WUSA Commitments

WUSAs hired before April 1, 2022 will complete the following:

• Training 1: WUSA Welcome – March 29, 2022 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM
• Onboarding Modules – 45 minutes of tasks and training videos
• Training 2: Team Reveal – April 11, 2022 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM
• FYX/WUSA 1:1 Meeting – 30 minute meeting with FYX supervisor
• Training 3: Team Dinner and COSA Reveal – April 20, 2022 from 7:00PM –
  9:00PM
• Training 4: Summer Send-off – April 25, 2022 from 7:00PM – 9:00PM

WUSAs hired after April 1, 2022 will complete the following:

• Onboarding Modules – 60 minutes of tasks and training videos
• New Hire Retreat – April 30, 2022 from 3:00PM to 6:00 PM
• FYX/WUSA 1:1 Meeting – 30 minute meeting with FYX supervisor

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

At the beginning of the summer WUSAs will perform a resource assessment and a self-reflection. WUSAs will then virtually meet with a Student Transitions & Family Programs professional staff member or a FYX to review the assessment results and reflection. During the meeting, WUSAs will determine what modules they will need to complete over the summer to ensure they have the resources they need to be a successful WUSA.

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

“Camp WUSA” is the week of WUSA training that occurs on campus in the summer prior to Bear Beginnings. WUSAs return to campus Saturday, August 13 and attend training August 14-19.

We ask that WUSAs confirm their summer schedules will allow for this early arrival before accepting the position.

Camp WUSA involves daily training and other activities with one’s WUSA team, and WUSAs should expect to be on campus engaging with other WUSAs, their FYX, and Student Transitions & Family Programs every day.

Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome will begin August 19^th and continue through August 28^th. WUSAs must be available during these days and will typically work the entire day. 

During this time WUSAs will lead their 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, as well as generally assisting Student Transitions & Family Programs with tasks. You will interact with and answer questions from many first-year students and families during this time.

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

Becoming a WUSA is a year-long commitment. WUSAs are crucial for Bear Beginnings, but they also assist in Student Transitions & Family Programs events throughout the year, lead programming for their cohort, and host weekly WUSA hours.

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

WUSAs also attend weekly meetings with their WUSA team and FYX.

WUSAs help with Student Transitions & Family Programs events throughout the year. Below are our three major events that WUSAs 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 WUSA role is communication.

As a WUSA you will have a FYX who will lead your WUSA team. They are there to help you and provide important information.

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.

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

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

Before accepting the 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.

The WUSA role is a compensatory position. WUSAs will be paid at an hourly rate of $11.15. The WUSA position is a work-study eligible position. 

If you have questions regarding compensation, work-study, or work eligibility, please email us at transitions@wustl.edu.

For WUSAs, 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 WUSA role and only applies to the first-year students you are a WUSA for.

This obligation will continue to be covered throughout WUSA 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 trainings conducted throughout the Spring and Summer 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, 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 WUSA on a case-by-case basis to determine next steps. 

To accept your offer, you will need to submit the online WUSA acceptance form. We would love to hear from you as soon as possible if you choose to accept the position or if we can provide you additional information that will help in your decision-making. Please refer to your offer email for your specific deadline to respond to your offer.

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