BEARFACTS 2017
A guide for students by students.
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BEARFACTS 2017 A guide to Washington University written by students for students. Authored by First Year Center Edited by Andrea Farnan Katharine E. Pei Kirsten Smith Designed by Anthony Popeo ’12 Photography by WashU Photographic Services Bonner Williams ’16, Cole Bishop ’14, Rahee Nerurkar ’14 washington university in st. louis | 3
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You hold in your hands a guide to your first year at Washington University in St. Louis. Written and designed by students who were in your shoes not too long ago, the pages that follow answer many of the questions you’ve probably had (and even some you didn’t know you had). What should you bring? Where will you eat? What building does your mail go to? How can you get involved? This guide isn’t meant to be studied or memorized, but to be a window into what to expect during your time at WashU, and hopefully it excites you for the years, experiences, and adventures to come.
Table of Contents
Welcome
6
Before You Arrive
11
Move-In & Bear Beginnings
35
Learning on Campus
45
Living on Campus
65
Our Names, Our Stories
89
Beyond the Classroom
103
Exploring St. Louis
121
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WELCOME Welcome to Washington University! The First Year Center is home to the people and programs that will help ensure a smooth transition into your first year on our campus. We believe that how we welcome people into our community says a lot about who we are as a university. We know this is both an exciting and sometimes stressful time for you and your family. Our goal at the First Year Center is to help you meet and learn about the many students, faculty, staff, departments, and programs that will become part of your new Washington University family. You will have lots of material to look over before arriving on campus in August—at Washington University we love to send email and old-fashioned snail mail! This book, Bear Facts, is designed to provide one source of information about your new home. The people who helped design Bear Facts are the people who know our campus best—our students! They were recently new students just like you, so they know what you need to know before you get here and what will be important in your first few months on campus. We hope this book is helpful in answering some of the questions you have about Washington University.
FROM THE FIRST YEAR CENTER
THE FIRST YEAR CENTER TEAM KATHARINE PEI Director ANDREA FARNAN Assistant Director REGGIE GACAD Coordinator TERRI BRENNAN Department Secretary
But don’t feel you have to memorize everything in this book. We have been working hard to get ready for you, and during your first days on campus in August, you will participate in Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation. Teams of Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs), students who serve as orientation leaders and peer mentors, will assist you in getting settled and ready for your first day of class. They will continue to guide you throughout your first year. In addition to the WUSAs, you’ll meet faculty, staff, and student leaders who are ready to help you make the adjustment to college life. Take the time to get to know them. We cannot wait to meet you! Best wishes to all of you as you begin your journey at Washington University.
The First Year Center supports new students through their transition into the Washington University community to assure they build and sustain their academic and personal goals. The center brings together people, programs, and resources to provide an undergraduate experience of exceptional quality where all students are known by name and story and where they prepare themselves for lives of purpose and meaning. FIRST YEAR.WUSTL.EDU | FIRST YEARCENTER | (314) 935.5040
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FROM THE FIRST YEAR CENTER EXECUTIVE BOARD As the 2017 First Year Center Executive Board, we would like to welcome you to Washington University! The First Year Center Executive Board, a group of upperclass students who plan and support events and initiatives for first-year students, is dedicated to helping you make a smooth transition to college life. We are proud to bring you Bear Facts: a guide for students by students. This publication will provide you with information about pre-orientation programs, what to do before arriving on campus in August, what to expect once you get here, the logistics of Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation, placement exams, living and learning at Washington University, and much, much more. We hope that after reading Bear Facts, you will be better prepared for your arrival.
For the next four years, Washington University will be your home away from home. You will meet new people, experience what it is like to live on your own, and find your place in the WashU community. The most important step in this great journey is to join us in August for Bear Beginnings, where you’ll get to know the campus and the people around you. We hope you are as excited about Bear Beginnings 2017 as we are, and that you will make the most of your time here. We are here for you, so if there is anything we can do to better your experience or answer questions you may have, please do not hesitate to ask us. For contact information and complete Bear Beginnings details, visit our website at firstyear.wustl.edu or email us at firstyearcenter@ wustl.edu. Good luck, have a great summer, and we’ll see you in August! The 2017 First Year Center Executive Board
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Jacob Cantrell, 2019 Bloomington, IN
Katherine Ingersoll, 2019 Los Angeles, CA
Sam Pointer, 2019 St. Louis, MO
Mariel Ehrlich, 2019 Boston, MA
Yasmeen Jasnica, 2019 Chicago, IL
Helen Skerrett, 2019 Boston, MA
Amelia Grumbach, 2019 East Greenwich, RI
Natalie Klug, 2019 Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Jadine Sonoda, 2019 Rockville, MD
Farah Hashim, 2019 Lake Forest, IL
Jessie Lee, 2019 Memphis, TN
Karena Yan, 2019 Andover, MA washington university in st. louis | 7
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IMPORTANT DATES The university-wide academic calendar for the 2017–2018 school year, as well as some relevant orientation dates, can be found below. Not included on the schedule are important dates like the Add/Drop deadline (related to course registration). Those dates can be found in course listings available at wustl.edu. Download and print a PDF of these dates at firstyear.wustl.edu.
FALL 2017
Download and print a PDF of these dates at firstyear.wustl.edu.
August 17
Wilderness Project Pre-Orientation Program begins
August 17
International Student Explore Program begins
August 20–23
Pre-Orientation programs
August 22
International Student Discover Program begins
August 20
Fall tuition and fees due
August 24
Move-In Day; Bear Beginnings
August 24–25
Parent & Family Orientation
August 28
First day of classes
September 4
Labor Day (No classes)
October 14–17
Fall Break (No classes)
October 20–22
Parent and Family Weekend
November 22–26
Thanksgiving Break (No classes)
December 8
Last day of classes
December 11–20
Reading period and final exams
SPRING 2018 January 15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No classes)
January 16
First day of classes
March 11–17
Spring Break (No classes)
April 27
Last day of classes
April 30–May 9
Reading Period and Final Exams
May 18
157th Commencement
THINKING ABOUT TRAVEL PLANS? Good move, but avoid making arrangements for Thanksgiving and the end of both semesters until you’ve finalized your course schedule and know when all of your exams, papers, and projects will be for the semester.
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C H A P T ER O N E
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE washington university in st. louis | 11
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE Welcome to Washington University! We probably aren’t the first to welcome you to campus, and we certainly won’t be the last. The entire campus is excited about your arrival to our community this August. While Move-In Day is still an entire summer away, there are many important action items you need to complete before you arrive on campus. On pages 14 and 15 you will find a comprehensive list of all the “to-do” items you should be completing and considering this summer. Some of these action items pertain to contacting your new roommate, using your new WashU email, familiarizing yourself with WashU’s important websites, and connecting to communities on campus prior to August. Some items, such as placement exams, alcohol education, course registration, and the academic integrity module, are mandatory. We know the summer is time for family, friends, and hopefully a fun adventure or two, but it is important you complete the checklist so you can start college on the right foot. Try to do one or two items each week, and you will be done in no time. Don’t hesitate to contact the First Year Center (firstyearcenter@wustl. edu or (314) 935.5040) if you have any questions about the to-do list— we are here all summer preparing for your arrival and are happy to help.
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Stay in touch! Follow the First Year Center on Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat for more updates and reminders throughout the summer and into the school year. /wufirstyearcenter @WUFYC WashUFYC
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? If Bear Facts doesn’t answer them, check our website firstyear.wustl.edu, give us a call at (314) 935.5040, or email firstyearcenter@wustl.edu.
Dear Incoming Students: Welcome to Washington University in St. Louis! As you begin your time here, you join not only a thriving student body and an intellectual community of faculty, staff, and students, but also a legacy of learning and discovery that dates back to 1853 at the time of our founding. You are now part of a community that includes famed Nobel laureates, noted authors, and generations of entrepreneurs, business and academic leaders, artists, engineers, scientists, and so many others. And so I ask you today: What accomplishment will you leave the world after your time here? Perhaps the most important thing you can learn during your early days here is that, whatever you accomplish, you won’t be doing it alone. Even this early in your career, you are joined on all sides by supportive faculty, caring staff members, and your fellow students. We are all here to help you succeed. It may have been a long and competitive road to get here, but now is a time to immerse yourselves in the creative and collaborative community that is Washington University. You will accomplish much in the next four years. How can we help you? Mark S. Wrighton Chancellor
REMOTE REGISTRATION We know from experience that not all incoming students are able to attend a Summer Orientation Advising Registration (SOAR) session. If you are not able to attend a SOAR program, you will receive information from your academic division this summer about registering for classes prior to your arrival in August. All students who do not attend SOAR may register for their classes beginning July 12.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES If you are an Arts & Sciences student who is unable to attend SOAR or the First-Year Summer Academic Program (FSAP), you will be emailed the name of your four-year advisor in mid-June. After completing the registration steps at college.artsci. wustl.edu/registration101, you will contact your advisor to arrange a time to discuss your academic interests and fall course options. Once you’ve discussed your courses and career interests, your advisor will authorize you for registration. You will then be able to register for classes online on July 12 at your assigned registration time.
OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL All incoming business students will be assigned an academic advisor and an Olin Peer Ambassador (OPA). If you are not able to attend SOAR or FSAP over the summer, you should expect to receive registration materials via email, be contacted by your academic advisor and OPA, and register for
A LETTER FROM CHANCELLOR MARK S. WRIGHTON
classes. All students will submit an online bio form and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the Olin Business School by visiting olin.wustl.edu. For questions about advising or registration issues, contact Lanna Skadden, skadden@wustl.edu, and feel free to ask your OPA for more information.
SAM FOX SCHOOL OF DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS: ARCHITECTURE & ART You can expect to receive registration information by email in mid-May. If you are unable to attend SOAR, you will create a tentative schedule using either the Registration Worksheet in WebSTAC or by returning the Course Request Form included in the packet. You will not be authorized to register on your own. Course selections are due by June 15. We will create a schedule with your input and whenever possible, register you for your desired classes and/or sections. We will be in contact with you by telephone or email if we have questions or concerns about your selections. Once registration is complete, you may view your schedule in WebSTAC. Some course adjustments may be made prior to the beginning of classes if Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or Washington University Placement Exams require changes.
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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE CHECKLIST This checklist includes items you’ll need to complete before arriving on campus. It’s organized by month and level of importance. You can download and print a PDF of this list at firstyear.wustl.edu.
JUNE Urgent • Familiarize yourself with how to register for classes in your school • Activate your WUSTL Key, your online login which will give you access to many important university websites and portals, including email and course registration • Activate your WUSTL email account and learn about how to best utilize it; all communication from the university will be sent to this email account • Familiarize yourself with WebSTAC, your online resource to access course registration, housing information, billing statements, and more • Complete forms for your academic division • Olin Business School: Biographical information form • School of Engineering & Applied Science: Area of interest form • Send a picture to Campus Card Services for your WUSTL ID; your ID will give you access to campus buildings and serve as your meal card • Take any necessary online placement and diagnostic exams • Calculus placement • Chemistry diagnostic • Foreign Language*: Spanish, French, Italian, German, Latin *Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian will be taken on campus during Bear Beginnings Prioritize • Understand how to complete the Registration Worksheet on WebSTAC • Sign up to attend a Pre-Orientation Program • Bookmark the First Year Center website, firstyear. wustl.edu, for important updates • Know important dates • Move-In Day: Thursday, August 24* *Students participating in a Pre-Orientation program, athletics, and some named scholarship programs will arrive prior to this date • Fall classes begin: Monday, August 28 • Parent & Family Weekend: Friday, October 20 to Sunday, October 22 14 | bear facts
• Book hotel rooms for Parent & Family Orientation Thursday, August 24–Friday, August 25 • Develop a plan to get yourself and your belongings to campus Consider • Review, edit, or add your preferred name in the WebSTAC User Profile so it can be reflected in your University records, including your WashU student ID card • Visit the Student Technology Services (STS) website at sts.wustl.edu • Join other incoming students in the Class of 2021 or Transfer and Exchange Facebook groups • Follow the First Year Center on Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram
JULY Urgent • Read the WashU Common Reading Program book that will be sent to you this summer • Complete the Academic Integrity module via Blackboard, bb.wustl.edu • Submit your health history form • Complete a health insurance waiver, if applicable • Complete items for your academic division • Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts: Contact your peer advisor • College of Arts & Sciences: Ampersand: Making the College Transition • Olin Business School: Purchase and read Accidental Branding by David Vinjamuri for MGT 150A Prioritize • Review Bear Facts • Sign up for a U-Pass, a free transit card for St. Louis public transportation (lightrail and bus) • Check for your housing assignment on WebSTAC Consider • Log in to Washington University Group Organizer at wugo.wustl.edu and start investigating organizations you might like to join once you are on campus
• Contact your roommate to discuss expectations and decide who is bringing certain amenities
• Visit emergency.wustl.edu to become familiar with the resources and information available
• Submit an entry to the Common Reading Program contest
• Register your bike through WUPD at police.wustl.edu
AUGUST
• Transfer your prescriptions to the WU Pharmacy
Urgent • Verify that your email address and cell phone number are correct in WebSTAC in case of emergencies • Add the Washington University Police Department phone number to the contacts in your phone: (314) 935.5555 • Complete “Think About It,” a sexual violence and alcohol education online module • Confirm your AP, IB, and transfer credits were sent to the university Prioritize • Become familiar with the Judicial Code at studentconduct.wustl.edu • Become familiar with the Residential Life policies and procedures at reslife.wustl.edu • Notify Dining Services if you have special dietary concerns before arriving to campus at diningservices.wustl.edu • Pack! • We suggest packing in boxes or plastic bins and use painter’s tape to label them with your name, building, and room number. Remember you will be carrying these bins, boxes, or other items up several flights of stairs—make them light and easy to carry • Don’t forget your computer extras: cables, software, CDs, manuals, and be sure you have the phone number of the vendor of your computer (such as Apple or Dell)
• Share your student account billing statement with your parents or family members Consider • Add money to your Bear Bucks account, a cashless system on your ID card that can be used to make purchases on and off campus • Register for CarShare, a St. Louis car-sharing program • Download the WUSTL Mobile app (for a campus map, dining information, course listings, and more!) • Have your parents and/or family members sign up for Family Ties, a quarterly e-newsletter at parents. wustl.edu • Consider how you want to get involved in the campus community • Talk to your parents and family members about expectations • Discuss a communication plan with your family and friends at home • Establish a budget • Make a bucket list of all the exciting things you want to do in St. Louis over the next four years • Purchase a 25 ft. ethernet cable for connecting your computer in your room if you don’t want to use wi-fi • If eligible, register as a voter with either your WashU or home address at wustl.turbovote.org
• Bring a long coaxial cable to connect your TV in your room
Key URGENT
Required for you to be prepared for Move In and the start of classes. Items pertain to registration, on-campus living, and essential forms
PRIORITIZE
Eases your transition in August, helping you participate in activities on and off campus
CONSIDER
Broader topics that will help you connect to the WashU community and have the most successful WashU experience washington university in st. louis | 15
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCE The School of Engineering & Applied Science crosses boundaries in research and teaching, as well as providing strong student support and academic advising. Prior to arriving on campus, new students will be assigned a four-year advisor in Engineering Student Services. During Bear Beginnings, students will have the opportunity to meet with faculty from their academic area of interest for continued academic advising.
Each academic division at WashU has a different registration process.
Over the summer, you should expect to complete and return an academic interest form indicating which major you might want to pursue (please return this form by early June). If you are not able to attend SOAR or FSAP, you will receive an email by July 1 with the name of your four-year advisor in Engineering Student Services and specific information about registering from home. You will review the online registration information thoroughly and contact your four-year advisor for more information or help with questions about course registration for your first year. You will then register for courses online during your assigned registration time in July. The online registration information emailed to you by July 1 will cover much of what you will need to know as an incoming engineering student. Information includes descriptions of student groups, communication within the school, Advanced Placement and transfer credits, as well as what courses are suggested for the different areas of interest within the School of Engineering & Applied Science. For any questions about registration, students should contact their fouryear advisor in Engineering Student Services who will be happy to discuss course selection or other matters related to the School of Engineering & Applied Science.
TRANSFER STUDENT REGISTRATION Registration procedures vary depending on which academic division you are entering. You will be contacted by your academic advisor to register for classes over the summer.
