Bear Essentials for Families 2023-2024

BEAR ESSENTIALS

FOR FAMILIES

INTRODUCTIONS

Dear parents and family members,

We are so grateful your student has chosen Washington University in St. Louis for their college experience. My name is Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez, and I serve as the vice chancellor for student affairs. My team coordinates the WashU student experience that happens outside of the classroom.

In the summer of 2022, we announced our Student Affairs Strategic Plan, which is built upon the following anchors:

1. Sense of Belonging

2. Leadership

3. Career Development & Education

4. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

5. Healthy Excellence

Our anchors provide a foundation for our work and help us articulate the impact of a robust residential campus experience. One of the most important aspects of your student’s experience is making sure they feel connected to our community. Please know we have a team of student affairs professionals ready to support your student from Move-In to Commencement and every step in between!

To stay informed, please make sure WashU has your contact information. Your student can check their WebSTAC contact information to confirm the mailing address and email we have on file for you. Via email, we distribute Family Ties, WashU’s parent e-newsletter. We also occasionally send university-wide communications. We encourage you to download the WashU Mobile and WashU Safe smartphone apps and enable push notifications. All emergency communications from the university are disseminated through this tool.

Enclosed, you will find a summary of resources and services we offer to support your student’s success. Additionally, there is a brief overview of important tasks for your student to complete over the summer. You may also want to visit and bookmark families.wustl.edu, a website designed with you in mind, which contains many university resources.

Welcome to WashU!

Warmly,

Anna “Dr.G.” Gonzalez, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs @akgonzal327

@akgonzal327

THE TRANSITION TO WASHU

THE SUMMER BEFORE WASHU

Your student’s last summer at home before college is a special one for your family. We hope you will have the opportunity to reflect and create memories. It can also be a busy time as your family prepares for your student’s arrival at WashU. Your student needs to accomplish many tasks before they move to campus in August. We’ve identified a series of tasks with suggested completion windows throughout the summer. Please remind your student to complete the new student summer checklist items before they arrive on campus in August.

The summer months are also a good time to make sure your student is prepared to live more independently. If your student is not already doing so, please have them begin doing their own laundry, cleaning their own living space and cooking some simple meals.

It’s also a good time to talk about things like managing their money; learning to advocate for themselves; and setting expectations about how (e.g., phone, texts, video calls), how often and when they will be in contact with you.

Your student’s college record, including academic and health information, is their own and is not shared by the university with parents and family members. Plan to talk to your student about the information you expect them to share with you, such as grades and academic progress. Lastly, please speak to them about your family’s values and expectations around alcohol use, relationships, and healthy decision-making. The Habif Health and Well-being Guide provides tips on how to start these conversations.

BEFORE YOUR ARRIVE CHECKLISTS

The checklists can also be found at newstudents.wustl.edu under the Before You Arrive tab.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Families of transfer students, please reference the transfer-specific checklist in your students’ copy of New Bearings.

MOVE-INDAYANDBEARBEGINNINGS

Move-InDayswillbeonFriday,August18andSaturday,August 19.Studentswillselecttheirmove-indateandtimeafterthey receivetheirhousingassignmentinJuly.

BearBeginnings:FallWelcomewilltakeplaceonSaturday, August19throughSaturday,August26.Theweeklongeventis theofficialwelcometotheuniversityfornewstudentsand theirfamilies.DuringFallWelcome,yourstudentwillengage withfaculty,staffandfellowstudentsandlearnaboutthe experiencestheywillhavewithintheiracademicdivision.They willalsoparticipateinsocialactivities,programsandeventsto encouragenewfriendshipsandpreparethemforthefirstweek ofclasses.

Parent&FamilyOrientationwillincludeanopportunitytohear fromChancellorAndrewD.MartinandViceChancellorfor StudentAffairsAnnaGonzalez,aswellasthedeanofyour student’sacademicdivision.Sessionswillbelivestreamedand recordedforfamilieswhoareunabletojoinusoncampus.A detailedscheduleisavailableatfamilies.wustl.edu.

Asyoubeginmakingplansforyourstudent’smovetoWashU, weencourageyoutovisitnewstudents.wustl.eduand families.wustl.eduforthemostup-to-dateinformationabout whattoexpectandhowtoprepare.Yourstudentwillalso receivetheResidentialLifeMove-InGuidewithdetailed instructionsandinformationaboutthelogisticsofMove-In.

