Kansas State University

Dear K-State Parents and Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family found time to reset for 2021. In less than two weeks K-State will welcome students back for another semester of learning. Outlined in this email is important information to help students return to campus for spring 2021. Topics include changes to the academic calendar, housing, tuition and fees, travel, COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and a pledge to keep every Wildcat a Wellcat! If at any time you have follow up questions, please locate the list of contacts at the bottom of this message. Our team welcomes questions and we look forward to having your student back on campus!

Be sure to check out the spring 2021 student digest for a one-stop shop with answers to your questions. The Returning to K-State Checklist also can help students keep track of to-do items.

Academic Calendar
Under the adjusted spring 2021 semester academic calendar, the first day of classes will be Monday, Jan. 25.

• The first two weeks of the semester will be remote learning. K-State expects to return to hybrid and in-person classes on Monday, Feb. 8.
• Remote instruction period: All classes that can be effectively delivered online will be.  Some labs, studios, performance, or clinical experiences may begin the semester in face-to-face mode as approved. Students should expect that all courses will meet online for the first two weeks of the semester unless they are notified by the instructor.  Instructors will communicate with students no later than Jan. 19, to inform them of the in-person class mode. If students have not heard from an instructor by Jan. 19, students should send the instructor an email to inquire about the status.
• The last day of classes will be Friday, May 7, with finals week from May 10-14.
• There will be no spring break in the spring semester, but there will be a universitywide non-instructional well-being day on Friday, April 16.
• Faculty members have been encouraged to provide an additional non-instructional day for their classes.
• Course modalities: To aid in health and wellness protocols, the university is hosting classes through three main methods: face-to-face/in-person, hybrid/blended, and distance/online. The Academic Achievement Center has created a video to help students identify the modality of each of their courses in KSIS.

Housing
On-campus housing and dining services will operate as scheduled for the spring semester.

• The first two weeks of remote learning do not affect residence hall move-in dates or spring 2021 housing and dining charges.

Tuition and Fees
As we all navigate the ever-changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19 together, the university has prepared tuition and fee policies to best help students and families as you plan budgets and finances.

• Every K-State student has a financial aid advisor to help with resources available to help pay for college. 

Before Traveling to Campus
We are looking forward to having students back on campus. We ask that students practice self-monitoring and prevention strategies for 10 days before they return to campus. Please avoid parties or gatherings that do not follow the CDC guidelines. It is critical that our K-State family works together toward a safe return.

• If your student is traveling to or returning from a high-risk area, they must self-quarantine for 10 days as mandated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, or KDHE.
• If your student has access to COVID-19 testing, we recommend they get a test towards the end of this 10-day period with enough time to know the results before they travel. The combination of a negative COVID-19 test and following prevention strategies will allow your student to move to campus with greater confidence that they are not ill.
• If your student is displaying symptoms at home or has tested positive, please do not encourage them to come to campus. Instead, we ask that students quarantine or isolate at home and report their symptoms or positive test using the preferred Office of Student Life form. The Office of Student Life will be in touch with students quickly to assist with their delayed return.

Review the Returning to K-State Checklist to help your student keep track of their to-do items. 

COVID-19 Testing
K-State has an extensive COVID-19 testing plan to help understand and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 on campuses. If your student is seeking a COVID-19 test they can schedule one through their Lafene Health Center portal at no cost.

• Testing type: The test is a 10-second self-administered nasal swab test. This is not the deep swab but is a more comfortable and quick testing method that is still very accurate.
• Watch a video that explains the COVID-19 testing process at Lafene Health Center.
• If a student tests positive or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive at Lafene Heath Center, they will be provided with a letter of resources and will be contacted by the Office of Student Life.
• Students who test positive or have been in close contact with someone who tested positive at an off-campus medical provider, should notify the Office of Student Life through this reporting form.

COVID-19 Vaccine
Kansas State University has been selected as a vaccine distribution site. K-State has not received vaccines yet and has not yet been given a vaccine delivery date, which could be later in the spring 2021 semester. The university will review vaccination requirements using CDC and KDHE guidelines and will provide any updates promptly.

• Learn more and find frequently asked questions on the K-State vaccine information website. We will post updates on the website and through K-State Today.

EWAW- Every Wildcat a Wellcat
Each K-Stater has a role in illness mitigation. This includes regular hand-washing, daily monitoring for symptoms, wearing a face mask, physical distancing and avoiding large gatherings. By following safe practices, putting others first and understanding K-State’s values, we can all help every Wildcat be a Wellcat. 

• As your student navigates their spring 2021 semester at K-State, encourage them to view this one-stop shop to find all the answers to key questions about university guidance this spring. We want every Wildcat to be a Wellcat.

Support Contacts
As you guide your student through the upcoming semester, continue to reach out to the K-State team for support. Below are some contacts that will help your student navigate their return to K-State.

• Housing and Dining – 785-532-6855 or housing@k-state.edu
• Lafene Health Center – 785-532-6544 or lafene@k-state.edu
• Office of Student Life –785-532-6432 or stulife@k-state.edu
• Cashiers Office – 785-532-6317 or cashiers@k-state.edu
• Financial Aid Office – 785-532-6420 or finaid@k-state.edu
• Parents and Family Program– 785-532-2222 or parentsandfamily@k-state.edu 

I am confident that Kansas State University will continue to provide care and support for your students’ personal and academic well-being. I look forward to interacting with each of you in the future.

In purple pride,

Thomas Lane Ed.D.
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students