Greetings Shocker Families!

We just kicked off the spring 2021 semester and classes are off to a great start! It’s great seeing students back on campus and running at the usual speed. From welcoming new Shockers to campus in January, to looking ahead to Commencement in May, there is always something to do here in Student Affairs to prepare students for their future.

With the cancelation of spring break this year, we are hosting two Mental Health Weeks to support mental, physical health and wellbeing, which will take place the weeks of March 15 and April 19. All students are encouraged to take time out for themselves and participate in the various events that will be taking place on campus and virtually on these days.

With the continuation of remote learning and isolating, it is critical that students keep a pulse on their mental and physical health and wellbeing. If you recognize changes in your student, encourage them take a free mental health screening, or connect with our CARE team. I know it can seem alarming, so I want to take a moment to assure you that submitting a concern to our CARE Team does not go on your student’s record or get them in trouble; it just helps us to know when a student is struggling and may benefit from additional assistance, so that we can reach out and help them be the best Shocker they can.

» Click here to learn more about CARE Team.

I hope that you are as excited for the spring semester as I am, and that you will continue to reach out whenever you need to!

Together for Student Success,

Alicia A. Martinez Newell
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

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.

February – Welcomefest takes place all month. Click here to see the Welcomefest schedule.

February – February is Black History Month! Click here to see Black History Month events from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.

Monday, Feb. 1 – Full-semester classes begin.

Friday, Feb. 5 – Last day to add full-semester classes or change sections of the same course.

Friday, Feb. 5 – Last day for 100% refund for first 8-week course.

Friday, Feb. 5 – Last day for to submit Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals to office of Financial Aid.

Monday, Feb. 12 – Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements.

Click here to learn more about the Office of Financial Aid.

Click here to learn more about Accounts Receivable.

Monday, Feb. 12 – Last day to drop a full-semester course and:

• Not have it appear on the student’s record.
• Receive a 100% tuition refund.

Click here to see Wichita State’s refund policies.

Click here to learn more about tuition.

Click here for Accounts Receivable important dates.

Monday, Feb. 12 – Last day to change enrollment in a full-semester course from “credit” to “audit.”

Monday, Feb. 15 – Fall diplomas available.

Monday, Feb. 15 – Tuition Payment Plan: First payment due.

Monday, Feb. 15 – Housing and Meal Payment Plan: Second payment due.

Friday, Feb. 26 – Last day for graduate students to file an application for degree for spring 2021 online. Click here for instructions.

Wednesday, March 3 – Summer and fall 2021 schedule of courses online (tentative).

Monday, March 15 – Tuition Payment Plan: Second payment due.

Monday, March 15 – Housing and Meal Payment Plan: Third payment due.

Friday, March 26 – Last day for 100% refund for second 8-week course.

Thursday, April 15 – Last day for students graduated in the fall to order a transcript of their academic record and have the transcript fee waived.

Thursday, April 15 – Tuition Payment Plan: Final payment due.

Thursday, April 15 – Housing and Meal Payment Plan: Final payment due.

Monday, May 3 – $100 late fees assessed to student accounts of $150 or more.

» Click here for the full spring 2021 semester academic calendar.

» Click here for Accounts Receivable’s spring 2021 calendar of important dates.

» Click here for the full university calendar of events.

Does your student embody the Shocker Spirit? This highly competitive honor is awarded to students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, involvement at WSU and service to WSU and the surrounding community. The Senior Honor is one of the most prestigious honors a Wichita State University student can receive, with only ten students selected each year. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 19. Learn more and find the application at wichita.edu/SeniorHonors.

» Click here to learn more and find the Senior Honor application.

Is your student interested in holding a position in the Student Government Association? Encourage them to make their mark on history. The Association Election Commission is excited to formally announce the kick-off of the 2021 General Election season.

It is now finally time for your students to take action and declare themselves as candidates in the 2021 elections. This is a great opportunity to give back to campus and allow their leadership skills to shine.

Students can visit wichita.edu/sgaelections to declare as a candidate. They can send questions to sga.elections@wichita.edu.

February typically brings to mind hearts and flowers. This time of year also brings with it cold and flu season, in addition to the ongoing concern of COVID-19. Maintaining healthy behaviors will help your student stay well and prevent them from missing out on classes and activities. For some students, college may be the first time they manage their health care needs on their own. Prepare your student for this new experience by making sure they have knowledge of — or access to — important personal medical information including any allergies, medications they take, immunization records and past medical history such as previous surgeries or serious injuries/illnesses.

• Talk to your student about healthy choices and the impact of health on their lives.
• Learn about the resources and services available to your student on campus. One important resource is Student Health Services, which provides health education and services to all currently enrolled students. Another is Counseling and Prevention Services. Both of these can be found in the new, on-campus Wellness Center.
• Communicate with your student to find out how they are adjusting to college. Try to make time to have meaningful conversations.
• Let your student talk. Practice listening without giving advice unless requested. Be willing to talk about the tough topics like relationships, drinking and sex.