SHIPPING ITEMS TO CAMPUS

MAIL SERVICES

USPS, UPS, FedEx, and other parcel services deliver to WashU. You may begin sending packages to your student’s mailing address 14 days before their move-in date. Your student can find their mailing address on their WebSTAC account after their housing assignment is released. Please make sure to send packages using the MSC number, not the room assignment, as the mailing address. Use the following format when addressing mail to your student at WashU:

First and Last Name

MSC Number XXXXX

Street Address

City State Zip Code

MAIL SERVICES

UTrucking has been serving WashU students since 1977, providing a convenient and hassle-free move-in experience for hundreds of incoming students each year. As a proud partner of WashU, UTrucking offers early-access delivery for all its move-in services, meaning that items will be delivered to your student’s residential room ahead of their move-in date and be ready and waiting upon their arrival. Join the one in two WashU students who trust UTrucking every year to take care of their belongings. UTrucking offers the following move-in services.

1. Appliance Rental: With UTrucking’s most popular move-in service, your student can enjoy a chilled fridge in their residential room on Move-In Day. Choose from a range of sizes and enjoy a full-year service guarantee on all appliances.

2. Ship to School: UTrucking offers a complete solution for shipping belongings to WashU from anywhere in the country. We send boxes, packing materials, and prepaid UPS labels right to your door. Simply drop off the boxes at any UPS store or arrange for a pickup, and we’ll handle the rest. Your student’s items will be waiting for them in their room on campus.

3. Tri-State Area Home Pickups: East Coast residents can simplify the move to WashU with UTrucking’s doorstep pickup service. We’ll collect your student’s belongings from their door, transport them to St. Louis, and deliver them straight to their room. Act fast — there are only 100 spots available.

ACADEMICS

ACADEMIC DIVISIONS

Your new student’s academic experience is greatly shaped by their academic division. We encourage your student to connect with their academic division for specific questions and concerns regarding their academic experience.

COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES

The largest undergraduate division, the College of Arts & Sciences offers more than 70 majors and minors. Whatever your student’s academic journey may be, they will acquire literacies and skills that will prepare them to engage critically with real-world issues and create innovative solutions to complex problems facing our rapidly changing world.

artsci.wustl.edu

MCKELVEY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

McKelvey Engineering students earn a universal degree that prepares them to solve the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We offer classroom instruction, hands-on labs and faculty-led research as well as study abroad and student group experiences in 11 major programs and 20 second majors and minors.

engineering.wustl.edu

OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL

At Olin Business School, students learn to look beyond the bottom line and make thoughtful decisions that benefit business and society. We have a welcoming community that allows for a deeper level of engagement, collaboration and program customization. Students can choose between nine majors and six minors, with additional flexibility for interdisciplinary study between other divisions.

olin.wustl.edu

SAM FOX SCHOOL OF DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts is a leader in architecture, art and design education. We are advancing our fields through innovative research and creative practice, excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to addressing the social and environmental challenges of our time. The Sam Fox School encompasses four academic units—the College of Architecture, the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, the College of Art and the Graduate School of Art—and the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, each of which has its own unique history.

samfoxschool.wustl.edu

BEYOND BOUNDARIES

The Beyond Boundaries Program offers students an unparalleled opportunity to crosspollinate ideas via an interdisciplinary education. The program allows students for one year to be interdisciplinary explorers unaffiliated with any of the four primary undergraduate divisions. Students in the program make an undergraduate division decision at the end of their first year.

beyondboundaries.wustl.edu

SUPPORTING YOUR STUDENT FROM AFAR

We encourage you to check in periodically with your student about their experiences in and outside the classroom. Academically, it is common for a student to undergo an adjustment period as the rigor and classroom environment of college are different from high school. Students are more likely to succeed if they use available support resources, even if they didn’t use such resources in high school. Additionally, we encourage you to speak with your student about time management and creating a personal task management system, whether that is a calendar app, an online tool or a printed planner.

ACADEMIC ADVISER

Your student will be assigned an academic adviser who will work to ensure they complete the academic milestones and requirements for graduation. Additionally, once your student declares an area of study, they will be matched to a major adviser, typically a faculty member in their field of study. The major adviser has specific knowledge about research and career opportunities in the field and works to ensure that your student fulfills degree requirements. Pre-professional advising is available for students interested in pre-health and pre-law.

