| Get Involved | Programs | Services | Resources | About Us |
1. What does KU mean by "nontraditional student"?
2. If I am a "nontraditional" student, does KU want to know
my status?
3. How many nontraditional students (like me) are enrolled at KU?
4. How many
students commute to the Lawrence campus from out of town?
5. Are most nontraditional students
parents or married students?
6. What does KU do for nontraditional students at KU?
7. What does KU do for student-parents?
8. Are classes/services available in evenings or on weekends?
9. Can I really do this? Did I make the right decision in returning
to school?
10. What do you mean have a "campus life"?
I don't have a life!
What
does KU mean by "nontraditional student"?
Nontraditional students at KU includes any
undergraduate who either:
Any graduate or other interested student can ask to receive nontraditional
information by email as well as other services from the Student Involvement
and Leadership Center.
A highly diverse group of students are identified as "nontraditional"
at KU, not as a label, but to provide a way for the University to recognize
and provide additional outreach assistance to students who may, for a variety
of reasons, experience more than the average difficulty in accessing information
to meet their needs at KU.
If
I am a "nontraditional" student, does KU want to know my status?
Yes, to allow better planning for your needs,
student-parents, married students, out-of-town commuters, or veterans should
notify the University Registrar's Office of their status. A printable form that can be mailed in is available
from this link (Note: this form requires the free
Adobe Acrobat Reader which is available here), or it may be completed at the Registrar's Windows next
to Room 121 in Strong Hall.
How
many nontraditional students (like me) are enrolled at KU?
A precise number is not available due
to missing data, so our numbers underestimate the population of nontraditional
students who are married, parents, or commuters, especially for students of
"traditional" age. In the Fall of 1999, there were 3908 identifiable nontraditional undergraduate students enrolled on the main campus. We
estimate that the total nontraditional, undergraduate population would be
closer to 5,000 if data were complete, roughly 25% of KU's undergraduate population.
Among KU's undergraduates,
7.4% of students are over the age of 25; additional age data are available
in the KU Student Profile.
Students of any age may have nontraditional needs; all students tend to become
more "nontraditional" in the sense of becoming more mature and experienced
as learners. Over a third of nontraditional students are actually of traditional
age (39% are age 24 or younger). Part-time students and students who have
limited financial resources share much in common with many nontraditional
students regardless of age.
How
many students commute to the Lawrence campus from out of town?
In the Fall of 2001, there were 1338
undergraduate and graduate student commuters to the Lawrence campus from a
distance of 10 miles or more from home or work. Data are not available for 40% of current students. In 1991 (when data were more complete), the numbers of commuters from
10 or more miles away was 2702. Commuting
seems to have only increased in frequency among our student body. Further, some students today commute from Lawrence
to the Edwards campus in Overland Park, so our best answer is "a lot"
of students commute!
Are
most nontraditional students parents or married students?
Actually, the majority of
nontraditional students are single adult students with no dependents.
What
does KU do for nontraditional students at KU?
A number of nontraditional
services, like the individual problem-solving offered by the Student Involvement
and Leadership Center, are no different
from those offered to other students but recognize each student’s individual
needs. While not a "one-stop shopping" office, the Student
Involvement and Leadership Center has information and knowledge on a broad
array of issues and concerns. A staff member in the Student Involvement
and Leadership Center focuses on nontraditional student issues and information.
The Office of New Student Orientation
has a special orientation program for nontraditional students in the summer
and during the regular "transfer day" orientation programs. There
is an interest/information session for nontraditional students. New
nontraditional students who are freshmen are given the option to attend orientation
on a transfer student day.
Hawk Week (the week during which classes
start) includes the "Nontraditional & Commuter Student Welcome",
and a special reception is held for graduating nontraditional students, both
of which began in 1998. KU celebrates
the "National Nontraditional Student Week" in early November each
year since it was established in Fall, 2000.
