Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs seeks to develop an inclusive, equitable campus community with robust opportunities for KCU students to grow, learn, and achieve. The office oversees new student orientation, student leadership, clubs and organizations, and career counseling.
New Student Orientation
All new students are required to attend all new student orientation activities and will receive detailed information during the admissions process.
Academic Support & Mentoring Services
Upon matriculation, advising and academic support are available to all students. Academic skills, including time management, study techniques, and test-taking skills, may need to be improved for students to succeed.
Resources range from assigned faculty advisors, to learning specialists and psychologists, to assistant and associate deans as well as Office of Student Affairs staff members. In addition to faculty advisors, all entering students are assigned peer assistance to guide them through the initial matriculation process. Learning specialists are available to offer academic skills workshops in addition to providing individual academic support through the Office of Learning Enhancement.
Learning Enhancement Programming
The University offers academic support including workshops, tutoring, board examination preparation and remediation, course reviews, and one-on-one academic coaching. It is suggested that students seek this support at the first sign of concern about academic performance abilities.
There are posted lists of Learning Specialists for each campus on the kansascity.edu website:
Students are also encouraged to review information about learning enhancement programming based on their college via Canvas.
Tutoring Program
The tutoring program provides limited supplemental instruction at no cost to students. Qualified students are selected to provide both large-and small-group tutoring for all students throughout the academic year. All KCU students are encouraged to receive tutoring.
Career Services
KCU provides all students with comprehensive career planning services. The Career Counseling Specialist is available for assistance with resume preparation and review, connections with local employers, and job placement strategies. Career Counseling provides a variety of resources for students. For more information, students are encouraged to contact the career counseling specialist on the KCU Student Services webpage.
COM Student Support Committee
The COM Student Support Committee (COM-SSC) is a committee made up of University faculty and staff charged with being the primary team for proactively identifying at-risk students and developing the interventions in order to assist students who are struggling. The COM-SSC will review a student’s academic record as part of their charge. In addition, the committee will review all qualitative and/or quantitative data and information about the student’s co-curricular experience, as well as any information that is available about any personal extenuating circumstances impacting the student’s academic success. As a part of this comprehensive review, the COM-SSC will make recommendations and, in some cases, will mandate specific actions designed to bring to bear all University resources to help the student improve their academic standing. The COM-SSC has broad authority to review students’ records, decide how best the University can assist the student academically, and can recommend a broad number of resources designed to support the student intellectually, emotionally and professionally. COM-SSC is not a disciplinary committee.
COM-SSC’s meetings are not public, and the committee follows all privacy guidelines in accordance with FERPA as a part of the processes and procedures.
Nondiscrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy
The University’s policy on anti-discrimination is located in the University’s policy library. The University also maintains a policy for sexual misconduct/Title IX, which is located in the University’s policy library.
Student Government Association
Upon enrollment, all KCU students become members of the Student Government Association (SGA). The SGA consists of representatives from the Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine on both campuses and representatives of campus-specific Colleges and programs. The executive councils, representatives, and class officers are elected in accordance with the SGA constitution.
An activity fee, paid by each student, finances SGA initiatives and SGA-chartered organizations. The primary function of the SGA is to serve as a liaison and partner with students, faculty, and administration to enhance the student experience and elevate student success
The Council of Presidents is an SGA committee composed of the presidents of all SGA-chartered and recognized provisionary organizations. The primary function of the Council of Presidents is to assist organizations in coordinating and organizing various activities.
Organization Policies & Procedures
KCU’s student organizations offer a variety of opportunities for leadership development, career exploration, community service, education, networking, and recreation. Most student organizations at KCU fall into one of two categories: SGA-chartered or provisional organizations. Chartered organizations are eligible to participate in SGA’s funding request process. Provisional organizations are recognized as such by the Office of Student Affairs. The University affords both types of organizations certain benefits outlined in the Canvas Campus Life course for each respective campus.
The Office of Student Affairs and representatives from the Student Government Association (SGA) review requests for new chartered organizations. Contact the Office of Student Affairs for information regarding the charter process.
The University is not responsible for the activities of student organizations; however, organizations are expected to meet specific criteria and abide by policies, procedures, and guidelines set forth by the Office of Student Affairs. These policies can be found on the Student Organizations page on myKCU.