PURCHASING COURSE BOOKS Once you have registered for classes, it’s time to get your books!
WU CAMPUS STORE The WU Campus Store is the most convenient way to purchase your course materials. It offers course materials in several different formats: new, used, rental, and digital. New books are great for students who want a book with no markings or highlighting. For used books, shop early for the best selection. You can save 25% off the cost of new books by purchasing used books. If you don’t see any used books on the shelf, go online to wubookstore.com to shop the Follett network of stores for a used copy. There are no shipping charges for in-store pickup and the orders usually arrive within three to five days, depending on availability. The most popular way to purchase course materials is to rent. Renting is easy to do through the WU Campus Store or online at wubookstore.com. Many, but not all books, are rentable new or used. You may highlight and make notations in a rented book and return it when you’re finished or you can purchase it and just pay the difference for no additional fee. If you have questions about textbook rental, go to wubookstore.com and search text rental. The WU Campus Store will now price match books available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Books must be stocked and shipped from the vendor’s warehouse for a price match. We cannot match third-party sellers through these vendors. The difference is given to you on a gift card which you can use on future purchases. 16 | bear facts
Digital books are also a popular option. To see if a book is available digitally, check the course shelf tag. Digital books can offer savings of up to 60% off the cost of new.
CONNECTING WITH THE UNIVERSITY There are many ways that the university will communicate with you about important details related to items such as grades, housing, billing, etc. This section outlines the different ways you can connect digitally with WashU.
WUSTL KEY
Use your wustl.edu email! It’s very important that you start using your WashU email address once you have it. It’s the main way you’ll receive a lot of information from the university.
Your WUSTL Key is the set of login credentials (login ID and password) you’ll use to access WebSTAC and many other WashU online services. All entering first-year and transfer students receive notification in the summer from the University Registrar with information about WebSTAC, their WUSTL Key, and their university email address. You should have already received communication from the University Registrar to set up your accounts. If you have not, please contact them at registrar@wustl.edu.
WEBSTAC WebSTAC (Web STudent ACcess) is an online WashU platform where you register for courses, see your grades, check your meal plan points and Bear Bucks activity, and much, much more! Using WebSTAC tools, you can add and drop classes, check grades, and request an official transcript, as well as review billing information and access Dining Services, Campus Card, and Residential Life program sites.
Privacy The privacy of your student records is protected by law under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Certain pieces of “directory information” on your record may be publicly available, such as your address and phone number, unless you have placed an information restriction on your record, which is your option under the law.
You will use WebSTAC to register for classes, so we have provided a tutorial over the next few pages. It is important you understand this vital tool, so if you have any additional questions or concerns, check out WebSTAC’s online help. To get to WebSTAC go to webstac.wustl. edu and log in using your WUSTL Key ID and password.
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This is the WebSTAC homepage. Unless you already used your WUSTL Key to log into the network from a different university website, you’ll see this page when you visit. Once you’ve logged in, an overview of all your university-affiliated information is available. The menu below also expands, enabling you to keep track of your classes, billing records, housing information, activity on your campus card, and more. You should definitely take some time to explore the different menus and see how WebSTAC works.
COURSE LISTINGS To view course listings, click Course Listings under “Courses and Registration” or go to courses.wustl.edu. This will launch a window, like the one below, which allows you to browse all courses offered by the university in a few different ways. The easiest way to look at the offerings is by picking a semester, school, and department from the “Course Listings” home page. For more advanced options, click on the “By Semester” search item in the menu. From there you can search for courses by attributes, days, and times.
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REGISTRATION WORKSHEET The “Registration Worksheet” is a WebSTAC tool that helps you prepare for the advising and registration period of an upcoming semester. You can find the Registration Worksheet under “Courses and Registration.” This is a great tool for keeping track of classes you’re interested in taking, seeing what your day-to-day schedule will be like, and organizing a discussion about your course preferences with your academic advisor.
BLACKBOARD Another key Washington University website is Blackboard, a course content management tool that instructors use to make information about classes available online. By using your WUSTL Key ID and password, you can log on to Blackboard at bb.wustl.edu to check out class descriptions, calendars, syllabi, and assignments for some of your classes. Instructors may also use Blackboard to keep students updated on their grades and changes to the course. Information about each of your courses will not appear unless the instructor has set up the course site and made it available. Student Technology Services recommends Firefox or Chrome as the best browsers to use when accessing Blackboard. How-to guides that will help you perform many tasks, from checking grades to completing assignments, are available at sts.wustl.edu/blackboard.
This summer, you will use Blackboard to complete your Academic Integrity module.
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY GROUP ORGANIZER (WUGO) Washington University Group Organizer is WashU’s online hub for student involvement. The organization directory offers a year-round, virtual student activities fair where students can explore and connect with the over 300 student groups on campus. Students can also check out what events are happening on campus, find leadership opportunities and volunteer experiences, as well as discover many other ways to get involved. The mobile version makes it even easier to get connected instantly.
Learn more about WUGO at wugo.wustl.edu.
PREFERRED NAMES The Preferred Name policy allows Danforth Campus students to change their first name in many university information systems without pursuing a legal name change. By allowing students to use a preferred name, the university hopes to provide students an empowering, safe, and nondiscriminatory university experience. Reasons for using preferred names may include students known by names that are different from their legal names, transgender or gender nonconforming identities, international students or other students who wish to adopt an English language name, or students who have popular names who wish to use a different one. Students who list a preferred name on their admissions application will automatically have their preferred name entered into the university system. At any time, you may add, edit, or delete a preferred name in your academic record in WebSTAC by going to the Student Information tab and then clicking on the “User Profile” link. Your preferred name will be used on many university documents, systems, and communications. To view the policy online, please visit: registrar.wustl.edu/studentrecords/ssn-name-changes/preferred-name-policy/. For more information about enrolling with a preferred name, please visit the student information website for the Preferred Name policy: registrar.wustl.edu/student-records/ssn-name-changes/preferredname-policy/preferred-name-policy-student/
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PREPARING FOR REGISTRATION AP/IB/TRANSFER CREDITS Washington University generally accepts AP scores of a 4 or 5 for credit. Some departments will give you credit based solely upon your AP score, whereas other departments give “contingency credit” based upon your AP score and completion of a higher level course. Questions regarding International Baccalaureate (IB) and credit for college level course work should be referred to your school’s registrar to determine appropriate placement and credit.
PLACEMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC EXAMS Students interested in taking math or foreign language classes at WashU are required to take placement exams. Students interested in taking General Chemistry at WashU are required to take the diagnostic exam. Information about AP and IB Credits:
Information about Placement Exams:
College of Architecture
samfoxschool.wustl.edu/student_resources/forms
Cris Baldwin
College of Art
samfoxschool.wustl.edu/student_resources/forms
Cris Baldwin
College of Arts & Sciences
college.artsci.wustl.edu/policies/placement_credit
Sarah Longo
Olin Business School
Contact your academic advisor
School of Engineering & Applied Science
engineering.wustl.edu/current-students/studentservices/Pages/advanced-placement.aspx
FOREIGN LANGUAGE PLACEMENT Unless you will be starting a language you have never studied before, you must take a foreign language placement exam. For students who are interested in pursuing the study of French, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish, information about the placement exams is available online at the First Year Center website, firstyear.wustl.edu. Students need to complete the placement exams prior to registering for classes. For students who are interested in pursuing Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, and Russian, the placement exams will be administered on campus during Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation in August. Detailed information will be provided when you arrive to campus.
GENERAL CHEMISTRY DIAGNOSTIC EXAM Students who plan to take General Chemistry at Washington University are required to take the General Chemistry Online Diagnostic Exam. Please note, the Chemistry Diagnostic Exam is not a placement exam and the score on the diagnostic exam cannot be used to replace the course credit. Students interested in placing out of General Chemistry are required to contact the Chemistry Department and take a chemistry placement exam during the first week of class. The grade to the placement exam may be used for the course credit. The online exam is available from Monday, June 12, 2017 through Friday, August 11, 2017. The two-hour timed exam is available online at chemistry.wustl.edu/diagnostic. You will need your six-digit WashU student ID number to access this website, but no password is required. The webpage also includes a series of tutorials for review, as well as practice problems and quizzes. It is recommended that you review these materials before taking the online exam. For tutorials prior to taking the online exam, visit chemistry. wustl.edu/diagnostic. Questions about Chemistry should be directed to Dr. Jia Luo at jluoa@wustl.edu. 20 | bear facts
crisbaldwin@wustl.edu crisbaldwin@wustl.edu sarahlongo@wustl.edu
Tobin Harris
tobinharris@wustl.edu
COMPUTER SCIENCE PLACEMENT Students interested in beginning with a course beyond CSE 131 should take the placement exam during Bear Beginnings. This exam is for students with significant computer science background and programming experience, regardless of intended major. The exam is used to determine proper placement in the computer science curriculum. All students are welcome to take the placement exam, including students who did not take the AP test or who are not satisfied with their AP test score and students who are uncertain about their proficiency. No books or notes are permitted. Please bring sharpened pencils to the exam. This exam determines one of the following outcomes: • A student may be placed in CSE 131 to take the course in its entirety. • A student may be recommended to begin in a CSE course beyond CSE 131. • A student may be recommended to begin in a CSE course beyond CSE 131 but completion of specific CSE 131 modules may be required or recommended. Proficiency credit for CSE 131 (3 units) is awarded automatically if a student has a 4 or 5 on the AP CS “A” test. Any requirement for CSE 131 is therefore satisfied by that proficiency credit. That requirement can also be waived without credit if the student passes the proficiency exam.
MATH PLACEMENT Students intending to take calculus at WashU must take the math placement exam online prior to registering for classes. Students who received a 4 or 5 on the AP exam do not need to take the placement exam. If you plan to attend SOAR, you should take the exam before your summer visit. Otherwise, complete the exam before course registration. Visit wumath.wustl.edu/undergraduate/newstudents/ calculus-placement-exam.
WRITING PLACEMENT All first-year students should plan to take College Writing 1 during their first year of study to satisfy the first-year writing requirement. Students whose records indicate they need to take the Writing Placement Exam will be notified by letter during the summer. Semester placement is determined by the College Writing Program Office and is based on a variety of factors. Students in some first-year programs (e.g., Mind-Brain, Pathfinder) take College Writing 1 in the fall, while others (e.g., Text & Tradition) take it in the spring. For more information about College Writing 1 or about writing placement, visit the College Writing Program website, collegewriting.wustl.edu or contact the College Writing Program Office, collegewriting@wustl.edu.
This information is for Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, and Business. The School of Engineering & Applied Science has its own writing requirements, which can be found at engineering.wustl. edu/current-students/studentservices/first-year-studentregistration-guide/Pages/ default.aspx.
Be sure to write down the scores of your placement exams and have them available when registering for courses. If registering on campus during SOAR or another summer program, complete online placement exams prior to your arrival. Be sure to save your placement score and bring it with you to your registration appointment. For all other students, be sure you complete the exam before your remote summer registration date. See pages 13–14 in Bear Facts for more information about registration for your specific academic division. washington university in st. louis | 21
SUMMER TO-DO ITEMS E-BILLING STATEMENTS Once you have access to WebSTAC, please invite your parent or family members to view your e-statements. You will need to invite them under Billing Records & Bear Bucks, Pay/View My Bill, Parent/ Other User IDs, then select Add New. Your family member will promptly receive an email with the user ID you created and a link to the parent billing portal. Please note, the parent-billing portal is separate from WebSTAC and only allows them access to your billing information; all other student record information will remain private. For more information regarding eBilling, please visit the FAQ’s page, studentaccounting.wustl.edu.
Washington University supports a 100% paperless billing environment with instant online access.
STUDENT ID CARDS Your WashU student identification card may be small in size, but it has the power to do many things. Your ID card is not only proof of being a student at WashU, but it also holds your points for your meal plan, gives you access to buildings and computer labs on campus, and much more! Anytime you want to grab a bite or sit down for a meal with your friends, you’ll swipe your ID card at the checkout line and the points you use will be automatically deducted from your meal plan balance. If you want to check out how many meal points are left on your account, you simply log into your WebSTAC account, and there’s a link to the balance of your individual meal plan. Students also have the option to use their WashU ID card for laundry services and snack and beverage purchases at selected vending machines if Bear Bucks are added to the card. Students can go online through WebSTAC and add value to their Bear Bucks account at any time. Visit card.wustl.edu for more information. You will receive your student ID card when you arrive on campus; if you come to a summer program such as SOAR, you will pick up your ID in the summer. If you lose your ID or need it replaced, visit Campus Card Services or contact them at (314) 935.8800- Your student ID includes your name, ID number, and a photo of you. This is the card that you make meal point and Bear Bucks transactions with, swipe into your residential hall with, use for print access, etc.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY All incoming students are required to watch and complete a module regarding Academic Integrity via Blackboard. You will receive an email with specific instructions to log in and view the video in June. For more information regarding the university’s commitment to academic integrity and expectations for students, please see page 51.
ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG EDUCATION AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE RISK REDUCTION Each student is expected to complete Think About It, an online alcohol and other drug and sexual violence prevention education course, before coming to campus for Bear Beginnings. This course provides reliable information for making responsible decisions throughout your college experience. Even if this does not pertain to you, the course can help you navigate peers’ drinking and drug use. In addition, the course highlights healthy relationships and sexual violence risk reduction. In late July/early August, you will receive instructions via your WashU email about how to log on and complete the course. 22 | bear facts
Your student ID includes your name, ID number, and a photo of you. This is the card that you make meal point and Bear Bucks transactions with, swipe into your residential hall with, use for print access, etc.
PACKING LIST Check out the next page for a suggested list of things you’ll want to pack with you as you prepare to join us on campus in August.
SHIPPING TO CAMPUS UPS, Federal Express, and other parcel services deliver to WashU. You can send packages to your campus address. Remember to include your full address, which varies depending on where you live on campus. See below for guidelines for writing your address. Your campus box (CB) number can be found with your housing assignment on WebSTAC. Continues on page 25.
WHAT’S MY ADDRESS?
Where will you be living? South 40 North Side
Your Name CB ####* 6515 Wydown Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63105-2215 Your Name CB ####* 6985 Snow Way St. Louis, MO 63130-4400
for example William G. Eliot, Jr. CB 0000 6985 Snow Way St. Louis, MO 63130-4400
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PACKING LIST You don’t need to pack your whole room to come to college, but you’ll want to make sure that you have some odds and ends covered. This list isn’t inclusive, but there are some things we couldn’t live without once we got here. Download and print a PDF of this list at firstyear.wustl.edu.
MUST BRING
• Trash can
• Sewing kit
• Alarm clock
• Umbrella
• Backpack
DON’T BRING
• Small refrigerator (no larger than 4 cubic feet)
• Calendar
• Air-conditioning units
• Cell phone and charger
• Candles
• Cleaning supplies
• Electric appliances with exposed coils
• Suit and/or semiformal attire for special events you may attend
• Gas grills or charcoal grills
• Television (and DVDs)
• Guns/weapons
• Tissues
• Halogen lamps
• Under-bed storage bins
• Clothes and shoes that can get dirty (for projects you may get involved in) • Clothes hangers • Comforter, blankets, and pillows
• Incense
• Desk lamp
• Pets (other than fish)
• Dry erase board and markers
• Toasters
• Envelopes and stamps
• Water beds
• First-aid kit
• Wireless routers
• Flashlight
ALSO CONSIDER
• Hammer and tools
• Air freshener
• Hangers, shoe rack, and plastic hooks
• Bed raisers
• Heavy winter coat • ID/Driver’s license • Laundry bag and detergent • Painter’s tape • Power strips and extension cords • Prescription medication(s) • Reusable grocery totes • Reusable water bottle
• Closet organizers • Computer or laptop • Cooking utensils • Decorations for your room
• Camera
Talk with your roommate(s) prior to packing so you can avoid bringing duplicate items.
•
Label boxes with your name, your room number, cell phone number, and campus box number for Move-In Day.
•
You can do a lot of shopping after you arrive and have seen your room.
• Ethernet cord
• Shower shoes and shower caddy
• Headphones • Iron and ironing board • Microwave • Plastic drawers • Portable vacuum • Reusable cups, plates, and utensils
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•
• Desk organizer
• Hair dryer
• Towels (more than one!)