AVAILABILITY OF FACULTY AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS

Faculty are required, and happy, to meet with students outside class. They will list their availability to meet with students on the course syllabus. Many students take advantage of office visits, not only when they may be having difficulty in a course but also as a proactive way to connect with their professors, clarify understanding and discuss research opportunities or potential career paths.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

The Learning Center, housed within the Center for Teaching and Learning, offers a variety of scholastic support in partnership with the academic departments. These include structured, course-specific weekly study groups facilitated by trained peer mentors, as well as course-specific drop-in sessions and individual coaching for academic skills such as time management, note-taking or handling test anxiety. The Learning Center peer coaches and staff also offer workshops on academic skills.

If your student has a diagnosis of ADHD or ADD and struggles with executive function and time management, you may want to consider the Learning Center for basic support; some families find that their student needs more in-depth support and find a community executive functioning coach.

PREPARING FOR CLASSES

In June, your student will be contacted by their academic adviser to discuss areas of study that interest them and course options for the fall semester. Students register for classes using WebSTAC, WashU’s online service portal, during an assigned registration time in mid-July. Your student will receive instructions on how to navigate WebSTAC via email prior to registration.

Students can access syllabus information through Canvas, the university’s online learning management system. Many instructors provide syllabus and textbook information prior to the start of classes. Encourage your student to check both WebSTAC and Canvas to gather a complete textbook list before classes begin.

CAMPUS BOOKSTORE

The WashU Campus Store is a one-stop shop for everything WashU. The WashU Campus Store carries new, used, digital and rental textbooks for WashU classes and buys back books every day. The WashU Campus Store is an authorized Apple Educational reseller and has numerous technology items in stock. Laptops recommended by Student Technology Services can also be purchased at the WashU Campus Store.

wubookstore.com

BEAR NECESSITIES

Bear Necessities is the non-profit general merchandise store located on the South 40 in Umrath House. They are affiliated with the Women’s Society of Washington University, and proceeds from sales at the store are used for scholarships and student project grants. They offer a wide variety of exclusive WashU merchandise, school supplies, residential supplies, snacks, personal and health care supplies, etc. They are also the spot where you can order celebration cakes/cupcakes, balloon bouquets, care packages and more. Keep an eye out for special offerings at the holidays! Their store hours are set to accommodate students returning to their residences from the main campus.

bearnecessities.wustl.edu

Developing good time management and organizational skills is key for students who find themselves struggling academically. Keeping a calendar and a to-do list may seem simple, but they are effective tools to help students structure study time and stay focused.

YOUR STUDENT’S LIFE AT WASHU

LIVING AT WASHU

Washington University’s first-year residential areas include 10 residential colleges in a section of campus known as the South 40, located at the southwest end of the Danforth Campus. As you become more familiar with your student’s residential college, you will find a dedicated group of people willing and able to help with their transition. Each residence hall has a residential college director (RCD), a full-time staff member who lives in residence and facilitates community engagement within the college, assists in day-to-day operations, and manages the team of resident advisors (RAs). RAs are trained upper-division students who live in residence and serve as leaders and peer mentors. In addition, WashU faculty members also work closely with first-year student communities, providing significant faculty-student interaction outside the classroom. Each residential college also has its own dedicated custodial and maintenance personnel.

ALL ROOMS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING FOR EACH RESIDENT:

• Bed and mattress (extra long twin, 36” x 80”)

• Desk and chair

• Dresser and closet space

• Central air conditioning

• Small trash and recycling bin

• Blinds

• Carpeting

FLOOR PLANS AND VIRTUAL TOURS

Floor plans for each building can be found online at reslife.wustl.edu (search for “South 40 Residential Colleges”). Virtual tours can be found online at reslife.wustl.edu (search for “virtual tours”).

TRANSFER HOUSING

Families of transfer students, please reference your student’s copy of New Bearings for off-campus housing resources if they are not living in Residential Life housing.

PACKING

A suggested packing list can be found at newstudents.wustl.edu under the Before You Arrive tab.

