Fall 2023

• October 7 - 10: Fall Break (No classes)
• October 13: Last day to change grading option to Pass/Audit (9:00 PM CST)
• October 27 - 29: Parent & Family Weekend
• November 17: Last day to withdraw from a class or change grading option to Credit (9:00 PM CST)
• November 22 - 26: Thanksgiving Break (No classes)
• December 8: Last day of classes
• December 11 - 20: Reading period and finals

Parent & Family Weekend | October 27 - 29, 2023

Parent & Family Weekend is a great opportunity to reconnect with your family by showing them your favorite study spots or coffee shop on campus, exploring St. Louis attractions, catching a WashU Bears game, and more.

If your family plans on joining us for Parent & Family Weekend, encourage them to visit the Parent & Family Weekend website to view the schedule of events, purchase tickets and t-shirts, and plan their visit.

If your family is unable to attend Parent & Family Weekend, join WashU faculty and staff at Bears Family Dinner. Bears Family Dinner will be held on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at City Foundry. Attendees will receive a free dinner and transportation is provided.

Bike Registration

If you have a bike on campus, we strongly recommend that you register your bike with WashU, display the registration shield on your bike, and ensure you use a Kryptonite U-lock which is available for purchase at WUPD for $33. Register your bike through the WashU Bike Registration page.

We're so glad you made the decision to come to WashU. As a sign of our appreciation, we have a variety of transfer-exclusive events for you to take part in during the week of October 16 - 21!

October 1 - 31, TXSM One-on-Ones

Your TXSM has reached out to you on Teams to schedule time for you to meet one on one in October. This meeting will include a free drink or snack of your choice at an on-campus dining location. Reach out to your TXSM to schedule a meeting!

October 17, TXSM Hours

On October 17, join your TXSMs in the DUC Fun Room from 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. This week, your TXSMs will bring bears to stuff yourselves! TXSM Hours occur every other Tuesday in the DUC Fun Room.

October 19, Transfer Event

Join your transfer mentors and fellow transfer students on Thursday, October 19 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM in Lopata House Multipurpose Room. There will be board games, video games, and build-your-own bubble cakes!

October 21, Transfer Excursion to the City Foundry

On Saturday, October 21, celebrate National Transfer Student Week with an afternoon at the City Foundry. The City Foundry is a unique St. Louis destination comprised of an award-winning Food Hall, locally owned shops, a movie theater, a virtual reality experience, and mini golf. This trip includes free transportation to and from the Foundry, a $20 voucher to spend on lunch, and a round of mini golf at Puttshack! Students must sign up here by Monday, October 16 to attend.

Fall Break Dining Hours:

Dining hall hours will be altered during Fall Break. Check out the Dining Services website for the most up-to-date information.

Cabaret: October 27 & 28 and November 3 & 4 at 7:30 PM, October 29 and November 5 at 2:00 PM  

The Performing Arts Department will be hosting the musical Cabaret that will take place at Edison Theatre. Tickets are free to all WashU students with valid WashU ID. To reserve your ticket, please visit the Washington University Box Office or call 314-935-6543. You can also claim a free ticket the night of at the box office window.

Since this event coincides with Parent Family Weekend, we encourage you to invite your family to join you and make this musical a memorable experience for all! Parents and families may purchase tickets online.

The Center for Career Engagement is an integrated hub, collaborating across Washington University in St. Louis. We provide:

• Career coaching and planning
• Career assessment and skills training
• Access to a global community of leaders, recruiters, influencer networks and WashU alumni

We help students turn their WashU education into real-world stories of success.

Students can access Handshake, our career management platform, to discover workshops, events, and career fairs, plus search more than 11,000 internship and job postings. Check out our career readiness resources to build your skills, explore career opportunities, and prepare for your future.

Questions about your resume, LinkedIn, or an upcoming interview? Drop-in hours are available Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. in our main office, Danforth University Center (DUC), Suite 110. Students can schedule an appointment with a career coach to discuss questions, get feedback, and plan for success.

Visit the Center for Career Engagement website or email us to learn more.

We experienced a start of the semester COVID surge on campus with 280 students reporting they were positive on a home test or were being treated by Habif Health and Wellness Center for COVID. Our case numbers peaked just after Labor Day and have steadily decreased after that. We currently know of just a few COVID positive students.

COVID, along with Influenza and other infectious respiratory illnesses will always be part of community living on a college campus like ours. Limiting transmission strategies include:

1. Staying home if you are sick.
2. Wearing a mask around others while you are experiencing symptoms. 
3. Increasing ventilation in your indoor spaces by opening windows when possible.

