A picture of the WashU campus with the words 'Family Ties.'

August 2024

From the Desk of Dr. Anna Gonzalez

Dear parents and families,


We are looking forward to welcoming you to campus in the coming weeks! From your student's Move-In Day, to the many events we have planned during Fall Welcome, we are excited to share this important time with your family.

 

If you are unable to join us on campus this August, please know your student is in good hands. Enclosed in the eNewsletter you'll find many helpful resources, including important dates and deadlines, information on Move-In Day, and an overview of services such as WashU's health insurance requirement.

 

I understand while this is a time filled with excitement, your student's transition to college can also inspire questions. Our Division of Student Affairs is here to support your student's journey at WashU and provide a foundation for a wonderful four years.

 

Go Bears!

Anna "Dr. G" Gonzalez

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Table of Contents

Important Dates / Deadlines

Parent & Family Orientation RSVP

Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome for Class of 2028

Move-In Day

Health Insurance Requirement

Family Webinar Series

TimelyCare

Bear Bucks

Student Technology Services

Voting Information

Updating Contact Information

Contact Us

Important Dates / Deadlines

Fall 2024


  • August 16 and 17*: Class of 2028 Move-In Days
  • August 17-24: Fall Welcome
  • August 26: First day of classes
  • September 2: Labor Day (No classes)
  • October 5-8: Fall Break (No classes)
  • November 27-December 1: Thanksgiving Break (No classes)
  • December 6: Last day of classes
  • December 9-18: Reading days and finals


*First-year international students should arrive on Wednesday, August 14. Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates, please check with your head coach for more information. 

Parent & Family Orientation RSVP

Parent & Family Orientation will take place from August 16-18. All programming will end by 3:00 PM CT on Sunday, August 18. You can preview theParent & Family Orientation 2024 Schedule now.


To assist with our planning, we ask that your family RSVP for Parent & Family Orientation. We have extended the deadline for families to RSVP to Thursday, August 8 at 11:59 PM CT.


For families who are unable to join us for Parent & Family Orientation, we will record the sessions and livestream Parents as Partners. The livestream link for Parents as Partners will be available on the Parents & Families website.

Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome for Class of 2028

Fall Welcome will begin the evening of Move-In Day and conclude the evening of Saturday, August 24. During Fall Welcome, your student will meet with their WUSA small group, engage in academic experiences, and participate in a long-standing university tradition - Convocation. Your student can preview the Fall Welcome 2024 First-Year Schedule.

Move-In Day

There are two Move-In Day options: Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17*. All students, including international students, who are arriving on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17 must select a check-in time. If your student has not selected a check-in time, please have them do so ASAP. Students can view their self-selected check-in date and time through the housing portal on WebSTAC.

 

Move-In Day Procedures

  • Students will check in at Tisch Commons located on the main level of the Danforth University Center. Danforth University Center is located at 6475 Forsyth Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63105.
  • If you or your student are arriving by taxi or ride-sharing service, provide the above address to your driver.
  • During check-in, short term parking will be available in Zone 2 in Lot 35 (Simon Hall Lot). 
  • Students will go inside to receive their ID Card, room keys, parking placard, Metro U-Pass, and a one-time moving ticket. All other individuals will stay inside the vehicle.
  • The parking placard must be placed in the dashboard of your vehicle for the duration of move-in.
  • The one-time moving ticket is given to our professional moving team when it is the student’s turn to have their items moved into their room.
  • Students arriving via taxi or ride-sharing service will be assisted in transporting luggage to their residence hall.
  • From check-in, students will be directed to the unloading location for their residence hall. Once their items are unloaded, the driver of the vehicle will be directed to long-term parking while the student stays with their items.

 

Review the Fall 2024 Move-In Information on the Residential Life website for detailed information about the Move-In Day process, maps, packing lists, and more. 

 

Have your student contact Residential Life with any questions about housing assignments or move-in.

 

*Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates. Please have your student check with their head coach for more information.

Health Insurance Requirement

All full-time, degree-seeking students at WashU are required to have health insurance, and your student will be automatically enrolled in the university’s health insurance plan. The student health insurance plan is effective from August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2025.

 

The Student Health Insurance Plan waiver and open enrollment will remain open through September 5, 2024

 

In order to waive out of the student health insurance plan, current insurance coverage must meet the university’s specific criteria. 

 

Your student can contact Habif Health and Wellness Center with questions about health insurance.

Family Webinar Series

The upcoming webinar for the Summer Webinar Series edition of our Family Webinar Series can be found below! This series was designed to help your student succeed, by answering all of their and your WashU questions. Previous webinar recordings may also be found on the Family Webinar Series page. The information for our upcoming webinar and its registration link is below. 


A Conversation about Move-In and Fall Welcome: August 6 at 5:30 PM CT

  • As students gear up for the Fall 2024 semester, we want to provide students and families the opportunity to learn more about Move-In Day and Fall Welcome. Katharine Pei, Director of Student Transitions & Family Programs, and E’Quain Rhodes, Assistant Director of Housing Operations for Residential Life, join us to discuss what students and families need to know leading up to Move-In Day, Fall Welcome, and Parent & Family Orientation.

Timely Care

Students can't always predict when they will need medical or mental health care, so we encourage your student to download the TimelyCare app before arriving to campus. Your student can simply set up their account with their WashU email address and then enjoy peace of mind knowing that they have access to 24/7 on-demand mental health support (the TalkNow feature), medical and mental health appointments, health coaching, and much more. Students must be 18 years old or older to use TimelyCare.

Bear Bucks

The Bear Bucks cashless account system at WashU can be used by your student as a purchasing option at on-campus establishments and campus stores. Additionally, your student can use Bear Bucks to conveniently pay for orders from any Grubhub merchant nationwide, via pickup and delivery through the Grubhub app.


Your student can learn more about Bear Bucks and sign up for an account through Campus Card Services.

Student Technology Services

Student Technology Services (STS) is located on the South 40 at the Gregg House storefronts. The STS service desk provides walk-up support to WashU residential students. Services include troubleshooting software and hardware, network connectivity (WiFi and wired), Dell laptop repair (under warranty only), and 3D printing.

Voting Information

Talk with your student about voter registration if they are eligible. Students may stay registered at home, or they can register to vote in Missouri. Your student can visit the Gephardt Institute for more information.

Update Your Contact Information

We encourage you to work with your student to check that your contact information is correct in their WebSTAC account. This will ensure that you, as a family member, are receiving all relevant information including future editions of Family Ties. This includes cell phone number, email address, and emergency contact information.


Your student can confirm, and make changes to, your information in WebSTAC.

Contact Us

For a springboard to help you determine the best answer to your questions, please email families@wustl.edu or call 314.935.5040 or reach us toll free at 844.935.5040.

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Student Transitions & Family Programs | Washington University in St. Louis
Umrath House, lower level, suite 0925 | One Brookings Drive, MSC 1136-0332-LL | St. Louis, MO 63130
families.wustl.edu | Office: 314.935.5040 | Toll free: 844.935.5040 | families@wustl.edu