Packing Tips
• Desk-chair cushion
• Sheets (twin, extra-long)
• Toiletries
What’s in a standard room? Rooms for first-year students include an XL twin bed, desk, chair, dresser, blinds, and a recycling bin.
• Board games
• Shampoo and body wash
• Small fan
Many of these items are available for purchase at Bear Necessities on the South 40.
• Bicycle and bike lock
• Extra shelving units, crates, plastic containers, filing cabinet
• School supplies
• Stereo or computer speakers
• Hot plates
• Credit or debit card
• Health insurance information
• Sponge and dish soap
UTRUCKING, INC., A STUDENT-RUN BUSINESS UTrucking makes the transition from home to school easy and has been a one-stop shop for student moving needs for over 40 years. UTrucking offers two unique fall shipping services for WashU students: East Coast/Texas/Chicago Ship to School: If you live on the East Coast (between Washington D.C. and Boston), in Texas, or Chicago, UTrucking can pick up your belongings right from your home and deliver them straight to your door at WashU. Nationwide Ship to School: If you live outside our home pick-up regions or if you want to ship items from online retailers, you can send UTrucking your packages using UPS, FedEx, or any other carrier, and they will deliver them straight to your door. UTrucking also offers Summer Storage and Shipping services at the end of the school year. For more information, visit utrucking.com or contact UTrucking at info@utrucking.com, or (314) 266.8878.
A NOTE REGARDING PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS The time before coming to campus is both stressful and exciting; the transition to college introduces many changes to your daily life as a student and young adult. Try to picture all of the emotions you are feeling at this moment and multiply them by some variable A (for anxiety), and you might start to understand just how your parents are feeling. As Karen Levin Coburn, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and co-author of Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years, explains, “The summer before college is an exciting time, but it can also be a time of high stress. There is a desire for more freedom among incoming students, and this can lead to tension in the family. As the summer progresses, students often feel pulled between spending time with friends and time with family. They may also feel pressured by all the decisions they have to make and all the things on their ‘to-do list’ as the days fly by.” The important thing to remember is that the more your family understands and is made aware of what is going on in your life, the smoother this transition will be. As much as you need your family’s support, they need your support in return. To facilitate an open dialogue between you and your family, Parent Programs publishes the Parent & Family Resource Calendar and the First Year Center plans Parent & Family Orientation to parallel the student orientation program during the first days of your arrival. The calendar will be sent out during the summer, along with other useful information for your family members. In August, Parent & Family Orientation will introduce your family members to the people and resources available for you and will help them get an insider’s view of student life at Washington University. More information, including a tentative Parent & Family Orientation schedule, is available at firstyear.wustl.edu, so check it out!
KEEP IN TOUCH Sign up for Family Ties, a quarterly newsletter keeping you up to date on what’s happening around campus, at firstyear. wustl.edu
Visit the Parent & Family Resource section of firstyear.wustl.edu. Also, be on the lookout for the Parent & Family Resource Calendar, arriving to your house in July.
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A MESSAGE TO FAMILY MEMBERS FROM FIRST YEAR CENTER STUDENTS We caught you! That’s right. We know that even though the title of this publication is Bear Facts: a guide for students by students, you, being the loving, interested, and caring family member that you are, have started reading this guide in hopes of gaining a little insight into the changing life of your student. Your motives are perfectly understandable, so rather than stopping you, we invite you to read on, including the following comments from us at the FYC regarding what we wish our parents realized when we started at WashU. First, you have not lost your student. At times, it may feel as though you have, but understanding that your students are simply looking to branch out from home, not separate entirely, is key to understanding them. Second, respect your students. They are in the process of attaining a new level of independence unparalleled in any other time in their lives. Respect that they would like to make their own decisions—offer your input but refrain from mandating things. It’s amazing how many families have argued over what color comforter to purchase, or how often you expect your students to call versus how often they intend on calling. Next, learn from your students. They can teach you things you may have never realized before. Be open to their new experiences, and you may have the delightful experience of learning a thing or two from them. Remember that WashU is a place with students from everywhere. Therefore, your students will make friends of all backgrounds and beliefs. Listen as they share experiences about new friends. Support your students’ stepping outside of comfort zones while they are in an environment that encourages this. Try to understand your students’ changes. You are sending them to college to gain knowledge and to experience new things in life. They will grow and learn, and they will change. Sometimes these changes are unexpected; they may change their major three times, and for a while, they might not know what they want anymore. It is important to see them as the people they are becoming, and not as the people they were when they started, or as the people you think they ought to be. Also, keep in mind that family is still important. No matter how far away you are, we students need to know that you still care about us. Your support is incredibly important to our success at school, and we need every ounce of it. Nothing will replace your love and support. Last, send care packages or encouraging snail-mail once in awhile. We love getting little reminders of home!
PRE-ORIENTATION Pre-Orientation (Pre-O) programs are a great way to start your WashU experience. It is your opportunity to work closely with a campus organization, gain valuable leadership skills, get a jump start on being involved on campus, and meet other students with similar interests. You will also be able to move in early and begin to learn the ins and outs of Washington University’s campus before the formal orientation program.
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IMPORTANT DATES Parent & Family Orientation Thursday, August 24–Friday, August 25 Parent and Family Weekend Friday, October 20–Sunday, October 22
WHY PRE-O? So you’ve gotten a couple of emails about Pre-O, and maybe you heard about the programs from an upperclass student, but why should you really do one? Benefits of doing a Pre-Orientation program • Fun, exciting way to start out the year • Meet friends who share an interest or passion with you • Get to know the campus; and for those off-campus programs, it allows you to see St. Louis and the greater community in which you will be living for the next four years • Allows you more time to get settled
ARRIVAL LOGISTICS Pre-Orientation program participants will arrive on Sunday, August 20, 2017*, and move into the room to which they have been assigned for the year. If you are arriving by plane, WUSAs will meet you at St. Louis Lambert airport and guide you to the free shuttle that will be available for Pre-O participants on August 20 from 8:30 AM–4 PM. If you are arriving by car, we will meet you as you enter the South 40 residential area and give you information about parking and unloading your vehicle. *Wilderness Project participants will arrive on campus Thursday, August 17. You will need to ship your belongings to your residence house room or have someone bring them on Move-In Day, August 24, as you will not have access to your room until the 24th.
PARENT & FAMILY MEMBER ORIENTATION Wondering when you should arrive on campus if you’re attending Parent & Family Orientation? (We know you’re reading!) If your student comes to a Pre-O program, we encourage you to send him or her ahead with enough necessities to get through the first three days, such as bedding, toiletries, and clothing. The students will be tremendously busy with the programs and won’t have much time, if any, to spend with you. Therefore, we suggest you join us for Parent & Family Orientation from Thursday, August 24 through Friday, August 25 and assist your student with setting up his or her room on the 24th. More information regarding Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation, including a sample schedule is available on the First Year Center website, firstyear.wustl.edu. Want to attend a PreOrientation program? Register by August 1, 2017 at firstyear.wustl. edu. They fill quickly, so register soon!
“The reason I chose to participate in Pre-O was that I wanted to bond with students that shared a passion of mine before school started. This gave me a great foundation of people that I could rely on as I began my first year.” Sam Pointer 2015 Student Union: Lead WashU participant
“Pre-orientation programs connect new students with campus communities to explore shared interests and realize their full potential at WashU. Through adventures on campus, in St. Louis, and Missouri, every program fosters friendship and inspiring conversations!” Mariel Ehrlich Pre-Orientation Chair, First Year Center Executive Board
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INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS You will receive information from the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) throughout the summer. Make sure to read everything so you don’t miss important information regarding deadlines and government regulations. International students should plan to arrive before the start date on their I-20s/ DS-2019s. For additional information, please visit oiss.wustl.edu/students/ planning-for-u-s-arrival/. New international students are expected to participate in an international orientation program.
INTERNATIONAL ORIENTATION PROGRAMS New international students are expected to participate in an international orientation program. First-year international students coming to WashU from a high school outside the United States are required to participate in the Explore Program. Explore is recommended for first-year international students coming from a high school within the United States and for exchange students. If these recommended students choose not to participate in Explore, they must participate in the Discover Orientation Program instead. International transfer students are encouraged to participate in the Discover Orientation Program. Explore Program Explore will help you adjust to cultural differences and ease your transition to both the United States and to Washington University. Students participating in the Explore Program should arrive on August 17, 2017. Campus housing will not be available for Explore students arriving before August 17, 2017. The Explore Program, which begins on August 18, 2017, includes participation in a Pre-O program. You will register for a Pre-O program (see pages 29–31) at the same time you register for Explore. Please do not submit a separate Pre- Orientation registration form to the First Year Center. For more information, or to register online, visit oiss.wustl.edu/students/orientation/explore/. Discover Program Discover is an introduction to the people, places, resources, and activities that will help you transition both academically and socially at WashU. Students participating in Discover should arrive on August 21, 2017. For those living on campus, housing will not be available for Discover students arriving before August 21, 2017. For more information, or to register online, visit oiss.wustl.edu/students/ orientation/discover/. You can also contact the OISS at (314) 935.5910 or oiss@wustl.edu.
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PRE-ORIENTATION PROGRAMS FOR AUGUST 2017 BURNING KUMQUAT: ST. LOUIS URBAN FARMS BY BIKE Okay, we don’t grow kumquats. Or burn them. But we are Burning Kumquat, a student-run urban garden on Washington University’s campus. We want to share with you the joy of learning about and living with the land at WashU and around St. Louis. You’ll work hard, get your hands dirty, and enjoy the food we grow. Traveling by bicycle, we tour several St. Louis urban farms and learn about different forms of sustainable agriculture and socially responsible food practices. Finally, you will find a home in our campus garden and sprout new friendships that will never stop growing. Peas and love! Find out more about the Burning Kumquat and what we’ve been growing on our website, BurningKumquat.wustl.edu, and visit us on Facebook at The Burning Kumquat.
CAMPUS Y—L.A.U.N.C.H.: LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING NEW CHALLENGING HORIZONS New perspectives, new friends, new beginnings, and new horizons! Join us for three days and two nights at Camp Lakewood, a beautiful 350-acre lake and resort in the foothills of the Ozarks, just two hours from WashU’s campus. While at LAUNCH, you will participate in small group activities, interactive workshops, team building activities, a service project, and you will have free time to enjoy the amenities at Camp Lakewood. Not only is LAUNCH WashU’s largest pre-orientation program, but it is also the oldest. Join us and become part of the LAUNCH tradition!
CONNECT 4 At Connect 4, students explore their values, discovering how to better live those out on a daily basis in college, find the courage to take off masks, get past small talk, let go of fear, and give fullest expression to who they most deeply are. In a retreat-like setting, students enjoy personal talks from leaders, small-group conversations, individual reflection, activities and games, exploring topics such as love, vulnerability, suffering, personalities, busyness, solitude, religion, and self-compassion. Hosted by Catholic Student Union, Connect 4 is an interfaith program organized by, open to, and absolutely loved by religious and non-religious students alike! Learn more at tinyurl.com/ WUconnect4.
CONNECTIONS IN RESEARCH AND HEALTH This unique program introduces you to cutting-edge medical practice and research conducted at WashU and in St. Louis. You will hear from physicians, scientists, and faculty members. The program also provides an opportunity for you to talk with patients, tour research facilities, and participate in fun team building exercises. You will learn about the latest medical research and practice, from high-tech surgical techniques to cochlear implants, as well as how physicians evaluate patients and review actual emergency medicine cases. Students may tour the School of Medicine, Center for Advanced Medicine, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Surgical Vivarium, and Genome Sequence Center.
ENDESIGN Have you ever wanted to design and build your own engineering project? If so, here’s your chance! In EnDesign, you will receive a project proposal and work with a team of students and counselors to design, build, and test your ideas. Have you always wanted to work with power tools? Now you can! The excitement and fun of designing and implementing an engineering project awaits you! Other things to look forward to include visiting local engineering companies and hearing from professional engineers and WashU professors about the engineering industry and its opportunities. Come experience real engineering!
FRESHMEN PRESS Freshmen Press is an exciting opportunity for students to jump straight into the world of student journalism. You will get to interact with current members of Student Life, Washington University’s independent newspaper, and with local alumni who work as professional journalists. You will learn about the different sections of the paper and choose what you would like to experience firsthand: reporting news or sports, writing features or arts/ entertainment pieces, crafting editorials, or working in multimedia/photo. You will also gain copy or design experience and produce your own full issue, which will appear as an insert in Student Life’s first paper of the semester. Learn more at www.StudLife.com.
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GATEWAY TO GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP
KWUR: ADVENTURES IN RADIOLAND
Welcome to St. Louis, your new home for the next four years! Break the “WashU Bubble” before your first year even begins with the Gateway to Global Citizenship program. St. Louis and its neighborhoods boast a rich history of welcoming, diverse people and cultures, which allows us to explore the world in our own backyard. Together we will munch on tapas and dim sum, investigate how media portrays culture, and delve into the ways culture influences communities and individuals to help form identity. Through engaging discussion, guest speakers, volunteering, workshops, and excursions to local cultural centers, this four-day experience is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get to know yourself, your peers, the WashU community, and this city. Join us to become a part of your first of many St. Louis families, made up of peers, professors, and upperclass students who will help you find your place in your new home.
KWUR 90.3 FM is the university’s entirely studentrun, freeform, non-commercial radio station. This program will immerse you in the alternative St. Louis and campus music communities, as well as the KWUR community. You will receive all the necessary training to be eligible for your own radio show in the fall semester; you will not need to go through the normal semester-long training process. Over the course of the program, you will be exposed to staples of the St. Louis music scene including a show at a local venue, a tour of the KDHX St. Louis community radio station, and record shopping at Vintage Vinyl. This program provides a great introduction to the St. Louis and WashU communities through the lens of music and a valuable jumping-off point if you wish to pursue college radio.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Leadership Through Service (LTS) offers a rare opportunity to explore and engage with the St. Louis community while acclimating to college life. The program includes daily community service projects, city excursions, inspiring discussions, and amazing memories. Join upperclass counselors eager to support your college transition with a perfect combination of eye-opening experiences and pure fun! You’ll see the “real” St. Louis, deepen your understanding of pressing social justice issues, build a network of like-minded friends, gain a solid connection to the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, and learn about opportunities to get involved through your four years. Join the fun as the city becomes your classroom.
WashU’s campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity offers a program for students interested in learning more about the struggles of St. Louis’s homeless community, understanding substandard housing, and getting to know a small, but passionate, group of students. You will spend four days exploring campus and St. Louis City while learning about community, homelessness, affordable housing, and poverty. If you are interested in service work and Habitat for Humanity, this program will give you a great opportunity to get involved on campus and in the community before you even have your first class as a student at WashU!
INNOVATION NATION: SOCIAL IMPACT THROUGH DESIGN Begin your WashU experience by applying classroom skills to tackle real issues in the community! Create change in St. Louis through design thinking! Our experienced student leaders will guide your interdisciplinary team through an empathy-driven process to research, brainstorm, prototype, and test a solution for an issue within the St. Louis community. No prior design experience required and people of all backgrounds are needed! Along with way too many Post-It Notes, Innovation Nation includes St. Louis excursions, insightful speakers, and the opportunity to be part of a community creating social impact. Want to generate some change? Become part of Innovation Nation!
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LEADERSHIP THROUGH SERVICE
RAISE YOUR VOICE What do Tina Fey and Kanye West have in common? Aside from being talented performers, they both would love this program! Fey started her comedy career in improv, and before he was a chart-topping rapper, West was a slam poet. With Raise Your Voice, you can get a first taste of the performing arts on campus and make new college friends while you’re at it! Choose which performance style you prefer (improve and sketch comedy or slam poetry), work in teams playing games and workshopping your art, and see both acts culminate in a show!
STARTUP (W)U
WORLD OF POLITICS
Have an idea? Innovative thinker? Jump right into innovation and entrepreneurship with Startup (W)U through the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation & Entrepreneurship! Whether you’re planning to major in art, science, engineering, business, or the humanities, you’ll experience the journey from idea to venture. You’ll also explore the entrepreneurial community around WashU and St. Louis through site visits and networking with innovative leaders. Most importantly, you’ll learn the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and discover how much a group of passionate people can accomplish in a few short days. Join us to see how innovation can change the world!
