University Update – May 6, 2021
Dr. Richard Muma named 15th president of Wichita State University
The Kansas Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Richard Muma as the 15th president of Wichita State University, effective immediately. Muma has been serving as interim president of Wichita State since September 2020.
Community leaders and members of the Shocker Nation joined virtually and in person on Thursday, May 6, for the announcement by the Kansas Board of Regents.
Muma has been a cornerstone of the campus community for over 25 years as a professor, department chair, executive vice president and provost, acting president and — most recently — interim president.
Presidential priorities
During his interim presidency, Muma has worked with campus constituency groups to align Wichita State’s priorities with KBOR’s Building a Future plan. Earlier this year, he introduced the university’s priorities as the following:
- Provide opportunity for affordable, accessible and impactful education. Wichita State is committed to trying to keep tuition affordable by keeping down costs as much as possible and raising private funds for need-based scholarships. “We know the most important step we can take to support our community and Kansas is to provide educational opportunities for the citizens in our own backyard so they can go on to live productive lives for themselves and their families,” Muma wrote in an April newsletter.
- Support businesses by providing a talent pipeline that meets their needs. Through the university’s Shocker Cities initiative, it’s focused on recruiting out-of-state students along the I-35 corridor at in-state tuition rates and inviting them to come to Wichita State to learn and, hopefully, stay and use their education and talents in Kansas. “All of this is meant to help address local workforce and community issues and also helps to grow the Kansas economy.”
- Grow and diversify our state’s economy. “Through our concerted efforts in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and smart manufacturing, Wichita State is at the forefront of growing and supporting innovative industries, career opportunities, and economic prosperity in Kansas,” Muma wrote.
» Read more about President Richard Muma.
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.
Mid-May – Summer bills available.
May 8 – 13 – Final exams. Click here to learn more.
Friday, May 14 – Commencement. Click here to learn more.
Saturday, May 15 – Commencement. Click here to learn more.
Saturday, May 15 – Summer housing and meal payment due.
May 15 – May 28 – Pre-session.
Monday, May 17 – Last day for 100% refund for pre-session courses.
Friday, May 21 – Spring grades available through Self Service.
Monday, May 26 – Financial Aid funds begin disbursing toward student bills and excess financial aid is deposited into student’s bank accounts if you have entered your account information into your Student Account Suite.
To set up Direct Deposit, go to mywsu.wichita.edu, select the "My Account" tab, then Student Account Suite. Once you are in the suite, click on eRefunds and select "Set up Account", enter your bank account information in the correct fields and continue.
Friday, May 21 – Spring grades available through Self Service.
Friday, May 27 – Financial Aid checks mailed if direct deposit has not been set up.
If your student’s mailing address needs to be updated, you can find the link to change the mailing address WSU has on file in myWSU on the Home tab, under Student Tools > myContact Info > View Email, Phone, Address and Emergency Contact.
June 1 – July 23 – 8-week term.
Thursday, June 3 – Last day for 100% refund for first 4-week course.
Monday, June 7 – Last day for 100% refund for 8-week course.
Monday, June 7 – Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements or submit TA form before $100 late fees are assessed to accounts with a $150 or more balance.
Tuesday, June 8 – $100 Late fees assessed to student accounts of $150 or more.
Tuesday, June 15 – Tuition Payment Plan: First payment due.
Tuesday, June 15 – Housing and Meal Payment Plan: Final payment due.
Monday, June 28 – 2nd 4-week classes begin.
Wednesday, June 30 – Last day for 100% refund for second 4-week course.
Monday, July 5 – Independence Day holiday; campus offices closed.
Thursday, July 15 – Tuition Payment Plan: Final payment due.
Thursday, July 15 – Spring diplomas available.
Wednesday, Sept. 15 – Last day for students who graduated in the spring to order a transcript of their academic record and have the fee waived.
» Click here for the full spring 2021 semester academic calendar.
» Click here for a PDF of academic calendar dates from fall 2019 through summer 2022.
» Click here for Accounts Receivable’s spring 2021 calendar of important dates.
» Click here for Accounts Receivable’s summer 2021 calendar of important dates.
