June 2020
From the Desk of Dr. Robert M. Wild
Important Dates / Deadlines
Bear Beginnings
Family Webinar Series
Academics
Health & Wellness Updates
Update Your Contact Information
From the Desk of Dr. Robert M. Wild
Dear parents and families: 
 
Last week, Chancellor Martin provided an update regarding the fall semester and shared an adjusted academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year . As I mentioned during a recent webinar, we are working to ensure that we can provide an in-person experience that is safe for everyone. Additional information and further details about Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome and move in will be provided by the end of July. 
 
Thank you to those who were able to join us at one of our webinars to answer your important questions regarding the plan for fall 2020. You can view a recording of last week’s webinar on the families website . You can read more about the  university’s response to COVID-19 including a series of FAQs for admitted students.   The FAQ is being updated regularly based on your inquiries.
 
I also wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the communication you can expect to receive from the university in June and share some items that you can assist your student in accomplishing this month.
 
  • Bear Essentials for Families will arrive to your address later this month. This brief guide provides an overview of the WashU first-year experience and suggests strategies and resources for your student and your family. With Bear Essentials for Families, you can also expect to receive a companion Habif Health & Wellness Center Guide specifically created to highlight the different health & wellness requirements your student will need to complete before arriving on campus in the fall. 
 
  • Please be on the lookout for other communication from the First Year Center throughout the summer. Visit the What to Expect over the Summer timeline for the full list of summer communication pieces heading your way. Specifically, please review the June Before You Arrive Checklist with your student throughout the month. You can always visit the new students website to learn more about the First Year Center and the many ways they can support both you and your student.
 
While the next few months can be full of excitement and anticipation, we know many of you will continue to have questions. We invite you to connect with us at  families@wustl.edu  or call us at 314.935.5040 or toll free at 844.935.5040. Additionally, if you are looking for helpful information, we recommend you visit the  Division of Student Affairs Parent & Family website

We look forward to seeing you soon!
 
Robert M. Wild, PhD
Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs 
Important Dates / Deadlines
Last week, Chancellor Martin sent a message to new students and families regarding the updated fall calendar. This message, and prior communication from the university, can be viewed at Messages from the University . Please note that the below dates reflect this updated academic calendar

Fall 2020

  • September 14: First day of classes
  • November 26 & November 27: Thanksgiving Break
  • December 18: Last day of classes
  • December 21, 2020 - January 1, 2021: Winter Break (Part 1)
  • January 4 - January 10: Final exams occurring remotely
  • January 11 - January 22: Winter Break (Part 2)

Spring 2021

  • January 25: First day of classes
  • March 15 - March 19: Spring Break (No classes)
  • May 6: Last day of classes
  • May 7 - May 13: Final exams
Bear Beginnings
Our approach to the new student transition is shifting this year to best serve our new students in light of current events. Bear Beginnings will include a three-pronged approach to the transition outlined below.

  • Bear Beginnings: Summer Engagement Series - Through the summer, new students will engage with current students, faculty, and staff through interactive platforms like Zoom and the WashU Admitted Students Network. Your student will connect with the WashU community, their academic division, and hear from current students about involvement opportunities.

  • Bear Beginnings: Get Your Bearings Online Orientation - In August, your student will enter an orientation portal where they will complete informational modules on a number of key topics for student success. All students will receive an email with further information later in the summer.

  • Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome - Our culminating experience welcoming your student to campus. We are working to finalize dates and plans including Move-In Day and the process for moving to campus. We will notify you with these dates and suggest you do not make final travel plans until we have released additional information.

Lastly, your student will soon get a phone call or message from their Washington University Student Associate (WUSA) who is an upperdivision student who will connect with them during their transition and throughout their first year as an academic and WashU resource.
Family Webinar Series
The upcoming webinars for our Summer Webinar Series have been released! You can learn more and watch past webinars by visiting the Family Webinar Series Page. The information for our upcoming webinar and its registration link are below. 

A Conversation with Habif Health & Wellness
Date : Monday, June 22nd
Time : 5:30 pm CST
Description : Habif Health & Wellness offers a range of services from medical checkups and mental health services to wellness support and health education. Aaron Daughtery, Associate Director of Administration, will join us for a conversation on:

  • Habif services and resources
  • Health forms
  • Insurance
  • Immunizations



For more information about the University's response to COVID-19, please watch our Fall Planning webinars on the Family Webinar Series website.
Academics
Placement Exams

Students interested in taking Calculus and math, chemistry, computer science, dance, languages, music, and writing may be required to take placement or diagnostic exams. Many of these exams can and should be taken online during the summer.

Check out the new students website for details regarding each individual placement exam.
Course Registration

Registration for Fall 2020 courses will take place between July 14 and 16, 2020 during your student's assigned registration time. 

Your student's adviser will reach out to them in early June. They must have their WUSTL key and email established to have access to course listings and be able to communicate with their adviser. Remind your student to check their WUSTL email several times a week to have the most up-to-date information from their adviser! 
Health & Wellness Updates
Health and Immunization History

In order to keep our campus healthy and lower the risk of communicable diseases, all incoming students are required to provide Habif with important and necessary health documents. These include:

Proof of immunization for the following:

  • Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4), including a booster if the first dose was given before age 16.

  • Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) after one year of age, or proof immunity (blood tests).

  • International students coming from countries where Tuberculosis is endemic will need Tuberculosis testing as well. 

Health history information

  • This form includes emergency contact information and a medical history which will become part of your student’s confidential health record.

This information is all submitted via the Student Portal found on the Habif Health & Wellness Center website.
University Health Insurance

Students are required to have health insurance. All students are enrolled in the student health insurance plan through United Health Student Resources. To waive this insurance, your family insurance must meet certain criteria found on our website. The waiver process will open from July 1, 2020 to September 5, 2020.
Mental Health Services

Mental Health Services (MHS) strives to provide short-term treatment in order to facilitate adjustment, improve functioning, achieve resolution of problems, and address acute symptoms impairing personal functioning as soon as possible. More information can be found on the MHS website

If your student needs help transferring their mental health care outside of what can be provided at Habif Health and Wellness, our Care Manager is available to assist them. We encourage your student to reach out now to begin this process. They can call (314) 935-6695 or send us an email .

An excellent and adaptable guide for transitioning mental health care from home to school can also be found in the JED Foundation's Transition of Care toolkit . In addition, there is a searchable database of therapists close to campus available on our Counseling Center Referral Service site

More information can also be found on the Habif Health & Wellness Center website .
Update Your Contact Information
We encourage you to work with your student to check that your contact information is correct in their WebSTAC account. This will ensure that you, as a family member, are receiving all relevant information including an update about the fall contingency plan when it is released.

Your student can confirm your information on the WebSTAC site. If needed, your student should complete the updated family email address form to have your information updated in their WebSTAC account.
First Year Center | Washington University in St. Louis
Umrath House, lower level, suite 0925 | One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1136 | St. Louis, MO 63130
newstudents.wustl.edu  | Office: 314.935.5040 | Fax: 314.935.8516 |  firstyearcenter@wustl.edu