Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome

There are two move-in day options: Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19*. You will select your move-in date and time after your housing assignment is released in early July.

*International students should arrive on Thursday, August 17. Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates, please check with your head coach for more information. 

More details will be available in July.

Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome begins the evening of Saturday, August 19 and concludes the evening of Saturday,  August 26. During Fall Welcome, you will meet with your WUSA small group, engage in academic experiences, and participate in a long-standing university tradition – Convocation.

Staff from Student Transitions & Family Programs will be available to answer questions on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 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.

We hope your family will be able to join us for Parent & Family Orientation.

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

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.

A schedule of services and events during Fall Welcome will be available in July.

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.