July 2023

We’re getting excited about the start of the school year! Here is some great information for you and your student as they start to prepare for the upcoming school year.

• Students who requested an optional rental of a loft, safe, and/or mini fridge will be receiving an email this month confirming that they still would like it in their room when they arrive.
• If students have not already they can select rooms now.
• In order to sign up for move-in, students must be compliant with the Meningitis Vaccine requirement. They can upload their documents on the Student Health Portal. A link can be found in their Housing application to get to the Student Health portal.



Move-In begins Saturday, August 12.

You can begin ordering textbooks online for the Fall 2023 semester at the Shocker Store starting Saturday, July 15! Take advantage of purchasing your books early so your Shocker can be prepared for the start of the semester.

Learn more at shockerstore.com.

Financial Aid

Student Access: Important Tips for Families

UNDERSTAND FERPA

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), along with Kansas state law and administrative rules, gives students certain rights with respect to their educational records. When a student reaches 18 years of age or attends an institution of postsecondary education at any age, they become an "eligible student," and all rights under FERPA transfer from the parent to student. FERPA protects "education records," and requires the student to give consent to share information related to their educational record.

WILL MY STUDENT’S GRADES BE MAILED?

Wichita State University does not mail grade reports. Grades are available to students online via myWSU.

CAN I HAVE A COPY OF MY STUDENT’S GRADES OR ACADEMIC RECORDS?

According to both federal and state law, parents may have a copy of their student’s record only with the student’s written consent. Students have access to their grades online via myWSU a few days after the end of the term. While Wichita State staff may not be able to talk specifically about your student, we can share general information about academic policies and processes.

E-BILL AUTHORIZED USER

Your student can register you as an Authorized User on their E-Bill account to give you access to view records and pay bills. To add you as a user, your student should log into their WSU Access Account, click the MyFinances tab, select the eBill Icon, and select Authorized Users. Please note this is a separate process from the Family Portal financial information request. The Family Portal will allow you to see when a bill is due, but will direct you to the E-Bill to pay.

PROXY

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), parents do not have access to their student’s collegiate educational record unless the student provides consent. Students wanting to release non-directory information to parents, employers, or other specified individuals, referred to as proxies, may do

so online by logging into the secure myWSU portal.

The Office of Student Accommodations and Testing provides students with learning, mental or physical disabilities an equal opportunity to attain their academic and personal goals to the fullest of their abilities. If your student will need accommodations this academic year, encourage them to complete the New Student Application or Continued Student Services application online at Wichita.edu/ODS

Meningitis Documentation Requirement for new students living on-campus

• Housing and Residence Life requires students living in on-campus housing to prove documentation of a current meningitis vaccination or waiver before taking occupancy of their room
• To meet this requirement: Submit documentation of a Meningococcal Type ACYW (Menveo or Menactra) vaccine that was administered AFTER THE AGE OF 16.
• Documentation of immunizations records can be uploaded to myShockerhealth portal. www.wichita.edu/uploadhealthdocs

Here is a great resource for parents!

Join Us for Shocker Family Table Talks

Is your student new to WSU? Engage with and learn more about various university services and programs via our Parent Family Table Talk series. You will be able to partake in a live, online session, to learn about academics, life on campus, and belonging at WSU. 

Have your student mark their calendars for the On-Campus Job Fair on July 28, 2023, from 1-3 p.m. It will take place on the 3rd floor of the RSC. As your student will be spending a significant amount of time on campus this fall, we encourage them to consider working on campus too! It's an enjoyable and convenient experience that allows them to meet fellow Shockers. The dress code for the fair is business casual.

Please remind your student to bring their WSU ID (or the number), 20-30 copies of their resume, and their Fall 2023 class schedule. They should come prepared to engage in conversations with on-campus employers. To help them get ready for the fair, we recommend attending a virtual workshop on either July 20 or July 26. Visit wichita.edu/OCJ for more details.

If your student is unable to attend the fair, don't worry! We have a solution for them. They can apply for positions online through WichitaState.JoinHandshake.com. We encourage them to regularly check wichita.edu/OCJ for newly added positions.

Thank you for your support in encouraging your student's active engagement on campus!