Dear Shocker parents,

It is hard to believe that almost a year has passed since we first started communicating with you about COVID-19 and its impact on our campus. We appreciate your patience and support as we have made our best decisions to keep your children and our campus safe this past year. We remain grateful for your continued support of Wichita State University. Thank you for your trust in WSU.

Given the declining number of new cases and hospitalizations, as well as our increased capacity for rapid testing and effective vaccines, it is with cautious optimism that we share with you today that WSU has begun careful preparations for fall 2021 operations.

This planning includes an increase in the number of in-person classes, as well as on-campus research, events, activities and community engagement while continuing safety guidelines.

While the university is still working on finalizing its plans, we recognize that – if 2020 taught us nothing else – it is that even the best-laid plans and intentions cannot guarantee us certainties. So, while we will strive to approach a post-pandemic normal, we will continue to remain flexible and prepared to pivot to alternative arrangements at any time, including remote delivery of classes and other virtual events, and we again ask – with much appreciation – that you do the same.

We know you will have many questions about what to expect this fall. Please know we will share more details as soon as we are able. As always, the health, safety and well-being of your students remains our top priority, and we will continue to evaluate and plan next steps in accordance with all federal, state and local public health and governmental guidelines.

In the meantime, we ask that we all continue protect ourselves and each other: Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice physical distancing, and stay home if you feel ill.

You know your students the best: Please do not hesitate to contact us should you be concerned about behaviors or attitudes that are unusual for your student. The WSU CARE Team is here to support your student, providing a proactive and supportive multidisciplinary team approach to prevention, assessment and intervention for situations that may interfere with students or employees functioning to their full potential. Learn more about the CARE Team.

Finally, remember you can always check for the most recent updates for the university community at wichita.edu/covid.

We will be back in touch as we know more information about the fall semester.

With Shocker Pride, 

Shirley Lefever
Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
Wichita State University

Teri Hall
Vice President for Student Affairs
Wichita State University

» Click here to learn more about CARE Team.

» Click here to submit a concern to CARE Team.

» Click here to learn more about the University’s response to COVID-19.

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.

Tuesday, April 6 – Virtual Criminal Justice Career Fair. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, April 6 – Resume Building for Graduate Students. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday, April 6 – Ace the Interview. Click here to learn more.

Friday, April 16 – Shockers After Dark. Click here to learn more.

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.

April 19 – 23 – Wellness Week.

Mid-May – Summer bills available.

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.

So many things shift during the first year of college. Self-image, relationships and goals for the future can all change dramatically. At times students can feel disillusioned when the major they’d initially been excited about isn’t a good fit or the relationships that seemed so close at the start of the year begin to fade or change.

The adjustments that come with change are inevitably exhausting and stressful at times. Families can help by allowing this process to unfold and offering support as students work through it. Reframe change as opportunity!

In addition, April 19 through April 23 is another Wellness Week for the Wichita State community! Encourage your student to take advantage of this opportunity for rest, self-care and rejuvenation by attending Wellness Week events and by taking some time for themselves.

• Remember that students learn and grow from navigating their own path through change. The most effective support comes in the form of helping students think through their options and develop positive coping skills. Confidence develops from the knowledge that they figured it out.
• Remind students that the university wants them to succeed. Campus resources such as Counseling and Prevention Services, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, advising centers, faculty members, Student Health Services, Career Services and the Office of Student Success are just some of the options available to help.
• Part of discovering one’s direction in life is exposure to new experiences and ideas. Encourage your student to try new subject areas, attend a variety of events and get to know new people.
• Let your student know it’s okay to not be okay. If your student is struggling with something or needs assistance with having their needs met, CARE Team is available to help connect them with resources. In addition, Counseling & Prevention Services offers affordable mental health care.
• Remind your student that basic needs, such as adequate sleep, water intake and nutrition, are not optional, and that trying to “power through” without self-care will just leave them exhausted and less resilient later in the semester.
• Learn more about your student’s wellness resources on campus, such as Campus Recreation, CARE Team, Counseling & Prevention Services, Student Health Services and the YMCA.

» Learn more about CARE Team.

» Learn more about Counseling & Prevention Services.

» Learn more about Campus Recreation.

» Learn more about Student Health Services.

» Learn more about the YMCA.