• What’s your day-to-day schedule?
• What activities have you been doing outside of class/course work?
• What food options do you like on campus?
• How are things going with your roommate?
• How are you adjusting to you new schedule?
• Are there any intramural sports you are interested in?

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 the beginning of the semester and February:

• “Fresh Start” mentality sets in with new quarter
• Satisfaction and/or disappointment with fall quarter grades
• Homesickness after break
• Loneliness for love relationships back home
• Relief being away from home and back at school
• Feelings of cabin fever and depression with winter
• Potential increase in alcohol or other substance abuse
• Challenges with love relationship back home
• Valentine’s Day brings out loneliness, isolation

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.

Welcome to 2021 and the spring semester. Student Health Services has resumed the COVID-19 surveillance testing for WSU students and employees. Testing is being done by appointment and is available 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday- Friday. Contact 316-978-4792 to schedule your appointment.

Student Health continues to closely monitor progress on the COVID-19 vaccine in Kansas. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) are coordinating how the vaccine will be distributed in Kansas and in Sedgwick County. These public health entities directly oversee the allocation and distribution of Kansas’ limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine. Find the latest information and links to various resources regarding the vaccination program in Kansas at KDHE’s COVID-19 Vaccine website.

Because the COVID-19 vaccine is not widely available at this time, KDHE has developed a vaccine prioritization plan by population. (Click here to see this information represented in a table.) These phases are based on public health risk and critical needs for the state. At this time, “higher education” employees and students are not identified in a specific prioritization phase. This means some employees and students may qualify earlier for vaccination because of age, medical risks factors, or they work in a defined critical area. Other employees and students will qualify later among the general population. We will continue to advocate for higher education employees on getting a vaccine sooner.

It is important to understand the current definitions related to the phases. This information can be found in the Vaccine Prioritization Plan document on the KDHE’s COVID-19 Vaccine website. The state’s vaccination strategy may change as further discussion occurs at the federal and state levels and as more COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

Kansas is currently in PHASE 2 of the vaccination plan, which includes:

• Persons aged 65+
• Congregate settings
• High-contact critical workers

Student Health Services is working to complete the process to become an approved vaccination provider. Our goal is to be able to receive vaccine from the SCHD and/or KDHE for distribution to students and employees once the vaccine become more widely available.

It is important to remember that health and safety measures are still vital and work in controlling the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 vaccine does not replace the importance of being consistent with doing personal wellness checks, wearing a face covering, physical distancing, avoiding crowds, and frequent hand washing.

Stay Vigilant and Stay Safe Shockers!

» Click here to read the above story online.

» Click here to visit the Shockers United website.

» Click here to check out the new Kansas COVID-19 Vaccine website.

» Click here to learn about vaccine availability.

» Click here to see the KDHE Vaccine Prioritization Plan document.

» Click here to read the Kansas Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 vaccine FAQ.

» Click here for the Sedgwick County vaccine information page.

Any currently enrolled students who does not have symptoms of COVID-19 can choose to participate in COVID-19 Voluntary Surveillance Testing. Students may make an appointment for COVID-19 testing by calling Student Health at 316-978-4792.

For students who are having symptoms that may be related to COVID-19, please call Student Health at 316-978-4792.

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:

preventingsuicide2020

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.

With the start of the new semester, Counseling & Prevention Services (CAPS) has resumed offering Keep Calm & Breathe Online on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. on Facebook Live. Participants can attend to relax, meditate, practice mindfulness and ask mindfulness-related questions.

» Click here to visit CAPS’ Facebook page.

CAPS is starting a new video series this semester called #WSUWeSupportU Mental Health Toolbox! Participants can learn quick mental health tips that are easy to implement and use every day by watching these videos on CAPS’ Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

» Click here for CAPS’ Facebook.

» Click here for CAPS’ Twitter.

» Click here for CAPS’ Instagram.

New incoming students with completed contracts (including $200.00 prepayment) between Dec. 2 and March 1 will be included in the second round of the room selection process.

• Students in the first lottery group (paid by Early Bird deadline of Dec. 1) will select rooms beginning the week of March 22nd.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.
• Students in the second lottery group (paid by Early Bird deadline of Feb. 1) will select rooms beginning the week of March 29.

» Click here for the Housing & Residence Life application timeline for 2021 – 2022.

» Click here for the Housing & Residence Life website.

Housing & Residence Life can be reached at housing.wsu@wichita.edu or 316-978-3693.

Students admitted by the Dec. 1 admission deadline and previously awarded a Freshman merit scholarship have the opportunity to be considered for a possible increase to their award amounts based on improved national test scores so long as those scores are reflected in Banner by Mar. 1.

