Greetings Shocker Families,
Cooler temperatures and falling leaves are here! The foliage around campus this time of year is beautiful. We're ready for fall here in Shocker Nation. While the Fall semester may look a little different this year, we are all doing our part to stay safe and healthy.
As you may already know, students’ stress levels rise as the semester midterms arrive. Students are becoming accustomed to new academic standards of college professors and should know where they stand in all their classes. Your students are able to calculate their course averages based on the grade outline that professors place in their course syllabi. Students are also now receiving academic warnings if they are in having issues with attendance, low test scores, missing assignments or participation. Now is a good time talk to your student about his or her academic progress. Be forewarned that grades may not be as high as you might expect; of all the adjustments students undergo during college, becoming accustomed to new academic standards is surely one of the most difficult.
As students learn how to navigate life through the pandemic, they may continue to look for ways to be connected on campus, or perhaps express feeling homesick or depressed. This is common and normal for students to be feeling these emotions. You, as family members, are crucial in providing support for students during these times of transition and can help them make Wichita State their home away from home.
If your student is still looking for opportunities to connect with activities and different communities on campus, here are some resources you can recommend:
- Shocker Sync is a network of resources through which students can connect with clubs and organizations. All they need to do is enter keywords about their interests to find communities of students who enjoy the same activity. In addition, the office of Student Involvement provides a variety of ways to help students get involved. To learn more about events, programs and services, click here.
- Exercise and spending time outdoors are great ways to relieve stress, promote wellness, and build community! Students can attend FREE Shocker Fit classes, enjoy outdoor activities, and create or join an intramural sports team.
As always, we are on standby ready to serve you and your student. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything new can do to help along the way.
With Shocker Pride,
Alicia A. Martinez Newell
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
Email: Alicia.Newell@wichita.edu
Phone: (316) 978-6105
Important Dates
Please be aware that dates are set with the understanding events and deadlines may have to be moved or cancelled in the event it becomes unsafe to proceed as planned.
Thursday, Oct. 1 – Housing Application for 2021 – 2022 academic year opens. Residents that complete the application and submit the $275 between Oct 1 – Dec 1 will be in the first wave of students to pick their room in the spring. Click here to read more about the housing application process.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – Mid-semester point.
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Commencement Ceremony for 2020 spring and summer graduates. Click here for the Commencement website.
Reminder – Fall Break has been canceled.
Thursday, Oct. 29 – Shocker Family Connections | Campus Safety. Click here to learn more and register.
Monday, Nov. 9 – Tentative date for Spring 2021 early registration to begin.
Thursday, Nov. 12 – Shocker Family Connections | Advising and Student Success. Click here to learn more and register.
Friday, Nov. 20 – Last day of in-person instruction.
Nov. 23-29 – Thanksgiving Break: No classes, offices closed Nov. 26 – 27.
Monday, Nov. 30 – Classes resume remotely.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – Last day of fall classes.
Thursday, Dec. 3 – Shocker Family Connections | OneStop and Financial Aid. Click here to learn more and register.
Friday, Dec. 4 – Study Day.
Dec. 5-10 – Final examinations. Click here for exam schedule.
Sunday, Dec. 13 – Fall Commencement. Click here for the Commencement website.
Monday, Feb. 15 – Fall diplomas available.
» Click here for the full fall 2020 semester academic calendar.
» Click here for the full university event calendar.
Looking Forward
During October, your student is hopefully settled in and comfortable with our campus; however, midterm exams can create stress and anxiety among new students. You may want to refer your student to the Office of Student Success if they’re worried about their academic performance.
This month, your student will be able to access information to prepare for the spring enrollment process. Encourage your student to check their academic record to ensure they are eligible to enroll at the earliest possible time. Links to the schedule of courses and a helpful semester academic schedule can be found at wichita.edu/schedule. If they aren’t already, encourage your student to become familiar with the academic advising process and reach out to advisors for help in the degree planning process.
How Can Families Help?
- Encourage your student to check their academic record on myWSU to make sure all previous coursework has been posted to their transcript (if applicable). Your student will also need to begin to plan for the upcoming semester by meeting with an academic advisor. If your student doesn’t know where to go for advising, visit wichita.edu/academicadvising. If they don’t know which college houses their major, visit wichita.edu/majors.
- If your student is unsure of their intended major or needs help choosing one, encourage them to contact the Career Development Center and explore resources at wichita.edu/careerdevelopment.
Conversation Starters
- How did midterms go?
- What types of instruction help you learn best? (For example: lecture, seminar, online or hybrid)
- Are you happy with your choice of major?
- How do you feel classes are going?
- Have you met one-on-one to talk to your professor about your class?
- Are you settling in to your new schedule/routine?
- What is going well?
- What do you think you would like to change?