International affairs junkies and policy novices alike should find more than enough to enjoy in this year’s World of Politics program. Between learning firsthand about WashU’s place in the nation and in the world, participating in immersive multi-day simulations of international crises, and discovering the countless opportunities to get involved on and off campus (all before your classmates even set foot in St. Louis), any budding politico can have a blast! World of Politics is offered through the Washington University International Relations Council (WUIRC), home to WashU’s nationally recognized Model United Nations team, which regularly provides opportunities for first-year students to travel. Our organization is all about conversations and dialogue, and World of Politics is meant to showcase our active community to new students.
STUDENT UNION: LEAD WASHU Participating in Student Union: LEAD WashU is a great way to get a head start on leadership at WashU. In this program, you’ll work alongside current student leaders to develop your personal leadership style and enhance your leadership skills. In addition to getting a firsthand look at Student Union, you’ll meet and connect with peers, leaders, and administrators involved in SU’s 300+ student organizations. You’ll also explore some of St. Louis’s best attractions and historic districts. All in all, this program gives you a great understanding of your potential leadership roles at WashU and in the St. Louis community.
WILDERNESS PROJECT In Wilderness Project, you will backpack or rock climb in the beautiful Ozarks for a week. This program serves either to fuel outdoor passion or as a gentle introduction to outdoor recreation. Regardless of your outdoor experience, Wilderness Project introduces you to a tightly knit community before the school year begins. The program was founded on the philosophy that the natural environment provides a neutral space for facilitating life’s transitions, promoting personal growth, and discussing social issues. Outside the context of everyday routines, you will gain a powerful perspective on your life, your communities, and how you fit into a global society. The project is designed to challenge you to be effective socially and environmentally conscious leaders. No previous backpacking or climbing experience is necessary; however, participants should be capable of carrying a 30–40 pound pack for four to six miles per day throughout the weeklong program.
OTHER EARLY ARRIVAL PROGRAMS Even if you aren’t attending Pre-Orientation through the First Year Center, there may be a reason for your early arrival. Those programs that commonly require early arrival, along with a campus representative for each, are below. Danforth Scholars Program Jeffery Matthews, jmatthew@wustl.edu Deneb STARS Program Anthony Tillman, atillman@wustl.edu Ervin Scholars Program Robyn Hadley, robyn.hadley@wustl.edu Global Citizenship Program Brenna Keiser, bkeiser@wustl.edu Langsdorf Scholars Program Kim Shilling, kshilling@wustl.edu Honorary Scholars Programs Jennifer Romney, jlromney@wustl.edu Includes Compton, Mylonas, Moog, and Lien Rodriguez Scholars Program Julia Macias, julia.macias@wustl.edu Varsity sports Please contact your individual coach
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LETTERS FROM HOME Natalie Klug School of Engineering & Applied Science Class of 2019 The summer before I went away to college remains fresh in my memory. I remember wearing my Washington University T-shirt and hat to school on our last day of classes. I felt immense pride as well as excitement for the journey I had chosen ahead! Although, I also could not help but feel nervous as I realized my days in my small, familiar town appeared to be slipping away. Even though I was heading to my parents’ alma mater, I wondered what WashU had in store for me. From that day, I set out to make my summer unforgettable with my family and friends. That way, when it came time to go, I could truly feel like I made the most of my time at home as I planned to make the most of my opportunities at my new home, WashU. I moved right before high school and had learned to transition to the small town I now call home. I tried to reassure myself that this change to the WashU community would be great, just as my adjustment to a new town and new school ultimately was! It then dawned on me, the one thing I would be missing during this transition would be that my family would not be moving with me. My parents and two younger siblings also had adjusting to do as I adapted to college life. The moment I started noticing the transitions we were all about to start making was when I boarded the plane to our summer orientation program, SOAR, alone. Even though the program was just for a few days, both my parents and I started to choke up at the airport as we realized how often this event would occur in the upcoming future. I tried to cheer myself up on the plane and thought of all the fun stories I hoped I would have when I returned to them.
When I arrived on campus, I took some time to set up my things, to try out the comfortable bed I had heard so much about, and to look out at the new view I would soon be seeing every day. Suddenly, I heard a knock on the open door. It was my suitemate for the SOAR program! She came in and sat on my chair as we introduced ourselves. My nerves started to settle a bit as the conversation continued. What came next though is what made me sure I had made the right choice to travel so far from home; we found out that not only is she from a small suburb of Cleveland as well, but we live approximately 10 minutes from each other! Looking back, I realize the chances in all of this happening often are very slim. This chance reminded me that there are little pieces of our home surrounding us, no matter where we go. Once we compared our favorite places to go in Cleveland, we agreed it was time to go explore our new home at WashU together and with our fellow SOAR program attendees. That night, I called my family and told them all about my first day on campus. Having new experiences to share with them made our bond even stronger and I realized that the nearly 600 miles between us did not feel so far after all. As my summer came to a close, I knew saying goodbye to my home friends was only a “see you later!” My story was just beginning at WashU.
For additional parent and family resources, visit firstyear.wustl.edu/ parentandfamilyresources.
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FAMILY’S PERSPECTIVE Rose, EN ’90, ME/GR ’99, and Darren Klug, EN ’91 Chagrin Falls, Ohio Natalie is our eldest; her senior year had arrived. Wow—in 12 short months, we knew that most likely we would be moving her into her residential college, crossing the doorstep to her next great adventure. Over the course of that year, as we attended her cross country and swim meets, we found ourselves having to learn to accept that each event would be her last such high school event. It took us quite a while to learn how to smile as eagerly as we had seen so many other previous senior parents do for all of those “final” senior team events and pictures on award nights. As senior year moved along, we realized that we all were on the verge of adjusting to not having Natalie with us every day. How would her two younger siblings adjust to her departure? They had grown so close since Natalie had been their summer nanny and would help get them to their after school activities amidst her own activities. She was a great role model for her siblings, and we anticipated the transition for them as well. As summer approached, we all agreed it would be filled with good times with family and friends, old and new. Natalie once again worked with her friends as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the local community pool, hanging out with them after work. We all appreciated that catching up with her high school friends would be more infrequent over time. It was important for her to spend time with them now. We also felt it important to start building her WashU family. We had moved just before Natalie started high school and found that meeting a few people over the summer eased the transition and made for a few familiar faces as school started. She was active online in the WashU Facebook group for her class and signed up for SOAR. Finally, knowing that finding time for all five of us to be together would become more challenging and likely shorter in duration, we planned one last “Family Vacation Extraordinaire.” Attending the SOAR program was a great WashU beginning. In just three short days in June, she developed bonds that would provide familiar faces when she returned for Pre-Orientation later in August. She also benefited from the chance to learn the lay of the South 40 and Danforth Campus.
In August, we had our family time. We embarked from Cleveland on the quintessential “American West” road trip, only with two boxes of Natalie’s “clothes for Pre-O” buried under two weeks worth of luggage. The long car rides and beautiful scenery allowed us to have some great family discussions and adventures. While bittersweet, our trip ended with the whole family dropping Natalie off for Pre-O. For her siblings, we returned home the next day as they started their new school years. With our younger kids back in school, we returned with the rest of the Natalie’s gear for her first year and attended Parent & Family Orientation programs, culminating in the Convocation ceremony. While we caught only glimpses of Natalie during the festivities, we all seemed ready for the new beginning. As the weeks passed, we benefited from modern communication and found a weekly time to FaceTime. It sure is nice to “see” each other on a regular basis. While there are weeks that we miss speaking (sometimes no news is good news as she is busy with friends and her studies!), we do keep up with at least a few family texts in between. Despite the tears that were inevitably shed, we look forward to breaks and catching up with the mature young woman that we’re watching blossom right before our (now less weepy) eyes. Home remains in her heart, but WashU is the start of her life’s adventure. washington university in st. louis | 33
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C H A P T ER T W O
MOVE-IN & BEAR BEGINNINGS washington university in st. louis | 35
MOVE IN & BEAR BEGINNINGS So your luggage and boxes are packed, painter’s tape across the front of each piece with your name, residence hall, room number, and cell phone number labeled clearly in Sharpie. You had your final meal at your favorite restaurant with friends and family and hugged the family pet goodbye. It is time to set out on your journey to campus, and we know you have a lot of questions… “How will I know what to do when I get to campus? Where is my residence hall located on the South 40? Am I going to get lost? How am I going to get my TV and 10 boxes of clothes up to my room on the third floor? Who will I eat dinner with the first night my family is gone? How am I going to be ready for classes? What books should I buy?” Don’t worry! The First Year Center, Residential Life, your academic division, and the entire WashU community are ready to answer all of your questions and help you every step of the way. This section will give you step-by-step instructions on how to get to campus, how to navigate Move-In Day, and what Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation has to offer as you prepare for learning and life on campus.
SECTION CONTENTS • Move-In Day • Making the Most of Bear Beginnings • A Snapshot of Your First Few Days • Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation • People You Will Meet • Life after Bear Beginnings
MOVE-IN DAY BEGINS AUGUST 24, 2017 AT 8:30 AM.
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MOVE-IN DAY We at the First Year Center think that Move-In Day at WashU is one of the most exciting days of the year. We know you are nervous about the days ahead, but we have been preparing for your arrival all summer! Move-In Day is your chance to get settled into your room; finally meet your roommates, your RA, and your WUSA; eat in Bear’s Den; pick up some great giveaways by the Clocktower; have your first official floor meeting; and chant your way to Convocation.
GETTING TO CAMPUS Washington University is easily accessible by car, plane, train, and public transportation. You’ll want to talk with your family this summer to plan out what the best way for you to arrive will be. Detailed instructions and directions for arrival by car, plane, train, or MetroLink are available at firstyear.wustl.edu. Plane St. Louis Lambert International Airport is about a 20-minute drive from campus and connects you with major cities across the country. The airport is served by Air Canada, Air Choice One, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, Southwest, and United, along with some smaller carriers. You can get to campus from the airport by either MetroLink, car, or cab. Train Gateway Station serves as a connection point for Amtrak, making it easy to reach Chicago and Kansas City. The station is about 15 minutes east of campus in downtown St. Louis. Car Whether you’re driving from your house (wherever that may be) to WashU or coming from the airport, campus is easy to get to by car. Located just off of I-64, Washington University’s suburban location is very car friendly and many parking areas are located across campus. You can park anywhere on campus while Bear Beginnings is in session, so you won’t need to worry about a parking pass unless you are a commuter or transfer student with a parking pass. You cannot, however, park in a red-zone spot at any time.
ARRIVING TO CAMPUS Although the residence halls will officially open at 8:30 AM, we encourage you to consider coming a little later in the morning. MoveIn Day often leads to heavy traffic. We do our best to keep lines moving and make your arrival as smooth as possible, but please be prepared to wait in traffic prior to turning onto campus. Arriving later in the day may allow for a shorter wait time. When turning onto Shepley Drive from Big Bend Boulevard, you will be immediately greeted by staff who will give you directions about where and how to unload your vehicle. At your unloading zone, a team of students will help unload your car and assist you in moving all of your belongings to your room. As soon as your car is unloaded, we ask that the driver park in a more permanent space on campus.
DRIVING TO CAMPUS FOR MOVE-IN DAY If you are using a GPS, be sure to use one of the following addresses to get to the right location on campus: If you’re living on the South 40, you’ll want directions to: 6614 Shepley Drive Clayton*, MO 63105 If you’re on the North Side, you’ll want directions to: 6985 Snow Way University City*, MO 63130 NOTE: On Move-In Day, you must enter the South 40 via Shepley Drive from Big Bend Boulevard. The South 40 entrance from Wallace Drive is closed on Move-In Day. The Wydown Boulevard entrance is always closed. Your GPS may not reflect this. * Some navigation systems may also recognize Saint Louis or St. Louis as the city for both of the above addresses, but these are the official names of the cities WashU is in.
In order to have the smoothest move possible, we suggest you pack all belongings in boxes or plastic bins. Label each box or bin with your name, cell phone number, residential college building, and room number.
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WHERE TO UNLOAD YOUR CAR
2
Shepley Drive (one-way travel, west to east)
1
Transfer Students Transfer students living on the South 40 will check in at Residential Life, located in the South 40 House. If you are living in Village House, Village East, Lopata House, Millbrook apartments, or in off-campus Residential Life buildings, check-in will be located on the north side of campus in the Village House living room. You must enter campus via Snow Way Drive, located off of Big Bend Boulevard. For details, visit firstyear.wustl.edu.
PARKING After unloading, we ask the driver to move the vehicle to a permanent parking space. For the duration of Bear Beginnings and Parent & Family Orientation, you will not need a parking permit, and you are allowed to park in any space available on campus except for designated red parking spaces. If you park at a meter, you must pay for parking. First-year and sophomore students are not allowed to park cars on campus. This regulation is taken very seriously and violations will have serious implications. For more information, visit parking.wustl.edu.
CHECK-IN Check-in is located in the lobby of your residence house. Please be sure to bring a photo ID. At check-in, you will receive your Bear Beginnings packet, which includes the orientation schedule, your student ID, and your U-Pass (a city public transportation pass—register in advance to receive it upon arrival to campus!). You will also receive your room key and other important information and documentation from Residential Life. Don’t forget to pick up your shirt for Convocation!
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3
Wallace Drive (two-way Travel)
Foot Path to main Cam pus
If you are living on the South 40, you must enter campus via Shepley Drive, located off of Big Bend Boulevard. First-year student check-in will be located in the lobby of your residential college. For details, visit firstyear.wustl.edu.
Forsyth Boulevard (two-way travel) Big Bend Boulevard (two-way travel)
First-Year Students
Wydown Boulevard (two-way travel)
1 Enter Here Living on the South 40? On MoveIn Day, you’ll enter from Big Bend Blvd. and proceed through the checkpoint where you’ll receive directions to the unloading zone for your residential college. 2 Shepley Garage This garage will offer some shortterm parking on Move-In Day. 3 Wallace Garage This garage will also offer some short-term parking on Move-In Day. Note: Long-term parking will be available on main campus.
OK, you have settled into your room—now what? Get ready for an amazing four days of Bear Beginnings!
BEAR BEGINNINGS: NEW STUDENT FALL ORIENTATION YOUR OFFICIAL INTRODUCTION TO WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Bear Beginnings, held from August 24 through August 27, will aid you with your academic, social, cultural, and personal transition to Washington University and St. Louis. Our programs and events will provide you with an opportunity to learn about the university and meet your peers before classes begin on Monday, August 28. During this time, you will have the chance to meet with your advisor and finalize your course schedule. You will also attend programs and events where you can explore what it means to be a WashU student both inside and outside of the classroom, while meeting others who are new to WashU. By fully participating in Bear Beginnings, you’ll have an opportunity to not only discover the campus community but also begin to prepare for a successful first year. COMMON READING PROGRAM Keep an eye out for your Common Reading Program book, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, which you will receive from the university in the summer. Chosen by a selection committee of students, faculty, and staff, the Common Reading Program book is an interesting and stimulating read, one that underpins your first academic experience at Washington University. Read the book before your arrival on campus and think about its themes. What are your opinions? What would you like to ask your new classmates or professors? During Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation, you will participate in a lively group discussion of the book led by a member of the WashU faculty or staff. We urge you to approach the Common Reading Program discussions in a spirit of openness. This is a unique and valuable opportunity to challenge yourself, share your ideas, learn about other viewpoints, and meet and engage in dialogue with your classmates. There are no right or wrong answers, no grades, and diverse viewpoints and perspectives will be encouraged and respected. The more involved you choose to be, the more you will take away from this experience. Throughout the first semester, you will encounter themes from the book in classes, discussions, and engaging on-campus programming. For more information, check out the Common Reading Program website fyrp.wustl.edu. Happy reading!
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS For first-year students, your first mandatory event at Bear Beginnings is your residential floor meeting at 5:30 PM on Thursday, August 24. The location of your meeting will be posted on your residential floor—and don’t forget to wear your Convocation shirt! Be sure that you are settled in, you have eaten dinner, and you are ready to go by 5:15 PM. TRANSFER STUDENTS For transfer students, your first mandatory event at Bear Beginnings is the Transfer & Exchange Student Welcome on the afternoon of Thursday, August 24. The time and location of the meeting will be emailed to you in early August.