University-endorsed organizations may have such recognition revoked by the Office of Student Affairs if the organization becomes inactive, fails to sustain requirements, violates policies, procedures, or guidelines, or if its activities conflict with the University’s best interests. If students wish to continue the organization’s activities once official recognition is revoked, the organization must undergo the process established for official recognition of a new student organization.
Special Forms & Necessary Approvals
Student organization activities are approved by Student Affairs. Approval forms can be obtained on myKCU within the Student Affairs department pages or in the “Get Involved” section of the Campus Life course on Canvas.
Student organizations that wish to request use of campus space for an event are required to submit a Student Room Request Form, available online.
Student organizations that wish to invite a guest speaker to present on campus are required to complete and submit a Speaker Approval Form at least 14 business days in advance of the presentation. Guest speakers must be approved by Student Affairs.
Organizations involved in community service projects must complete a Community Service Project Approval Form. The Community Service Medical Project form must be completed whenever an activity involves a student functioning in the role of a student physician. This form should be completed and submitted at least seven days prior to the scheduled service project. For Community Service Medical projects, a licensed KCU faculty physician must act as a clinical supervisor during the entirety of the event.
Community Service Non-Medical Project forms must be completed by organizations who wish to participate in non-medical volunteer work. This form, also available online, should be completed and submitted at least seven days prior to the scheduled service project.
Organizations that elect to complete a fundraising project are required to submit a Fundraiser Approval Form to Student Affairs. Any and all external uses of the KCU logo or brand must be submitted to Student Affairs for approval.
All events, including meetings, guest speakers, parties and events by University-endorsed student organizations must be submitted in writing and approved by Student Affairs in order to avoid conflicts in dates and location. An organization calendar is available online via the KCU intranet or Canvas and is intended to serve as a resource in scheduling events and determining availability.
Student Leadership Requirements
Any KCU student who is holding a leadership role in a University-endorsed program or organization (e.g., student ambassador, student government, executive leadership) or campus employment position is expected to maintain professional standards and good academic standing. To be eligible for official leadership positions, students must be in good academic standing and not on academic probation. Students who are not in good standing or are placed on academic probation may be required to resign from their leadership or employment position. Students who exhibit unprofessional behavior in violation of the Code of Professional Conduct may similarly be required to resign from a leadership or employment position.
Students selected for the anatomy or OMM fellowship cannot concurrently hold an organizational officer position during the year of their fellowship.
A student may appeal the decision for any reason. The appeals process will be communicated to the student at the time the initial decision is delivered (verbally or in writing) to the student. If the student wishes to appeal, they will submit an appeal in writing to the assistant vice provost for Student Services at their respective campus. That appeal should be submitted for review within five business days of receipt of the initial decision.
Research
KCU encourages student research engagement while enrolled and attending classes at the University. The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) serves to assist students in identifying and searching for research opportunities both on and off campus. KCU provides support for students to find opportunities if the students qualify academically, and if they are interested in participating in research. Curriculum in research methods, principles, policies, and procedures is made available to all students.
In addition, oversight of all research activities occurs in the ORSP, including compliance and training. The student may contact the ORSP to find out about available opportunities both on and off campus. To receive approval, students must provide information to their appropriate dean to participate in research activities based on the student’s academic standing. Approval to participate in research activities will occur through the offices of the campus deans of COM and COB. CDM students will pursue approval from the CDM associate dean for academic affairs and research.
COM third-year students seeking a credit-granting Research Clerkship must follow the processes outlined in the Clinical Education Guidelines prior to creation of third year schedules by KCU Coordinators. COM third-year students not seeking credit for a Research Clerkship and COM fourth-year students interested in scheduling a Research Clerkship (either for, or not for, credit) must follow the processes outlined in the Clinical Education Guidelines a minimum of 90 days prior to the start of a Research Clerkship.
Two courses are offered to first- and second-year COM students. A basic course in research methods is offered to students during the first year. A more advanced course is offered to COM students as an elective option in the second year with the purpose of providing a more in-depth learning experience for which the proximal outcome is to have a research study proposal that may be used to pursue a research activity.