» Click here for the full university calendar of events.
Self-Care
May starts as a month of high pressure for most students. It’s easy for all of us to neglect our bodies and minds when things get busy. Yet, things like exercise, good nutrition, positive self-talk and adequate sleep provide the energy needed to be successful. It is not unusual for students to take their good health for granted — yet scare tactics reminding of all the negative consequences of poor health rarely motivate for long. Remind students that self-care recharges the mind and produces better results.
How Can Families Help?
- Remind your student that Campus Recreation and the Y’s facilities are free of charge to fee-paying students. A variety of exercise equipment and activities are available at convenient hours.
- Positive attitudes really do make a difference. Encourage your student to see hurdles as opportunities to learn.
- Keep the lines of communication open. One of the best coping strategies for students is talking to people they trust.
- Give care packages with snacks, multivitamins and encouraging notes.
- Encourage your student to seek out the assistance of professors if needed.
Conversation Starters
- What kind of things are you doing to take care of yourself?
- How are you motivating yourself to finish strong?
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 May:
- Final exam anxiety
- Stress over moving
- Apprehension about returning home for summer
- Sadness over leaving new friendships and/or love relationships at school
- Realization of how college influences life decisions
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.
You can also keep up with CARE Team via social media @WSUcareteam on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
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.
Health and Safety
COVID-19 vaccinations at WSU's Student Health Services
Student Health Services is offering COVID-19 vaccinations to all currently enrolled students and employees. Starting May 1, 2021, immediate family members of currently enrolled students and employees may also schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment through Student Health.
Please review Frequently Asked Questions for additional information. COVID-19 vaccinations in Sedgwick County are open to all individuals. For alternative vaccination locations, dates, and times, go to vaccinefinder.org.
» Click here to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines available through Student Health Services.
» Click here to find vaccines available near you.
COVID-19 testing is available on campus for all current WSU students
Any currently enrolled students can choose to schedule COVID-19 testing appointments through Student Health Services.
To schedule a COVID-19 test, students can login into the myShockerHealth portal at StudentHealth.wichita.edu using your Shocker ID and select “Appointments” from the menu. Testing is free of charge and results will returned within 24 hours.
For students who are having symptoms that may be related to COVID-19 and would like to be seen by a provider, please call Student Health at 316-978-4792 or make a provider appointment through the myShockerHealth portal.
» Click here to visit the myShockerHealth portal.
Student eligibility for services carries over through July
Did you know that Student Health Services remains open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday throughout the summer? Student Health offers a wide variety of affordable health care services to WSU students.
Students who were enrolled during the spring semester will remain eligible for services at Student Health through July, regardless of summer enrollment.
» Click here to learn more about services available through Student Health Services.
Looking for information on COVID-19 health and safety tips or other health related topics?
Check out and subscribe to WSU Student Health Services YouTube Channel to view health education videos on COVID-19, Tuesday Talk sessions, health insurance and more!
» Click here to visit the Student Health Services YouTube Channel.
» Click here to learn more about Student Health Services.
Access the #WSUWeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training from Counseling & Prevention
Services for free
Learn how to support your Shocker and your community with the #WSUWeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training from Wichita State University Counseling and Prevention Services. Created by licensed psychologists, this evidence-based training will teach you how to assist someone in need with tools like the Share, Ask, Support method. Each training lasts 90 minutes.
You can access this training for free by using the following authentication code when creating your account:
preventingsuicide
Learn more and sign up at Suspenders4Hope.com.
» Click here to learn more and begin the #WSUWeSupportU Preventing Suicide Training.
» Click here to learn more about Counseling & Prevention Services.
Housing & Residence Life Updates
On-Campus housing move-out
Students living in on-campus housing must be moved out by Friday, May 14 at noon. Finals will take place beginning Saturday, May 8; students’ final exam schedules will vary, and students are free to vacate their dorm at any point during that week prior to noon on Friday, May 14.
In the event a student cannot vacate their room by noon on Friday, May 14, it is possible to receive an extension. Extensions can be requested by emailing housing.wsu@wichita.edu. Decisions regarding extensions will be made on an individual basis.