The Common Reading Program holds a contest each year based on the text you’ve read. To learn more and enter it, check out firstyear.wustl.edu/programsevents/common-readingprogram washington university in st. louis | 39
MAKING THE MOST OF BEAR BEGINNINGS Mariel Ehrlich College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Move-In Day is definitely an exciting and overwhelming time— between learning your way around campus to meeting your new floormates and peers, it is a day like no other. Every new student spends the day unpacking and learning new names. Even if you feel lost, there is an upperclass student there to offer help and point you in the right direction, and feelings of disorientation turn to excitement with a positive, open mind. It is fair to say that WashU goes above and beyond to create a comfortable transition into university life for each student. Everyone on campus wants new students to feel welcomed and Move-In Day and Bear Beginnings prove this reality of WashU within the first few days on campus. Bear Beginnings is a unique orientation period occurring before first-year students start classes, as it introduces students to each other and the values that ground WashU in school spirit, intellectual curiosity, and inclusivity. Convocation Convocation welcomes you to your complete class community, filled with school spirit and ceremonies that begin your undergraduate journey. After you meet your residential community, students attend convocation together and are filled with the spirit of meaningful speeches, residential hall mascots, cheers, waving family members, and a ceremony in Brookings Quad. At first, it was overwhelming for me to be loud and proud with my new classmates because my high school had little spirit, but once I embraced the excitement, I had an unforgettable night. Convocation is the start of a college adventure and every student deserves the excitement of a new beginning! Floor Meetings Each day of Bear Beginnings, new students will have floor meetings with their residential community. The meetings introduce you to your RAs and WUSAs, who are your floor leaders and your go-to peer mentors and support systems throughout the year. Most importantly, you begin to bond with your floormates through discussions about community and yourselves. Floor meetings are a great place to ask questions throughout Bear Beginnings, get tips for the start of classes, and receive necessary updates on tasks and expectations during your first week on campus.
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The Common Reading Program The Common Reading Program was definitively my favorite part of Bear Beginnings because it combined the intellectual curiosity and community values that WashU upholds in every discussion. During this event, students come together in small groups within residential communities to discuss a book that students read before arriving at Bear Beginnings. The discussions are led by RAs, faculty members or professors, and the Common Reading Program is a great way to genuinely learn from your peers without the pressure of classroom grades. The selected book is chosen to inspire conversation from different perspectives and experiences that each student uniquely holds, and the discussions encourage open-mindedness and new ideas. Faculty Spotlights Faculty Spotlights are small presentations spread throughout Bear Beginnings. At the presentations, students have the opportunity to meet campus faculty who share their research, academic interests, and passions in a public talk. The faculty are nominated by current students, so their speeches are an inspiring and worthwhile way to begin thinking like a college student. It is really helpful to attend the events of faculty from a field you may be interested in studying because they will likely offer valuable perspectives and tips on their area of study. Definitely look out for these events, which are too easily lost in the busyness of Bear Beginnings, as Faculty Spotlights have the potential to shape your academic interests in unexpected and inspiring ways.
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR FIRST FEW DAYS When you arrive on campus in August, you will receive a complete schedule of events happening during your first few days. Here’s a simplified version of that schedule to give you a sense of how much is planned for you.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24 Morning
Move-In Day begins at 8:30 AM, giving you plenty of time to get unpacked before the evening’s activities begin.
Afternoon
You should plan to arrive no later than 4 PM (the earlier the better). When you are not unpacking, check out the groups and departments around the Clocktower or attend one of our many cultural receptions.
Evening
Your first official floor meeting at 5:30 PM introduces you to your Residential College, RCD, RAs, and WUSAs. You will then head over to the Athletics Complex for Convocation, the signature event of Bear Beginnings. Don’t forget to wear your Convocation shirt!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 Morning
The first full day of Bear Beginnings starts with the Common Reading Program discussion. Individual meetings also begin in certain academic divisions.
Afternoon
Language placement exams are held this afternoon. Also, check out the open houses for academic departments of interest to you. Several student services departments will also have open houses and information sessions.
Evening
You’ll have some free time for dinner before meeting with the rest of your floor to learn important information as well as policies and procedures in the residence halls. After that, head over to the Sumers Recreation Center and get to know fellow members of the Class of 2021.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 Morning
You’ll attend one of three WU Life series experiences to learn how college differs from high school and the expectations of being a WashU student. Each performance will be followed by a discussion with members of your residential floor.
Afternoon
Learn more about your school’s curriculum at the Dean’s Meeting and other important sessions through your academic division.
Evening
You’ll attend one of the three WU Life series you didn’t see this morning. After the discussion, head over to the Danforth University Center and get a fun introduction to student life.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 Morning
You’ll attend the third WU Life series—whichever one you didn’t attend yesterday.
Afternoon
School-specific events and meetings happen throughout the afternoon.
Evening
Classes begin tomorrow! You’ll take some time with your WUSAs and RAs to review some last minute tips for success and logistics of being a WU student. Afterwards, head over to the Swamp for a movie.
Bear Beginnings schedules will be on the First Year Center website, firstyear.wustl.edu, this summer. You’ll receive an official welcome packet with finalized details when you arrive on campus in August, too.
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PEOPLE YOU WILL MEET Helen Skerrett
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Moving into college my first year at WashU, I was simultaneously the most prepared and unprepared I’d ever been. I’d spent what felt like the whole summer getting tips and advice from everyone around me, but I was also entering territory that I barely knew a thing about. Spending hours online reading articles about college and traveling the country visiting colleges can only tell you so much. As my family drove up to my building in a rental car exploding with bags and suitcases, I felt like a kid going to Disney World for the first time. The second our car came to a stop, a pit team of student leaders swarmed the car to help us unload my things, offering us a hand with everything and anything we needed to do. Coming from New England, this hospitality was almost unnerving, but the genuine care and comfort I felt from those around me immediately made me feel like I was simply coming home. Greeting me as I arrived were my WUSAs (Washington University Student Associates, pronounced WOO-sah) and RAs (Residential Advisors). After having seen them all on Facebook over the summer, it was great to finally meet them in person and utilize their help in carrying everything up to the third floor. In addition to these student leaders, I met my RCD (Residential College Director); you may even encounter your FA (Faculty Associate) or FF (Faculty Fellow) on MoveIn Day. These professional staff members manage residential college events and staff and make the first year feel like home. I finally met my five suitemates, including my roommate. Even though it was definitely difficult to remember everyone’s names (I ended up having to ask people’s name at least one more time on average), it was nice to remember that everyone I was meeting was just as nervous as I was. I might have been extremely nervous but so many people around me were extremely nervous as well, which made me feel a lot less lonely in such a new experience like college. Even past the first day, I felt like I was meeting a new person every five minutes. Whether they were people on my floor, in my building, in my classes, advising groups, clubs, or in the dining halls, I was constantly meeting and getting to know incredible people. Along the way, however, I also got to know all of the people who were there to support me in every way. When I walked into the dining hall for the first time, my WUSA taught me how to order 42 | bear facts
from the pasta station. As I was picking out classes, my four-year advisor showed me the ins and outs of course selection and answered every question I had about college, including whether we needed to raise our hands to go to the bathroom. My RA was there to make sure my suite was all getting along and my RCD was there to go over guidelines and ensure that everyone was having a happy and healthy semester. During Bear Beginnings, I met my second faculty member at WashU and passionately discussed the Common Reading Program book with a group of my peers in a small discussion group. The dean of my academic division introduced herself during a presentation that not only made me feel prepared, but also extremely excited to begin my time at WashU. At my first floor meeting, I was introduced to even more members of my WashU Residential College team, including my Residential College’s RPMs (Residential Peer Mentors) and STC (Student Technology Coordinator). Everyone I was meeting was kinder than I could have imagined, and as I went on, they only got more welcoming and generous. I ultimately chose WashU for its incredibly personable and passionate people, and thrived for the same reason.
LIFE AFTER BEAR BEGINNINGS Jadine Sonoda
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Sitting at the last floor meeting of Bear Beginnings, the night before the first day of classes, it suddenly hit me that I was going to wake up and have to go to college—whatever that meant—in the morning. Orientation had taught me about graduation requirements and campus resources, but I still was nervous for what was coming. The next morning, I told myself I would just go with the flow and see what happened, glad I at least knew where my classes were after finding them with my mom in our spare time that weekend. (You can find a map of WashU that highlights which buildings your classes are in on WebSTAC—use this as a resource!) My first few days went by in a blur, but eventually I figured out my routine and things started to slow down and fall into place. I got used to when I needed to start my homework, when I had time to hang out in the common room with my floormates, and which of my new friends had the same lunch breaks as me. Academically, college is a real change from high school. That being said, WashU has resources to help you stay on track in every class. For me, these were most helpful in General Chemistry, known as GenChem, a class that holds a reputation of keeping many students up late studying. My first lecture was definitely intimidating—there were around 300 students who I didn’t know, and even though most of the class was spent going over the syllabus, I started to worry because I hadn’t taken Chemistry in three years and we were already getting into the nitty gritty of electrons. Despite my fears, GenChem became one of my favorite classes. I went to RPM hours (Residential Peer Mentoring) and PLTL (Peer Led Team Learning) every week and studied before exams with the 10+ other people on my floor taking the class. By the end of the semester, I knew how to study well and had many genuinely fun times working through the material.
Your first-year floor is also a big part of your first semester. I had no idea what residential college living would be like, but it turned out to be a great experience. My roommate and I have taken classes together, explored St. Louis, and spent many nights laughing at silly things. After spending so much time together on the floor and doing fun activities with our RAs and WUSAs, she and many other floormates have become some of my best friends at WashU. Looking back and comparing the beginning and end of my first semester, Day 1 was a whirlwind—at the time I felt so busy, but now realizing my Mondays totaled to a whopping three hours of class, it can be hard to figure out why it was so overwhelming. But that’s what college is—at least at first. It can be hard and confusing, but there are plenty of people to help you along the way. As you’ll see over your first semester, life after Bear Beginnings is an exciting time, filled with great classes, freedom, support, new friends, and happy memories.
So classes work out eventually, but academics aren’t the only part of college—student groups are a great way to meet other students. I decided to join the WashU chapter of Habitat for Humanity and a group called SODA: Student Organ Donation Advocates, and through each I’ve had great experiences and met many interesting people from different backgrounds.
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C H A P T ER T H R E E
LEARNING ON CAMPUS washington university in st. louis | 45
LEARNING ON CAMPUS After Bear Beginnings, it’ll be Day 1 of your academic career at Washington University. As you walk from the South 40 through the Underpass, you will be greeted by faculty and staff who will hand out morning snacks and school supplies. There will even be a chance to take a “first day of school” photo to send home—just like the kind you might have taken on your first day of kindergarten. (Trust us: the throwback is actually pretty cool.) Once you walk through the Underpass, the incredible academic opportunities of WashU will be ready and waiting for you. You can explore 87 majors and 99 minors. You’ll take classes from world-renowned experts in their fields. You will engage, you will learn, you will discover. You will also experience a transition period. The first few days of the fall semester may be the first time you’ve ever been in a large lecture class with 50, 100, or even 300 of your peers. You might also be in your first small seminar with only a dozen classmates and your professor. You may have your first science laboratory section or foreign language practice section. You may find that courses don’t necessarily unfold in the traditional classroom and find yourself on a bus traveling around St. Louis to see the evolution of architecture across more than two and a half centuries. We hope that whatever your first semester brings, you lean in and take full advantage of every experience. While you’re discovering all the incredible academic opportunities at WashU, know that there are also a plethora of resources available to support you—The Writing Center, Cornerstone: The Learning Center, and the Office of Undergraduate Research are just a few of the departments available to help ensure you have a successful academic career. Continues on page 48
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SECTION CONTENTS • Welcome from Provost Thorp • Academic Divisions • Meet the Deans • Academic Integrity • Academic Advising • Succeeding in the Classroom • Contemplating Your Major? • Letter from a Faculty Member • Academic Opportunities • Getting a “B” • Study Abroad • Academic Resources • Getting to Know Your Faculty
WELCOME FROM PROVOST THORP HOLDEN THORP
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Professor of Chemistry and Medicine As the provost of Washington University, let me be one of the first to welcome you to St. Louis. “Great,” you think, “what is a provost?” The provost is the chief academic officer, so I’m responsible for all of the schools, classes, student life, research, and, well, pretty much everything that will be part of your life at WashU. But I’m not as famous as my boss, the chancellor, so I mostly work behind the scenes. If you see someone in a suit on campus whom you don’t recognize, that’s probably me. You made two bold decisions when you decided to come to WashU. The first was to attend a research university. That means that the faculty who teach in your classes are also involved in original research— in doing and trying and writing things that have never been done before. Don’t leave WashU without taking advantage of that. Be part of making the history of knowledge. Ask your professors about their research and get involved in undergraduate research. The second bold decision was to come to a place that was smaller and more committed to undergraduate education than most other major research universities. Yes, your faculty members are very involved in their research, but they chose to be here because they wanted to be at a place where they could be active scholars and heavily engaged in undergraduate teaching. When you put these two things together, there’s something else that is likely to happen that is more serious—you’re going to learn a lot about the great problems facing the world: climate change, poverty, conflict, inequality, disease. We like problems at WashU, because we believe that all of you have the energy and brainpower needed to get them fixed, particularly when you’re in this intimate and innovative environment. And whether you study engineering, biology, or the humanities, you’re going to think a lot about these problems. I know our brochures are filled with smiling students sitting in the Quad and enjoying ThurtenE Carnival. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of all that here. But we’re going to challenge you, too. We’re going to invite you into the messy, complicated world of problems we live in. We want you debating these problems with your fellow students and the faculty and staff, because when you leave here, you’re the ones we’re counting on to do something about it.
We want you to challenge us as well. If you see something at WashU that you don’t like, let us know. Push us to do the best for you and your education. We don’t know it all. Sometimes the questions you ask make our research better or make our university better. Put your hand up. You probably thought you were coming here to learn the answers to questions. Actually, you can find the answers to most questions on your iPhone. We want you to learn what questions to ask. Questions like, “Why do things have to be this way?” and, “What can I do to create change?” Of course, you probably also want to ask, “Did Chancellor Wrighton really invent glow sticks?” You can’t find the answer to that on your phone. You’ll have to ask him yourself. Welcome, Bears. We can’t wait to see what you folks come up with. More than anything, we hope you will take this time to try new things and, through your learning, discover what might become your passion or career.
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ACADEMIC DIVISIONS COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Your first year in Arts & Sciences will be one of discovery and exploration as you lay the foundation for areas of interest you’ve already identified and try out subjects that are new to you. We encourage you to take advantage of the course offerings designed specifically for first-year students. First-year seminars allow you to dive deeply into a topic or wrestle with an idea or concept from multiple perspectives as you build a relationship with your professor in a small class environment. Some seminars introduce you to multiple faculty members and their research interests; they’re great ways to learn about the cutting-edge work your professors are doing when they’re not in the classroom. FOCUS programs and other guided curricula (e.g., Medicine and Society, Text and Tradition) provide more sustained introductions over your first year or two to a topic or a field, while also providing many opportunities for you to get to know other students who share your interests. In a number of fields, you can also begin getting involved in research in your first year—it’s not too early! By the time you reach the end of your first year, we hope your world will be a lot bigger, more complicated (in a good way!), and more challenging than when you started.
College of Arts & Sciences PHONE
(314) 935-6800 EMAIL
college@wustl.edu WEBSITE
artsci.wustl.edu
OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL Welcome to the Olin Business School! Your experience at Olin will be a stepping-stone to the world of business. Starting from day one you will have an opportunity to learn about business innovation and collaboration and fundamental business practices. In “Management 100: Individual in a Managerial Environment,” you will learn to think critically about business’s role in society and the world and about the individual as an employee, customer, and manager of a business firm. “Management 150A: Foundations of Business,” will allow you to flex your entrepreneurial muscles by creating a consumer product idea. Your team’s product and strategy will develop over the course of the semester as you learn about each major business function. The Olin Business School fosters a collaborative atmosphere amongst peers. We provide occasions to engage with Olin administration and faculty members. There are more than 25 Olin Business School groups and organizations to get involved in and ample opportunities to hear from and interact with alumni and business leaders. All these things create a rigorous and supportive undergraduate experience. We are excited to welcome you to Washington University in St. Louis and the Olin family!
