Welcome Hilltopper Parents
WKU Parents Association October Newsletter
In this Issue:
- Congratulations to WKU's 2017 Family of the Year
- WKU Welcomes 10th President Timothy C. Caboni
- There's No Place Like WKU: Homecoming 2017
- Financial Aid Corner: FAFSA 2018-2019 Now Open!
- Important Dates to Remember
Welcome Class of 2021 Parents and Family!
Congratulations to the 2017 Family of the Year: The Pride Family!
Welcome WKU's 10th President Timothy C. Caboni
During his inaugural year as president, Caboni is leading a comprehensive strategic planning process to serve as a roadmap for WKU’s next decade of growth. Of particular importance will be renewing WKU’s mission of advancing the City of Bowling Green, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the world by inspiring innovation, elevating communities and transforming lives.
President Caboni, who holds a PhD in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt University, served as the vice chancellor for Public Affairs at the University of Kansas for six years. Prior to that he was associate dean of the Peabody College of Education & Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
President Caboni is a native of New Orleans, La., and received a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and rhetoric from Louisiana State University. He earned a master’s degree in corporate and organizational communication from WKU. His higher education professional experience includes alumni relations, fundraising, prospect research, teaching, academic administration, communications, marketing and government relations. He has published nearly 30 articles and one book. His current research is focused on use of data-based decision-making in higher education fundraising.
President Caboni is married to Kacy Schmidt Caboni, who was director of development and team leader for the School of Business with the Kansas University Endowment. She was instrumental in the construction of Capitol Federal Hall, the new home of the KU business school, funded entirely through private philanthropy. In addition to serving as WKU’s First Lady, Kacy Caboni is director of principal gifts and special initiatives in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at WKU.
There's No Place Like WKU !! 2017 WKU Homecoming
Concert in the Park featuring the Jordan English Band
Friday, October 13, 2017
at 5:00 p.m.
All campus groups, businesses and organizations are invited to join this WKU Homecoming tradition. Entries can range from groups on foot to full-scale floats. The parade route begins on the WKU Campus at the intersection of College Heights Boulevard and Avenue of Champions, near PS2. The parade route will travel up College Heights Blvd, turn left onto State Street and end at Circus Square Park. All parade entries will be e-mailed their staging time and location one week in advance of the parade.
Immediately following the parade, enjoy the Homecoming Concert in Circus Square Park featuring The Jordan English Band. Big Red’s Roar pep rally will follow the Parade and Concert in the Park.
Prizes will be awarded for the winning entries in the following categories:
- COMMUNITY AWARD
Best Community Entry - CAMPUS AWARDS
Campus Float Awards - 1st place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place - Campus Awards (all other entries)
Homecoming Spirit Award
THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE.
REGISTRATION Deadline is Wednesday, October 4, 2017.
"There's No Place Like Home" Homecoming Parade
Friday, October 13,2017 at 5:00 p.m.
WKU Campus to Downtown Bowling Green
From outstanding student floats, to Homecoming Queen candidates, to the Hilltopper Football Team, the Homecoming Parade brings out the WKU Spirit in all Hilltopper fans!
The Parade begins at the intersection of College Heights Blvd. and Avenue of Champions near Downing Student Union and ends at Circus Square Park in Downtown Bowling Green.
WKU v. Charlotte
Saturday, October 14, 2017 , 3:30pm
Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium
After Tailgating, take your seat in Houchens-Smith Stadium as WKU welcomes Conference USA opponent Charlotte on
Homecoming Day!
At halftime of the game, celebrate the tradition of the 2017 Homecoming Court, styled by Belk, followed by the
crowning of the Queen.
To reserve your game ticket, call the WKU Ticket Office at 1-800-5BIGRED.