DINING ON CAMPUS

All undergraduate students will purchase a meal plan each semester. Undergraduate meal plans operate on an “all points” or “declining balance” basis. This system offers students greater flexibility and spending options in our à la carte cafés. Meal points can be used to purchase meals and food items at any WashU Dining Services location and are accessed through your student’s WashU ID card.

Dining Services has experience meeting the nutritional needs of students observing a wide range of diets, including allergen-free, vegetarian, vegan, Halal and Kosher, among others. If your student needs dietary assistance, please have them complete the Dietary Needs Assessment at bit.ly/wustl-nutrition.

diningservices.wustl.edu/meal-plans

diningservices@wustl.edu

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Your student’s priority at WashU will be academics, but how they choose to complement their learning outside the classroom is also very important. Many students look to their co-curricular involvement to form new peer connections and friendships, discover new interests and develop healthy social engagement. We encourage your student to get involved in at least one co-curricular opportunity on campus, such as a student organization, undergraduate research or a student work position.

ARTS ON CAMPUS

WashU enjoys a vibrant array of public arts offerings available to community and campus audiences alike. Opportunities range from world-class professional performances and exhibitions to concerts, plays, art shows, and writing workshops that give students a chance to hone their talents.

arts.wustl.edu

ATHLETICS AND RECREATION

The WashU Department of Athletics competes in Division III of the NCAA with 24 NCAA team championships, 261 conference titles and 256 conference appearances. Show your spirit and cheer on the WashU Bears!

washubears.com

Intramural (IM) and club sports are a fun, engaging way to find a sense of belonging on campus as well as practice healthy excellence. IM sports is a recreational opportunity for students wanting to participate in a wide variety of sports or activities once a week. They will be competing against other student teams formed around the university. Club sports are a competitive opportunity for students wanting to participate in a more demanding student-run organization. This may be more of a time and financial commitment, and most clubs will have an opportunity to compete against other universities’ club teams.

rec.wustl.edu

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus Life empowers students to discover and define themselves and their communities through advising, programs and resources. Campus Life supports leadership development, student involvement, and sorority and fraternity life.

campuslife.wustl.edu

CIVIC & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Active civic and community engagement are central to WashU’s student culture. The university offers many opportunities, including community-engaged courses, voter engagement, community service groups, philanthropic events, internship-based cohort programs and more. We encourage all students to meaningfully engage with the St. Louis community throughout their time at WashU as they prepare to be active citizens throughout their lives.

The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement

gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu

WashU Votes

washuvotes.wustl.edu

Campus Y

gwrymca.org/locations/washington-university-campus-ymca

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion provides opportunities for students who wish to engage with topics of equity and inclusion, social change, social justice education, and affinity groups and programs. Their work includes advocating for students and connecting them to resources and existing support systems on campus and in the St. Louis community.

students.wustl.edu/center-diversity-inclusion

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship is the hub of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship at WashU. Our initiatives serve students, faculty, staff, and alumni from all levels and all disciplines — because everyone can be entrepreneurial. The Skandalaris Center provides programming where anyone can explore their creative and entrepreneurial interests, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and go from idea to launch.

skandalaris.wustl.edu

The Student Entrepreneurial Program (StEP), an initiative of the Skandalaris Center, provides students the opportunity to own and operate their own businesses while serving the campus community with unique resources. Students can buy into an existing business or start a new one.

step.wustl.edu

RELIGIOUS, SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL LIFE

The Office for Religious, Spiritual and Ethical Life (ORSEL) supports students of any or no religious background. We help students connect with on and off campus communities and explore religious/spiritual questions, and we also encourage students to “pause” and take care of themselves while at WashU.

students.wustl.edu/orsel

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Union is WashU’s governing undergraduate student body. Its primary mission is to advocate for students, allocate funding for student groups, and program events for all students.

Congress of the South 40 (CS40) is the representative and programming body for the residential colleges. It’s a great way to meet people in your community and learn about leadership.

cs40.wustl.edu

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

WashU hosts more than 450 student organizations. At the Activities Fair held at the beginning of each semester, you can learn more about student groups that align with your interests and goals.

wugo.wustl.edu

WASHU ARMY RESERVE OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)

WashU Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is an elective curriculum taken alongside required college classes. It prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to succeed in any competitive environment. Along with great leadership training, Army ROTC can pay for students’ college tuition as well. Students will have a normal college student experience like everyone else on campus, but when they graduate, they will be an officer in the U.S. Army. Students can try Army ROTC without commitment until they contract, which is normally during their junior year.

rotc.wustl.edu

CAMPUS RESOURCES

CAREER CENTER

At WashU, we believe that career education occurs over the course of the four-year undergraduate experience, beginning during the first year. We encourage students to reflect on and understand their unique values, skills, interests and goals.

