WUSA Commitments

WUSAs wear the name of WashU as well as Student Transitions & Family Programs. Additionally, WUSAs often hold the responsibility of being students’ and families’ first impression of the University as a whole. WUSAs are held to high expectations and must remain in good academic and conduct standing.

WUSAs will have the opportunity to connect and form relationships with first-years, WUSA team members and COSAs (co-WUSAs), faculty associates, RAs, and more.

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

• Networking opportunities with other WUSAs, campus partners, STFP staff
• Have a greater understanding of WashU’s processes and systems
• Undertake professional development and enhance your skills (e.g., communication, liaison, team-building)
• Act as a support system for others
• Act as a conduit between students and WashU staff.
• Relay key messages from WashU administration to first-year students
• Suggest, develop, and implement solutions related to creating a great transition for first-years
• Collaborate with students to coordinate events to enhance the student campus experience
• Engage students in community building

Prepares you to fulfill your role as a WUSA. Includes role responsibilities, facilitation, cultural competency, new student transition trends, helping skills, and logistics.

• WUSA Training 1: April 3, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
• WUSA Training 2: April 10, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
• WUSA Training 3: April 17, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 
• WUSA Training 4: April 24, 2023, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 

Includes Canvas modules (online) and in-person meetings.

Meet your WUSA team, prepare for Bear Beginnings, and engage with STFP staff and campus partners. Training and other activities will continue this week.

• Please confirm that your summer schedule allows for early arrival (return to campus by August 12, 2023).

• August 13 – August 17, 2023. Hours may start as early as 9:00 AM and run as late as 8:00 PM. Breaks and meal times will be included in the shift. In total, expect to work 40-45 hours this week.

All shifts are in-person.

Lead your cohorts of first-year 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, and other miscellaneous tasks. You will engage with many first-year students and families during this time!

• August 18 – 27, 2023 (Times vary: Shifts may begin as early as 7:00 AM and end as late as 11:59 PM)

All shifts are in-person.

Families of students across all undergraduate classes attend the weekend and partake in activities and events around campus and St. Louis.

• October 27 – October 29, 2023 (Shift times and shift duties vary. Shifts may be prior to the weekend, during, or after the event. In total, expect to work one 2-3 hour shift.

All shifts are in-person.

Engage with the Class of 2027 prior to the start of the fall semester.

• Time commitment: Varies based on availability. All calls should be completed on a designated week in the summer.

WUSAs living in the MO and IL area will have the option to do additional work with STFP during the summer.

Duties may include:

• Reaching out to students
• Phone calls/emails
• Training preparation
• Social media initiatives
• Tabling events

If interested, a form will be distributed during training.

Time commitment varies based on office needs and WUSA phone calls.

Communicate with students consistently through check-ins and meetings. Share resources and host programming/workshops/community exercises. WUSA hours will be held on Wednesdays.

• Time commitment: 2 hrs/week until the end of February 2024. The 2 hours include 30 minutes of prep time and 1.5 hours of active engagement.
• WUSAs will share information about resources, including academic deadlines (add/drop deadline, pass/fail deadline, course registration, etc.), campus events, and St. Louis city outings.

• Based on reports, WUSAs may deliver targeted interventions to assist students who have been identified as needing support in their transition.

Meetings will be every Thursday at a time decided by the team. The time commitment is 1 hour/per week.

There will be 2 community trainings:

• October 11, 2023, from 6 PM – 8 PM
• January 17, 2024, from 6 PM – 8 PM

These times and dates are tentative and may be subject to change.

• Symphony on the South 40
• First-Year Student Nights at the Arts
• In the Lou Excursions

Before accepting the WUSA position, we recommend you consider the following questions:

1. What is it about the job that excites me?
2. What can I bring to this role/What will this role bring me (personal growth)?
3. Are there any worries or concerns I have right off the bat about this position or my abilities?
4. What are my other responsibilities next year? Do I have the time management skills to balance all my responsibilities? Other responsibilities may include classes, research positions, other leadership roles, work positions, etc.
5. Does the culture fit me, and do I support the overall mission?
6. Can I picture myself doing this job and being happy doing it?
7. Can I be a positive support system for first-year students?

1. Verify you are available for all important dates (consider summer plans and other commitments throughout the academic year).
2. The time commitment is a year-long student leader role.
3. Prior to the start of the fall semester, you will be expected to connect to your assigned first-year students on a digital platform (phone call, Zoom, Facetime).
4. Weekly WUSA hours (2 hrs/week) until February 2024
5. Complete check-ins, meetings, and WUSA notes by deadlines.

• There are a few positions (listed below) that may prevent an individual from serving in the WUSA role.
  • Resident Advisor
  • CS40 Executive Board
  • Student Union Executive Officer
  • Student Technology Coordinator
• WUSAs are unable to take summer classes that conflict with August training.
• WUSAs are eligible to serve in the following roles at the same time as their WUSA commitment:
  • Aspirational Peer Mentors (APM) in the Deneb Stars
  • First-Year International leader (FYI Leader)
  • Academic Mentor (AM)
  • Peer-led team learning (PLTL) leader

Further questions about eligibility? Please contact Student Transitions & Family Programs.

WUSAs will be paid at an hourly rate of $13.00. The WUSA position is a work-study-eligible position. 

WUSAs work approximately 150 hours starting in August through February.

Yes. Exceptions include academic conflicts (exams, tests, quizzes) and personal/familial emergencies (health, wellness, major events).

In this role being a mandatory reporter means you 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 WUSA role and only applies to the first-year students for whom you are their WUSA.

More information will be provided during training.

WUSAs are not expected to know everything about WashU when they accept the role. WUSAs are selected for their unique ability to bring their own first-year experiences to the table.

The training conducted throughout the spring and fall will help prepare WUSAs for the role and provide them with the information necessary to be successful. Additionally, each WUSA 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 WUSAs, Execs, 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 WUSA on a case-by-case basis to determine next steps. 

To accept your offer, submit the online WUSA Hiring Form. Please let us know if we can provide you with additional information that will help in your decision-making process. Please refer to your offer email for your specific deadline to respond to your offer.

If you confirm you are accepting the position, we will send you additional HR paperwork that needs to be completed. Please review the list of acceptable documents that you must have in your possession at the time of onboarding. It is important you read and understand all the attached information. If you have any questions (or think you may have a time conflict with a specific date), please email us or stop by the office. 

To rescind your offer, please email us at transtions@wustl.edu. Please refer to your offer email for a deadline to respond.