Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome

First-Year move-in will be on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17. You will select your move-in date and time after your housing assignment is released in early July.

*International students and fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates. Please check with the Office of International Student Engagement (OISE) or your head coach for more information. 

Please note: Many Student Affairs department offices will be closed Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17 so their staff can support Move-In Day. Please directly contact a department via their listed phone number or email prior to or after these dates if you have any questions.

Move-In Day procedures and a Move-In Guide with detailed information about the move-in day process, maps, packing lists, and more will be available closer to August 2024. 

Contact Residential Life with any questions about housing assignments or move-in. 

A draft schedule will be available in 2024.

Staff from Student Transitions & Family Programs will be available to answer questions on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17 from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST. Student Transitions & Family Programs is located in the lower level of Umrath House on the South 40 (across from the Bear’s Den entrance).

We will have printed schedules, resources, and maps, including directions to local St. Louis shopping and dining locations.

A Parent & Family Orientation 2024 schedule and registration will be available by June 2024.

Parent & Family Orientation experiences will take place from Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18. Families can attend virtually or in-person. All programming will end by 3:00 PM CDT on Sunday, August 18.

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

In the Lou – Off-Campus Events

During Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, you will have the opportunity to participate in a program called “In the Lou” organized by Campus Life. This program provides you with the opportunity to explore St. Louis and immerse yourself in the rich culture and experiences the region has to offer.

If you would like to be able to sign up for an “In the Lou” experience during Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, you need to sign an off-campus trip waiver. Waivers will be available by July 2024.

The Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL) offers connections with a wide variety of religious organizations on campus and in the St. Louis area. Please reach out to ORSEL to get connected with campus ministry groups and St. Louis organizations.

It often happens that religious services occur during Fall Welcome. It is our goal that students will be able to fully observe their faith, practices, and traditions without missing important information. Students should reach out to their WUSA if they plan on missing an orientation event for a religious observance to ensure the student has access to any information they may miss.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events. If you have a disability and require accommodations (such as assistive listening device, captioning, large print, reserved front row seat, advanced copy of slides to be projected, etc.) in order to fully participate in Fall Welcome, please list them in your Bear Beginnings Information Form on your WashU Pathways account. After we receive your submission, a member of Student Transitions & Family Programs will contact you for more information. Requests should be made as soon as possible, but at least two weeks prior to your arrival on campus. For any other questions about accessibility during Fall Welcome, please contact Student Transitions & Family Programs.