Bear Beginnings 2021
Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome will take place Sunday, August 22nd through Saturday, August 28th.
Move-In Day will take place Saturday, August 21*.
*International students, fall varsity athletes, Beyond Boundaries students, and students in certain named scholar programs (Danforth, Deneb STARS, Ervin, Langsdorf, and Rodriguez) may have an earlier arrival date. Please look for a communication from your program director or coach for more details.
Move-In
Move-In Day will take place Saturday, August 21*. You will be assigned a move-in time when your housing assignment is released in early July.
*International students, fall varsity athletes, Beyond Boundaries students, and students in certain named scholar programs (Danforth, Deneb STARS, Ervin, Langsdorf, and Rodriguez) may have an earlier arrival date. Please look for a communication from your program director or coach for more details.
For more information about move-in, please reference the Residential Life website.
Early Arrival Request Process
First-year students will move in on Saturday, August 21st. Early arrival may be approved for Friday, August 20th for medical, religious reasons, or other extenuating circumstances. If you require a August 20th move-in, please fill out the early arrival request form in the WashU housing portal, accessed through WebSTAC.
The form will be available beginning Monday, July 5th at 9:00am.
Early arrival requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM CDT Friday, August 6, 2021.
Fall Welcome Schedule
Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome will take place Sunday, August 22nd through Saturday, August 28th.
During Fall Welcome, students will engage with both their academic and residential communities.
Additional details about Fall Welcome will be available in July.
Family Programming
We hope to offer in-person Parent & Family Orientation experiences on Sunday, August 22nd ending no later than 3:00 PM CST. Final decisions regarding Parent & Family Orientation will be made later in summer following public health safety protocols and guidelines available at that time. More information can be found on the Parent & Family Orientation page.
Families will receive a “Convocation kit” in the mail so they can participate in our university tradition from home on Saturday, August 28.
Convocation
Convocation is the official academic welcome to the University for new students and their families. Convocation includes speeches from a senior student and university leadership.
Families will receive a “Convocation kit” in the mail so they can participate in our university tradition from home on Saturday, August 28.
First Day of Classes
Start off the school year by participating in a WashU tradition: First Day!
Religious Observances
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 Bear Beginnings: 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.
Accommodation Statement
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events. If you have a disability and require any accommodations in order to fully participate in Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, please list them in your Bear Beginnings Information Form on your WashU Pathways account. After we receive your submission, a member of the First Year Center 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 Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, please contact Miranda Kroeger at the First Year Center.