Author: Dhristy Hossain

On March 24, the Office of Disability Services (ODS) hosted a deaf games night for students to practice American Sign Language. Kelly Adams, senior sign language interpreter at ODS, organized the event to help students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing build relationships.

Two deaf members from the Wichita Deaf Community, Shauna Leuci and Grace Wigley, helped lead the selection of games.

For April’s Self-Care Sunday, join CARE Team to help spread a little kindness around campus from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at the Shocker Hall Multi-Purpose room.

CARE Team will have three activities that will help bring a smile to anyone’s face. It can’t wait to see what participants will make.

For questions, contact the CARE Team at 316-978-3149 or care@wichita.edu.

Over spring break, 31 students visited Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York City for a civil rights trip sponsored by Housing and Residence Life. The trip was spearheaded by Omarian Brantley, a resident assistant. He and a group of dedicated committee members were given the tools, resources and support to plan a Black history trip for the university.

During the break, they visited many locations, including the following landmarks:

• Obama’s home
• The Church that held Emmett Till’s funeral
• Ida B. Wells’ home
• South Side Community Art Center
• Nat King Cole’s home
• DuSable Museum (the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to Black history)
• Louis Armstrong’s home
• Monument to the Great Migration
• The Belmont Mansion
• 1985 MOVE bombing site
• The Stenton House
• Apollo Theater
• African Burial Ground
• The Gate of the Exonerated
• Howard University
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• The Lincoln Memorial
• Martin Luther King Jr monument

The group also got a chance to eat at African and soul food restaurants to support Black owned businesses.

Join the CARE Team 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5 at the Shocker Hall Multipurpose Room to learn more about tutoring and success coaches while making succulents.

For additional questions, reach out to the CARE Team at 316-978-3149.

Each year, the Division of Student Affairs selects 10 students to receive the Senior Honor award. This is the highest honor awarded to WSU students who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, involvement at WSU, and service to the university and the surrounding community.

The deadline to submit an application is Friday, March 3.

Access to reliable and affordable internet services is an essential need for the WSU community. Faculty, staff and students may want to be aware of a federal program that is aimed at providing greater access to these services.

Households may be eligible for little to no-cost broadband internet service thanks to the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Under the ACP, eligible households can receive a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service.

During the month of September, the CARE Team saw fewer cases in 2022 than in 2021.

The start of the fall semester means we see fewer cases as many students are still getting familiarized with the campus, enjoying their freedom, and making friends. Students tend to have more of a buffer for their mental health. 2021 saw an increase in cases primarily due to more students isolating because of COVID-19.

A bar graph is provided to compare the number of CARE cases between academic years 2021 and 2022. See the total (care team and student of concern) data above.

From Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, there were 205 cases this year and 257 in academic year 2021-22. That’s a 20.23% decrease. For the month of September, there were 134 cases in 2022 compared to 183 in 2021, representing a 26.78 decrease.

Common concerns to look for in October: Midterms bring about anxiety and high-stress levels for students because of academic pressures, seasonal changes and homesickness. In October, CARE Team typically sees:

• Academic concerns
• Increased stress and anxiety related to academic pressure
• Homesickness and loneliness
• Roommate problems

If you are concerned about a member of our campus community, please don’t hesitate to submit a concern. If you’d like to learn more about Care Team, please check out our website.

Visit wichita.edu/reportit to submit a concern. Concerns related to COVID-19, the CARE Team, Title IX and discrimination, bias incidents, student advocates, conduct incident response, academic integrity, and Clery Report can be reported through the Report It page.

If you need to report an emergency, call the Wichita State University Police at 316-978-3450 or 911.

Faculty who have used Wichita State Testing services during the spring 2022 semester are invited to share their feedback through a survey available until 11: 59 p.m. June 1. The information from the survey will be used to improve services for faculty and the WSU community. The survey should take no longer than five minutes to complete and all responses are anonymous. 

CARE Team exists to support students through difficulty by connecting them with the resources and help they need to succeed academically and personally. During February, the CARE Team witnessed an increase of 56.45% of cases. When comparing February 2021 to February 2022, there was no change.

The CARE Team also provided a list of concerns they saw in February:

• Academic concerns or anxiety due to the increase of academic demands
• Grief and loss for many students who have lost loved ones to COVID
• Increase in emotional concerns due to academics and self-reporting struggling

What the CARE Team expects to see in March:

• Increase of academic concerns as students are finishing up midterms and exams
• Increased anxiety about graduation
• Mood improvement with the beginning of daylight saving time

What staff and faculty can do to help students:

• Get connected to Counseling and Protection Services (CAPS) 316-978-4792 to support mental and emotional health and well-being.
• ShockerSync and S.E.A.L to encourage students to get connected to groups and organizations.
• Encourage the practice of self-care by staying hydrated, being well rested, exercising and encouraging students to make time for themselves.

For more information or to submit a concern, visit the CARE Team website.