TX Commitments

We recommend that you check your calendar to determine your availability for all trainings for the Spring Semester. These trainings are required for all Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA).

These include:

• Training 1 – Tuesday, April 5^th from 7:00 – 8:30 in the First Year Center
• Training 2 – 1:1s and team dinner – Week of April 14
• Training 3 – Wednesday, April 20^th from 7:00 – 9:30 PM
• Training 4 – Tuesday, April 26^th from 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Please feel free to e-mail questions relating to availability to transitions@wustl.edu.

There are various trainings and commitments throughout the summer that Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) complete virtually. Summer training modules help prepare Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors for their role.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors must also set aside time to email their students as well as make individual calls to each of them. This will take time as it is uncommon for every student to be available when you call them. This process requires Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors to be organized and make time to connect with their cohort prior to Bear Beginnings.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) training occurs on campus in the summer prior to Bear Beginnings. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors anticipated return to campus is August 15 and with training August 15-19.

We ask that Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors confirm their summer schedules will allow for this early arrival before accepting the position.

This time period involves daily training and other activities with the TX team, and Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors should expect to be on campus engaging with other WUSAs, their FYX, and the FYC every day.

Bear Beginnings: Transfer and Exchange Student Orientation will begin August 20^th and continue through August 28^th. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) must be available during these days and will typically work the entire day. 

During this time Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors will lead their cohorts of students, as well as assist with other events and activities. These may include panels for different schools, tabling for item pick-up, events for parents and families, as well as generally assisting Student Transitions & Family Programs with tasks. You will interact with and answer questions from many students and families during this time.

This is the biggest commitment that comes with being a Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor, and many find it to be the most rewarding part of being a Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor.

Winter Welcome: Spring Exchange Student Orientation will begin January 10^th and continue through January 15^th. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) must be available during these days and will typically work the entire day. 

During this time Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors will lead their cohorts of students, as well as assist with other events and activities. These may include panels for different schools, tabling for item pick-up, events for parents and families, as well as generally assisting Student Transitions & Family Programs with tasks. You will interact with and answer questions from many students during this time.

Becoming a Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor (formerly TX WUSA) is a year-long commitment. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors are crucial for Bear Beginnings, but they also assist in Student Transitions & Family Programs events throughout the year and lead programming for their cohort.

Other than programming, Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors will be expected to maintain communication with their cohort, notifying them of events and opportunities, as well as important dates such as academic deadlines. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors are available to support their students and answer questions they may have throughout the year.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors also attend regular meetings with the TX team and FYX.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) help with Student Transitions & Family Programs events throughout the year. Below are our three major events that Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors assist with.

Symphony on the South 40
Time Commitment: 1 Hour
Date: September 2022, final date TBD

Parent & Family Weekend
Time Commitment: 4 Hours
Date: Parent & Family Weekend takes place October 21-13, 2022. WUSAs sign up for shifts to work either the week before, during the weekend, or in the days after the event is over.

First Year Finale
Time Commitment: 1-2 Hours
Date: April 2023, final date TBD

An important aspect of the Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor (formerly TX WUSA) role is communication.

As a Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor you will have a FYX who will lead the TX team. They are there to help you and provide important information.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors will have the opportunity to connect and form relationships with new students, TX team members, faculty associates, and more.

Communication with others is an important aspect of the Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor role and maintaining these connections will allow Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors to be more successful and have support systems they can go to when they have questions or need help.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) wear the name of WashU as well as Student Transitions & Family Programs. For many students and families, Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors may give them an impression on the University as a whole. This means that Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors are held to high expectations and must remain in good academic and conduct standing.

Especially during Bear Beginnings, Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors are constantly being recognized by those around them and are expected to act responsibly and represent the university.

Before accepting the Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) position, we recommend you:

1. Verify you are available for all required dates and consider summer plans and other commitments throughout the year.
2. Speak with your support systems to get insight on your decision and other factors to consider.
3. Ask questions! Do not hesitate to reach out to address any concerns.

For Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA), being a mandatory reporter means they are required to “report all incidents of sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking or other forms of misconduct that violate the USCC to their supervisor, the Title IX Coordinator, the Associate Title IX Coordinator, or to the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office”.

This is an important aspect of the Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor role and only applies to the students you are a Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor for.

This obligation will continue to be covered throughout Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors training.

Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors (formerly TX WUSA) are not expected to know everything about WashU when they accept the role. Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors are selected for their unique ability to bring their own first-year experiences to the table.

The trainings conducted throughout the Spring and Summer will help prepare Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors for the role and provide them with the information necessary to be successful. Additionally, each Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors is able to provide their own insight into the WashU experience and can use that to make a positive impact.

If you worry about struggling with answering questions, know that you will be provided with the resources you need and can always reach out to fellow Transfer and Exchange Student Mentors, FYX, and Professional Staff for assistance.

If you have a scheduling conflict with one of the trainings, please email Student Transitions & Family Programs as soon as possible. Student Transitions & Family Programs works with each Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor (formerly TX WUSA) on a case-by-case basis to determine next steps. 

To accept your offer, you will need to submit the online TX acceptance form no later than Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 8:00AM CST. We would love  to hear from you sooner if you choose to accept the position or if we can provide you additional information that will help in your decision-making.

We will host Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor Reveal, a grab-and-go event on March 24 and 25.  At Reveal you will be able to pick up a welcome gift from the First Year Center and take some photos commemorating Transfer and Exchange Student Mentor acceptance! Sign up for a time to stop by  so we can welcome you! 

To rescind your offer, please email us at transitions@wustl.edu no later than Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 8:00AM CST.