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Olin Business School PHONE
(314) 935-6315 WEBSITE
olin.wustl.edu
SAM FOX SCHOOL OF DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS We’re glad you’ve decided to join our diverse community of architects, artists, and designers at the Sam Fox School. As an architecture student, your first year will be centered on a foundation studio in design—you’ll even get the chance to design a small building. In addition, you’ll take a drawing class with art students and a lecture course taught by our deans. And you will begin to explore your interests beyond architecture by taking classes in Arts & Sciences. Art students will begin to build awareness, competence, and confidence through studio experiences in 2-D and 3-D design. Like the architecture students, you will take a drawing class and a lecture course taught by our deans, and take classes in other academic areas. For all Sam Fox School students, the first year is a time to explore a number of activities. You can join one of the student councils for art or architecture or participate in the WashU chapter of a professional organization like AIGA, AIA, or NOMAS. Take advantage of a free student membership at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. Join the Kemper Student Council and attend special student-focused events, exhibition openings, and gallery talks. The museum also hosts film series and Friday evening concerts throughout the year. Your first year at the Sam Fox School will be exciting, challenging, and rewarding, and you’ll have the support of your faculty, advisors, and fellow classmates to help make it all happen.
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts PH O NE
(314) 935-6532 EM A IL
gbinning@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
samfoxschool.wustl.edu
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCE New students in the School of Engineering & Applied Science can be “hands on” right from the start. While we know that you will likely have a challenging set of classes first semester, there are still many opportunities to balance the course load with exciting and stimulating activities. The National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Women Engineers host social and mentorship events. Engineers without Borders, Engineering World Health, and the WU Racing Team develop leadership ability by putting building skills to good use. EnCouncil, the student council of the School of Engineering & Applied Science, supports students as a liaison to faculty and administration and hosts school- and university-wide events. Invention and entrepreneurship programs are another way to get involved quickly in practical learning. The School of Engineering & Applied Science sponsors a Discovery Competition that nurtures prototype development and awards $25,000 to winning teams. Firstyear students are serious contenders every year.
School of Engineering & Applied Science PH O NE
(314) 935-6100 W EB S ITE
engineering.wustl.edu
The school’s atmosphere is active and collaborative. This collective spirit begins student-to-student and extends to relationship-building with faculty and staff. A two-tier advising system with an Engineering Student Services four-year advisor and a faculty advisor in your major supports your experience from arrival to graduation and beyond.
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MEET THE DEANS At Washington University, deans of the various schools and colleges serve as the leaders of their respective programs. You’ll meet the dean unique to your school (and quite possibly the deans of other schools) during Bear Beginnings. Each school and college has several assistant and associate deans, as well. Their responsibilities vary, but they often oversee specific programs and initiatives for students or serve as academic advisors.
OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL MARK TAYLOR
BA Oxford University, MA Oxford University MA Liverpool University, MSc London University MBA London University, PhD London University DSc Warwick University How can a student make the most of their time at WashU? Get out and explore. Be receptive to a wide variety of ideas.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES BARBARA A. SCHAAL
BS University of Illinois, Chicago MPhil Yale University PhD Yale University What do you remember most about your first year in school? A general chemistry lab experiment gone awry that resulted in a (small) fire.
SAM FOX SCHOOL OF DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS CARMON COLANGELO
BFA University of Windsor MFA Louisiana State University How could a student make the most of their time at WashU? It’s simple. Pursue your passion.
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES JENNIFER SMITH
AB Harvard College ScM University of Pennsylvania PhD University of Pennsylvania How can you make the most of your first year at WashU? Explore! Socially and academically. You don’t yet know the limits of your interests and abilities.
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCE AARON BOBICK
BS & PhD Massachusetts Institute of Technology How can you make the most out of your first year at WashU? Start to become the person you want to be, which might not be the one who left home. 50 | bear facts
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
ACADEMIC ADVISING
At Washington University, academic integrity is strongly valued. Effective learning, teaching, and research all depend upon the ability of members of the academic community to trust one another and to trust the integrity of work that is submitted in classes for academic credit or conducted in the wider arena of scholarly research. When such an atmosphere of mutual trust exists, the free exchange of ideas is fostered, and all members of the community are able to work to achieve their highest potential.
ROLE OF THE ACADEMIC ADVISOR
In all academic work, it is important that the ideas and contributions of others be appropriately acknowledged and that work that is presented as original is in fact original. Ensuring the honesty and fairness of the intellectual environment at Washington University is a responsibility that is shared by faculty, students, and administrative staff. The expectations of Washington University may be different from your high school or previous institution and it is not uncommon for new students to feel stressed or overwhelmed at some point during their first year. It is often in these situations that students violate the principles of academic integrity. The university takes the academic integrity policy very seriously. All violations will be reported on your graduate and professional school applications. To help avoid and manage the stress that may lead a student to violate these principles, many academic resources are available.
Washington University is committed to providing students with the assistance and support needed to achieve their academic goals. As part of that commitment, WashU provides each student with an academic advisor. Your academic division will match you with an advisor who will help you plan a successful course of study, navigate course listings, and assist you with choosing classes that correspond with your interests. Advisors meet with students each semester, or more if desired, to discuss academic, personal, and career goals. • Work with you on the broad issues of academic planning. • Help you sort through the options to build a successful academic plan. • Advise you on semester-by-semester details of course selection. • Explain general academic requirements. • Suggest courses that meet your needs and suit your interests. • Let you know about special opportunities such as study abroad, undergraduate research, and Career Center events. • Connect you with additional resources across campus, including academic support and involvement beyond the classroom. • Monitor progress towards the degree.
THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF OFFENSE Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of data or records, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, misrepresentations of student status, and résumé falsification, or otherwise violating the Academic Integrity Policy. Knowingly making false allegations of academic misconduct against any student will itself be considered a form of academic misconduct. It’s a good policy to always ask your professors for clarification on their specific expectations before submitting any course work. It is always better to ask for an extension or simply turn in a late assignment rather than violate the Academic Integrity Policy. If you are confused about methods of citation or research techniques, check out the many resources listed in this book. There is always someone you can turn to for help.
WERE YOU AWARE THAT THESE ACTIONS CONSTITUTE A BREACH OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY? • Placing false information on your résumé • Unauthorized collaboration on course assignments • Copying items from the Internet without proper citations or rephrasing published or unpublished material without providing proper citation • Changing data in your lab notebook • Accessing back files or examinations without express permission from the professor
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SUCCEEDING IN THE CLASSROOM Yasmeen Jasnica
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Welcome to campus, Class of 2021! You are about to embark on your first semester here, and we are so excited for you! Here are some tips for finding your footing as a student in a college classroom. Read the syllabus This sounds like something you know how to do, but the number of people who do not look at the syllabus highly correlates with the number who are scrambling at the end of the semester trying to figure out what grade they need on the final to get a certain grade. Nine times out of 10, the syllabus tells you everything you need to know: grade breakdowns, important dates and deadlines, resources available to you, and sometimes even advice on how to succeed in the classroom. All of these tools will help you be the most successful student you can be. Map out your days Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with my calendar. At the beginning of every semester, I add all of my classes, assignments, work days, and extracurricular meetings to my calendar. For things that come up on a daily basis, I add them as soon as I find out so that way when the day comes, I am already aware that the event is taking place. Google calendar has a feature where you can repeat certain events, like classes for example, for weeks on end. If planning the semester in advance isn’t really your thing, consider planning week by week. To-do lists are also great ways to stay on top of everything you need to do and it feels great when you get to cross things off of the list! Time Management and Sleep While time management and sleep don’t seem related, they are best friends! Time management is essential to succeeding in the classroom. Say you have an eight-page paper due on Friday on a book that you’ve been reading in class. When do you start? I’m sure many people would say Thursday, but doing that is not a good idea. For one, you risk not finishing your assignment. You may also miss an opportunity to get your assignment revised by someone which can really help your grade. While you’re staying up late to complete an assignment at the last minute, you can also miss out on valuable sleep time. Sleep is vital to your mental and physical health. People our age should be getting 9–10 hours a night! So, consider starting that eight-page paper on Sunday and knocking out two 52 | bear facts
pages a day and getting it revised the day before it’s due. This will allow you to stay on top of work from other classes as well, giving your body some much needed sleep. Take at least one class outside of what you normally would If you get outside your comfort zone and take a class outside of all of those prerequisites or classes that help you get on your desired path whether that be pre-med, engineering, or business, you might find yourself enjoying your learning time more. Having at least one of my classes to expand my perspective has helped me stay more engaged in all of my other classes. Don’t forget to take a break! At a school as prestigious as ours, it is sometimes hard to find a balance with schoolwork. It is important to understand that while school, work, and co-curricular commitments are important, your mental health is too. When things are starting to get stressful, take a break. Go to the movies, the zoo, the art museum, or take a walk around campus. Also, be aware that there are so many people willing to listen if you need them. Your professors, advisor, RAs, and WUSAs are just some of the people who will be there for you if you’re feeling stressed about your course work or need a listening ear.
CONTEMPLATING YOUR MAJOR? Jessie Lee
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Being undecided may be your best decision. During high school, I never knew how to answer the question “So, what do you want to be when you grow up?” It seemed like everyone else had a specific career in mind, along with an entire specific plan on how to get there. I always had a lot of interests, but could never land on one to focus on like others seemed to do. And then, senior year came around, and so did the pressure of deciding what schools to apply to and what classes to register for. Two of my most enjoyable classes were AP Bio and Human Anatomy, and so I took that as a sign to go down the pre-health track, although my major was undecided. My grandfather had been a prominent surgeon and I figured that maybe I would be the first to follow in his footsteps. However, toward the end of my first year, I realized that my plan wasn’t exactly working out. I struggled with my courses and had a hard time being interested in the subject matter itself. I was stressed, confused, and terrified because there I was, one year into my college career and I had no idea where else to go. After many long talks with my advisor and friends in different departments of the school, I finally decided to register for some classes that were outside of my comfort zone, and I quickly realized that there were endless possibilities WashU offered. One of these classes was one called Great Philosophers. I had never taken a philosophy course before, and honestly didn’t know much about it, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed learning this new topic and applied it to what I was studying in my psychology class. On top of that, I was able to fit in a Spanish conversation class where I was able to develop my speaking skills while learning more about the culture. Having a semester be full of classes that I was quickly developing a passion for gave me freedom. I wasn’t only taking my classes to fulfill requirements; I was finally exploring topics that I loved.
After three whole semesters, I finally have declared myself to be a Philosophy-NeurosciencePsychology major with a minor in Spanish, and I could not be happier with my decision. I am now on a major track taking classes that I never knew I loved, where I look forward to taking every class in the semesters to come. So go out there, take a class you never thought you’d take, join a student group that sounds interesting, talk to upperclass students who are in a completely different field of study. You never know—you just might find your future.
2016–2017 Stats
5
Colleges
87
Major Programs
99
Minors
3,645
Professors
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LETTER FROM A FACULTY MEMBER BRIAN D. CARPENTER
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology & Brain Sciences, Former Fellow, Eliot Residential College Professor Snape, Professor Xavier, Professor Farnsworth—are these the only professors you’ve known? If so, we’ve got a surprise for you when you arrive on the WashU campus. We don’t wear capes. We can’t read your minds. Our careers are not focused on creating doomsday devices and atomic supermen. Instead, what you’re going to find is a group of bright, energetic scholars ready to share their enthusiasm for learning about the world. Still, you may have questions about who these professors are and what they actually do. What is the life of a WashU professor really like, and how will you interact with them? As professors on the WashU campus, we have multifaceted jobs. First, we’re all researchers discovering new things and adding to the knowledge in our respective disciplines. Faculty conduct groundbreaking research in every school on campus, on such diverse topics as gamma-rays emanating from quasars, the politics of natural resources, nanoparticles designed to deliver medications, interventions to reduce obesity in pregnant women, the impact of the occult sciences on the fine arts, the genetics of breast cancer, the psychology of negotiations, and more. The faculty brings in millions of dollars in grants every year to support that research, and we mentor graduate students who are pursuing advanced study in a particular area. We’re also eager to get undergraduates involved in research too. You’ll find opportunities throughout the university to collaborate with professors on their research, work side by side with the faculty in developing and executing research, and maybe even design your own research project. The second major role of a professor is, well, to “profess,” to teach. We spend many hours preparing lectures, planning discussions, choosing books and articles and films and music to share with you, and figuring out how to present it all in a way that will test you intellectually, stretch your mind, and prepare you for an ever more complicated world. Just as our research is diverse in its focus, so too is our teaching. With just a brief glance at the course catalog, you’ll see the faculty have prepared compelling classes that touch a large universe of topics. Here’s a sampling: The Archaeology of Climate Change, The Century of Picasso, Organometallic Chemistry, Fundamentals of Jazz Dance, Buddhist Traditions, Banned Books, Methods of Theoretical Physics, Global Justice, The Quest for Racial Reconciliation, Population Ecology, and more. Four years may seem like a long time to 54 | bear facts
spend in college, but it’s not going to be nearly long enough for you to take all the classes you’ll want to take. You’re going to learn from world-class leaders in their field, professors who have thought long and hard about how to teach and what to teach. The third major role we play on campus is to help run the place. Professors serve on committees, boards, panels, and other groups that help shape what your college experience will be like and what it must evolve into for the students who will follow you. We take great pride in this place, and we work hard to make it even better. So that’s what professors do on campus. But you may be surprised to learn that we have very rich lives beyond the classroom and lab, just as you will. The professor who leads your discussion in the afternoon about political theory sits down at night to revel in classic British television comedies. The professor who lectures about the neuroscience of film just spent last weekend bicycling across Missouri. The professor who taught your class on graphic novels heads out to hear jazz whenever she can in the evenings. Yes, we’re all accomplished scholars, but we’re also parents, golfers, painters, gardeners, cooks, occasional nappers, chocolate lovers, bird watchers, swimmers, daydreamers, and more. We’re people who want to get to know you in the classroom and want to get to know you beyond the classroom. And it’s OK to get to know us too. So visit your professors during office hours. Talk with us in and after class. Say hello when you pass us on the sidewalk. We’re a big community of people who love ideas and love to learn, and we’re eager for you to join us. See you soon on campus!
ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES COMBINED STUDIES Are you in the Olin Business School but want to unleash your inner artist? Are you in the School of Engineering & Applied Science but think you have a knack for business? Well, good thing you are at Washington University. Despite having four separate undergraduate schools, WashU does not limit students to just one area of study. Each of the four schools has different course requirements for its degree; however, these requirements do have room for you to get an additional major/minor, or even a dual degree. In fact, it is not uncommon to meet a Washington University student with a double major and/or minor.
DEFINITIONS MAJOR: n. also used as a v. — your main area of study; credit requirements vary from school to school and department to department. Your major, or majors if you pursue more than one, will be acknowledged on your official transcript. The second major does not need to be from the same school. Example: Taylor is double majoring in biology and accounting.
MINOR: n. also used as a v. — your second area of study; requires fewer credit hours than a major but you still get to explore that field. Your minor, or minors if you pursue more than one, will also be acknowledged on your official transcript. Your minor does not need to be from your main school. Example: Jordan is majoring in biology and minoring in painting.
DUAL DEGREE: adj. also used as a n. — a student wishing to receive two degrees must complete the degree requirements for both degrees. Check with the schools for requirements. Example: Alex is a dual degree (student) in the Olin Business School and College of Arts & Sciences. Students wishing to pursue multiple undergraduate degrees may discuss this option with their advisors during Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation.
If you desire to pursue a combined studies curriculum, you should: • Attend the combined studies program on Saturday during Bear Beginnings • Speak with the school(s) and/or department(s) that interest you • Seek guidance from your academic advisor, who is extremely knowledgeable about his or her school’s program
PRE-PROFESSIONAL ADVISING Thinking about a future in the health professions? Many students at Washington University show a strong interest in dentistry, health care administration, medicine, MD/PhD, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and public health, just to name a few. Students interested in pre-health should discuss these interests with their academic advisors. Pre-health students will take a course load rich in the natural sciences. Requirements will vary by the students’ intended professional school.