The Career Center provides a number of opportunities for students to engage with their professional interests. Students can expect to learn strategies for meaningful exploration of the world of work, and engagement with employers and organizations. Services include:

• Facilitating participation in summer internship, research and volunteer experiences

• Providing individualized career advising as well as skill-building workshops

• Presenting signature events including career fairs, industry speaker events, employer visits to different regions in the United States and alumni job-shadowing opportunities

• Connecting students with alumni, professionals and peers in various industries through career communities and networks

You can support your student’s career exploration and preparation by:

• Encouraging early and regular engagement with the Career Center’s programs, resources and events

• Observing and listening to your student’s interests, values and strengths and helping them see themes, patterns and opportunities for continued growth and development

• Promoting engagement in clubs, activities, passion projects and service, both on and off campus, as a way to grow skills, develop leadership and try new things

• Discussing the importance of multiple, meaningful professional experiences such as internships, research, shadowing, networking, volunteer work and study abroad

careercenter.wustl.edu

DISABILITY RESOURCES

Disability Resources (DR) provides leadership to the WashU community in creating an inclusive and accessible campus experience. Its primary objective is to ensure students can equitably access and engage within the university environment. When this cannot be done because of a student’s disability, DR is the designated office that determines reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.

DR is committed to supporting disabled students with the resources necessary to enable them to accomplish their educational goals and derive the benefits of campus life. Students with concerns related to a condition or diagnosis for which support may be necessary to provide access are invited to visit the DR website for information and staff contacts or to initiate a request for accommodations.

A student’s accommodations and other adjustments are coordinated on an individual, case-by-case basis, relative to the student’s functional limitations and barriers. Students can initiate their request for accommodations and provide any necessary documentation through the Access WashU portal by visiting DR’s website and selecting “New Student Application.” Because DR is generally unable to determine accommodations until a student’s request and appropriate supporting documentation have been submitted, the office recommends students begin this process prior to the start of the academic term to avoid delays in appropriate resources being made available.

disability.wustl.edu

GENDER EQUITY AND TITLE IX COMPLIANCE OFFICE

The Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office is committed to responding to discrimination – including sexual harassment and sexual violence – in an effective, timely and transparent manner.

titleix.wustl.edu

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

HABIF HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER

The Habif Health and Wellness Center provides medical services, psychiatric care and health promotion services to students. Same-day medical appointments are available for urgent needs. Your student is required to provide Habif Health and Wellness with important documents, such as immunization records and health history. Specific requirements can be found on the Habif Health and Wellness website. In addition, your student is required by university policy to have adequate health insurance coverage. Students wishing to waive the student health insurance plan must complete a waiver prior to September 5. All students are welcome at Habif, regardless of insurance plan.

habif.wustl.edu

HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICES

Health Promotion Services provides free resources and programs, as well as risk-reduction information related to alcohol and other drug use, mental health and sexual health. Resources on community health and self-care are also available.

MEDICAL SERVICES

Medical Services provides routine, preventive health care; evaluation or treatment of illnesses and injuries; and immunizations. An on-site lab, radiology department and pharmacy also serve students. Psychiatry Services provides ongoing medication management for students taking medication to address their mental health concerns. It should be noted that we will not be accepting any new or transferred patients who require the prescription of stimulant medications. Stimulant medications include, but are not limited to, Adderall, Adderall XR, Ritalin, Concerta and Focalin. If your student is already receiving stimulant medications, we encourage you to try to continue to work with your student’s current provider. If your student is hoping to consider starting a stimulant, we will try to assist your student in finding a provider outside of Habif that accepts your insurance.

The Habif Health and Wellness Center is committed to providing the highest quality care at a reasonable cost to students. Information about co-pays and insurance is available on the Habif website.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Mental Health Services provides individual, couples and group counseling, as well as quick consultations called “Let’s Talk,” and self-help programs including Therapy Assistance Online. Crisis services are also available after hours through TimelyCare. All full-time students who pay the University Health and Wellness Fee as part of their tuition are eligible for services. For more information on what we are able to provide, visit students.wustl.edu/important-mental-health-policies students.wustl.edu/mental-health-services

SAFETY EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

If a crisis occurs on campus, you have multiple ways to obtain information.

