Hi, Class of 2028!

We hope you are enjoying your summer so far! We cannot wait to meet you all soon.

Read this month's Bear Bulletin for important information you need to know for your transition to WashU. We have mailed a copy of Bear Essentials for Students to you if you have a U.S. address, but it is also available digitally. Feel free to email or reach out on Instagram if you have any questions.

- Student Transitions & Family Programs

Table of Contents

• Important Dates/Deadlines
• What To Expect This Month
• July 2024 Checklist
• Course Registration
• Housing Assignments, Move-In, and Renter's Insurance
• Parent & Family Orientation RSVP
• Health and Well-being Updates
• Public Health & Society Program
• Shipping Items to Campus
• Direct Deposit Information from Student Billing
• Voting Information
• Opportunities with the Department of Music
• Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life
• Summer Webinar Series

Important Dates/Deadlines

Summer 2024

• July 5: Registration for a move-in time slot begins (at 1:00 PM CDT)
• July 9-11: Course registration

Fall 2024

• August 16 and 17*: Class of 2028 move-in
• 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 period and finals

* International students and fall varsity athletes have different arrival dates. Please see the "Housing Assignments, Move-In, and Renter's Insurance" section below for more details.

What To Expect This Month

You will receive the following items from WashU this month.

1) Habif Health & Wellness

• Refer to the Habif Heath & Wellness postcard for more information about health and wellness requirements. This postcard will also be mailed to you if you have a U.S. address.

2) July Before You Arrive Checklist

• The July Before You Arrive Checklist contains action items that should be completed this month.

3) Student Leader Phone Call

• You have been sent an email from a Summer Student Associate, a student leader, inviting you to schedule a time to talk on the phone in July to introduce themselves and answer any questions you might have.

July 2024 Checklist

Each month this summer, there will be important items you need to complete to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your first year. Some items on the July checklist include:

• Check your housing assignment and register for a move-in time slot on WebSTAC beginning July 5 at 1 PM CDT.
• Apply for your WashU ID Card by July 31. This must be completed before Move-In Day or you will not be able to access your residence hall.
• Register for classes on WebSTAC during your assigned registration time on July 9, 10, or 11.
• RSVP any family members planning to attend Parent & Family Orientation by July 29 at Noon CDT.
• Submit your immunization record and health history form to the Student Health Portal by August 1.
• Complete the Canvas courses on the Student Conduct Code, academic integrity (AI), and hazing policies by August 1.
• Complete the Survey of New Students. Check your WashU email for your invitation which will be sent July 16. The survey will remain open until August 13.
• Complete the Year One College Behavior Profile. All students must complete this profile, designed to give personalized feedback about alcohol and marijuana by July 31.
• If you are 18 or older, sign the off-campus event waiver to participate in an "In the Lou" experience during Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome by July 31. (Please enter your WashU email address when completing the waiver.) If you are under 18, your parents or legal guardians will be emailed an off-campus event waiver to sign on your behalf.

Course Registration

Registration for fall 2024 courses will take place via WebSTAC between July 9 - 11 during your assigned registration date and time. 

You should already have been in contact with your academic adviser or academic division. If you have not, please do so as soon as possible. You must have your WUSTL Key and WashU email established to communicate with your adviser and register for fall courses. Check your WashU email at least two times a week to have the most up-to-date information! 

Housing Assignments, Move-In, and Renter's Insurance

Housing Assignments:

Your 2024-2025 Residential Life housing assignment, including your roommates/suitemates, is now available on the Housing Portal. You can log into the Housing Portal via WebSTAC.

If applicable, reach out to your roommates/suitemates via their WashU email(s) to introduce yourself and discuss what items you will bring to the room or suite! A recommended packing list can be found on the New Students website.

We work diligently to meet the room preferences of our students. When demand exceeds the supply of a given room type, we are not able to meet all room preferences. If you wish to request a room change, you can access the Room Change Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal. We will not begin processing room change requests until after the first two weeks after fall classes begin.

Incoming first-year students are not permitted to move in early.

Move-In Date and Time Selection:

You can select your move-in date and time on the Housing Portal beginning on Friday, July 5 at 1:00 PM CDT. Instructions for selecting your move-in date and time are available on the Residential Life website. The first-year move-in dates are Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17. Timeslots are from 9:00 AM CDT to 5:00 PM CDT on these days.

Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates than those stated above. Please check with your head coach for more information.

Incoming first-year international students will move in on Wednesday, August 14. Please complete the OISS First-Year International Arrival Form by Sunday, July 14.