The following opportunities are available to students to gain research experience:
- Faculty-directed student volunteer research opportunities both on and off campus
- Summer student research fellowship
- One-year fellowship in Anatomy
- One-year fellowship in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM)
- Third- and fourth-year elective rotations involved in research activities at clerkship sites.
- MSSU-KCU Research Consortium
- Support for scholarly activities, such as poster and manuscript development, grant applications and research fellowships off-campus
The University sponsors the following events for the purpose of building student research capacity:
- Annual Research Symposium
- Science Friday Talks
For questions, please email [email protected].
Please refer to the ORSP’s website for additional details.
International Student Services
F-1 Status
A student’s status is defined by the nonresident category officially granted by an immigration official. Students in an F-1 status are in the U.S. legally and have benefits and restrictions specified in the immigration regulations for the F-1 visa category.
Period of authorized stay
F-1 status covers the period when a person is a registered, full-time student maintaining good academic standing and making progress toward his/her degree, as well as an optional period of practical training following completion of studies.
Documents
Federal law requires students to carry registration documents at all times, including I-20 and passport with I-94 card attached or F-1 admission stamp (depending on what was received upon entry). For day-to-day purposes, students should maintain these documents in a secure location and should carry photocopies with them. However, when traveling outside the Kansas City or Joplin area, students should carry the original documents. When traveling by air, train, bus or ship, students may be required to produce these documents before boarding. Students should maintain photocopies of all documents in a separate location in the event documents are lost or stolen.
Passport
The passport must be valid at all times. A copy of the student’s most current passport must be on file with the Office of the Registrar. Students should report a lost or stolen passport to the police; a police report may be required by the country of origin prior to issuing a new passport. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar in the event of losing their passport. Students may contact their country’s consulate in the U.S. in order to renew or replace their passport.
Visa
The visa is a stamp placed in the passport by the U.S. consular officer and permits a student to apply for admission into the U.S. as an F-1 student. The visa need not remain valid while a student is studying in the U.S. Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa and are typically not issued a visa. Visas can only be obtained outside of the U.S. at a U.S. consulate.
If the visa expires and the student leaves the U.S., the student must obtain a new F-1 visa before returning.
International students are required to provide updated visa information to the Office of the Registrar within 10 days of the change.
I-20 Certificate of Eligibility
Issued by KCU, the Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20) allows students to apply for an F-1 visa, enter and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status, and prove eligibility for various F-1 benefits.
Students are issued an initial I-20 to enter the United States and when starting a new program of study. After students are issued an I-20 reflecting their first semester of registration, it is the student’s responsibility to request updated I-20s and updated travel authorizations as needed.
Students should continue to maintain old/outdated I-20s for their permanent record, even after graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to keep all I-20s in case they are needed for future immigration benefit applications.
I-94 Arrival & Departure Record
The admission stamp or I-94 card records the date and place the student entered the U.S., immigration status, and authorized period of stay. Students may obtain a printout of the I-94 record on the CBP website.
International students are required to send the Office of the Registrar their most current I-94 within 10 days of returning to the U.S.
Maintaining Legal F-1 Status
F-1 regulations are complicated, confusing to understand, and occasionally change. The tips listed below are a brief summary of the key points to remember for maintaining legal F-1 student status. For more specific details or clarification, visit the DHS website for international students studying in the U.S.
- Keep passport valid - more than 6 months from its expiration date.
- Always carry a copy of the passport or a printout of the I-94 documentation from www.cbp.gov/I94.
- Complete a full course of study each semester unless granted prior permission from a Designated School Official (DSO) to be less than full time.
- Request extension prior to current I-20 expiration if not finished with program.
- Inform DSO if you are planning to transfer to another school at the same or different program level.
- Do not work off campus without prior authorization.
- Do not work on campus more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
- Report a change of name in passport, visa, or other immigration status change to the Office of the Registrar within 10 days.
- Report changes of U.S. address to DSO within 10 days by updating the address on file in Workday.
- Travel with a valid travel signature on the I-20 before traveling outside U.S. and contact the Office of the Registrar for new travel endorsements as needed.
Student and Exchange Visitor Program
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a federally mandated program that began in 2003. The purpose of this program is to track all visitors to the U.S. in F, M, or J status. The internet-based automated system that was designed to accomplish this purpose is known as SEVIS. Some of the information maintained in this data system includes name; date and country of birth; permanent, foreign, and local addresses; program of study; enrollment history; dates of entry and exit from the U.S.; dependents (spouse or children living in the US); and employment authorizations.