Due to delayed testing opportunities in response to the COVID-19 crisis, students admitted by Dec. 1 who were not previously awarded due to missing/below minimum test scores may submit later ACT/SAT scores for merit consideration, but final scores must be on file with Wichita State no later than Mar. 1.

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.

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.

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

College of Fine Arts - Art, Design and Creative Industries: The School of Art, Design and Creative Industries awards more than $120,000 in scholarships annually. Students are selected based on creative excellence and academic distinction within the disciplines of Art Education, Art History, Graphic Design and Studio Arts. Interested students can apply here.
Priority Deadline: February 20

College of Fine Arts - Music: Auditions are required for students planning to major in Music. Auditions are for program entrance and scholarships. They are open to all instrumental and vocal students who are high school seniors, transfer students, and graduate students. Interested students can apply here.
Audition Date: April 11

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.

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.

For students who are new on campus and want to make friends, get connected and learn tips and tricks for navigating their time at WSU, CARE Team offers Student Interest Groups! These groups currently include First Gen Success, Students Who Are Parents (SWAP) and our Shocker Strong Resilience Program. We also offer Self-Care Sundays as an opportunity for students to relax, decompress and take care of themselves mentally and emotionally!

» Click here to learn more about Student Interest Groups.

» Click here to learn more about First Gen Success.

» Click here to see upcoming Self-Care Sundays.

» Click here to learn more about CARE Team.

Student Involvement is excited to kick off another semester, and has many new and returning events planned for students!

The Student Involvement Event Guide will be produced three times this semester and features events, activities and programs open to students, faculty, staff and campus community. Students can pick up their copy of the Student Involvement Event Guide in Student Involvement, Rhatigan Student Center, room 216, or download it on the Student Involvement website (PDF).

» Click here to download the Student Involvement Event Guide (PDF).

» Click here to visit Student Involvement’s website.

It can be tricky to know how to communicate with one’s professor, especially when you consider the differences in accountability and professionalism when transitioning from a high school environment. Luckily, the offices of Student Success and Instructional Design & Access have compiled some tips on speaking with one’s professor to help students navigate these conversations!

» Click here to find Student Success’ tips on Speaking with Your Professor.

» Click here to watch the Instructional Design & Access video on emailing a professor.

A local TV station recently welcomed a Wichita State grad Kaisha Batman into its newsroom, and now — less than a year after her graduation — Shocker Nation can see her on air.

“Being on air this early in my career was, at first, nerve-wracking,” Batman said. “Now that I have been on air for a little while, it’s thrilling and just another day in paradise.”

Batman graduated from Wichita State in May 2020 and began working at KSN News full-time. She currently works as the Western Kansas bureau reporter and is stationed in Garden City.

» Click here to read more about how Batman’s education prepared her for this role.

Join us on social media as we share the many reasons why we love Wichita State with prospective students. Over the next few weeks, the Admissions team will post testimonials from Student Ambassadors about their affinity for WSU. You can join in by using #shockerlove in your own posts, sharing your own personal reasons why you love our university. We also invite you to like and share on your own feeds.

In addition to #shockerlove graphics, two other initiatives are part of this month's campaign:

• Over 5,000 admitted students will soon receive a hand-written Valentine postcard from a Wichita State student, staff or faculty member.
• Be on the lookout next week for this year's #shockerlove video featuring couples who met on campus.

When the new Wichita State University Student Wellness Center opened on campus a year ago in January, Student Health Services (SHS) and Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) staff couldn’t have known how important having a bigger and improved facility would be for providing essential physical and mental health services in the midst of a pandemic. 

Student Health Director Camille Childers and Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Director of CAPS Dr. Jessica Provines believe the new Student Wellness Center building has been essential in carrying out health services for students amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

» Click here to read more about the Student Wellness Center’s first year in operation.

Five minutes of scrolling through social media and it is easy to see that civil discourse is becoming the exception instead of the rule. Wichita State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is working to change that through Real Talk discussions to promote respectful dialogue among people with varying viewpoints.

“It’s teaching the art of being able to have a good conversation, where I don't have to agree or be an echo chamber, but I can actually — if I truly want to understand a different ideology or a culture or a person — respond in a respectful manner,” said Danielle Johnson, assistant director of ODI.

» Click here to read more about Real Talk discussions.

Neymara Freeman — a senior at Sumner Academy of Arts & Science in Kansas City, Kansas — has been named the 2021 Linwood Sexton Scholarship at Wichita State University.

The Linwood Sexton Scholarship, named after a former Wichita State student and football legend, includes tuition, fees, housing, a meal plan, and a textbook allowance.

» Click here to read more about Neymara Freeman and the Sexton Scholarship.

Want to keep up with campus news from a student perspective? Check out The Sunflower for a student-run publication that covers information of interest to the Wichita State University community!

Please note that The Sunflower is an independent, student-run publication and not affiliated with One Shocker Family.

» Click here to visit The Sunflower’s website.

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.

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!

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