For COVID specifically,

• Take an Antigen (Ag) test if you are experiencing symptoms and if it is positive, contact Habif through the student portal. If it is negative, you should also reach out so Habif Health and Wellness Center can arrange PCR testing. 
• Wear a mask while around others for 10 days if you have been exposed to COVID, and get an Ag test any time you have symptoms and at 5 days post exposure. Ag tests are available to purchase in Quadrangle pharmacy located within Habif Health and Wellness Center as well as many local pharmacies when Quadrangle pharmacy is closed. They are also available to purchase from Bear Necessities.
• Stay up to date on flu and COVID vaccines.

A new COVID vaccine is available and early laboratory data suggest that it will give good protection against current COVID strains. We encourage everyone to get this vaccine along with their annual flu vaccine. Habif will be holding flu clinics on campus October 18-22. We have ordered the new COVID vaccine and if we have received it by then, we will offer it at our flu clinics as well. Both vaccines will be available by appointment at Habif throughout the semester.  

Let's Talk

Let’s Talk" is an initiative offering students quick, confidential consultations with experts from the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCPS). Designed especially for full-time students, these virtual 15-20 minute Zoom sessions are available without an appointment. Visit the Let's Talk website to view the Fall 2023 schedule. 

While “Let’s Talk” counselors are professionals, these sessions are not a substitute for formal counseling and do not constitute mental health treatment; they are tailored to provide insights on specific concerns and give a glimpse into the counseling experience. If, after a session, you need more structured support, Let's Talk counselors can guide you on how to schedule with CCPS or a provider in the community.

Suicide Prevention Training

Myth: Asking someone if they're thinking about suicide will give them the idea.  

Fact: Asking saves lives!

WashU offers free suicide prevention training for students.

Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is a free service for all WashU students. It includes over 150 brief, effective, educational sessions that cover common topics and skills related to mental health and wellness. The First year toolkit in TAO is specifically designed for incoming students to assist with transition and adjustment to the new college environment. Learn more and register for sessions.

Civic Action Week (CAW) kicks off on Oct. 16! CAW is a weeklong initiative to highlight civic engagement opportunities throughout Washington University—in relationship with local community, campus partners, and beyond. All week across campus, different faculty, staff, and community partners will host events and other opportunities to engage. From screen printing your own civic action t-shirt to attending the Civic and Community Engagement Fair, there’s plenty of ways to get involved on campus. We want to empower you to turn your civic passions into action. Visit the Gephardt Institute's website for more information and the schedule of events.

Join University Libraries for a series of research workshops that will offer students insight into more advanced topics, including Zotero, citing sources, and intellectual property. Each workshop will be presented twice during the semester. Visit the University Libraries events page for more details and registration.

Explore St. Louis and build your itinerary!

Neighborhood Spotlight: The Grove

The Grove is home to a growing vibrant business and entertainment district in St. Louis City. In the Grove you can find a diverse mix of independently owned restaurants, retail stores and entertainment services. It is also a thriving center for St. Louis-area LGBTQIA+, artist, and cycling communities.

When you are in The Grove, explore the local shops for unique boutiques and antiques. Stop by La Finca, the first authentic Columbian-style coffee shop in St. Louis, for some aromatic coffee or kombucha at Confluence Kombucha. Then savor a meal at one of the area's delightful restaurants like Grace Meat + Three and Songbird. As home to the largest collection of street art in St. Louis, The Grove also boasts a vibrant artistic ambiance that you can immerse yourself in as you stroll from one spot to another. If you are in the mood for some entertainment, The Improv Shop also offers a variety of comedy shows at affordable prices.

Local Events:

Best of Missouri Market: October 6 from Noon - 8:00 PM and October 7 & 8 from 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Best of Missouri Market returns to the Missouri Botanical Garden this fall with nearly 100 vendors offering handcrafted items, locally produced food, and much more. This beloved fall festival features food, crafts, native plants, herbs, custom jewelry, handcrafted items, and more.

31st Historic Shaw Art Fair: October 7 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM & October 8 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association hosts the very popular Shaw Art Fair. The premier fine art fair in St. Louis city features 120 artists and includes food, music, schools, and great art. This event takes place on the beautiful tree-lined parkway of Flora Place.

Coloring STL: Recurring throughout October during business hours

St. Louis is renowned for its rich architectural tapestry spanning various eras. You can dive into this heritage at the Missouri History Museum's Coloring STL exhibit. Entry is free, and visitors can uniquely engage by coloring directly on the walls! This interactive showcase spotlights over 50 local landmarks, from iconic city structures to timeless homes, each inviting your personal touch of color.

St. Louis Street Food Festival: October 14 & October 15 at 2:00 PM

This spectacular weekend event hosted at Ballpark Village will feature the St. Louis area's best food trucks and restaurants with all food items priced at $5 or less! This will give you the opportunity to sample a wide range of flavors and options from over 20+ vendors.