• Visit the university’s website emergency.wustl.edu. New information will be posted to the site as it is available. If there is no current emergency, the site will say so.

Additional information about the WashUAlerts System is available at: emergency.wustl.edu

ALERTS

Students and their families can get emergency alerts by downloading the WashU Safe mobile app and allowing notifications.

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Washington University Police Department, also known as WUPD, is a diverse lawenforcement team that provides foot, bicycle and vehicle patrol 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. WUPD officers possess the same authority on campus as that of a St. Louis County police officer. WUPD prides itself on maintaining a safe campus while recognizing no place is immune to crime. WashU has also developed initiatives to enhance students’ personal safety and protect their property. WUPD can help students register their electronics and bikes on campus to increase the chances of recovery if they are misplaced or stolen. Students may also purchase a bike lock from WUPD if they do not have one of their own.

police.wustl.edu

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (STS)

STS supports Washington University residential students in addressing their technology needs. Services include hardware and software troubleshooting, support for the oncampus network (both Wi-Fi and Ethernet), printing/3D printing, residential computer labs, etc. Our Student Technology Coordinators (STCs) serve within the residential colleges as the first point of contact for tech-related questions.

sts.wustl.edu

LAPTOP REQUIREMENTS

WashU has general minimum requirements for laptops which should meet the needs of most incoming students. Some WashU schools recommend a higher level of computing power than the minimum because of special software required for programs in that school. For more information visit techden.wustl.edu/selecting-a-laptop

TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

WashU Rides is a commuter platform with many tools, including a rideboard to help find other students to carpool with to the airport or home over breaks. WashU shuttles serve campus and nearby places of interest, like shopping and dining areas. The TripShot app provides tools to track shuttle locations, view real-time arrivals and set custom notifications; and the email list and text alerts ensure they’re updated on shuttle operations. To protect their bike, please utilize our free bike registration and a U-lock. Their U-Pass provides rides on Metro buses and trains that serve the St. Louis area, including to/ from the airport, and there are convenient stops on/around campus. The WashU Safe App and Bear Patrol are available for added safety. Please note first-year students may not have cars on campus, but CarShare offers hourly car rentals on campus for those 18+. Visit the Parking & Transportation website to learn more.

parking.wustl.edu

UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

Work with your student to ensure that your contact information (home and cell phone numbers, email address, and emergency contact information) is correct in their WebSTAC account. This will ensure that you, as a family member, receive all elevant information. Your student can confirm and make changes to your information via WebSTAC at webstac.wustl.edu.

YOUR STUDENT’S PRIVACY

The privacy of your student’s records is protected by federal law under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Certain pieces of directory information (name, mailing address, and phone number) on your student’s record may be publicly available unless your student has placed an optional information restriction on their record. Your student can remove themselves from the public directory by visiting the WebSTAC portal.

FERPA

Learn more about FERPA at registrar.wustl.edu.

Your student can request mailing address and phone number updates in WebSTAC. To change the listed family email and ensure you receive university updates, please visit families.wustl.edu and select Update

Family Email Address under the Communications tab.

FINANCES

STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES

Student Financial Services (SFS) takes a personal approach with your student. An assigned financial aid counselor will be with your family from the moment you exchange hellos to graduation. Before your student arrives on campus, we encourage you to check out the SFS website for information on how to view and pay the student bill, payment options, and how your student can prepare if they plan to work on campus. Your SFS counselor is available to provide information and resource assistance.

financialaid.wustl.edu

314-935-5900

PAYING THE STUDENT BILL

We encourage you and your student to have an open conversation about expectations regarding billing and finances. Once your student receives login access to WebSTAC, WashU’s online student portal, they will be able to grant access to parent(s) and family members to review bills and make payments. Once this step has been completed, an email containing a user ID, temporary password and a link to the online billing portal will be sent to the authorized payers/users.