Renter's Insurance:

WashU has partnered with GradGuard to offer renter's insurance to students. You can obtain renter's insurance through GradGuard via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Residential Life strongly recommends that all students obtain renter's insurance prior to their scheduled move-in date and time either through GradGuard or another provider of their choice. Residential Life is not responsible in the event of theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property belonging to, or in the custody of a student, as stated in the Housing Terms and Conditions.

Meal Plan Adjustments:

From Monday, July 1 through Sunday, September 8, you have the option to adjust your meal plan by completing a Meal Plan Change Request Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Meal plan changes can affect your financial aid package. Follow up with your Student Financial Services Counselor prior to submitting a Meal Plan Change Request Form.

To learn more about the different meal plans offered, please visit WashU Dining Services.

Parent & Family Orientation RSVP

If your family is traveling with you to St. Louis for Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, please register them for Parent & Family Orientation. Please RSVP for Parent & Family Orientation by Monday, July 29 at Noon CDT if they plan to attend in-person events during Parent & Family Orientation.

Health and Well-being Updates

All WashU students must complete the following health and wellness requirements.

• Submit your immunization record and health history form by August 1. Students who have not completed this requirement prior to move-in will not be allowed to enter their residence hall.
• Choose a health insurance option. All students are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the WashU student health plan. Students with personal or family health insurance coverage may waive out of the university’s plan. Waiver requests become available on July 6 and must be submitted by September 5.
• Transfer prescriptions to the Quadrangle Pharmacy, located on campus in the Habif Health and Wellness Center.
• Discuss plans to continue mental health support/counseling, if appropriate.
• Complete the Year One College Behavior Profile. All students must complete this profile, designed to give personalized feedback about alcohol and marijuana.
• Ask questions! You can find information about campus health and wellness resources online at Habif Health & Wellness Center.

Public Health & Society Program

WashU, in partnership with Arts & Sciences, has developed a new Public Health & Society Program as part of the university’s Here and Next vision and the Arts & Sciences strategic plan. You will have the opportunity to chat with the co-directors for the new Public Health & Society Program in a live, 30-minute webinar on Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 PM CT. Dr. T.R. Kidder and Dr. Lindsay Stark will introduce the new minor in Public Health & Society starting fall 2024, and will share insights about the fall course offerings now open for enrollment: Foundations in Public Health and First Year Seminar. Register for the webinar to learn about this exciting minor.

Public Health & Society is one of several new programs evolving from the university’s vision to “create a School of Public Health to drive equitable, evidence-based public health with a commitment to partnering with the local community, addressing serious underlying inequities, and generating scalable solutions.”

Shipping Items to Campus

USPS, UPS, FedEX, and other parcel services deliver to your WashU campus address. Your MSC number and mailing address can be found with your housing assignment on WebSTAC. See the example address label.

Mail Services can accept packages beginning August 1. 

Direct Deposit Information from Student Billing

For students who are receiving the First Year Start-Up Grant, we strongly encourage you to enroll in direct deposit with Student Accounting through WebSTAC. This is the fastest way to get your funds!

• Make sure you have a U.S. based bank account
• Log in to WebSTAC
• Select "Pay/View Bills" under Billing & Bear Bucks
• Click on the box "Enroll for eRefund" followed by clicking on "Sign Up for eRefund"

If you prefer to receive your startup grant funds by check you can do so by picking up your check from Student Financial Services when you arrive on campus in August.

Voting Information

If you are eligible to vote in the U.S., consider where you want to vote. You may vote at your home address or your school address – but you may only vote in one location. For more information, visit the Gephardt Institute.

Opportunities with the Department of Music

The Department of Music has flexible music-making opportunities for everyone, regardless of major or proficiency level. Students can continue to pursue their love of music through private lessons, ensembles, or music classes - all available for credit. Learn more about placement days, lessons, and ensemble registration or contact Jamie Perkins and the Department of Music will get in touch with personalized guidance through the audition and registration process. 

Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life

The Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL) is here for all students of any/no religious, spiritual, or philosophical background. They offer fun retreats to help you focus and de-stress, interfaith dialogues, a confidential listening ear, and connections to prayer spaces and religious groups.

• Request information about religious organizations on or off campus.
• Find prayer or reflection spaces on campus.
• Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter.
• Review the religious holidays calendar and other information.

Contact Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life, with any questions.

Summer Webinar Series

Our Summer Webinar Series was designed to answer student, parent, and family members' questions about WashU. Recordings of past webinars can be viewed online.

Register for and find more information about our upcoming live webinars below:

• Tuesday, July 16 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Student Financial Services.
• Tuesday, August 6 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Move-In and Fall Welcome.

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