Author: Katie Davidson

Did you know you can ride Wichita public transit for free with your Shocker ID? The Student Outreach & Support Case Management Team invites staff and faculty to attend Transit 101, a free come-and-go learning opportunity focused on local public transportation, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room.

Explore the transit app, learn how to plan trips and navigate routes and gain practical tips for using public transit with confidence. Looking for real-world practice? Participants can even ride along with a case manager to experience the system firsthand. Come discover just how easy getting around can be.

Student Outreach & Support will be closed for professional development from noon to 5 p.m. Friday May 1.

Student Outreach & Support will be closed the morning of Thursday, Feb. 26 for professional development. The office will reopen after lunch.

Student Outreach & Support will be closed until 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15 for professional development. The office will reopen from 3 to 5 p.m. for the remainder of the day.

• If a student concern arises, submit a CARE report online at wichita.edu/care and Student Outreach & Support will respond once the office reopens.
• For any student crisis, contact CAPS at 316-978-4792 or the University Police Department at 316-978-3450.

The CARE Team wrapped up November working with 135 students, a slight increase compared to November 2024. This continues the steady upward trend seen throughout the academic year.

Top concerns reported included:

• Direct statements indicating distress
• Expressions of hopelessness
• Decline in academic performance, including repeated absences

It’s common during this time of the semester for students to experience stress and for faculty and staff to notice signs of distress on a student. Physical signs to watch for include:

• Significant changes in academic performance
• Personality shifts
• Noticeable changes in weight, hygiene, energy level or habits

As faculty and staff, you play a vital role in supporting students. Start by asking how they’re doing and acknowledging any changes you’ve observed. These conversations help build a campus culture of care.

If you notice signs of distress, please submit a CARE report so the team can follow up and provide support. Reports can be submitted at wichita.edu/care or wichita.edu/reportit.

Together, we can ensure every student feels supported and connected.

Historically, the month of May brings a wave of academic stress for students, and spring 2025 was no exception. As final exams approached and students worked to finish the semester strong, the CARE Team remained actively engaged, supporting 52 new students facing a range of academic challenges.

The most common concerns reported included academic distress related to final exams, coursework submissions, graduation requirements and GPA maintenance. These issues reflect the ongoing pressures students face at the end of each academic term.

Looking ahead, the CARE Team anticipates a shift in student needs during the summer months. Based on trends from the past two years, we expect to see a rise in concerns related to housing instability and food insecurity throughout June and July.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to remain vigilant and refer students who may be struggling. Submitting a report through the website allows a CARE Team case manager to connect with the student, offer essential resources and provide emotional support as they navigate these challenges.

Student Outreach & Support will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 for team building. The office will resume business as normal beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Any questions or inquiries during this time can be directed to Katie Davidson, director of Student Outreach & Support, at 316-978-6122 or katie.davidson@wichita.edu.

The Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Team (CARE Team) is a group of WSU staff dedicated to ensuring students’ needs are met to promote wellness and academic success. CARE provides a proactive and supportive multidisciplinary team approach to prevention, assessment and intervention for situations that may interfere with campus members functioning to their full potential. The CARE Team plays a vital role in student health and safety on our campus.

In February, the CARE Team worked with 96 students. Some of the concerns reported included students voicing distress, feeling hopeless, experiencing academic deterioration, having basic needs unmet and hospitalizations. When a student is hospitalized, significant coordination ensures they receive proper care and support while unable to attend their courses, as well as care coordination for a safe return to campus post-hospital discharge. This is where the CARE Team plays a crucial role in supporting the student, though most of the coordination of care will likely be behind the scenes. In February, nine students were hospitalized for various health reasons.

The CARE Team diligently connected with these students and their families while in the hospital to offer support from the university and act as a liaison between the student and university faculty/staff. Upon hospital discharge, the CARE Team ensured the student received proper support for a smooth transition back to campus. The team’s wrap-around approach has led to students and families voicing their praise for the efforts and lengths that the CARE Team goes to when ensuring a student is well supported.

Faculty and staff: If a student discloses a health concern that results in hospitalization, please refer them to the CARE Team. You can submit your referral via a CARE report on the CARE Team website.

Historically, the start of the semester sees a steady increase in referrals to the CARE Team, with a slight spike between weeks four and eight. As students begin their semester, they may face academic difficulties, resulting in increased absences and deteriorating quality of work. These types of concerns are what the CARE Team predicts to see in February.

During January, the CARE Team worked with 59 students referred for support. Though January did not see a spike in CARE Team referrals, the case management team from Student Outreach & Support (SOS) worked with students expressing more elevated concerns, such as direct statements indicating distress, expressions of hopelessness and reporting basic needs not being met. These concerns included seven students who were hospitalized in January for health-related purposes. These seven students received wraparound support and care coordination from SOS, ensuring a smooth transition back to campus for courses. Historical data shows that CARE Team referrals in February often double what is seen in January, with academics being the top concern (e.g., repeated absences, deterioration in the quality of work, disorganized performance, etc.). Knowing this, the CARE Team can prepare for an influx of referrals and will continue to work closely with different departments to support students academically.

If you have any questions regarding services the CARE Team offers students, contact the university’s case management team, SOS, at 316-978-6112.

Professional staff from Student Outreach & Support will be out of the office Nov. 17-21 attending the NaBITA annual conference in Palm Beach. The office will remain open for those needing assistance and will be staffed by student workers.

If you reach out to professional staff directly during this time, note that there will be a delay in response. If you have a concern for a student, submit a CARE report at wichita.edu/care.