• What have you learned about yourself so far this year?
• Are there things you’d like to try that you haven’t had a chance to yet?
• Do you feel like you are on track to be ready for finals?

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 April:

• Feeling burned out as final sprint and final exams approach
• Anxiety regarding roommate(s) and/or living situation for next year
• Excitement and motivation with arrival of spring
• Concern over declaring major, or over having made the right choice if major has already been declared
• Concern over approaching final exams and projects

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.

The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) has announced that all individuals can now access COVID-19 vaccines.

Wichita State and WSU Tech students and employees can schedule vaccination appointments through WSU Student Health Services (SHS). Individuals may also schedule vaccine appointments at any one of Sedgwick County’s vaccine locations or other local vaccine providers found at VaccineFinder.org.

To schedule an appointment at WSU Student Health Services, sign into myWSU and go to the home page tab. The “Schedule Your COVID Vaccine Appointment” link is on the left-hand side of the home page. Vaccinations at SHS are currently available to only WSU and WSU Tech students and employees; SHS cannot provide vaccinations for family members at this time.

Second dose scheduling for COVID-19 vaccinations in Student Health is now available. Sign into myWSU and schedule your second COVID-19 vaccination on or after the due date on your vaccination card.

» Click here to visit VaccineFinder.org.

» Click here to see the full COVID-19 Vaccine update and FAQ.

» Click here to see an educational video on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health and medicine are constantly evolving fields, and it can be difficult to sift through outdated information and know figure out what your student does and doesn’t need to know. Fortunately, Student Health Services is here to help! Check out their YouTube channel for fun, informative and accessible videos about health issues students face, as well as current health events.

» Click here to check out Student Health Services’ YouTube channel.

April is Sexual Violence Prevention Month, and Counseling & Prevention is hosting a panel on this topic on Tuesday, April 27 from noon to 1 p.m. The panel will be hosted live on the WSU Counseling & Prevention Services Facebook page, which can be found @ShockersCAPS or by clicking here.

» Click here for the Counseling & Prevention Services Facebook page.

» Click here to learn more about Counseling & Prevention Services.

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.

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.

April 5^th, 2021: Open Room Selection Begins (current/returning students only)

• Students with completed contracts (including $200.00 prepayment) after February 2^nd will be in the third lottery group and will select rooms beginning the week of April 5^th.
• Groups will select rooms on a weekly basis through the week of April 26^th.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.
• After room selection lottery timeframe has passed for the third group, any student who completed their contract (including $200.00 prepayment) on April 15^th or after will be given a profile to enter the room selection process at the time that their application is processed.

April 5^th, 2021: Waitlisted LLC Student Room Selection Begins (new students only)

• Students initially waitlisted to participate in a LLC community and not in the first or second lottery groups (paid after EB deadline of March 1^st) will select rooms beginning the week of April 5^th.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.
• Students initially accepted into these communities and have not yet reserved a room will have those community profiles removed from their application and will be reassigned into the general room selection process lottery group.

April 9^th, 2021: LLC Room Selection Ends (new students only)

• Any unreserved rooms within LLC communities will be redistributed and included as general housing spaces within the upcoming room selection process.
• Remaining students accepted into these communities and have not yet reserved a room will have those community profiles removed from their application and will be reassigned into the general room selection process lottery group.

April 12^th, 2021: General Room Selection Begins (new students only)

• Students in the first lottery group (paid by EB deadline of December 1^st) will select rooms beginning the week of April 12^th.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.
• Students in the second lottery group (paid by EB deadline of March 1^st) will select rooms beginning the week of April 19^th.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.

April 26^th, 2021: Open Room Selection Begins (new students only)

• Students with completed contracts (including $200.00 prepayment) between March 2^nd and April 15^th will be in the third lottery group and will select rooms beginning the week of April 26^th.
• Room selection will be based upon a random-generated lottery assignment rather than by date/time stamp payment of fees were received.
• Meal Plan selection page and optional rental request page opens after room selection made.
• After room selection lottery timeframe has passed for the third group, any student who completed their contract (including $200.00 prepayment) on April 16^th or after will be given a profile to enter the room selection process at the time that their application is processed.

» 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.

The fourth class of Rudd Scholars includes 19 Kansas high school seniors who will attend Wichita State University.

