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K-State Today Student Edition

August 17, 2020

Welcome back, students

Submitted by Thomas Lane

Thomas Lane

Dear K-State Students,

Welcome to the start of a fall semester unlike any other! For the last several months, the university has been preparing for your arrival and I am so excited to start the academic year. Though this fall semester may look different than we might have imagined, what hasn’t changed is ensuring you have a meaningful and impactful K-State student experience.

I serve as your vice president for student life and dean of students. The Division of Student Life is committed to your collective and individual pursuit of educational excellence, personal well-being and lifelong learning. Through our programs and services, we hope to prepare you to contribute to your community and improve the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided us the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a member of a community, what responsibilities we owe each other, and how we demonstrate care for ourselves and others. The Every Wildcat A Wellcat welcome kits you received this week included a pledge we are asking all students, faculty and staff to commit to. It asks all of us to take small steps to protect others: wear a face covering, keep 6-feet socially distanced, self-monitor for symptoms and don’t come to class or campus if you are sick, avoid mass gatherings, and wash or sanitize your hands often. If you experience any COVID-like symptoms, call Lafene Health Center at 785-532-6544.

For those who have completed the mandatory face covering training and reviewed the Every Wildcat a Wellcat Pledge, thank you for taking this step to help keep our campus healthy and safe. For students who’ve yet to take the online training, now is the time to do so. A reminder linking you to the training has been sent to your K-State email. It takes only a few minutes to complete.

Students, faculty, staff and visitors must wear face coverings over their mouths and noses while on K-State campuses in all hallways, public spaces, classrooms and other common areas of campus buildings. Face coverings must also be properly worn when in offices or other workspaces or outdoor settings when 6-feet physical distancing cannot be maintained. The university takes this requirement seriously. Failure to comply may result in denial of access to areas or participating in programs or activities, and other disciplinary sanctions. As a responsible K-State community member, you play an important part in mitigating disease. By wearing a face covering, you are contributing to your community by helping keep Every Wildcat A Wellcat.

I look forward to seeing you at one or more of our Weeks of Welcome events occurring between now and Aug. 28. Our Center for Student Involvement staff and the WOW committee have been working hard to provide you with another important aspect of community: building connection. Take advantage of these several opportunities to connect with other Wildcats and learn more about resources, activities and services dedicated to your success. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever be of support. My office is in 122 Anderson Hall, my email address is talane@k-state.edu, and you can find me on Twitter @ThomasALane. Have a great academic year, wear your face covering and GO ‘CATS!

Sincerely,

Thomas Lane
Vice president for student life and dean of students