Getting ready to bring your student to Hesston College this fall? Here is some key information to assist as you prepare and a few links to support you as a new Hesston College parent.
Getting ready to arrive/coming to campus
Hesston College requires students to complete a couple of items before they arrive on campus. These include a health form/immunization record and proof of health insurance. On the health form – make sure you submit both parts of the form. Health insurance – the college offers a plan if you don’t have your own. Click the links for more information.
If your student is coming to campus by plane or bus – arriving at the Wichita airport or bus station – or train – arriving at the Newton depot – the college provides free transportation to campus from these locations during Opening Weekend. During the school year the college provides transportation to and from these locations for a fee. Have your student contact his or her admissions counselor to arrange Opening Weekend transportation. Contact the Student Life office (620-327-8235) for transportation at other times of year.
- Opening Weekend schedule and details
- The college recommends that students purchase books online through the Hesston College Bookstore before coming to campus. The Bookstore will prepare the textbooks for pickup when you arrive.
- Do you need a place to stay when you come to Hesston? Pick from our list of nearby lodging options or stay at the Hesston College Guest House, 331 S Main (Hesston College campus). Contact Deb Hiebert, 620-327-8120, debh@hesston.edu for reservations.
Academic life, residence life and as the term progresses
The college has assigned an academic advisor to your student. The advisor helps students plan their academic journey, register for courses, understand academic requirements. New students meet with their advisors each week for the first eight weeks of the first semester. These meetings are a great opportunity for students to ask questions and find the support they need to succeed. If appropriate, the advisor can help your student arrange for tutoring sessions or other assistance through the college’s Access Lab. Parents are also invited to contact their student’s advisor at any time if the student has given permission through my.hesston.edu. Ask your student for the name of her or his advisor and for contact information.
View the academic calendar to know when each term begins and ends and when breaks are scheduled. If you know your student’s course schedule, you can check the final exam schedule to know when they will finish the term. Your student will receive their grades through a myHesston account after the semester is complete.
College staff and administrators are available if you have questions or need information.
And other helpful hints and tips
- the local dialect, a helpful guide to Hesston College terminology
- gifts for your student from the Hesston College Bookstore including gift cards and care packages.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Tips for Parents
Parents’ Frequently Asked Questions covers topics including:
- The Hesston College health form and area health services and the health insurance requirement
- Transportation to and from campus
- Student performances and chapels
- Campus resource list for parents
- Dorm life, campus lifestyle standards and campus activities
Academic information
- Academic Calendar a list of the important events in the academic year: beginning and end of term, breaks, commencement, etc.
- Final Exam Schedule dates and times of final exams for each semester, by course meeting time
- Course Schedule a listing of all Hesston College courses offered this year, their times and locations
- Course Catalog lists all the college’s academic programs and services, courses, plans of study for all degrees and degree requirements
- Academic information in the Student Handbook
- Release of Grades and Other Student Information
- Hesston College seeks to protect student information as required by The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). This law gives the student control over the release of information about them. If you want to view midterm and final grades, your student must give you permission to access the parent portal at my.hesston.edu. This permission also gives you the freedom to visit with your student’s advisor and instructors about academic progress. Hesston College no longer mails paper grade reports to students or their parents/guardians.
- Advising
- Each student is assigned to a faculty member for academic advising. The assignment is made primarily on the basis of the student’s program of study, though other factors are considered too. The advisor can help your student:
- understand academic requirements and expectations
- assist in registration and make registration changes
- develop realistic goals and plan a program of study that is consistent with his or her abilities and interests
- identify special needs and interests and locate helpful campus resources
- interpret grades and suggest appropriate changes in study habits
- connect with transfer colleges and universities
There are designated times when students are required to see their advisors, but advisors are available throughout the year and do welcome student contacts. Parents are also invited to contact their student’s advisor at any time if the student has given permission through my.hesston.edu. Ask your student for the name of her or his advisor and for contact information.
- Registration Changes
- All registration changes are made in consultation with the student’s advisor. In general, a student may drop a course without it showing on his or her permanent record during the first week of an 8-week course and during the first two weeks of a full semester course. A student may drop a course with a grade of W (no penalty, but the course does remain on the record) during the first five weeks of an 8-week course and during the first 10 weeks of a full semester course. Any late addition to the student’s schedule should be made during the first week of the term.
- Course Syllabi
- Your student will receive a syllabus in each of his or her courses. It provides important details about the course instructor and his or her office hours, course content and objectives, requirements and grading practices, major assignments, and more. Encourage your student to keep these valuable documents available and to refer to them regularly.
- Transfer Concerns
- Students and parents alike often have concerns about the transferability of Hesston College courses to other colleges and universities. Rest assured that the college is regionally accredited and that courses successfully completed at Hesston do transfer readily. An important issue to consider, though, is whether or not the student is taking courses that fit the degree requirements of the transfer school. Nearly all problems can be avoided by planning ahead with the transfer school and by following the curriculum suggested at Hesston for transfer bound students.
- Academic Assistance
- Academic assistance is available free of charge to all students through the Access lab located in Smith Center. The center serves as a quiet space for individual study. Open tutoring is available in the evening hours. Jennifer Auge, Coordinator of Student Success, will arrange individual tutoring and group study sessions at the request of either students or instructors. Kristin can also assist students with test-taking skills, writing assignments, long-term projects, reading comprehension, and with adjusting to college-level academic work in general.
- Students with disabilities
- If your student has documented disabilities that may require special accommodations, contact Jennifer Auge, director of retention.