- Have you gotten involved on campus? Have you joined a student organization, club or Greek Life?
Common Trends for Students
While every student is unique, there are certain trends and phases that many students experience in college. Here are a few of the patterns and potential issues that students tend to experience around September and October:
- Students will typically be fairly familiar with campus by this point in the semester.
- Students will commonly lean on family relationships, particularly when things get stressful.
- If students have struggled with getting involved or making friends, they may be questioning whether they belong on campus.
- Students may experience anxiety as assignments and midterms are returned to them; first-year students may be learning unexpectedly that their college courses are more demanding than those they took in high school.
- As midterms approach, students may neglect to take care of themselves properly. This can look like missing sleep, skipping meals, and not taking breaks.
- Students have had opportunities to engage in decision-making, and may experience consequences (positive or negative) from their actions.
- Roommate issues may begin to arise at this point in the semester.
If your student is struggling, whether academically, socially or emotionally, we encourage you or your student to reach out to CARE Team. CARE Team exists to connect students with the resources they need to be successful and well at Wichita State.
» Click here to learn more about CARE Team.
» Click here to submit a concern to CARE Team.
Your student also has access to affordable, on-campus counseling through Counseling & Prevention Services, or CAPS. If your student is experiencing anxiety, distress, or other mental health struggles, encourage them to reach out and make an appointment.
» Click here to learn about Counseling & Prevention Services.
Healthy and Safety
Fall Symptoms — COVID-19, Flu, Cold or Allergies?
As fall approaches, seasonal allergies, colds, seasonal influenza (flu) and the COVID-19 virus can cause similar symptoms. Here is a handy chart that compares common symptoms of each condition from Student Health Services:
Remember that Student Health is the on-campus health provider for WSU students. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and located in the YMCA on the main campus. Students can call 316-978-4792 for an appointment.
» Click here to see a larger version of the above image.
We encourage you to remind your student to wear their mask or face covering, wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water often, and to stay home if they don’t feel well. Students should also be aware that a limited quantity of flu vaccines are available through Student Health Services. While the flu vaccine cannot protect people from the cold or COVID-19, getting the flu vaccine can help reduce the likelihood of hospitalization due to the flu, which leaves medical resources available for COVID-19 patients.
» Click here to learn about flu vaccinations available through Student Health Services.
» Click here to read CDC information on this year’s flu.
» Click here to review the Student Guide for the fall semester.
» Click here for all the latest University information on COVID-19.
Shocker Family Connections
This year’s Family Week may be over, but Shocker Family Connections will continue! Join us for one Thursday evening each month for a live Q&A with campus experts on the following topics:
- Campus Safety | Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m.
- Advising and Student Success | Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.
- OneStop and Financial Aid | Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.
» Click here to learn more and register for Shocker Family Connections.
» Click here to submit questions to be answered on Shocker Family Connections.
» Click here to watch videos from Family Week.
Shocker Family Photo Competition Winner
Congratulations to the Fay Family on winning the Shocker Family Photo Competition! The above photo was submitted by Kacee Fay, and features Kacee, Lillee, Rylan, Sydnee and Justin Fay. Rylan (center) is a WSU aerospace engineering student.
Congratulations again to the Fay Family, and a huge thank you to everyone who participated!
» Click here to see all entries for the Shocker Family Photo Competition.
The competition may be over, but we encourage you to keep sharing the love by using the hashtag #ShockerFamily to stay connected with your Shocker Family!
A Message from Acting President Rick Muma
Shocker families,
I wanted to take a moment to connect with you as we once again are called upon to adjust to something new. As you all know, Dr. Jay Golden stepped down last week as president of Wichita State. I know you have many questions and will be searching for answers. While we won’t be able to provide any further details about his decision to step down, we do appreciate Dr. Golden’s dedication and hard work while at Wichita State, and we wish him well.
Our job now is to focus on the future, and in the coming days I, along with others, will be providing information on how we intend to do just that.
» Click here to hear more about how Shocker Nation is moving forward together.
» Click here to learn more about Acting President Rick Muma.
Financial Aid News
FAFSA Open for 2021 Academic Year
Beginning October 1, 2020, students may submit a 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using 2019 income information to apply for various types of financial aid like grants, work-study, and loans. Wichita State’s priority date is December 1, 2020. Students can enter our school code, 001950, to add Wichita State to next year’s FAFSA and electronically sign the application using their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Early FAFSA submission gives students priority consideration for financial assistance and additional time to make informed financial decisions.
» Click here for a list of events the Office of Financial Aid is hosting throughout Fall 2020.
Professional Judgments
Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, your family may be experiencing a reduction of income or job loss. Changes in finances may greatly impact your family’s ability to pay for college. The Department of Education allows financial aid administrators to use Professional Judgment to re-evaluate financial aid eligibility when the family income changes.