The Student Involvement
and Leadership Center administers three endowed KUEA scholarships
that are specifically for nontraditional students.
A small number of
readmitted nontraditional students may benefit from the University’s Academic
Forgiveness Policy.
What
does KU do for student-parents?
There are two child
development facilities on campus: the Hilltop Child Development Center
and the Edna A. Hill Child Development Center, which is part of the Human
Development and Family Life academic program. Both centers typically
have waiting lists for child-care openings.
The Student Senate generally provides
approximately $50,000 of the Educational Opportunity Funds to the Office of
Student Financial Aid for childcare grants for student-parents with children
under the age of five. The application
period usually begins on the first of September, with a priority deadline
several weeks later. The Office of
Student Financial Aid also does a budget adjustment for students with
child-care expenses on request.
Currently, full-time students are assessed
$4 a semester for Child Care Facility Construction Fee, which is matched by
the University to fund the new building for the Hilltop Child Development
Center.
Student Senate passed a bill in Spring
2002 that will provide free childcare for the dependents of Student Senators
& Senate Committee members during Senate meetings.
Are
classes/services available in evenings or on weekends?
On the Lawrence campus, it
is not generally possible to complete degrees with only night courses, and
classes that meet nights or weekends are rare. However, the Edwards Campus now offers two full-degree
programs that are "evening degree programs, in Literature,
Language & Writing and Molecular
Biosciences. A listing of evening
courses that begin 3:30 p.m. or later is available for each semester from
the Registrar's Timetable website.
Hours of operation are set by individual offices so policies are likely to
differ. Most campus offices do not have evening hours. A listing of building hours is available in the KU Telephone Directory, which can
be purchased from the KU Bookstores with a discount with a KU ID card (for
$2.50+tax the last time we checked). For specific office hours, check
directly with the office or call KU Directory Assistance (785) 864-2700 or
897-5652 as a local call from the Kansas City Area.
Can
I really do this? Did I make the right decision in returning to school?
In returning to education after a long
absence, some degree of trepidation is common. The Student Development
Center offers free study skills
workshops to help students brush up on their skills (and/or to reassure
yourself that all is not forgotten!). Individual assessment and
consultation on academic skills is also available in the SDC office. A
number of other programs (Supportive
Educational Services (Student Support Services Program), the McNair Scholars
Program, among others), offer support for nontraditional (as well as
traditional) students.
Like any major life change, returning
to school or adapting to a new environment requires some adjustment.
For nontraditional students with families, it is helpful if families recognize
and discuss up front some of the adjustments that they may need to make as
well. Balancing work, family, and academic requirements can be a delicate
task. Seeking assistance, asking questions, and preparing in advance
for emergencies or establishing backup plans is helpful. Nontraditional
students make valuable contributions to the University both in and out of
the classroom. Faculty appreciate serious and conscientious students
off all ages. We're glad you're here
- when you need to hear this, stop in and visit!
What
do you mean - "have a 'campus' life"? I don't have a life!
Nontraditional students may have a
great deal of support from their families and communities. Even so,
getting to know other KU students can help meet critical needs. There are
many instances where students can help each other in ways that staff can not
substitute (info on courses, study partners, notes from class, etc.).
Actively participating in KU's learning community is not all confined to the
classroom. Meeting academic and campus-related needs becomes much easier
with peer support.
While nontraditional students may have
limited time available and spend less time "hanging out" on campus,
it may be incorrect to assume that you will never need to do more than attend
class and study at home. There may be extra study sessions that, while
only "recommended" are important to success, group projects that
necessitate extra meetings, critical library work and at times credit (or extra
credit) for attending related campus events. In general, the more time
spent on campus, the greater the benefit. If your schedule is demanding
or inflexible, the earlier you seek information and assistance the better.
If you did not find what you were looking for, please contact the Student Involvement and Leadership Center by
calling
785-864-4861 or by email at orgs@ku.edu!
