Family Ties

Division of Student Affairs

July 1, 2025

Dear parents and families,

Move-in Day is just around the corner. I’m so excited to officially welcome your family to WashU in person!  

As your student is preparing for the fall semester, know that there are some important things happening this month including registering for classes, viewing housing assignments and selecting a move-in date and time.  

We encourage you to RSVP for Parent & Family Orientation (PFO) by July 28. PFO is a great opportunity to connect with university leadership—including Chancellor Martin and myself. You’ll have the chance to ask questions of your student’s academic dean and learn more about the support systems in place to help your student thrive.

As move-in approaches, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. You can contact my team at families@wustl.edu or by phone, 314-935-5040 (toll-free: 844-935-5040). The Incoming Families Guide is another valuable resource to help you and your student prepare for life at WashU.

Warmly,
Anna “Dr. G” Gonzalez
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

@akgonzal327
@washustudentaffairs

View the Academic Calendar →

Your student's fall tuition and fee bill will be posted to their student account in Workday on July 1. If someone else (like a parent or family member) is helping your student pay, they need to have third-party access in Workday to view and pay the bill. Set up access here: Workday Access for Families. 

Each month this summer, there are important items your student needs to complete to ensure they are as prepared as possible for their first year. Some items on the July checklist include:

View the complete Before You Arrive Checklist →

A 2^nd-4^th year WashU student has emailed your student inviting them to have a conversation in July about their transition to WashU. This is a fantastic opportunity to get insider tips and start feeling right at home in the WashU community. Encourage your student to set up a time for this conversation!

Registration for fall 2025 courses will take place via Workday beginning July 9 at 9 a.m. 

Students should already have been in contact with their academic advisor or academic division. If not, please have your student respond to that email to schedule a meeting as soon as possible. Students cannot register for courses until they have met with their advisor.

College is a time for students to encounter new ideas and perspectives. While this can sometimes be challenging, it’s also an important part of their personal and intellectual growth. Encourage your student to consider the Dialogue Across Difference (DxD) course. It helps them build essential skills like critical thinking, civil discourse and respectful dialogue—tools they’ll use well beyond the classroom.

"DxD has been an incredible opportunity to engage with my peers in the WashU community on relevant topics that we all share a variety of perspectives on. I highly recommend this course – there is so much value in bringing social issues and real-world discussion into the classroom setting."

- Bella Gomez, Class of 2026

The 2025-2026 Residential Life housing assignment, including roommates/suite mates, is now available on the Housing Portal.

If applicable, students should reach out to their roommates/suite mates via their WashU email(s) to introduce themselves and discuss what items they will bring to the room or suite. View our packing list for suggestions.

We do our best to meet students' room preferences. If your student wishes to request a room change, they can access the Room Change Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal. Room change requests will not be processed until after the first two weeks of fall classes.

Incoming first-year students are not permitted to move in early.

Your student can select their move-in date and time on the Housing Portal beginning July 7 at 1 p.m. CT. Time slots range from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16.

First-year international students will move in on Wednesday, August 13 and will not select a move-in date and time in the Housing Portal. They should complete the International Arrival form by August 4.

Fall varsity athletes may have different arrival dates than those stated above. Please check with your student's head coach for more information.

WashU has partnered with GradGuard to offer renter's insurance to students. To obtain renter’s insurance, students can use the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal. Residential Life strongly recommends that all students obtain renter's insurance prior to their scheduled move-in date and time either through GradGuard or another provider of their choice.

Until September 5, students can adjust their meal plan by completing a Meal Plan Change Request Form via the Request Forms tab on the Housing Portal.

Meal plan changes can affect financial aid packages. Follow up with your Student Financial Services Counselor prior to submitting a Meal Plan Change Request Form.

Visit WashU Dining Services to learn more about the different meal plans offered.

If you are traveling to St. Louis with your student for Move-in, you are invited to attend Parent & Family Orientation. Please RSVP for Parent & Family Orientation by Monday, July 28 at noon CT if you are attending in-person events or assisting with your student's move-in. 

For families unable to join us for Parent & Family Orientation, we will livestream Parents as Partners and record the Deans' welcome sessions. Livestream and recording links will be available on the Parents & Families website.

All WashU students must complete the following health and wellness requirements.

During Fall Welcome, students will have a chance to join career communities—industry-focused spaces that inspire confidence as students make decisions about their future. They are a place to explore careers, connect with career coaches and alumni, and feel a sense of belonging. Which of these communities most interests your student right now? Have them indicate their preference on the Bear Beginnings Questionnaire in Workday.

USPS, UPS, FedEx and other parcel services deliver to your student's WashU campus mailing address. Their Mail Stop Code (MSC) number and mailing address can be found with their housing assignment in the Housing Portal.

Use the following addressing standards when having items mailed to WashU:

First and Last Name
MSC XXXXX
6515 Wydown Boulevard
St. Louis, MO  63105-2215

Mail Services can accept packages beginning August 1. Please do not send items prior to this date. 

Our Family Webinar Series answers questions we know our students and their parents and family members are asking. View this month's Family Webinars:

Visit our website to view previous recordings or register to participate in upcoming webinars.

Upcoming webinars include:

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