One Shocker Family

December 2024

Dear Shocker Families,


As the fall semester comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for being an integral part of the Wichita State University community. Your support plays a vital role in your student’s success, and we are so grateful to have you as partners in their academic and personal journey.


This time of year, is one of reflection and celebration. Our students have worked hard this semester, and as finals approach, we know that they are focused on finishing strong. Please remind your student of the resources available to help them succeed. From tutoring services and study spaces to wellness resources and stress-relief events, Wichita State is committed to supporting your student every step of the way.


As your student returns home for winter break, I encourage you to engage in meaningful conversations about their college experience. Ask about their challenges, accomplishments, and goals for the spring semester. This is also a great time to review their student Degree Audit together. Students can access this in their myWSU portal. This is a great tool your student can use to monitor their academic progress. Be sure to celebrate their successes and help them recharge for the year ahead.


Looking toward 2025, we are excited to continue providing transformative experiences for our students. From experiential learning opportunities to dynamic campus events, our goal is to prepare Shockers to excel both academically and personally. We invite you to stay connected through the One Shocker Family Program to ensure you are informed and engaged in your student’s journey.


On behalf of the entire university, I wish you and your family a joyful holiday season and a happy new year. May this time be filled with love, laughter, and precious moments with those you hold dear.


We look forward to welcoming your student back to campus in January and embarking on another successful semester together.


With gratitude,

Alicia A. Martinez Newell

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs

Upcoming Important Dates

December 5 - Last day of Classes

December 6 - Study Day

December 7-12 - Final examinations

December 15 - Fall Commencement

January 6 - Precession classes begin

January 20 - MLK Day - no classes

January 21 - First Day of Spring Classes

January 27 - Last day to add full-semester classes or change sections of the same course

February 3 - Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements

February 4 - Late fees placed on delinquent accounts

March 17-23 - Spring Break - offices open

May 8 - Last day of classes

May 10-15 - Final examinations

May 17 - Spring Commencement

Campus Housing Reminders


Here are some Frequently Asked Questions that Housing and Residence Life usually gets during December:


Does it cost extra to live on campus over Winter Break? No, it will not cost extra. As long as you do not cancel your contract for Academic Year 2024-2025, you will not have to pay an additional fee to live on campus during break. If for some reason you have cancelled the spring portion of your contract, you will need to move out by 12/13/24. 

 

Do I need to tell Housing I will be staying over Winter Break? Yes. You will need to notify Housing that you will be living on campus over break, even if it's just for part of the break. The Winter Break Stay form is now available in a student's Shocker Housing Portal. 

 

Will the Dining Hall be open over break? No. The Dining Hall closes Saturday, December 14th and will reopen Sunday, January 19th. Meal bundles will be available for residents staying over Winter Break. Students sign up for a meal bundle within the Winter Break Stay form.

 

I do not plan to live on campus during break. When do I need to move out by? The last day of your fall contract is 12/13/24. You will need to move out on/by Friday, December 13th. If you need to stay past that date for any reason, please submit a Winter Break Stay form in the Shocker Housing Portal.


Housing and Residence Life would like to send out a few reminders regarding the end of the semester:


  • If you are leaving campus for the winter break, be sure you have retrieved any mail or packages from the front desk of your building. Unclaimed mail/packages received during the fall semester will be returned to sender over the winter break.


  • Athletic events will continue over the winter break; therefore, if you are leaving campus but leaving your vehicle at WSU, be sure you are not parked in any of the reserved lots identified on this map. Your vehicle may be heavily ticketed and/or towed at your expense over this break if left in one of those reserved parking lots.
RSC in the winter

RSC Dining Options and Building Hours during Winter Break

wichita.edu/rschours 

Student Health Services

MyShockerhealth Patient Portal is access to Student Health Services medical clinic: www.wichita.edu/shs. Currently enrolled students only can log in to schedule appointments, secure message with a healthcare provider, pay balances, upload health or immunization documents, and receive lab or radiology results. The portal will be checked by Student Health throughout the holiday shutdown semester break when the clinic and WSU campus is closed. Please encourage your student to request medication refills that were prescribed at SHS by Thursday, December 19th, 2024. 


Reminders about SHS Wellness-To-Go vending machines. Available in the Heskett Center during holiday shutdown semester break for Covid tests, cold/cough medicine, ibuprofen and more! https://www.wichita.edu/services/studenthealth/wellness_to_go.php

Earn Cash with Online Textbook Buyback


Want to earn some cash for textbooks you no longer need? Participate in the Online Textbook Buyback program! You can sell your books, ship them for free and get cash! Find more info here. If you have questions, email shockerstore@wichita.edu.

Students can visit our career closet now located in the student success building


The Shocker Career Accelerator's Career Closet offers FREE professional clothing for WSU students.


Items available may include suits, dress pants, professional shirts or blouses, professional skirts, belts, neckties, shoes, cuff links, tie clips, and more.

 

The Career Closet is relocating to the basement of the new Shocker Success Center. It will combine with the Shocker Locker to create the Shocker Support Locker. 

Learn More about Career Closet 

News Around Campus

Wichita State breaks the top 10 in NSF’s engineering R&D rankings; No. 1 for aerospace R&D expenditures



For the first time, Wichita State University has entered the top 10 in the country in engineering research and development (R&D) expenditures, according to data announced this week by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development Survey.


Wichita State is also ranked No. 1 for aerospace engineering R&D expenditures for the first time in its history.


For fiscal year 2023, Wichita State’s total of $327 million from all funding sources for aerospace ranks ahead of Georgia Institute of Technology ($294 million), Utah State University ($271 million), Johns Hopkins University ($196 million) and the University of Colorado ($90 million).


These rankings put Wichita State among other prestigious engineering universities such as the Georgia Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Texas at Austin, Purdue and Stanford.

Read more about what these rankings mean


Forward Together


Monthly Update from President Muma.

Newsletter
Podcast
For A Full List Of Events On Campus

Academic Calendar


December 5 - Last day of Classes.

December 6 - Study Day

December 7-12 - Final examinations

December 15 - Fall Commencement

January 6 - Precession classes begin

January 20 - MLK Day - no classes

January 21 - First Day of Spring Classes

January 27 - Last day to add full-semester classes or change sections of the same course.

February 3 - Last day for registered students to make payment arrangements

February 4 - Late fees placed on delinquent accounts

March 17-23 - Spring Break - offices open

May 8 - Last day of classes

May 10-15 - Final examinations

May 17 - Spring Commencement

Full Academic 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




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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!  

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