Each recipient will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing and considerable networking/coaching support along the way. All Rudd Scholars are from Kansas and will attend Wichita State, Emporia State or Fort Hays State.

“I’m thrilled Wichita State will be a part of each of these new Rudd Scholars’ journeys,” said Bobby Gandu, assistant vice president and director of undergraduate admissions. “We are working together to educate Kansas’ high-achieving, high-potential high school seniors to be the state’s future professional workforce.”

In addition to living on campus and carrying a full load of classes toward their college degree, scholars will receive mentoring and success coaching to help them graduate in four years. They will also participate in many developmental activities outside the classroom, network with leaders in their future professions, build strong relationships among themselves and serve to help the next generation of scholars through an active and connected alumni association after graduation.

» Click here to continue reading about this year’s Rudd Scholars.

The following information is repeated from a previous edition of the One Shocker Family newsletter.

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 - 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.

Student Involvement is launching ShockerSync, a new check-in that will admit students to events and track attendance. For questions, please contact student.orgs@wichita.edu.

» Click here to get started with ShockerSync event passes.  

» Click here to learn more about Student Involvement.

Student Involvement is excited for more fun events to wrap up the spring 2021 semester. Be sure to check out the event listing for all of Student Involvement’s upcoming events and programs!

This is the final Student Involvement Event Guide for the semester. This guide 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.

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

» Click here to learn more about Student Involvement.

Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity that will stick with students for a lifetime. Through Study Abroad programs at Wichita State, students can explore other cultures, change their perspective, practice a language, build personal and professional connections, and much more… all while earning WSU credit!

Many students and families have a lot of questions about studying abroad, even without a yet-ongoing global pandemic. If watching the Study Abroad Information Session Video doesn’t answer your questions, you can also contact the Study Abroad office at studyabroad@wichita.edu.

» Click here to view the Study Abroad Information Session Video.

» Click for steps on how to get started with the studying abroad process.

» Click here to learn more about Study Abroad.

The Kansas Division of Vehicles is going mobile to make it easier for the WSU community to get or renew their Kansas ID or Driver’s License. Representatives will be at Wichita State on Monday, April 19. This opportunity is available to both international and domestic students, staff, and faculty at Wichita State. Visit the mobile event website for a complete list of what will be offered during this event, as well as information regarding what you should be prepared to bring. Participants must sign up using their @wichita.edu or @shockers.wichita.edu email.

» Click here to learn more about the services available at this event.

» Click here to sign up for this event.

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) announces the addition of two new technologies to its Automated Technologies Laboratory for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS): a fully integrated thermoplastic welding system and a prepreg tape slitting and tow-rewinding machine.

» Click here to read more about NIAR’s ATLAS’ new technologies.

Few would disagree that 2020 was a chaotic, confusing year. The next Perspectives series, “Reestablishing Reality,” will help participants understand what has happened and reorient them to the realities of 2021.

“Reestablishing Reality” presenters will give their perspectives on motivated reasoning, racial narratives, propaganda and stereotypes, one’s proclivity to share fake news, and science and bias. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, will host the series.

» Click here to read more “Reestablishing Reality.”

In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University is again ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs, the only institution from the state of Kansas to make it in the top 100.

The 2021 rankings by U.S. News and World Report are based on a number of factors including reputation among peer institutions and industry recruiters, student selectivity, faculty resources and research expenditures – an area where Wichita State far outperforms peers. A recently released National Science Foundation report of FY2019 total engineering research expenditures ranked Wichita State 27th in the nation, well ahead of any other institution in Kansas.

» Click here to read more about the collaborative efforts of the Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and the College of Engineering.

A class project in Kara McCluskey’s environmental engineering technology class this semester set out to tackle an immense issue: The fact that each year in America, 300 million pairs of shoes are thrown away, taking an average of 30 to 40 years for just one pair to decompose.

Led by McCluskey, engineering students Brett Herrman, Oltunbosun “Bosun” Fagbemi and Nathan Lipinski set out to create shoe recycling projects to reduce the amount of shoes in landfills. They worked in groups to start shoe collection campaigns to collect sneakers for the Nike Reuse-a-Shoe program. Following the campaign, the shoes were taken to the nearest Nike Reuse-a-Shoe drop of location, The Nike Factory Store in Oklahoma City.

» Click here to read more about these shoe recycling projects.

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!

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.