Bear Bulletin

Division of Student Success

October 2026

Dear students,

We hope your first month back at WashU has been a great start! Now that you've got your first year under your belt, this is a great time to deepen your involvement, build new connections, and take advantage of the opportunities that will help shape your WashU experience.

Check out this edition of the Bear Bulletin for information on upcoming events, ways to get engaged, and campus resources designed to support your continued success.

– The Division of Student Success

Take 5-10 minutes to complete the Beginning of Year Survey and share your experience at WashU for a chance to win a WashU sweatshirt or t-shirt.

Your feedback helps us understand what’s working, what could be improved, and how we can better support students throughout the year. Complete the survey by Friday, Oct. 2.

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

Parent & Family Weekend, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, brings families to campus for a weekend of traditions, activities and time with you. Be sure to register your guests 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.

Protect yourself and your community this flu season. Flu clinics will be held Oct. 14-15 from 3-7 p.m. Appointments are available through the Student Health Portal.

Spring registration begins Nov. 10. Enroll in Dialogue Across Difference, an eight-week course that teaches undergraduate students how to explore difficult topics such as politics, religion, race and gender in a positive and productive way.

Learn more about DxD→

Hispanic Heritage Month continues and Cross-Cultural Connections (CCxN) is celebrating! Join CCxN as it honors the traditions and history of the Hispanic community with various events and activities throughout the month.

See the events and programming for Hispanic Heritage Month →

Join Spectrum to celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month at events and programs on- and off-campus through the end of October. 

See the events and programming for LGBTQIA+ History Month →

Celebrate WashU adopting the Okanagan Charter and becoming a Health Promoting Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m. Mudd Field during Well-being Wednesday with interactive stations, wellness items for sale and food trucks.

The Okanagan Charter is an international framework for health-promoting colleges and universities that encourages higher education institutions to make health, well-being, equity and sustainability part of every aspect of campus life.

Learn more about the Well-being Collective → 

Join Student Success every Wednesday for programs and experiences designed to inspire your mind, body and future. We're here to support every dimension of your success on campus and beyond. Take a midweek pause to recharge. Well-being Wednesdays take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Mudd Field. 

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. 

See the full schedule of events for Leadership Week → 

For students who will remain in St. Louis during fall, winter and spring breaks, Campus Life programming provides opportunities to engage with the broader St. Louis community through service. Fall Alternative Break runs from Oct. 4-6. 

See the events and sign up for Fall Alt Break → 

Have questions about your student loan? The Office of Financial Well-being will provide a clear breakdown of your loan repayment options, including Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and forbearance, so you can choose the path that works best for you.

📅 Friday, October 30
⏰ 12-1:15 p.m.
📍 Danforth Campus, Danforth University Center, room 236

The Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award is an annual award recognizing those in the WashU community who exemplify a character of service and engagement with the St. Louis region. Any member of the WashU community, past or current, who resides in and serves the St. Louis community is eligible to receive the award.  

Submit a nomination for the award by Oct. 30 → 

National First-Generation College Celebration Day is observed nationally 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. Whether you are first-gen yourself, support first-gen students, or simply want to join the celebration, we invite you to be part of the week and help us celebrate what it means to be a first-generation student at WashU! 

Meet faculty and students from across the College of Arts & Sciences, explore research opportunities, and learn how majors can connect to future careers. Stop by whether you're undecided, considering a double major, or just exploring! 

📅 Monday, October 12
⏰ 3-4:30 p.m.
📍 Danforth Campus, Sumers Recreation Center, Athletic Complex

At the Major-Minor Fair, you can:

• Get info about majors and minors in Arts & Sciences.
• Learn about second majors and minors in other academic divisions.
• Meet faculty and staff in Arts & Sciences fields.
• Get information related to majors from the Center for Career Engagement, Overseas Programs, Library and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The new 4+1 Master's in Applied Data Science is open to students across majors, offering rigorous training in data-driven modeling and analysis in the Al era. Students can apply these in-demand skills to their field of interest to set themselves apart in today's job market.  Interested students should talk with their advisors about the right time to enroll in pre-requisites. Learn more about this program in the Department of Statistics and Data Science.

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