Financial Aid Corner
The WKU Department of Student Financial Assistance staff is dedicated to helping students and parents secure resources to help pay for a college education at WKU. We strive to provide the highest level of customer service possible, and we, as a department, are held to the highest ethical standards. Meetings with our financial aid counselors are on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that you do not have to make an appointment to meet with a financial aid representative. In addition to providing financial aid counseling, our department has services in the areas of Vocational Rehabilitation, Veterans Affairs, and Student Employment.
As we progress further into the Fall semester, our office would like to remind you that the 2018-2019 FAFSA will be available starting October 1st at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. Students and their parents (if applicable) must complete a new FAFSA each academic year in order to apply for certain federal and state aid programs. We recommend that your student fills out the FAFSA as early as possible since many need-based programs have limited funding—this means that funds typically disburse on a first-come, first-served basis.
In addition to completing the FAFSA early, parents should become familiar with the word SAP, which stands for Satisfactory Academic Progress. The SAP policy states that students who have poor academic performance may lose their financial aid. This is because the Department of Education requires schools that administer financial aid to evaluate students’ academic progress for every academic term that students are enrolled.
WKU’s SAP policy states that students must earn at least 67% of their attempted hours and have at least a 2.0 GPA in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. So, we encourage parents to check in with their student and make sure that he/she are making good grades. Also, remind your student that he/she has access to several free academic resources located on-campus such as The Learning Center that provides one-on-one tutoring. To learn more about SAP, please visit https://www.wku.edu/financialaid/eligibility/sap.php
If you have any questions, we can be reached via phone at 270-745-2755 or via email at fa.help@wku.edu. You can also find additional financial aid resources on our website at https://www.wku.edu/financialaid.
Written by Heather Cowherd, Media and Research Coordinator—WKU Department of Student Financial AssistanceParent's Resource Corner: Understanding FERPA ( Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
To answer those questions please see the information below and the attached guide from the U.S. Department of Education:
What rights does FERPA grant me as the parent of a WKU student?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act transfers certain privacy rights from parent to student once the student reaches 18 years of age or is enrolled in a post-secondary institution, regardless of age. This means parents no longer enjoy the same right of access they had when their student attended primary or secondary schools.
What is directory and non-directory information?
FERPA defines directory information as that information contained in the education records of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. FERPA GUIDELINES.
All other information is deemed non-directory, meaning it can be released only with the permission of the student. Parents are encouraged to consult with the student if academic information is needed.
May I request a transcript on behalf of my child?
Transcripts are considered non-directory information. Therefore, a parent may not request his or her child's transcript.
How does my child grant me access to his or her non-directory information?
Students may grant their parents access to non-directory information by completing the Authorization to Disclose Academic Information form.
Students who choose to grant access to their non-directory information should provide a copy of the form to each WKU employee who will be authorized to correspond with parents or other individuals about the students' education records.
Access to TopNet and Blackboard information should be discussed with the student in order to minimize any misunderstanding between WKU and parents. WKU does not allow third party access to its student information systems.
What is the FERPA procedure in health or safety emergencies?
If non-directory information is required during an emergency, WKU may release that information if it deems the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individual
Important Dates to Remember
Fall Semester 2017
Thanksgiving Holiday (university closed): Wednesday-Friday, November 22-24
Final Examinations: Monday-Friday, December 4-8
Commencement: Saturday, December 9
Winter Term 2018
Classes Begin: Tuesday, January 2
MLK Day (university closed): Monday, January 15
Final Examinations: Friday, January 19
Spring Semester 2018
Classes Begin: Monday, January 22
Spring Break: Monday-Friday, March 12-16
Final Examinations: Monday-Friday, May 7-11
Commencement Weekend: Friday-Saturday May 11-12
WKU Parents Association
Your Parents' Association gift is charitable. A gift designated to the Parents' Association secures yours presence in the Association for that year. The gift will be used for annual projects designed specifically for the benefit of WKU students.
Email: parents.association@wku.edu
Website: https://www.wku.edu/parents/parentsassociation.php
Phone: 270-745-2037
Facebook: facebook.com/wkuparents