Catch Up on What Student Groups Need to Know...

We are excited to kick off the Spring 2026 semester with fresh updates, key reminders, and upcoming opportunities to help your student organization thrive. Take a moment to review the information below to ensure your group is set up for a smooth and successful semester ahead.

We want to share that Merryl Hall’s last day with Campus Life and Student Union was Thursday, February 12. Merryl has been an invaluable part of our office, especially in supporting student groups as they visited the Campus Life / SU suite.

One of her key responsibilities included coordinating student group package pickup, and with her departure, a new process is now in place. Student groups will no longer receive an email notification when a package arrives. Instead, you must check the SU Finance Trello Board, where packages will be added once they are delivered to the Campus Life / SU office.

Please do not come to the office to see if a package has arrived; always refer to the SU Finance Trello Board, and pick up packages promptly once listed.

Additional updates may be implemented in the near future, and we will communicate any changes as they occur.

With Merryl Hall’s departure, there will be a slight change to the Underpass Painting process. You will continue to submit your request in Reserve a Space and register your event in WUGO just as before. These submissions will still be reviewed by Event Management & Operations (for the painting reservation) and by your Campus Life Advisor and campus partners (for the event you are advertising).

However, instead of receiving Thursday emails from Merryl, you will now receive an email from Mandy Curtis in Event Management with the rules, guidelines, and reminders for painting the Underpass.

You must still need to come to the Campus Life Office on Friday (before your painting weekend) to select your Paint Room time slot. The only change is that you will now go to the 1st floor of Campus Life instead of the 2nd floor to select your time slot. Don’t worry, staff in the office can direct you.

As a recognized student organization, you are required to submit every event, program, meeting, and activity your group plans to host or participate in through WUGO. This includes general body meetings, exec meetings, rehearsals, performances, speakers, fundraisers, social events, and more.

Campus Life’s policy requires that all student group events be registered and approved at least 14 days prior to the event.

Submitting early is always best. While 14 days prior is the minimum deadline, you do NOT need to wait until the two‑week mark, in fact, earlier submissions are strongly encouraged so that Event Management, Campus Life Advisors, and campus partners have time to review your request thoroughly and help ensure your event’s success.

Please help us support your group by submitting your WUGO event registrations well in advance of your planned date.

Registering your event in WUGO ensures it is properly reviewed and vetted by the University for safety, compliance, space usage, and required departmental approvals. Events that are not registered or approved risk:

Being cancelled without notice

Restrictions on spending or access to Student Union funds

Referral to Student Group Conduct for policy violations

If you need guidance, please reach out to your Campus Life Advisor. 

Student groups may never sign a contract or agreement, whether physically or electronically. Only WashU staff, not your student group, not an officer, and not a member, can legally enter into agreements on behalf of a student group. This protects you, your members, and the University, and ensures all legal, financial, and risk‑management requirements are properly reviewed.

Check the Contracts, Agreements & Legal Documents Policy on the Campus Life Website for more information

The Excellence in Leadership Awards celebrate the incredible achievements of WashU students and student groups who go above and beyond to strengthen our campus community. Each year, Campus Life and Bauer Leaders Academy recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional leadership, collaboration, service, and positive impact at Washington University.

Any WashU community member may nominate a student or student group they believe exemplifies excellence in leadership. Nominations are due Sunday, March 22 at 11:59 p.m. 

The program features 13 total awards, including nine individual awards and four student group awards, honoring everything from rising leaders to behind‑the‑scenes changemakers, community impact, purposeful programming, and standout events. Award recipients are celebrated at the annual Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony held in April.

If your group or a fellow student has made a meaningful difference this year, be sure to submit a nomination and help us recognize the leaders who make WashU thrive.

Learn more or submit your nomination today

The Student Union Leadership Award is a $5,000 annual award recognizing undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, problem‑solving, commitment to diversity, initiative, and meaningful impact on the campus community. 

All undergraduates are eligible, and applicants must submit an application and two recommendation letters describing their leadership contributions. 

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 11:45 PM.
Learn how you can apply on the Campus Life website. 

Student Groups are invited to submit their interest to participate in the ThurtenE Carnival as a booth vendor. If your group hopes to be part of this long‑standing campus tradition, now is the perfect moment to express your interest using the ThurtenE student group application page.

As you prepare, please be sure to review all associated rules and expectations, including Campus Life policies and the financial guidelines outlined in the SU Finance BEARings Trello Board, especially regarding appropriate use of funds.

We encourage groups to start early, explore the requirements thoroughly, and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to engage with the campus community in a meaningful and memorable way.