The newsletter for the WKU community
September 30, 2020
Updates from the Provost
We are about a third of the way into this semester and that means fifth week check-ins should have been submitted yesterday. If you are concerned about a student, please report it through the Retention Alert link on the ACDC webpage. They will do their best to connect that student to community or WKU resources to help.

The Big Red Restart Academic Affairs and Inquiry Taskforce met last week and agreed that the Spring 2021 semester should be scheduled without the usual Spring Break week in order to minimize the possibility of a COVID-19 flare up on campus. Classes for the Spring semester will begin on the Tuesday after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19, 2021, and end one week early. Final exams will be scheduled during the week of April 26-30 (the modality will be determined in due course). The Commencement celebrations for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 graduates will be scheduled the weekend of April 30/May 1, 2021. Commencement celebrations for Spring 2020 graduates will be scheduled the weekend of May 7/May 8, 2021.
WKU to celebrate Homecoming next week
WKU will celebrate Homecoming next week.

"Homecoming 2020 will be different, and we will adapt," said Ginny Hensley, Director of Alumni Engagement. "While many of our signature events are canceled for this year, we are finding new ways to celebrate our great University together. Due to the pandemic, in-person events, such as the Homecoming Parade and the Festival of Friends, are canceled for 2020. But we plan to engage alumni and friends in virtual ways through trivia, bracket challenges and throwback Homecoming memories."
 
The Hilltoppers will face Marshall at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium.
Check WKU's Healthy on the Hill website for COVID-19 information, including FAQs, Reported Cases Dashboard, Symptoms & Health Checks and more. Reminder: Flu shots are available at GGC@WKU by scheduling an appointment or walking in to the clinic.
CLIMBING HIGHER
Check out the Fall 2020 newsletter from WKU's Department of Agriculture and Food Science for news and updates on students, faculty, staff and alumni. Learn More
Spotlight: Maria Siewers
For Maria Siewers, a junior from Bowling Green majoring in sociology with a concentration in family, gender and sexuality, understanding the world has been a driving force. “Humans are social beings and there is so much to learn about us when we understand how and why we act the way we do,” Siewers said.
WKU Alumni Book Club
The WKU Alumni Association has launched the Western Kentucky University Alumni Book Club. In this online community, alumni will connect with each other to read and discuss books on a range of topics. Sign up by Oct. 15 for the first selection, Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.
Kentucky Folklife Program to host virtual watch parties
Join the Kentucky Folklife Program for virtual Folkstreams Documentary Watch Parties. This fall, the Kentucky Folklife Program is streaming four independent documentaries about traditional culture in Kentucky and around the South at 6 p.m. CT Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19.
Virtual Town Hall
WKU's Department of Political Science and The Political Engagement Project hosted a virtual town hall with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams on Sept. 21.
Athletics
September
30
Wednesday
Market on the Avenue

WKU Office of Sustainability's Market on the Avenue (along the Avenue of Champions in front of Parking Structure 2) will continue until 2 p.m. today. Learn More
October
1
Thursday
Staff Senate

WKU Staff Senate will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday. Learn More
October
2
Friday
WKU Jazz Ensemble

WKU Jazz Ensemble's Fall Concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center Amphitheatre. (Rain location: Music Hall) Learn More
More events: Check WKU Events calendar or follow @wkuevents on Instagram
Western Kentucky University 
1906 College Heights Blvd. 
Bowling Green, KY 42101