Parent & Family Orientation experiences will take place on Saturday, August 21st and Sunday, August 22nd.
Programing will end no later than 3 p.m. CDT on Sunday, August 22nd.
The safety of the WashU community and our guests remain our priority. Event offerings may be adjusted to support guidance related to public health and COVID-19. Guests are asked to wear masks and complete a visitor self-screening.
Parent & Family Orientation Schedule
View the full Parent & Family Orientation Schedule and university resources in the Fall Welcome app.
The app can be downloaded through the App Store and Google Play Stores by searching for “Events @ WashU.”
Parent & Family Orientation Event Recordings
Career Center Information Session
Dean’s Meeting: Arts & Sciences
COVID Safety Protocols
In order to ensure the safety of the WashU and St. Louis community, please abide by the following public health guidelines while on campus.
- Prior to visiting campus, please complete a visitor screening. Please do this each day before you arrive to campus. Many campus facilities, such as the dining halls and large event venues, will require proof of a screening before you can enter.
- Wear a mask at all Parent & Family Orientation events, both indoors and outdoors (with the exception of when you are eating or drinking). Masks must be worn at all times when inside university facilities. You may take your mask off when alone in your student’s residence hall room if only your student and family/travel party are present.
- When selecting seating during a meal, we encourage you to dine only with members of your family/travel party. We will have outdoor seating available during Parent & Family Orientation.
- Physically distance, when possible.
Parent & Family Orientation Check-In
On the day your student moves in, please send one representative from your group to check in for Parent & Family Orientation. Check-in will occur on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM in the First Year Center located in the lower level of Umrath House on the South 40 (across from the Bear’s Den entrance).
At check-in we will confirm your RSVP, provide each member of your party with a WashU mask, and distribute tickets to receive a special gift at the New Student & Family Welcome on Saturday, August 21st at 7:30 PM. We will also have printed copies of the family schedule and campus maps.
It is important that every family checks in so we know how many people are on campus.
What to Expect During Parent & Family Orientation
Move-In
On your student’s move-in day, please adhere to your student’s assigned move-in time to assist us with the flow of traffic. Detailed information about move-in is available on the Residential Life website.
Students may bring an unlimited number of family members and helpers with them.
Parent & Family Orientation
On the day your student moves in, please send one representative from your group to check in for Parent & Family Orientation. Check-in will occur on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM in the First Year Center located in the lower level of Umrath House on the South 40 (across from the Bear’s Den entrance).
At check-in we will confirm your RSVP, provide each member of your party with a WashU mask, and distribute tickets to receive a special gift at the New Student & Family Welcome on Saturday, August 21st at 7:30 PM. We will also have printed copies of the family schedule and campus maps.
It is important that every family checks in so we know how many people are on campus.
What to expect during Parent & Family Orientation:
- On Saturday evening, many students and families will choose to eat together on campus or at a local restaurant before New Student & Family Welcome.
- On Sunday, Parent & Family Orientation sessions are for families only. In our experience, most students prefer to sleep in and get settled. Families and students may choose to eat lunch together on campus and visit the Resource Fair.
We encourage you to say your final goodbyes before the 8:00 PM meeting on Sunday, August 22nd.
For families who are unable to join us for Parent & Family Orientation, we will livestream and record the sessions. Livestream links will be available at families.wustl.edu.
Campus Tours
Walking tours will be available on Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st. Tours leave from the South 40 Clocktower hourly beginning at 10:00 AM; the last tour leaves at 3:00 PM.
Masks are required during the tour. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a water bottle and hat.
Fall Welcome
Your student has a busy schedule during Fall Welcome. On the evening your student moves in, they have a required Residential Community Meeting at 9:00 PM (Friday, August 20th or Saturday, August 21st). On Sunday, August 22nd, they have a Community Meeting at 8:00 PM. Beginning Monday morning, your student will be busy exploring academic life, community living, and St. Louis.
Convocation
Convocation is a university tradition that will take place on Saturday, August 28th at 7:00 PM CDT. Families will receive a “Convocation kit” in the mail so they can participate in our tradition from home as the ceremony is streamed online. The “Convocation kit” will include a pom pom, pennant, and recipe for gooey-butter cake so you can celebrate virtually. The link to watch Convocation will be available at families.wustl.edu.
Exploring St. Louis
Some families may choose to arrive in St. Louis before their student’s assigned move-in day. Families 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. Families may also use this as an opportunity to have a family meal at a local restaurant. You can find a list of nearby dining options in our dining guide.
Parking during Parent & Family Orientation
Prior to Friday, August 20th
Please park in a designated visitor parking garage. An hourly rate will apply.
Friday, August 20th & Saturday, August 21st
For move-in, please follow the directions provided by Residential Life (see the First-Year Arrival section).
Once your student has had their belongings unloaded by professional moving crew members, please move your vehicle to the East End Garage. There will be no charge.
Sunday, August 22nd
You may park in any yellow space in surface lots or garages. There will be no charge.
To open garage gates, you will need to pull a ticket upon entry and then utilize that entry ticket upon exit. You won’t be charged upon exiting. Permits will again be required starting 7:00 AM Monday, August 23rd.
Beginning Monday, August 23rd
Please park in a designated visitor parking garage. An hourly rate will apply.
Parent & Family Orientation RSVP
To assist with our planning, we ask that your family RSVP by Monday, August 9th at noon CDT to the events you plan to attend. You should receive a confirmation email when you submit the form. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please try submitting again. If you are having trouble submitting the form, please try closing and reopening your browser or trying a different browser.
If you did not RSVP in advance, you can RSVP at the Parent & Family Orientation Check-in at the First Year Center.
Family Webinar Series
The Family Webinar Series is here to help families stay informed on all things WashU! We know you are integral to the success of your student, so we designed this webinar series around the questions we know you are, or will be, asking. Check out our previous webinars for helpful information about WashU!
