January 2023

Greetings Shocker families,

Happy new year and welcome to 2023!

I hope you enjoyed the winter break with your Shocker and that you’ve been able to spend some quality time together. We’re looking forward to students returning to campus and the fresh start that a new semester brings.

This semester, you can engage with and learn more about various university services and programs via our Parent Family Table Talk series. You will have the opportunity to partake in a live, on-line session, to learn about academics, life on campus, and belonging at WSU. To see a full list of our upcoming programs, check our parent & family website.

As we look to the beginning of the spring semester, I offer some things to consider as you prepare your students for their return to campus. We are entering a period of increased respiratory illness. While COVID is not as much of a focus as it has been in years past, it’s still present in our communities, along with influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and other viruses.

A couple of points to consider:

If your student has not received the influenza vaccine, have a conversation with them about the benefits — vaccination is the best prevention tactic in avoiding the flu. Flu vaccine is available on campus through Student Health Services.
Stress the importance of frequent and thorough handwashing.
Remind students of the importance of sleep, exercise, stress management and healthy eating to support general wellness.
Send supplies such as thermometers, Tylenol, OTC cold remedies, etc. back with students when they return to campus. It is always a benefit to have these readily available when symptoms begin.

Should your student need medical care, Student Health Services offers options for virtual as well as in-person appointments. Tele-health has become a popular option for students seeking care. For more information, contact 316-978-4792 or go to the SHS website.

I wish each of you a wonderful new year and look forward to staying connected.

Alicia A. Martinez Newell

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs

Welcome back, Shockers!

Students are invited to stop by their academic college lobby Tuesday, January 17 & Wednesday, January 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a sweet treat and lean how to get involved on campus.

Locations:

College of Applied Studies - Heskett Center Lobby & Corbin Education Lobby

Barton School of Business - Woolsey Hall Lobby

College of Engineering - Wallace Hall Lobby

College of Fine Arts - McKnight Lobby

College of Health Professions - Ahlberg Hall Lobby

Honors College & College of Liberal Arts and Sciences - Lindquist Hall Lobby

Students join us for ice skating, an inflatable snow globe, snacks, and fun at this welcome back event, hosted at the President's House (behind Wilner Auditorium).

Upcoming Important Dates

January 16 - MLK Day - NO CLASSES, OFFICES CLOSED

January 17 - First Day of Spring Classes

January 23 - Last day to add full-semester classes or change sections of the same course

January 30 - Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements

January 31 - Late fees placed on delinquent accounts

March 13-19 - Spring Break - offices open

May 4 - Last day of classes

May 6-11 - Final examinations

May 13 - Spring Commencement

Congratulations, class of 2022!

More than 1,300 amazing Shockers were eligible to graduate at the 125th fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 18, with Dr. Mona Nemer (Chief Science Advisor of Canada) as the featured speaker. Nemer graduated from WSU in 1977 and works as the chief science advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Justin Trudeau).

On December 16 before graduation, we raised a glass to the graduates at The Toast: A Graduation Celebration.

View Photos from The Toast

Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Charles Koch Arena.

Spring Commencement Information

Student Health Services

Walk-in Covid Vaccinations

COVID-19 Pfizer original series vaccines and bivalent booster shots are available at no additional charge to the Wichita State campus community.

Tuesdays: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Fridays: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

To be eligible for the new Pfizer booster at SHS, individuals must meet the following criteria:

Must bring WSU ID, Covid Vaccine Card, and completed Covid Dispense Assist Form: https://dispenseassist.net/Covid.html
Must be 18 years or older.
Must have completed at least a two-shot primary series of COVID-19 vaccinations using any approved vaccine, including Novavax.
Must have received their last COVID-19 shot at least two months ago. The last shot could be a primary series or booster.
Must wait three months after recovery from COVID-19 infection.
Must be currently enrolled WSU or WSU Tech student, staff or faculty, household members, and Innovation Campus partners.

For more information please visit- https://www.wichita.edu/services/studenthealth/covid_vaccine_update.php

The Flu is here — get vaccinated

Currently enrolled Wichita State students, staff and faculty can get flu shots from Student Health Services (SHS) at a low cost at the Student Wellness Center inside the Steve Clark YMCA on campus.

Hours : Walk-In: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The cost of the vaccine is $25 for students and $35 for faculty and staff.

If the patient has insurance, the card must be presented while checking in. Flu shot coverage depends on the type of health insurance.

No appointment is required to receive the shot.

For more information, contact 316-978-4792 or go to the SHS website.

News Around Campus

Forward Together

Monthly Update from President Muma.

Read the Latest Edition

50% Off Professional Clothing at JCPenney

Does your student need professional clothing for their next interview, career fair, or internship? Join the Shocker Career Accelerator for the JCPenney Suit-Up Event Sunday, Feb. 5, from 3 – 6 p.m. at JCPenney Towne East, 7700 E Kellogg Dr, Wichita, KS 67207. With their WSU Student ID, students can receive 50% off professional wear, including suits, dresses, sports coats, dress pants, shoes, and accessories. Want to shop online? Text SHOCKS to 67292 to get your coupon.

Career Events

Join the Shocker Recruiting Network!

The WSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions is excited to offer the Shocker Recruiting Network (SRN) to our alumni! Members of the SRN can participate in various activities and help support the mission of Wichita State University.

Ways to participate:

· Refer prospective students to WSU

· Assist admissions staff members at college fairs

· Represent WSU at college fairs in your area

· Attend programs at key points in the recruitment cycle

Let us know you are interested in serving in this important role by filling out the form here:

https://www.wichita.edu/admissions/undergraduate/forms/recruitment_network.php

Your experience at Wichita State matters. Your advice to potential college students is valuable. Please consider joining us as we seek out future Shockers!

Academic Calendar

January 16 - MLK Day - no classes

January 17 - First Day of Spring Classes

January 23 - Last day to add full-semester classes or change sections of the same course.

January 30 - Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements

January 31 - Late fees placed on delinquent accounts

March 13-19 - Spring Break - offices open

May 4 - Last day of classes

May 6-11 - Final examinations

May 13 - Spring Commencement

Full Academic Calendar

Event Calendar

Shocker Must Haves

for your Student

Blackboard

Blackboard.wichita.edu

myWSU

mywsu.wichita.edu

ShockerSync

Shockersync.wichita.edu

Shocker Alert

wichita.edu/shockeralert

Handshake

wichita.edu/handshake

myStop

wichita.edu/shuttle

Help Desk

wichita.edu/helpdesk

Report It

wichita.edu/reportit

Connect with Us

Shocker Family Network Group

Connect with other Shocker Families @ShockerFamilyNetwork for a member-led discussion group to get connected and get your questions answered by other Shocker Family members!