A FAMILY’S GUIDE TO THE FIRST SEMESTER

Please use this chart as a guide throughout the year to gain a general understanding of what your student may be experiencing during their first few months at WashU. You will also find some suggestions about how you can support your student throughout the first semester. Content adapted from:

Mullendore, R. H. & Hatch, C. (2000). Helping your first-year college student succeed: A guide for parents. University of South Carolina, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

What’s Happening

What Your Student May Be Experiencing

First weeks on campus

Classes begin

College schedule requires some adjustments

New friendships form

Early September

New routines develop

Students explore co-curricular involvement and begin to find their place on campus

Students make initial adjustments to college courses

Mid-September

First set of exams scheduled

Students may struggle to balance academic, social, and cocurricular commitments

Tensions between high school and college relationships may emerge

Excitement

Nervousness

Mild homesickness

Testing new-found freedom

Anxiety about roomates, professors, and classes

Learning to manage time between classes

Need to develop different study habits

Need to develop time management strategies

Excitement about new relationships and sadness/ anxiety about old relationships

What’s Happening What Your Student May Be Experiencing

Late September Initial excitement begins to fade

Students may question whether they belong

Pace of academic work picks up

Early October

Call-backs and invitations to join student groups begin to go out

Grades for first major exams and assignments received

Self-doubt

Feeling overwhelmed by academic work

Students will benefit from a listening ear and encouragement.

Excitement about being selected to participate in a group or activity

Sadness at being rejected for a group or activity

Disappointment or discouragement about academic performance

Many students experience a decline in their academic performance early in the first semester. Help your student see this as an opportunity to make adjustments, and encourage them to seek out campus resources for assistance.

What’s Happening

Mid-October Feelings of relaxation from fall break fade

Exams and major projects loom

Students begin to prepare for spring course registration

What Your Student May Be Experiencing

Stress

Anxiety

Encourage your student to get off campus; Forest Park is a great suggestion.

Remind your student to connect with their academic adviser about their educational plan.

Late October

Students learn more about and adjust to the campus culture

New friendships continue to develop

Mid-term papers, major assignments, and exams are due

Early November

Students meet with academic adviser for spring course registration

Students may begin to explore changes to their major field Grades for another round of exams or assignments received

Feelings of being overwhelmed may increase

Your student may need reminders to take time for self-care (e.g., healthy meals, exercise, adequate rest).

Doubts about whether they are in the right major

Relief/pride in the progress they have made

Ongoing frustration with their academic performance

Mid-November Thanksgiving Break

What’s Happening

Due dates for term projects and final exams are on the horizon

What Your Student May Be Experiencing

Excitement about seeing friends and family

Exhaustion

Anxiety about upcoming deadlines

Help your students rest and recharge over the break.

Late November/Early December Students register for spring classes

Classes wrap up for the semester

Plans for changing academic division or major may solidify

Excitement about being home for winter break

Feeling overwhelmed by multiple deadlines

Feeling anxious about upcoming exams

This is a good time to remind your student about positive self-care strategies.

Mid-December

Students engaged in intense period of reading, writing, and studying

Reading Week schedule allows greater flexibility

Sadness about leaving campus and being away from friends

Excitement about the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends

The open schedule of Reading Week makes it easy to lose track of time. Encourage your student to make a plan for how they will use the time to their advantage.

BEYOND THE TRANSITION

STAYING CONNECTED TO THE UNIVERSITY

Student Transitions & Family Programs is the primary support resource for parents and family members of all undergraduate students. We provide ongoing communications detailing campus resources, engagement with faculty and administrators, and university news and information throughout your student’s enrollment.

At times, the university sends separate communication to family members about on- and off-campus events, including the Family Ties e-newsletter. To verify the family email(s) associated with your student’s record, your student should log into WebSTAC and select “Contact Information”. Your student can request to make changes to the family email(s) by following the instructions in WebSTAC.

The Family Webinar Series connects you with staff and administrators to answer live questions about various student resources and campus events. Recordings of past webinars can be found on the Parent & Families website.

314-935-5040

families@wustl.edu

families.wustl.edu

CONTACTING YOUR STUDENT

Use this page to keep track of your student’s WashU contact information. Tear out this back cover to keep this information in an easy-to-find location at your home or office.

MAILING ADDRESS

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

For a list of other university contacts, visit this QR code.

This book was created by STUDENT TRANSITIONS & FAMILY PROGRAMS MSC 1136-332-21 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

newstudents.wustl.edu

314-935-5040