Students who are interested in a future in the health professions should email Liz Heidger, prehealth@wustl.edu, with any questions and to get on the prehealth mailing list.
The Pre-Health Team stresses the importance of reviewing all information sent to you via the listserv, in the Pre-Health Handbook, and on the Pre-Health website, prehealth.wustl.edu.
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Are you considering law school? Law is a diverse field, offering opportunities in a wide variety of civil and criminal practice areas to those who choose this profession. If you believe law school may be in your future, use this first year to investigate possibilities for your major, recognizing that law schools do not favor any particular field over another. What’s important is to find an academic discipline you enjoy and can do well in, as grades are an important factor in law school admission. Over the next four years, take classes that will hone your communication skills (oral and written) and require you to critically analyze complex materials, as those are skills you will need as a lawyer.
For more information about pre-law, to sign up for the listserv, and for a listing of advisors please visit college.artsci.wustl.edu/ pre_law.
Sign up for the pre-law mailing list by responding to the email that will be sent to all first-year students in August. Throughout the academic year, you will then receive weekly bulletins of events of interest to the pre-law community. First-year students should also plan to attend the Pre-Law Information Session held early in the fall semester where they will meet the pre-law advisors and get answers to some FAQs about preparing for law school. Information sessions are also offered each year for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The weekly bulletin will alert you to those sessions. Pre-law advising is available for all students who are thinking about pursuing a law degree. You may meet with a pre-law advisor to talk about your plans for law school, but individual appointments are generally not necessary until junior or senior year.
STUDY ABROAD Understanding other cultures, languages, and countries is important, whether you’re an environmental engineer, artist, architect, accountant, or historian. Washington University offers many ways to incorporate international study into your undergraduate program. Each undergraduate school has developed an array of high-quality study abroad opportunities that enhance the strengths of our undergraduate programs. We offer a variety of full-year, semester, and summer programs that allow you to earn credit toward your major or minor while studying abroad. Each year, WashU undergraduates study in more than 50 different countries. These include Milan, Italy; Florence, Italy; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Shanghai, China; Santiago, Chile; Tübingen, Germany; London, England; Herzliya, Israel; Sydney, Australia; Cape Town, South Africa; Mumbai, India—just to name a few.
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Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts samfoxschool.wustl.edu/ node/4133 College of Arts & Sciences overseas.wustl.edu Olin Business School sa.wustl.edu School of Engineering & Applied Science engineering.wustl.edu/ current-students/outsideclassroom/Pages/studyabroad.aspx
GETTING A “B” Amelia Grumbach
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Coming to WashU I was anticipating an increase in workload, but, because I had gotten great grades in high school, I expected to be able to get a similar GPA in college as long as I continued to work hard. I soon learned that everyone at Washington University had similarly been in the top of their class, mostly getting high B’s and A’s in high school. It was late September and my first exam of the year was rapidly approaching. It was in my firstyear seminar. I collected my notes and started studying three days before the exam, reviewing the information that had been covered. In high school, starting to study three days before a big test was plenty of time and I did not expect this class to be much different. I went into the exam feeling confident, so, when I found out a few days later that I had gotten a 47.5%, I spent the majority of that afternoon in tears on the phone with my parents. After the initial shock, I decided that the best thing for me to do would be to go talk to the TAs and professors so as to understand more about why I had done so poorly on the exam. They helped me look over my work and we discussed my study strategies. My TAs also had some great recommendations for how to study for the next exam in a more effective way. I realized that I couldn’t utilize the same study strategy that I had in high school because this class, similar to many intro courses at WashU, was a lecture-based course. I found classmates to study with and was much more prepared for the next few exams. At the end of the semester my overall grade was a ‘B’ in the class. My ‘high school self’ would have seen that B and been devastated, but my ‘I finished my first semester of college’ self was incredibly proud.
I’ve come to learn that, especially at a school as prestigious as Washington University in St. Louis, getting a ‘B’ is a major accomplishment. College courses are incredibly different than any class you’ve taken before, whether they be discussion based or a large lecture. Professors at WashU have high expectations because they want us to leave after our four years as individuals who have been pushed to be the best learners possible. But WashU understands that the workload and information can be challenging, so they provide us—their students—with a plethora of academic resources. Whether it be Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL), your Residential College RPM (Residential Peer Mentor), one of your TAs, or a WUSA, there are so many people we can turn to for assistance when things get tough. When I got that grade back I felt like my college career was over and I could kiss my dream of a good GPA goodbye, but looking back I now realize that it made me more resilient and taught me to expand my study strategies, something that has allowed me to become a successful WashU student.
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ACADEMIC RESOURCES CAREER CENTER Whether you are a first-year or a transfer student, the Washington University Career Center is here to help you. The Career Center offers a variety of services and resources to help you find an internship, engineering co-op, or full-time job; explore possibilities; connect with employers and alumni; and prepare for graduate or professional school. The Career Center is open to all undergraduate students. No matter what the future looks like, the Career Center believes that one-on-one career advising is a critical component to your success. Meet with a Career Advisor early to develop your individualized plan. We can also help you find meaningful summer experiences—as early as your first year—to test potential career options. To schedule an appointment with an advisor, call or stop by our main office. Throughout the year, the Career Center offers career fairs, industryspecific groups and events, workshops, networking events in cities around the country, and Road Shows to help you learn about different jobs and make connections.
Career Center LOCATIONS
Main Office: DUC, Suite 110 Engineering: Lopata Hall 303 Art & Architecture: Steinberg Hall 005 PHONE
(314) 935-5930 EMAIL
careers@wustl.edu WEBSITE
careercenter.wustl.edu
Weston Career Center
All undergraduate students also have access to CAREERlink, an interactive database of jobs, information sessions, and upcoming events. CAREERlink provides students with an opportunity to connect with employers, apply for on-campus interviews, and sign up for events, workshops, and information sessions.
PHONE
CORNERSTONE: THE LEARNING CENTER
WEBSITE
Be sure to check out Cornerstone: The Learning Center. Located on the first floor of Gregg House on the South 40, Cornerstone is the hub of academic support at Washington University. Services include academic peer mentors (students recommended by faculty because of their expertise and training), flexible study space, and many other useful academic resources.
olincareers.wustl.edu
Specific programs—including Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL)—are designed to help improve student understanding of materials in any subject. In addition, Cornerstone conducts graduate and professional exam prep courses (including the MCAT and LSAT). Cornerstone also administers TRiO, a federally funded program that offers advising, leadership development, financial assistance, and other support to students who are low-income, the first in their family to go to college, and/or have a documented disability. Finally, Cornerstone includes Disability Resources (see the next page for more information) for students with disabilities or suspected disabilities. Every year, Cornerstone interacts with more than 2,000 students, making it one of the most highly utilized services on campus.
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(314) 935-5950 EMAIL
wcc@olin.wustl.edu
Cornerstone PHONE
(314) 935-5970 EMAIL
cornerstone@wustl.edu WEBSITE
cornerstone.wustl.edu
DISABILITY RESOURCES Disability Resources (DR), located in Cornerstone: The Learning Center, provides resources for students with disabilities and suspected disabilities. It is important for incoming students and their families to know that the laws governing disability status eligibility differ between high school and college. To be eligible in college, students must have an impairment that substantially limits them in a major life activity in comparison to most people. DR helps students determine whether they are eligible for accommodations. DR is the official resource for students with learning, attention, visual, hearing, psychiatric, mobility, or medical disorders. Students can visit the DR website, disability.wustl.edu, to review the requirements for documenting their disability and requesting accommodations. Students should submit their documentation well before course registration to be sure there is no delay in getting accommodations once classes begin. Accommodations are determined on a case-bycase basis. LIBRARIES At the Washington University Libraries, you will find a plethora of resources for research papers, class projects, preparing for volunteer activities, or a fun read. You will also find friendly staff that are eager to help. Washington University’s main library, Olin Library, and the 11 school and departmental libraries, offer extensive collections of books, e-books, journal articles (accessible through our extensive list of journal databases), CDs, LPs, DVDs, microforms, maps, printed music, and other unique resources available in our Special Collections. Many of the library’s resources are available to students any place, anytime. Subject Librarians and staff at each of the libraries’ Help Desks are happy to provide you with personalized service.
University Libraries WEBSITE
library.wustl.edu
You can enjoy peace and quiet in one of the many areas throughout Olin Library with padded chairs and desks or tables. If you need to write a paper or put together a presentation, the Arc, a high-tech center, has computers, scanners, and AV equipment for you. In addition, Olin Library houses group study rooms that are a great place for a group of students to work on projects or study with friends. Olin group study rooms can be reserved online. In addition, the other campus libraries also offer attractive places to study. Can’t find a needed item in the library’s collections? The Washington University Libraries have ILIAD and MOBIUS accounts that allow you to borrow materials from other libraries across the country. Do you need a vast and efficient search? The libraries’ new search tool, Primo, provides one-stop access to the libraries’ collections by searching across hundreds of catalogs, indexes, and databases. Another useful resource, ARES, allows students to access electronic course reserves materials such as articles and book chapters. Library staff are available to help you use these and many other resources. During Bear Beginnings, you can take a tour of Olin Library or attend a brief presentation that shows you how to use the library’s resources effectively. You can also visit the departmental and school libraries. See the libraries’ website for brief tutorials on resources, research strategies, a map of all the campus libraries and their hours, and much more. There is always a comfortable, welcoming space for you at the Washington University Libraries.
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Forest Park Parkway Snow Way Drive
10 2
Mudd Field
9
1 6
4
8
Francis Field
Skinker Boulevard
Big Bend Boulevard
3
7 Forsyth Boulevard
5 Varsity Athletics
Shepley Drive
The Swamp
Wydown Boulevard
OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Research is the systematic gathering of information to help you answer a question or solve a problem. Research is going on right now all over the university and all over the world in libraries and laboratories, in rainforests and hospitals, and in courtrooms and archaeological sites. Undergraduate students who want to build a relationship with faculty, develop creativity and problem-solving skills, and eventually contribute new knowledge to the world are encouraged to participate in research at Washington University. The key to getting started in research is finding a subject you are passionate about and making connections with faculty who share that interest. Get to know professors, teaching assistants, and upperclass students in your classes or department; talk to them about their research. Take advantage of what’s going on around you. Every week the university hosts lectures, workshops, and colloquia that are open to undergraduates. You never know what topic might spark your interest! When you have identified your intellectual spark, Washington University has resources to help you take the next step. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) supports the larger mission of the university to advance and protect the process of inquiry by facilitating and promoting faculty-mentored undergraduate research experiences in all schools and all disciplines. As a first-year student, the Office of Undergraduate Research encourages you to learn more about research in different academic disciplines and think about strategies for developing a research topic. Click “Getting Started” on the OUR homepage (ur.wustl.edu) and read about Identifying Your Area of Interest and Finding a Mentor. The most fulfilling and sustainable projects are ones that emerge from insatiable curiosity. We are here to help guide you on your path.
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Library Map Key 1. Olin Library 2. Chemistry (Louderman Hall) 3. L aw (Anheuser-Busch Hall) 4. Business (Simon Hall) 5. Music (Gaylord Hall) 6. East Asian (January Hall) 7. Social Work (Brown Hall) 8. Art & Architecture (Kemper Art Museum) 9. Earth & Planetary Sciences (Rudolph Hall) 10. P hysics (Compton Hall)
Undergraduate Research W EB S ITE
ur.wustl.edu
UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR The Office of the University Registrar is responsible for data and services pertaining to the academic records of all Washington University students. The office issues official transcripts, diplomas, and provides verification of student enrollment and degrees earned for all students on the Danforth Campus. The office also provides support for the entire Student Information System, which includes web applications like WebSTAC and Course Listings.
University Registrar LO C ATI O N
Women’s Building Suite 10 PH O NE
(314) 935-5959 W EB S ITE
registrar.wustl.edu
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY STUDENT ASSOCIATES (WUSAs) WUSAs are upperclass students who work through the First Year Center and will be able to help you understand important academic policies, procedures, and deadlines and assist you with your transition into the university. There are two WUSAs assigned to each first-year floor and WUSAs who work with exchange and transfer students. These fun and amazing students will guide you through Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation and then throughout the rest of your first year. They’re here to help you with anything and everything! THE WRITING CENTER The Writing Center, a free service, offers writing advice to all Washington University students. Tutors will read and discuss any kind of work in progress including student papers, senior theses, graduate school application essays, and oral presentations. The average tutorial session lasts one hour. The Writing Center staff is trained to help you at any stage of the writing process, including brainstorming, developing and clarifying an argument, organizing evidence, and improving style. Rather than editing or proofreading, the tutors will emphasize the process of revision and teach you how to edit your own papers.
The Writing Center LO C ATI O N
Olin Library, first floor PH O NE
(314) 935-4981 EM A IL
writing@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
writingcenter.wustl.edu
Students are seen primarily by appointment, although walk-ins will be accommodated as the schedule allows. To make an appointment, students should go online to writingcenter.wustl.edu.
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GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FACULTY Jacob Cantrell
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 In my first semester at WashU, I enrolled in a FOCUS Program called “Phage Hunters.” It was a small, hands-on biology class reserved exclusively for first-year students taught by biology faculty. At the beginning of the semester, we collected soil samples from around campus and the greater St. Louis area and performed experiments and scientific procedures to isolate tiny viruses called bacteriophage. This was my first time performing a lot of microbiology procedures and I was slightly intimidated that I would mess something up in front of the professor. Sure enough, less than a month into the class and I had weird bacteria growing on all of my plates that we were supposed to be isolating phage on! After class, I nervously went and talked to my professor about my experiment. To my surprise, my professor was understanding and helped walk me through the procedure to figure out what I did wrong. She even made arrangements for me to come in after class the following week to catch up my experiment. From that point on, I realized how approachable the faculty are here at WashU and how passionate they are about helping you learn and succeed. Fast forward to second semester. I took the bioinformatics portion of the course and spent time analyzing and annotating the DNA sequence for the novel bacteriophage I isolated in the fall. During that time, I really got to know my professors and my classmates for the course. At the end of my first year, my professor reached out to me about being one of the representatives for our class to present at a national bacteriophage conference in Washington, D.C. I worked with my professors and my partner during reading week to draft a research poster compiling and analyzing all of our classes’ results. None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t taken the time to get to know my professors personally. No matter what school or field of study, networking with faculty opens doors to opportunities you may not have even known existed.
In the fall, be sure to watch for emails from the First Year Center about Lunch by the Dozen opportunities.
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Even if you aren’t the most outgoing student, there are great opportunities to talk with faculty outside of the classroom. Every first-year residential college is assigned a FA (Faculty Associate) and/or a FF (Faculty Fellow) who host events for your floor/ building outside of the normal classroom setting. This is a great opportunity to talk to faculty in an unintimidating environment about WashU, St. Louis, and just about anything. My FA even treated a group of students and me to lunch during the first month of school. All of the FAs are committed and passionate about helping firstyear students succeed and make the transition to college life easier. Another opportunity to meet faculty in a casual setting is the Lunch by the Dozen series. The First Year Center sends out signups via email to have lunch with faculty from large lecture classes such as General Chemistry or Intro to Psychology. These meals are limited to 12 spots for first-year students so that you can get to know your classmates and faculty. Faculty also love the opportunity to get to know you personally and learn your name, making large lecture classes seem more personal. It may seem daunting to approach an esteemed professor or faculty member in a new academic environment, but getting to know your faculty can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only will it help you academically, aiding you in understanding topics better and feeling more comfortable asking questions, but it may even lead to research opportunities or crucial letters of recommendation.
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C H A P T ER F O U R
LIVING ON CAMPUS washington university in st. louis | 65
LEARNING ON CAMPUS One of the most important aspects of your first year at Washington University will be your residential college experience. The variety of living environments in our residential colleges will provide many opportunities for you to live comfortably, study, and build friendships that will last throughout your college career and your lifetime. As a member of the residential college community, you’ll have the opportunity to form close bonds with others and become involved in numerous activities and organizations. You will be encouraged and supported in your intellectual development through forming relationships with others—students, faculty, and staff.
