Dear new students,

We are excited that you are all part of the WashU community! You have so many resources available to support you throughout your journey at WashU.

You will receive a special edition of the Bear Bulletin each evening during Bear Beginnings. Each edition will contain:
  • Important Announcements
  • Schedule Information for the Next Day

If you have any questions, feel free to email us, message us through our Instagram, or ask your WUSA!

-The First Year Center 
Announcements
Red Fall Welcome workbook with gray banner that reads Bear Beginnings Fall Welcome.
COVID-19 Policy Reminders

All WashU students must follow certain COVID-19 protocols once you arrive on campus.

  • Complete your daily screening before leaving your residence hall each day.
  • Wear a mask in any indoor spaces, except when eating or drinking or when an individual is inside a private office or room.
  • On Friday, August 20th, Saturday, August 21st, and Sunday, August 22nd, due to the large number of visitors on campus, all students and guests must wear a mask when they are both indoors and outdoors. You do not need to wear a mask if you and your family/traveling party are alone in your residence hall room with the door closed. Beginning Monday, August 23rd, students can return to following university guidelines with regards to outdoor masking.
To-Do List
Illustration of a notebook and pen
Sign the Appropriate Waiver

Please take a moment to fill out the relevant waiver before arriving on campus. Have a parent or guardian fill out the Bear Beginnings (minor) waiver if you are under 18. Please fill out the Bear Beginnings (18+) waiver if you are 18 or older.

Download the WashU Events App

The master schedule, including event descriptions and locations, for Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome, will be accessible via the WashU Events app. To download the app, head to the App Store or Google Play Store and search "Events @ WashU." Once the app has downloaded, you can then click on the appropriate schedule.

Explore St. Louis
You may choose to arrive in St. Louis before your assigned move-in day. You may use that time to go shopping for last minute supplies and explore St. Louis. You can find a list of nearby shopping options in our shopping guide. You may also use this as an opportunity to have a meal at a local restaurant. You can find a list of nearby dining options in our dining guide. 
What's Happening Over the Weekend
View the full Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome schedule for more details.

Friday, August 20th (Early Arrival Students)

The schedule for Friday, August 20th is as follows:

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: New Student Move-In. Please arrive during your assigned move-in time.

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Campus Tours departing from the Clocktower on the South 40 on the hour. The last tour leaves at 3:00 PM.

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM:
Welcome for Deneb STARS and families (Mallinckrodt Center, Edison Theatre).
Welcome for Danforth Scholars, Ervin Scholars, Rodriguez Scholars, and Beyond Boundaries Students and families (Graham Chapel).

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Early arrival sessions (please see communication from your program director).

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Residential Community Meeting at your Residential College (only for students who have moved in; see message from your RA for the location).

Saturday, August 21st

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: New Student Move-In. Please arrive during your assigned move-in time.

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Campus Tours departing from the Clocktower on the South 40 on the hour. The last tour leaves at 3:00 PM.

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Gap Year Student Reception (Bowles Plaza, outside Mallinckrodt Center).

Before 7:30 PM:
We recommend you have an early dinner. Many students and families will choose to eat together on campus or at a local restaurant before New Student & Family Welcome. Check out our St. Louis Dining Guide for restaurant ideas.

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: New Student and Family Welcome (Mudd Field).

9:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Residential Community Meeting at your Residential College (only attend this meeting if you did not attend on Friday night; see message from your RA for the location).

Sunday, August 22nd

We encourage students to use Sunday morning to sleep in and get settled, as the Parent and Family Orientation sessions are for families only. Afterwards, you may choose to eat lunch with your family and attend the Resource Fair happening on Mudd Field from Noon - 1:30 PM. On Sunday evening, you have a required Community Meeting at 8:00 PM led by your Resident Advisor (RA) and Washington University Student Associate (WUSA). Please have your final goodbyes with your family before this session.
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