The Office of Financial Aid may be able to use Professional Judgment on a case-by-case basis to make adjustments to the data used in calculating your estimated family contribution (EFC) to reflect your special circumstances. If you or your family are experiencing financial issues and would like to discuss financial aid options and information about the process of a Professional Judgment for the 2020 – 2021 and/or 2021 – 2022 academic year, contact the Office of Financial Aid.
» Click here to schedule an appointment to meet with a financial aid staff member.
Dropping Classes
Is your student considering dropping a class for Fall 2020? Be sure to speak with the Office of Financial Aid before dropping any classes, as it could impact your student’s financial aid eligibility. Feel free to contact their office at (316) 978-3430 or set an appointment to meet with their staff at wichita.edu/finaidappt.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
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 do not maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress after the Fall 2020 semester have the option to submit an appeal. All appeals must be received in the Office of Financial Aid before February 5, 2021. Any appeals received after the February 5th deadline will be held for review for the next semester.
» Click here to for the appeals application and additional requirements.
Scholarship Opportunities
The FAFSA is not your Shocker’s only opportunity for financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid maintains several lists of scholarship opportunities, which include:
- Scholarships for Current Shockers
- State of Kansas Scholarships
- Additional Scholarship Opportunities
- Outside (non-WSU) Scholarship Opportunities
Have questions? Click here to schedule an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid, or reach out via phone at (316) 978-3430 or via email at finaid@wichita.edu.
» Click here to visit the Office of Financial Aid website.
» Click here to register for Shocker Family Connections | OneStop and Financial Aid.
Involvement Opportunities
Wu's Big Event XIII
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex
Join the Community Service Board for Wu’s Big Event XIII. Wu’s Big Event is WSU’s largest one-day volunteer event. Check-in for this opportunity will run from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. A kick-off covering information about the agencies being served will begin at 9 a.m. in the Lowe Auditorium. Participants will load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until 1 p.m. and return for closing remarks and a reflection activity. As they leave, participants will be provided with a boxed lunch. The event will end by 1:30 p.m.
All participants will be required to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines of the University, Metroplex and those at the volunteer host sites. For questions, email CSB@Wichita.edu. Transportation to and from service sites is provided. Lunch, water, and T-shirt are all provided.
» Click here to register for this event.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, culture and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In addition, the heritage month honors five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.
» Click here to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month.
» Click here to see upcoming Diversity and Inclusion events.
Student Involvement
Is your Shocker involved in a club or organization yet? The Office of Student Involvement is all about getting students involved and connected on campus.
» Click here to see a list of Registered Student Organizations at Wichita State.
» Click here to sign up for NEWSIE, the Student Involvement newsletter.
Campus News
2021 – 2022 Academic Year Housing Application is Now Open
The 2021-22 Academic Year Housing application is now open! Students can now complete the initial pages of the application, submit the $75 non-refundable application fee, and submit the $200 prepayment. Your housing application can be found in the Student Housing section of your myWSU portal.
Residents that complete the application and submit the $275 between Oct 1 – Dec 1 will be in the first wave of students to pick their room in the spring.
» Click here to go to myWSU and begin the application process.
» Click here to read more about the Housing application process.
Convergence Sciences researchers focus on solving complex societal problems
- Four Wichita State University research teams were awarded $300,000 each as part of the Convergence Science Initiatives.
- The Convergence Science Research Initiative brings together a range of academic disciplines to solve complex problems focused on society needs.
- Each of the funded projects will engage undergraduates, graduate students and the community in research.
» Click here to read more about the Convergent Science Initiatives and award recipients.
WuShock sculpture unveiled in front of YMCA building
A first-of-its-kind WuShock sculpture was unveiled and dedicated Sept. 15, at the entry plaza of the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center.
» Click here to read more about the new WuShock sculpture and WuShock’s history.
Wichita State launches certificate in Latin American and Latinx Studies
Wichita State University is now offering a certificate program in Latin American and Latinx Studies at the undergraduate level.
“Students can learn about their culture, as well as Latino cultures in the United States or Latin America,” said Rocio Del Aguila, assistant professor of Spanish. “The certificate’s interdisciplinarity also helps them learn different ways of doing things. It can also help them develop global competency and global citizenship.”
» Click here to read more about the Latin American and Latinix Studies certificate.
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! If you haven’t already, subscribe to receive this newsletter in your inbox at wichita.edu/familynewsletter.
Shocker Family Network Group
Want to connect with other Shocker Families? Head on over to @ShockerFamilyNetwork for a member-led discussion group to get connected and get your questions answered by other Shocker Family members like you!
Find Us On Social
Facebook Page | @parentfamilyshockers
Facebook Group | Shocker Family Network
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