Please continue to share any comments and ideas with us about content for upcoming issues by contacting us at
FamilyTies@wustl.edu.
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If you were forwarded this email,
click here to join the Family Ties mailing list now.
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Get to Know the First Year Center
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The First Year Center supports new students through their transition into the community of Washington University in St. Louis to assure that they build and sustain their academic and personal goals. The center brings together people, programs and resources to provide an undergraduate experience of exceptional quality where all students are known by name and story and where they prepare themselves for lives of purpose and meaning. Bear Beginnings: New Student Orientation, Parent & Family Weekend, and a host of other programs for students throughout the year are run out of the First Year Center.
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From the Desk of Dr. Lori S. White
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Dear parents and families:
As we near the end of the year, I want to reach out to share some thoughts about wrapping up the fall semester and next steps. For many students, completing the first semester yields a sense of relief, pride and excitement, but may also create concerns and pressure to keep up their best work.
Winter break is a great time for families and students to catch up, share their experiences so far and consider future plans. When touching base with your student, here are some important topics you may want to cover:
- The end of the semester can be a hectic, and sometimes, stressful time. If needed, WashU offers several resources to cope, including counseling at the Habif Health & Wellness Center, a drop-in mental health and counseling service (Let's Talk), and an interactive therapy program (TAO). These services and programs are free and available to all WashU students.
- Ask about your students' final exams schedule. Finals week is Wednesday, December 11 through Wednesday, December 18. The period between the last day of classes and the start of finals is called "reading days," where students are given time to study and prepare. Depending on their schedule, some students may complete their exams within a few days, while others may have more time throughout the week. Knowing which days your student has exams and offering support, can be a big help.
- Winter break is a great time to start discussing plans for what's next. There are many new opportunities in the spring semester for students to get more involved on campus. Sorority and fraternity recruitment begins, and the selection process for various student leadership positions (such as WUSA and BEAR Leaders) takes place. For those interested in exploring other ways to get involved, the spring Activities Fair is a great resource. Although the summer seems far off now, the break is a good time to start making initial summer plans, as well. The Career Center hosts an internship fair every spring and provides many resources, both online and during walk-in hours, to help in your students' search.
We are pleased to be partners with you on your student's journey and look forward to the spring semester ahead. If you have questions please don't hesitate to reach out.
With warm regards,
Dr. Lori S. White
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
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Academic Dates and Deadlines
Mark Your Calendars for Fall 2019
- November 27 - December 1: Thanksgiving Break
- December 6: Last Day of Classes
- December 9-18: Reading Week and Final Exams
- January 13: First day of SP2020 classes
Important Academic Deadlines
- Friday, November 8: Course Registration Day for the Class of 2020
- Friday, November 15: Last day to drop a class with a W (withdrawal) on your student's transcript or change grade option on course to "C" (letter grade). If your student is planning to take a W, we suggest that they meet with their academic adviser beforehand.
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What to Talk to Your Student About
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Commencement
December Recognition Ceremony | Saturday, December 14, 2019 (10:00 a.m.) | Athletic Complex
Graduates, families, and guests will gather to celebrate the accomplishments of August and December graduates. Share in the excitement using the hashtag #WashU19 on social media. Graduates, be sure to order your regalia from Jostens. Please visit our Commencement website for more detailed information.
Commencement
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May 12-15, 2020
The 159th Commencement is right around the corner. Please visit our Commencement website for more information.
It's Time to Order Your Brick
Celebrate your WashU senior with a commemorative brick permanently installed around the Hourani Clock Tower on the South 40 (view map). Bricks can be inscribed with your student's name and class year in addition to personalized information such as their sorority/fraternity, sport, or school. To ensure installation prior to Commencement 2020, don't delay in ordering your brick today or before February 14th. Please call Parent Programs at (800) 247-8517 or email seniorbrick@wustl.edu with any questions.
Winter Break Housing Information
Does your student want or need to stay with us over the Winter Break?
Is your student returning from studying abroad?
Spring 2020 applications for those returning opened on Friday, November 1st. The application can be found via WashU Housing Portal through
WebSTAC.
Is your student graduating (Fall 2019) or going abroad (Spring 2020)?
Students graduating or going abroad must completely move out and
check-out by Thursday, December 19th at 5:00 p.m.
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What is Happening on Campus?
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Parent & Family Weekend
Family Webinar Series
The remaining webinars and their corresponding dates in our Fall Webinar Series have been released! You can learn more and register for the webinars below.
A Conversation About Fraternity/Sorority Life
Date: Thursday, November 21st
Time: 5:30 p.m. CST
Description:
Learn more about the FSL community at WashU, recruit/intake eligibility requirement, important dates and logistics, and tips for how to support a student going through a recruitment or intake process.
Thanksgiving Break Airport Shuttles
If your student is going home for Thanksgiving Break, have them consider taking a U-Shuttle to the airport for $10. Pickup is at the Clocktower on Tuesday, November 26th from 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, November 27th from 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CST. Sign up on the
U-Shuttle website.
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Please encourage your student to consider taking MGT200A: Business Fundamentals & Professional Competencies for Non-Business Students. This class prepares students for future work experiences through a combination of lectures, exercises, projects, and cases.
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