» Click here for the spring 2021 final exam schedule.
Upcoming housing dates and deadlines
June 1, 2021: Cancellation Deadline Schedule Begins
- $200.00 Prepayment will be refunded if cancellation request is received by June 1, 2021.
- Subsequent cancellation deadline schedule available within contract, on HRL website, as well as on the cancellation form.
June 21, 2021: Check-In Appointment Process Available
- Students may now select their check-in appointment date & time, register a bicycle being brought to campus, as well as obtain move-in information.
July 1, 2021: Room Self-Selection Process Ends
- Room self-selection process ends. Students completing a housing application after this date will be contacted directly by the HRL office to be administratively assigned in remaining space available.
- Students who did not previously select a room during the self-selection process, and have not made contact with the HRL office regarding their delay in doing so, will have their applications administratively cancelled for inactivity; and forfeit their $200.00 prepayment in accordance with the cancellation fee schedule.
July 1, 2021: Optional Rentals Request Deadline
- Requests received by this date will be given first preference to reserve available optional rentals (safe, fridge, loft). HRL staff will contact students with requests to obtain preferred loft height and confirm other reservations.
- Students who contact the HRL office after this date will automatically be added to a waitlist for optional rentals based upon date/time request was received. Pending inventory availability requests may be granted prior to move-in; otherwise provided when inventory becomes available for redistribution.
July 15, 2021: Optional Rentals Confirmation Deadline
- On July 1, HRL staff will have reached out to students requesting optional rentals to confirm this request (including desired loft height). Requests will be due back by July 15 in order to provide ample time to Facilities staff in distribution of these rental options.
- Students may be pulled off the waitlists at this time pending inventory availability.
» Click here for the 2021 – 2022 Application Timeline.
» Click here for the Housing & Residence Life website.
Housing & Residence Life can be reached at housing.wsu@wichita.edu or 316-978-3693.
Financial Aid News
This information has featured in a previous newsletter.
COVID-19 emergency funds
The Office of Financial Aid at Wichita State continues to serve students with a limited on-campus presence. In support of Governor Kelly’s directives related to social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, our office has limited face-to-face interaction. However, we continue to maintain all operations to fully support our students during this unprecedented time. Feel free to contact our office 24/7/365 by phone at (316) 978-3430 or by chat at wichita.edu/onestop.
Faculty and staff members may know students who are financially struggling, due to COVID-19, because of job loss or some other reason. Our office has Financial Aid FAQs related to COVID-19 and resources available at wichita.edu/finaidCOVID19, including emergency funds students can access.
» Click here to visit OneStop’s website.
» Click here to see Financial Aid’s COVID-19 FAQ.
ScholarshipUniverse
Tired of searching the web for scholarships? Finding and applying for external scholarships is now faster, easier and mobile with ScholarshipUniverse at Wichita State University. The ScholarshipUniverse platform allows students to be matched with a multitude of scholarship opportunities from outside agencies without having to search multiple sites. Get started today at wichita.edu/ScholarshipUniverse.
» Click here to learn more about ScholarshipUniverse.
Academic college scholarship applications for 2021 – 2022
Be sure to encourage your students to apply for scholarships with their academic colleges. These applications will be used to award students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Some colleges’ deadlines have passed, but others can be seen below. The applications can be found at wichita.edu/CollegeScholarships. Most scholarships can be stacked with existing merit scholarships the students might already be receiving.
College of Health Professions: The College of Health Professions awards more than 200 scholarships and fellowships
each year. Students who are admitted and enrolled in a professional CHP program are
eligible to apply based on their respective program here.
Deadline: Students should contact their department for deadline dates
Outside Sources: Wichita State students received over $2.5 million in scholarships from outside agencies in 2019-2020. Don’t forget to check with local civic groups, religious institutions, high schools, and other organizations to see if they offer assistance with educational expenses.
» Click here for more information and applications.
Questions about Financial Aid?
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.
