Family Ties

Division of Student Success

October 2026

Dear parents and families:

Parent & Family Weekend (PFW) is just around the corner (Oct. 30-Nov. 1)! We’re excited to offer opportunities for you and your student to connect, celebrate and make lasting memories together. Whether this is your first Parent & Family Weekend or a cherished annual tradition, I look forward to welcoming you to campus! Registration is now open.

New to PFW this year is Dr. G's Haunted Fun House, Friday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. on Mudd Field. This is a chance to experience a “spooktacular" side of campus and enjoy some Halloween fun with your student. We will have some tricks, some treats and a few surprises waiting for you. 

Show off your creativity in the Student Success Halloween Costume Contest from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Haunted Fun House! There will be prizes for both individual and group costumes, so start brainstorming! Then, grab a partner and join us for a fun, friendly Doubles Pickleball Tournament Sunday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. until noon.

As we move into the second half of the fall semester, I also want to share a few reminders:

October is a busy month for us in the Division of Student Success. This issue features the many programs, events and support services available to your student.

I look forward to connecting with you at PFW!

Warmly,

Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Success
@akgonzal327

The Longest Table invites students to connect with peers from different backgrounds and perspectives through meaningful conversation and a shared meal. Guided by trained facilitators, students build understanding, forge new connections and strengthen their sense of belonging within the WashU community at this event hosted annually by the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

See more about the Longest Table →

October is packed with opportunities to celebrate, connect and make lasting memories with our WashU community. 

Parent & Family Weekend, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, brings families to campus for a weekend of traditions, activities and time with their student. Be sure to register in advance.

Step inside Dr. G's Haunted Fun House, Friday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. on Mudd Field, where tricks, treats and a few surprises await.

Don't forget to show off your creativity in the Student Success Halloween Costume Contest! Prizes, bragging rights and plenty of photo opportunities are on the line! The contest will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. on the north side of the DUC Friday, Oct. 30. Students need to bring their WashU ID card to enter and families will need to submit their entries with their student. Voting will take place online. 

Then on Sunday, grab a partner and join us for a fun, friendly Doubles Pickleball Tournament from 9 a.m. until noon.

See the full schedule of events for PFW →

As a WashU parent, you have a unique perspective on the student experience. Share it with families in your community by serving as a College Fair volunteer. Volunteers connect with prospective students and parents at local college fairs, answering questions and sharing their WashU experiences. No prior experience is needed, and the university provides training and resources. Learn more or sign up to volunteer.

Student Health Center
The Student Health Center - Danforth Campus offers comprehensive medical and psychiatric care, including treatment for acute and chronic illness or injury, sexual and reproductive health services, immunizations, lab/radiology work and emergency support. Staff are committed to inclusive care across all student populations. Appointments are available regularly. In addition to services offered through the Student Health Center, the TimelyCare app is available to students 24/7 for on-demand access.

Flu Shot Clinic
Flu shot clinics will be held Oct. 14-15 from 3-7 p.m. Appointments are available through the Student Health Portal.

Center for Counseling & Psychological Services (CCPS)
CCPS provides confidential mental health counseling, support groups, couples and individual therapy, crisis intervention and outreach programming. Many services are available after hours or via the TimelyCare app. The “Let’s Talk” program offers same-day, drop-in consultations for students needing someone to talk with quickly.

Health Promotion Services
Health Promotion Services works proactively to foster a culture of wellness offering education, workshops and training programs on topics like alcohol and other drug use, sexual health and suicide prevention. The office manages peer health education, maintains wellness resources (including the Zenker Wellness Suite), and provides programs that help students build healthy habits and access well-being support. Health Promotion Services is focused on prevention and creating an environment where students thrive physically, mentally and socially. 

As part of encouraging students to be healthier than when they first arrived at WashU, Student Success hosts Well-being Wednesdays each Wednesday until Dec. 2. This series invites students to get outside and learn how they can add aspects of well-being into their routine.

If your student lives in Residential Life housing, remind them to review the ResLife Reporter about Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break housing. Students must register for Thanksgiving and/or Winter Break housing if they intend on staying. There is no additional charge for housing over Thanksgiving Break or Winter Break if students register before the respective deadlines.

Information about dining hours and available services over break periods will be available on the Dining Services website. 

WashU is committed to creating an environment where students, faculty and staff can thrive. One framework helping guide that work is the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges, which encourages colleges and universities to embed health and well-being into all aspects of campus culture. The Division of Student Success and the WashU Well-being Collective will host the Okanagan Charter Signing in tandem with Well-being Wednesday Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m.

Leadership Week is an annual celebration at WashU designed to showcase and develop leadership across campus. Through workshops, experiential activities and community-building events, students, staff and faculty explore, practice and celebrate leadership in all its forms. 

National First-Generation College Celebration Day is observed on Nov. 8, but at WashU, one day simply isn’t enough! We’re celebrating National First-Gen Week, Nov. 2-6, with a week dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments, experiences and impact of our first-generation students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Throughout the week, the WashU community will come together to celebrate first-gen pride, build community, share stories and recognize the many ways first-generation members of our community contribute to WashU. 

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