New Student and Parent & Family Orientation
Bear Beginnings: New Student Orientation
We are excited to welcome you and your student to Washington University in just a few short weeks. You will receive a copy of the Bear Beginnings schedule when you arrive to campus on Thursday, August 25. In the meantime, you can preview the schedules of on the First Year Center website. Below are some events planned specifically with our Parents & Families in mind, you won't want to miss out!
Convocation
Thursday, August 25
7:30p.m - 9:00p.m.
Athletic Complex,
Field House
Join students, faculty, and administrators at this memorable event as Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton welcomes all new students to the University. Speakers will include both a faculty member and a Washington University senior.
Please note that doors will open at 6:45 PM for parent and family seating. Seating in the Field House for families and guests is limited and available ona first-come, first-served basis. Overflow seating with a live televised broadcast of the ceremony is available in the adjacent Recreation Gym of the Athletic Complex. Guests with small children, back problems, or in wheelchairs may want to consider the Recreation Gym for seating.
Chancellor's Reception for Parents and Families
Friday, August 26 5:00p.m. - 6:30p.m.
Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum
Join Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton for an informal reception to welcome our new families to the University.
Sibling Orientation
If you are planning to bring a younger sibling between the ages of 5 - 17 and you are wondering how you are going to manage his or her schedule and the events you would like to attend during Parent & Family Orientation, please consider our Sibling Program.
We offer activities for siblings ages 5-17 on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27 from 8:45a.m. - 12:30p.m. In order for our programs to run smoothly, siblings will need to attend the entire session (on either day) and cannot be picked up mid-session. You may sign up for one or two days.
Activities (depending on interest) may include Arts & Crafts, tour of campus, basketball and more!
To pre-register, please visit the First Year Center website.
Parent & Family Information Center
If you have any questions while on campus for Parent and Family Orientation, feel free to stop by the Parent Information Center. Staff from Parent Programs and WUSAs will be available to answer your questions and help clarify information for orientation. Directions to local shopping and dining will also be available. Please note that the locations are different on Thursday and Friday.
Thursday, August 25: 9:00a.m. - 4:00p.m.
Ursa's Fireside, Lien House, South 40
Friday, August 26: 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.
I.E. Millstone Visitors Lounge, Danforth University Center
Have any other lingering questions about what to do before orientation? Please visit the First Year Center website. The Before You Arrive section is particularly helpful. Also, please feel free to contact us at newbears@wustl.edu or 314.935.5040.
As part of the ninth annual First Year Reading Program, all incoming first year students as well as transfer and exchange students will be reading and participating in faculty-led discussions of Steven Galloway's novel, The Cellist of Sarajevo.