During Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, students will have the opportunity to participate in a program called "In the Lou" organized by Campus Life. This program provides students with the opportunity to explore St. Louis and immerse themselves in the rich culture and experiences the region has to offer. These excursions will take place on Thursday, August 24 and Friday, August 25, and students will get to choose which off-campus excursion(s) in which they would like to participate. The sign-up process for these excursions will take place during Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome. Students may also choose to stay on-campus and not participate in an excursion.

If students would like to be able to sign up for an "In the Lou" experience during Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, they will need to sign an off-campus trip waiver (if they are 18 years of age or older) or have a legal parent/guardian sign an off-campus trip waiver (if they are under 18 years of age). This waiver also covers three "In the Lou" trips sponsored by Student Transitions & Family Programs that take place during the 2023 - 2024 academic year.

If your student is currently under 18 years of age and would like to participate in the off-campus excursions during Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome and/or the academic year, there are three potential courses of action for your student to take:

• If your student will turn 18 on August 24 or later, they will need a legal parent/guardian to sign the under 18 copy of the waiver. This waiver should be signed prior to your student arriving to campus for their Move-In Day.
• If your student is not yet 18 but will turn 18 between August 18 - August 23, we will provide them with a copy of the 18 & older waiver once they are on campus.
• If your student is not yet 18 but will turn 18 prior to their arrival to campus, they should sign the 18 & older waiver after they turn 18 and before they arrive on campus.

All students in the Class of 2027, regardless of their age, will receive a Bear Bulletin newsletter today with access to a copy of both the under 18 and 18 & older waivers.