KCU updates information about all F-1 students in SEVIS on an ongoing basis.
Required Notifications to DSO
Many kinds of updates must be reported to DHS through SEVIS. These updates also require a new I-20 to be generated.
Students must notify a DSO of the following changes and request an updated I-20:
Program Extension
If a student is unable to complete his/her course of study before the completion date noted on the I-20, an I-20 extension must be requested. Extensions are also required for students who are awarded on-campus fellowships. Students should email their extension request to [email protected].
Changing Schools
Students must provide the Office of the Registrar with a copy of an acceptance letter and contact information for the institution’s DSO(s). If considering transferring to another school, contact a DSO for more information.
Change of Program Level
If a student completes a master’s program at KCU and is accepted into a doctoral program, the I-20 must be updated.
Change of Funding
If there is a substantial change in the source or amount of funding, report this change to a DSO.
Name Change
The name on the I-20 should match the name on the passport. If a student changes any part of his/her legal name-first/given name, middle name, or last/family name-on the passport, this change should be reflected on the I-20. Note: SEVIS is a separate database from KCU. Changes to a student’s KCU account do not indicate that a change to SEVIS has been made.
Travel
Immigration law requires that the alien registration be in a student’s possession at all times as evidence of legal entry and presence. The alien registration is the entry stamp on the passport, or the printout of the I-94. Students may encounter immigration checkpoints when traveling near any U.S. land or sea border. Some states have also passed laws that allow local law enforcement agencies to verify the immigration status of individuals stopped for other reasons. Customs and Border Patrol officers have the final determination to allow entry to the U.S.
International Travel for F-1 Students
At the port-of-entry the student must have:
- An original hard copy unexpired I-20 with a valid travel signature
- Valid F-1 visa
- Passport
Students are also advised to have physical or digital access to the following documents while traveling internationally:
- Evidence of finances
- Copy of transcript and current course schedule
- SEVIS I-901 Fee Receipt
Change of Address
Students must notify a DSO of an address change immediately and the change must be reported to DHS within 10 days. It is recommended that students update their local addresses by completing a Change of Address form, available on the Registrar page of the KCU intranet. The local address reported to DHS must be a physical address; P. O. box addresses are not accepted. Students may update a permanent foreign address via the Change of Address form as well. The permanent foreign address must be a non-U.S. address.
Visa Expiration
A visa is an entry document; the expiration date of a visa has no bearing on how long a student may stay in the U.S. If a student’s visa expires while they are in the U.S., a new visa is only necessary if planning to exit/reenter the U.S.
The length of visa validity varies depending upon the visa classification and the diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and the home country. Similarly, visas may be valid for a single entry or for multiple entries.
Once a person is admitted into the U.S., the validity of the visa has no bearing upon that person’s legal presence.
Loss of F-1 Status
An F-1 student who does not follow the guidelines for maintaining status can lose his/her legal ability to remain in the United States as a full-time student. Violations of status include but are not limited to:
- Unauthorized drop below full-course load
- Failure to timely file for a program extension
- Accepting off-campus work without prior authorization
Optional Practical Training (OPT) & Residency
F-1 students may be authorized for up to a total of 12 months of full-time optional practical training (OPT). Students must receive a recommendation from a DSO on the I-20 prior to applying for employment authorization with the USCIS. Once the USCIS approves employment, they will send the student an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). OPT is required even for unpaid internships or self-employment after graduation. Students should coordinate directly with a DSO to ensure they are maintaining status while on OPT.
Students should review myKCU for information on applying for OPT.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) Eligibility
KCU does not offer pre-completion OPT. KCU programs of study are not eligible for Curricular Practical Training.
A student is eligible for OPT if:
- The student has been a full-time student for one academic year at KCU.
- The student is not studying English as a Second Language.
- The student’s proposed employment relates to the student’s major area of study.
- The student has not used all of the practical training available at the current level of study.
Reporting Requirements while on OPT
While on OPT, a student is required to keep the following up to date in their own SEVP portal or by contacting a DSO:
- Change in legal name
- Change in address while on OPT
- Changes in employment or interruption of employment
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