Student Resources
Passage 2 Success with Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Do you have an incoming first-year student? Passage 2 Success (P2S) is a week-long retreat for incoming freshmen from diverse backgrounds to help in their transition to Wichita State University! The purpose of this retreat is to connect with other incoming students, meet current WSU student leaders, explore Wichita and gain the skills and tools to be socially and academically successful.
Not only does Passage 2 Success introduce students to the available resources on campus, you will be enrolled into Ready, Set, Lead!, a three-credit hour college course connected to the program. This course is an introduction to core skills needed to be a successful leader.
This program will be hosted the week before classes begin (Aug. 7 – 12), with the option of early move-in for those living on campus. The deadline for priority registration is Friday, June 25, and all registrations are due by the end of the day on Friday, July 23.
» Click here to learn more and register for Passage 2 Success.
» Click here to learn more about Office of Diversity & Inclusion.
LinkedIn Learning
Did you know that LinkedIn Learning (LIL) is available to all Wichita State University students, faculty, and staff? Encourage your student to discover how this all-in-one learning solution can enhance their education, add value to their academic program, or help them learn a new skill!
LIL is a leading online learning platform that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Students can explore over 12,000 courses and 5,000 video tutorials from industry experts and leaders all in one place.
Contact Shocker Career Accelerator with any questions or issues at (316) 978-3688 or SCA@wichita.edu.
» Click here to get started today with WSU ID and password.
» Click here to connect a LinkedIn account to LinkedIn Learning.
» Click here to learn more about Shocker Career Accelerator.
Don't let stress pop your bubble
Students will have the opportunity to bust some stress with Wellness Services during Finals Week. With free massages, popcorn, bubble wrap, bubbles, and more swag, stress doesn’t stand a chance. Interested students should stop by the Heskett center from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, May 10; Wednesday, May 12; and Friday, May 14.
Campus News
Wichita State named #1 transfer destination for 10 consecutive years
For the 10th year in a row, Wichita State has been named the #1 transfer destination for students from Kansas community colleges, per Kansas Board of Regents data. About 900 Kansas community college students transferred to Wichita State, and one in every four students who choose to transfer from a Kansas community college to a four-year school chose Wichita State in 2019, the most recent data available.
» Click here to read more about transfer student data.
English 102 approved for Open/Alternative Textbook Course designation
After months of hard work from Wichita State faculty members Carrie Dickison and Maria Sclafani, the Open Alternative Textbook committee approved English 102 for Open/Alternative Textbook (OAT) course designation. Starting in fall 2021, Wichita State students will no longer have to buy textbooks for English 102.
OAT course designations are part of the OAT Initiative, which is designed to advance the use of freely available educational resources and texts in Wichita State classes and decrease the financial burden of textbook expenses on students. Classes with an OAT course designation have a $10/student course fee, which is split between the department offering the course and the OAT grant program, which provides grants to faculty to write or curate their own texts to be contributed as OER.
» Click here to read more about the Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative.
Shocker Career Accelerator highlights spring 2021 graduates
Shocker Career Accelerator is celebrating and highlighting graduating students for spring 2021, as well as the beginnings of their new careers.
Spencer Lueckenotto has accepted a position with Textron Aviation.
Carley Campbell has accepted a position with Wichita Public Schools.
» Find Shocker Career Accelerator and more posts like these on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
» Click here to learn more about Shocker Career Accelerator.
Student Affairs celebrates graduating Senior Honor recipients
Each year, Student Affairs chooses a select few graduating seniors upon whom to bestow the prestigious and competitive Senior Honor. Once chosen, these students and their accomplishments are celebrated at the Senior Honors Banquet.
This year, Student Affairs selected 11 highly accomplished graduating seniors and hosted the Senior Honors Banquet on May 3. Though honorees were not permitted to bring guests in the interest of attendees’ health and safety, 187 viewers were able to join the event and celebrate via live stream.
Congratulations again, Senior Honor recipients! We look forward to seeing you go on to great things!
Connect With Us
Stay Connected with One Shocker Family
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
Student Affairs Facebook | @wichitastatesa
Student AffairsTwitter | @wichitastatesa
Student Affairs Instagram | @wichitastatesa
Want this newsletter in your inbox? Click here to subscribe.