Hi, Class of 2027!

We hope you are enjoying your summer so far! We cannot wait to meet you all soon.

Read this month's Bear Bulletin for important information you need to know for your transition to WashU. Bear Essentials for Students, which has been mailed to you if you have a U.S. address, is also available digitally and contains helpful information. If you have any questions, feel free to email or reach out on Instagram.

- Student Transitions & Family Programs

Table of Contents

• Important Dates/Deadlines
• What To Expect This Month
• July 2023 Checklist
• Course Registration
• Housing Assignments, Move-In, and Renter's Insurance
• Meal Plan Adjustment
• Shipping Items to Campus
• Direct Deposit Information from Student Billing
• Voting Information
• Health and Well-being Updates
• Opportunities with the Department of Music
• Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life
• Summer Webinar Series

Important Dates/Deadlines

Summer 2023

• July 1 at Noon CDT: Housing assignments available
• July 5 at 1:00 PM CDT: Move-in date and time selection opens
• July 18-20: Course registration

Fall 2023

• August 18 and 19*: Class of 2027 move-in
• August 19-26: Fall Welcome
• August 28: First day of classes
• September 4: Labor Day (No classes)
• October 7-10: Fall Break (No classes)
• November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break (No classes)
• December 8: Last day of classes
• December 11-20: Reading period and finals

*Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates. Please check with your head coach for more information. International students should complete the OISS First-Year International Arrival Form.

Date Correction



It has come to our attention that on page four of Bear Essentials for Families, the incorrect dates for Fall Welcome were shared. The correct dates of Fall Welcome are Saturday, August 19 through Saturday, August 26. The Fall Welcome dates have been corrected on the online version of Bear Essentials for Families.

What To Expect This Month

If you have a U.S. address, you will receive the following items in the mail from us this month. If you live outside the U.S., you can review the information online.

1) Habif Health & Wellness

• Refer to the Habif Heath & Wellness postcard for more information about health and wellness requirements.

2) July Before You Arrive Checklist

• The July Before You Arrive Checklist contains action items that should be completed this month.



You can expect to receive the following item this month:

3) WUSA Phone Call

• Each student is assigned a Washington University Student Associate (WUSA) who will serve as a mentor during Bear Beginnings and throughout your first year. Your WUSA will call you in July to introduce themselves and answer any questions you may have.

July 2023 Checklist

Each month this summer, there will be important items you need to complete to ensure you are as prepared as possible for your first year. Some items on the July checklist include:

• Complete Get Your Bearings by 11:59 PM CDT on July 3.
• Sign up for a move-in date and time slot beginning July 5 at 1:00 PM CDT on the WebSTAC Housing Portal.
• Submit immunization records to the Student Health Portal by August 1.
• Register for classes on WebSTAC during your assigned registration time on July 18, 19, or 20.
• Complete the Academic Integrity (AI)/Student Conduct Code module, which is due August 1.
• Complete the Year One College Behavior Profile. All students must complete this profile, designed to give personalized feedback about alcohol and marijuana. 

Course Registration

Registration for fall 2023 courses will take place via WebSTAC between July 18 - 20 during your assigned registration date and time. 

You should already have been in contact with your academic adviser or academic division. If you have not, please do so ASAP. You must have your WUSTL key and email established to communicate with your adviser and register for fall courses. Check your WashU email at least two times a week to have the most up-to-date information! 

Housing Assignments, Move-In, and Renter's Insurance

Housing Assignments:

Your 2023-2024 Residential Life housing assignment, including your roommate and suitemates, is now available to be viewed on the Housing Portal. You can log into the Housing Portal via WebSTAC.

If applicable, reach out to your roommate/suitemates via their WashU email(s) to introduce yourself and discuss what items you both will be bringing to the room or suite! A recommended packing list can be found on the new students website.

We work diligently to meet the room preferences of our students. When demand exceeds the supply of a given room type, we are not able to meet all room preferences. If you wish to request a room change, you can access the Room Change Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal. We will not begin processing room change requests until after the first two weeks after fall classes begin.

Move-In Date and Time Selection:

You will have the ability to select your move-in date and time on the Housing Portal beginning on July 5 at 1:00 PM CDT. You can view instructions on how to select your move-in date and time. The first-year move-in dates are Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19.

Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates than those stated above. Please check with your head coach for more information.

Incoming first-year international students will move-in on Thursday, August 17. Please complete the OISS First-Year International Arrival Form by July 14.

Renter's Insurance:

WashU has partnered with GradGuard to offer renter's insurance to students. You can obtain renter's insurance through GradGuard via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Residential Life strongly recommends that all students obtain renter's insurance prior to their scheduled move-in date and time either through GradGuard or another provider of their choice. Residential Life is not responsible in the event of theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property belonging to, or in the custody of a student, as stated in the Housing Terms and Conditions.

Meal Plan Adjustments



July 1 through September 8, you have the option to adjust your meal plan by completing a Meal Plan Change Request Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Meal plan changes can affect your financial aid package. Follow-up with your Student Financial Services Counselor prior to submitting a Meal Plan Change Request Form.

To learn more about the different meal plans offered, please visit WashU Dining Services. 

Shipping Items to Campus

USPS, UPS, FedEX, and other parcel services deliver to your WashU campus address. Your MSC number and mailing address can be found with your housing assignment on WebSTAC. See example address label.

Mail Services can accept packages 14 days (about 2 weeks) prior to move-in day. 

Direct Deposit Information from Student Billing

For students who are receiving the First Year Start-up Grant, we strongly encourage you to enroll in direct deposit with Student Accounting through WebSTAC. This is the fastest way to get your funds!

• Make sure you have a U.S. based bank account
• Log in to WebSTAC
• Select "Pay/View Bills" under Billing & Bear Bucks
• Click on the box "Enroll for eRefund" followed by clicking on "Sign Up for eRefund"

If you prefer to receive your startup grant funds by check you can do so by picking up your check from Student Financial Services when you arrive on campus in August.

Voting Information

If you are eligible to vote in the U.S., consider where you want to vote. You may vote at your home address or your school address – but you may only vote in one location. For more information, visit the Gephardt Institute.

Health and Well-being Updates

All WashU students must complete the following health and wellness requirements.

• Submit your immunization record and health history form by August 1. Students who have not completed this requirement prior to move-in will not be allowed to enter their residence hall.
• Choose a health insurance option. All students are required to have health insurance and will be automatically enrolled in the WashU student health plan. Students with personal or family health insurance coverage may waive out of the university’s plan. Waiver requests become available on July 6 and must be submitted by September 5.
• Transfer prescriptions to the Quadrangle Pharmacy, located on campus in the Habif Health and Wellness Center.
• Discuss plans to continue mental health support/counseling, if appropriate.*
• Complete the Year One College Behavior Profile. All students must complete this profile, designed to give personalized feedback about alcohol and marijuana.
• Ask questions! You can find information about campus health and wellness resources online at Habif Health & Wellness Center.

*Note: Mental Health Services will be changing their name to Counseling and Psychological Services. You will see this name change reflected on their website around mid-July and in other resources over the next few months.

Opportunities with the Department of Music

The Department of Music has flexible music-making opportunities for everyone, regardless of major or proficiency level. Students can continue to pursue their love of music through private lessons, ensembles, or music classes - all available for credit. Learn more about placement days, lessons, and ensemble registration or contact Jamie Perkins and the Department of Music will get in touch with personalized guidance through the audition and registration process. 

Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life

Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life is here for all students of any/no religious, spiritual, or philosophical background. They offer fun pause retreats to help you de-stress, interfaith dialogues, a confidential listening ear, and connections to prayer spaces and religious groups.

• Request information about religious organizations on or off campus.
• Find prayer or reflection spaces on campus.
• Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter.
• Review the holy day calendar and other information.

Contact Rev. Callista Isabelle, Director for Religious, Spiritual & Ethical Life, with any questions.

Summer Webinar Series

Our Summer Webinar Series was designed to answer student and parent and family members' questions about WashU. Recordings of past webinars can be viewed on our Webinar Series page.

Consider attending our upcoming webinar, A Conversation about Student Financial Services, on Tuesday, July 11 at 5:30 PM CDT. Registration is required.

Click the following links to register and find out more information about our other upcoming webinars.

• Tuesday, July 25 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Disability Resources
• Tuesday, August 1 at 5:30 PM CDT: A Conversation about Move-In and Fall Welcome

Quick Links