

University Libraries

Wichita State’s University Libraries are preparing to start welcoming Shockers back into the building. They have been working diligently to create a safe, welcoming experience for our students while maintaining safety protocols found in the Shockers United plan. While the library is staffing to provide service hours to the Shocker community, please note that many library employees will continue working remotely. Click here to learn more.

Virtual Orientation

Summer orientation will be held virtually through online platforms and a software program, Comevo.
The virtual orientation includes a live meeting with advisors, orientation leaders and faculty from their college. Along with a tour of campus and ways to get involved.
The online modules offer more in-depth information about resources (academic, health, safety conduct, billing and advising) that did not fit in the virtual events.
The Office of Student Success highly encourages new students to frequently check their student email and use the university's COVID-19 site to stay up-to-date on the evolving communication related to the pandemic.

Click here to read the full story.

Campus Resources

Care Team

The Care Team provides a proactive and supportive multidisciplinary team approach to prevention, assessment and intervention for situations that may interfere with students reaching their full potential.

If you feel that your student would benefit from additional support in overcoming obstacles, learn more and submit a concern at wichita.edu/care.

Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS)

CAPS and #WSUWeSupportU are dedicated to making sure Shockers are heard, seen and understood while Wichita State University and our community take precautions for COVID-19. Counselors are still available to consult via telephone or Zoom to help students develop a self-care plan for their mental health during this crisis.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 316-978-4792. Learn more at wichita.edu/CAPS.

OneStop

OneStop is a one-stop-shop for information about everything WSU. There are advisors there who are there to answer any question you may have from class schedules and financial aid to getting involved, BlackBoard help and technical support.

Get in touch at wichita.edu/OneStop.

Student Success

The office of Student Success helps students maximize their academic potential and reach their personal goals through a range of programs and services, regardless of personal background. Their goal is to help students develop skills and plans to graduate in a timely manner while engaging with our community of learners.

Learn more and connect with Student Success at wichita.edu/studentsuccess.

Connect With Us

Stay up to date on campus news by following us on social media, or contact us at 316-978-3149 or at shocker.family@wichita.edu!

Facebook Page | @parentfamilyshockers

Facebook Group | Shocker Family Network

Student Affairs Facebook | @wichitastatesa

Student AffairsTwitter | @wichitastatesa

Student Affairs Instagram | @wichitastatesa

Want this newsletter in your inbox? Click here to subscribe.