RESIDENTIAL LIVING AS A NEW STUDENT Washington University’s first-year residential areas include 10 residential colleges on the part of campus we call the South 40, located at the southwest end of the Danforth Campus. Our residential colleges have lounges, study rooms, personal computing, and collaboration rooms. As you become more familiar with your residential college, you will find a dedicated group of people willing and able to help with your transition. Resident Advisors (RAs) are highly trained upperclass students who live in the residence houses and act as leaders, confidants, resources, and mentors to their peers. In addition, each college has a Residential College Director (RCD), a professional staff member who lives in an apartment in your community and who manages the day-to-day operations and community engagement model. Each college also has its own dedicated housekeeping and maintenance personnel. The South 40 is where you and all of our first-year classmates will begin your WashU experience and start to get to know one another. Living on campus is so much more than sleeping and studying. The South 40 is like a small town with its own fitness center, dining facilities, technology center, meeting rooms, intramural fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, recreation game rooms, and music practice rooms. In addition, you will find the following services located on the South 40: Bear Necessities, a gift shop; Paws & Go, a convenience store; the mailroom; and several studentrun businesses. 66 | bear facts
SECTION CONTENTS
• R esidential Living as a New Student • The South 40 • Residential Colleges • Residence House Room Details • Receiving Mail • Faculty & Your Living Experience • Dining on Campus • Home Plate • Houses vs. Halls: Breaking Down WashU’s Repetitive Naming System • Roommate Relations • Safety • A Healthy First Year • WashU Nightlife • Sustainability • Finances • Technology on Campus • University Stores
Residential Life PH O NE
(314) 935-5050 W EB S ITE
reslife.wustl.edu
The Swamp
Wallace Drive
Big Bend Boulevard
Shepley Drive
Wydown Boulevard
THE SOUTH 40 ayman Crow Residential W College
L iggett/Koenig Residential College
illiam Greenleaf Eliot W Residential College
obert S. Brookings R Residential College
L ee/Beaumont Residential College
ark/Mudd Residential P College
mrath/South Forty U Residential College
hanedling, Dauten, and S Rutledge (JKL) Residential College
itzeman, Hurd, and Myers H (HIG) Residential College homas H. Eliot Residential T College
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RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES Name
Founded
Capacity
Robert S. Brookings Gregg and Lien Houses
1999
Wayman Crow Dardick and Nemerov Houses
Layout
Traditions
160 First-year students 325 Total
Modern
Brinner (Breakfast for Dinner), Scorch on the Porch Grill-Out, Brookings Week, Making the Grade, Brookies Nights
2004
175 First-year students 310 Total
Modern
Crow Cakes, Bar-B-Crow, Sundaes on Sunday, WayCrow Bonfires, Nathan Dardick Visits
Thomas H. Eliot Eliot and Eliot B Houses
2010
150 First-year students 310 Total
Modern
Gator Welcome Week, Weekly Sunday Snack, Family-Style Meal with Faculty Family, Eliot Lawn Games, Eliot Soup Night
HIG Hitzeman, Hurd, and Myers Houses
1961
90 First-year students 265 Total
Traditional
Alphabet Bowl Flag Football Game against JKL, HIGriddle, HIGfest, HIGapalooza, Neighborhood Labor Day Progressive
JKL Shanedling, Dauten, and Rutledge Halls
1964
90 First-year students 270 Total
Traditional
Alphabet Bowl Flag Football Game against HIGKaroake and Fondue, Brinner with Faculty Associates, JKL S’mores, JKLephant Ears
Lee/Beaumont Lee and Beaumont Houses
1962
285 First-year students 300 Total
Traditional
BLeeBQ, Lee/Beau Cocoa, Lee/ Beau Love Week, BeauHaus, “How well do you know your floormate?”
Liggett/Koenig Liggett and Koenig Houses
1960
150 First-year students 260 Total
Modern
WeLKome Week, MiLK & Cookies, Fabulous Fox Theatre trips, LK Knight Pass, Finals Week Study Breaks
Park/Mudd Park and Mudd Houses
1989
190 First-year students 335 Total
Modern
Pirate Week, Park Mudd “Mudd Pies,” Pirates take the Mississippi, Tree Planting, Dinner Derby
USoFo Umrath and South Forty Houses
2009
290 First-year students 510 Total
Modern
Whale Waffles, Whale Week
William Greenleaf Eliot Danforth, Shepley, and Wheeler Houses
1998
225 First-year students 465 Total
Modern
WGE Waffles, WGE on the Water, Brunches with Faculty Fellow, WGE-Q
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Shield
RESIDENCE HOUSE ROOM DETAILS Average room sizes: • Single 8.5’ x 11.5’ • Double 11.5’ x 14’ • Triple 11.5’ x 16.5’ Please note that each room will vary slightly and these are estimates. All rooms include the following for each resident: • Bed and mattress (extra long twin, 36” x 80”) • Desk and chair
Sample programs you can participate in with Faculty Fellows and Associates include floor trips to the zoo, home-cooked meals at the Faculty Fellow or Faculty Associate’s home, pumpkincarving parties, informative panels on how to navigate college and communicate effectively with faculty, excursions to see a theater or musical performance downtown, ice skating in Forest Park, and canoe trips. Several of the Faculty Associates and Fellows often bring their children and/or pets to the Residential Colleges, which allows you to get to know faculty members and their families in an informal home-like environment.
• Dresser and closet space • Central air conditioning • Small recycling bin Rooms may also have: • Mini-blinds • Adjustable height beds (allowing for more storage space) • Carpeting
RECEIVING MAIL
Floor plans for every building can be found online at reslife. wustl.edu
Each student living on campus is assigned a campus mailbox. South 40 residents will find their mailboxes on the ground floor of Hitzeman Hall. If you live on the North Side, your mailbox is on the ground floor of Village House. Information about your mailbox can be found in the Residential Life section of WebSTAC. Wondering what your address is? See page 23.
FACULTY & YOUR LIVING EXPERIENCE As a Washington University student, you will have the opportunity to interact with faculty members in your Residential College outside of the formal classroom setting, through the Faculty Associates and Faculty Fellows Program. Faculty Associates are faculty members who collaborate with Resident Advisors to plan programs for your floor/building. Faculty Fellows live in Residential Colleges, and you can visit their families and sometimes even pets in your residential community. This program is meant to engender a strong sense of community and encourage a positive social, cultural, and intellectual atmosphere. It intentionally provides more contact between students and faculty members, increases your understanding of faculty roles, provides you with role models and academic resources, and enhances the intellectual environment of your Washington University residential college community.
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DINING ON CAMPUS
HOME PLATE Enjoy dinner with a local family!
MEAL PLANS All meals and food items bought on campus may be paid for with your meal plan that you purchase at the beginning of each semester. Your points are accessed through your WashU ID card—all you have to do is swipe your card and the designated points for the food you buy will be deducted. The meal plans at Washington University operate on a “declining balance” program, which offers you flexibility in your spending options. Points may be used at WU Dining Services locations on main campus, on the South 40, in the Village, and for food and beverage purchases in Paws & Go or Millbrook Market, the two convenience stores on campus. Your points are awarded on a semester basis, and unused points expire at the end of the academic year. In the event that you exhaust your meal plan, you can purchase your meals using the (optional) Bear Bucks account. Meal purchases remain tax-exempt when using Bear Bucks. Here is the breakdown of the meal plans that you can opt for in 2017–2018: Plan Name
Points
Cost
Platinum 4,954 $6,356 Gold 4,442 $5,844 Silver 3,622 $5,024 Bronze 2,806 $4,206 Apartment 1,286 $1,894 Off-campus 758 $1,170 Platinum Plan This plan is designed for only those involved in intramurals, club sports, or other high-intensity activity.
Being settled in at school does not mean you stop yearning for a home-cooked meal and the sounds of home. If you want to make a connection with a St. Louis family for home cooking and friendship, the Home Plate program is just the thing. Sponsored by Risa Zwerling Wrighton, wife of Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, Home Plate matches you with an area family with whom you can visit several times throughout the school year for informal meals and dinner conversation. Over 800 students participate in Home Plate and more than 300 families enjoy being hosts. If you are interested in participating in this program, please visit homeplate.wustl.edu or email homeplate@wustl.edu. You may also visit our Facebook page at Home Plate–Washington University.
“Home Plate has been a staple of my WashU experience. I have made amazing connections with both WashU students and local St. Louis families. My experience has grown beyond the occasional home cooked meal into a true home away from home.” Judah Burstein College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2018
Important Notes
Gold Plan This plan is designed for the individual that requires more calories due to a very active lifestyle. If this describes you, then the Gold Plan is for you.
•
First-year students must have a Gold or Silver meal plan during the academic year.
Silver Plan This is our most popular plan. This plan will best meet the needs of those students who eat three meals a day and enjoy an occasional snack. This meal plan is the minimum required for first-year students and is the most popular plan for our returning students. For more information, visit diningservices.wustl.edu.
•
Upperclass, transfer, and commuter students can choose any meal plan.
•
Residents of the Millbrook Square or Village East apartments must have the On-Campus Apartment plan or larger.
•
The Off-Campus meal plan is available to students living in off-campus Residential Life housing or commuting to campus.
What options are available for students with dietary restrictions? Whether you’ve been a vegetarian for years, keep kosher, have a gluten allergy, or another dietary restriction, have no fear, your personal eating plan is easy to follow on campus if you plan ahead. On the menu pages of the Dining Services website, diningservices.wustl.edu, you will find options for whatever you need—kosher, lacto-ovo, lacto, vegan, and many other eating plans. In addition, you will find the nutritional content of these items. 70 | bear facts
HOUSES VS. HALLS: BREAKING DOWN WASHU’S REPETITIVE NAMING SYSTEM Imagine this: It’s the first day of classes and you finally feel like a real WashU student. You leave your room in search of your classes with a campus map and your WebSTAC schedule clutched tightly in hand. Already late, you pray that there is at least one upperclass student around who can tell you how to get to Lopata. Unfortunately, the first lesson you learn as a WashU student is that not only do most of the campus buildings look the same, but some apparently share the same name as well. To avoid confusion, here is a list of the places on campus that have similar names and a description of the traits that distinguish them. Danforth Campus The Danforth Campus includes main campus (academic buildings), the South 40, and the North Side residential area. Since undergraduates spend most of their time on the Danforth Campus, students don’t really use “Danforth” to refer to WashU’s main campus. Danforth House Danforth House on the South 40 is one of the first-year residence houses. This is usually what students are referring to when they say “Danforth.”
say the word “Brookings” by itself, they generally mean this location. Brookings Residential College Brookings Residential College is located on the South 40, adjacent to the Clock Tower. Brookings Residential College includes Lien House and Gregg House. Eliot House Eliot House is what students generally mean when they say the word “Eliot” by itself. Eliot House is located on the South 40 and is made up of Thomas Eliot House and Eliot B. Eliot Residential College William Greenleaf Eliot Residential College, named for the university co-founder, is hardly ever referred to by the name “Eliot.” Instead you will frequently hear the nickname WGE (pronounced “wiggy”) used for this residential college. WGE consists of Shepley House, Wheeler House, and Danforth House. It is located on the South 40. Crow Hall Crow Hall houses the Department of Physics in the College of Arts & Sciences. When people say “Crow” they are usually referring to this location. Crow Residential College Wayman Crow Residential College is located on the South 40. It consists of Dardick House and Nemerov House. People generally refer to this location by its full name, “Wayman Crow.”
Danforth University Center The Danforth University Center, usually referred to as the DUC (pronounced “duck”), is home to dining areas, lounges, meeting rooms, and offices for several student services.
Cupples I Part of the Engineering complex, located next to the Quad.
Bauer Hall One of the newest additions to the Olin Business School, located across from the Danforth University Center.
McMillen Lab McMillen Lab is a chemistry building located near the Engineering complex and is connected to Bryan Hall by a lounge. People will generally say the entire name, “McMillen Lab,” when referring to this location.
Brauer Hall One of the newest additions to the School of Engineering, located near Skinker and Forest Park Parkway. Urbauer Hall Urbauer is another building in the School of Engineering and hosts the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering. Brookings Hall The big castle-like structure on the east side of campus. It serves as an administration building for the university, housing the offices of the Chancellor, Student Financial Services, Undergraduate Admissions, and more. When people
Cupples II Cupples II houses the College of Arts & Sciences and Office of Undergraduate Research; it’s located near Olin Library.
McMillan Hall McMillan Hall is also located on the Danforth Campus. It houses departments such as Anthropology and Overseas Programs. People will refer to this location as simply “McMillan” or by its full name “McMillan Hall.”
Lee House A first-year residence hall that is paired with Beaumont House to make “Lee/Beau” Residential College. Lien House A first-year residence hall that is paired with Gregg House to make Brookings Residential College. Lopata Hall Lopata Hall is the main entrance to the Engineering complex and is located across from Sever Hall and Duncker Hall. Engineering IT and the undergraduate Linux labs are located here. Lopata House Lopata House is located on the North Side residential area and is part of the Village. It also has a suite of classrooms; there are sections of Writing I and other classes that meet in Lopata House. Olin Library This is the main library on the Danforth Campus. Olin Business School This is the name for the Business School, located in Simon, Knight, and Bauer Halls. It’s commonly referred to as “the B school.” Shepley Drive The main road through the South 40, where the Clock Tower is located. Shepley House An upperclass student residence hall that is paired with Danforth and Wheeler to make WGE Residential College. South 40 The southern-most 40 acres of campus where 3,000 students reside. All first-year students live on the South 40. South 40 House An upperclass student residence hall where Bear’s Den and College Hall are located. Commonly referred to as “So-Fo-Ho.” Umrath Hall Umrath Hall is located on the Danforth Campus and houses a number of Arts & Sciences academic departments, as well as the Campus Y and the Danforth Center for Religion and Politics. Umrath House Umrath House is a residence house on the South 40, and sits just west of the South 40 Center. The First Year Center is located on the lower level of Umrath House.
Knight Center An executive conference center and hotel. Knight Hall One of the newest additions to the Olin Business School; it’s located across from the Danforth University Center. washington university in st. louis | 71
ROOMMATE RELATIONS Katherine Ingersoll
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 I had never shared a room in my entire life. I have a twin brother so I was used to sharing toys, food, even a birthday, but the thought of sharing a room was something quite new to me. I was both excited and nervous to see how everything would work out. Living with someone you’ve never met before can be daunting. I thought I had avoided this by choosing my roommate ahead of time even though we had only talked at SOAR for about an hour. When people asked if I went random or chosen, I would say: “I chose my random roommate” since we really didn’t know anything about each other. From what I had gathered from her Instagram feed, she seemed pretty cool and I looked forward to getting to know her better. And thankfully she was really cool and sweet! We had some things in common such as we were both pre-med, our parents came from the same country, and we had similar living habits, which helped us establish a nice friendship early on. Everything was going really well, but I still didn’t get ahead of myself, knowing full well there was still nine months ahead of us. Unfortunately, my first semester schedule was not going to be easy on either of us. I had 8 AM classes almost every day of the week and getting myself together at that hour quietly was proving difficult for me. Thankfully, she felt comfortable enough to tell me that my multiple alarms and fumbling around the room were making it hard for her to get enough sleep before her own classes and tennis practice. We then worked out a system where I would pack all my stuff up the night before and would leave as quickly and quietly as possible by getting myself together in our bathroom and our entryway. This system worked out really well when our schedules got reversed the next semester and she was the one with the earlier classes. We made it through first semester in a great place and we were excited to come back after having been away for a month.
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For some reason, second semester seemed different. We didn’t click the same way that we had previously, and we were having trouble communicating what we needed from each other. We had a lot of the same friends, but as we each started to branch out more, we naturally drifted apart. While that may sound sad, we were still always there when it counted and were respectful roommates. Every time I had an exam, she always sent me a good luck text before and after hoping that it had gone well. And since she traveled for tennis, I would check in asking how her matches had gone and if she needed any food for when she would get home at midnight from the library. Even though we didn’t see each other in person that much, I knew she was always there if I needed her. Though we decided not to live together sophomore year, I can’t imagine not having had her as a roommate for my first year on campus. We often run into each other and we always check in and see how the other is doing.
SOME TIPS ON ROOMMATE RELATIONS • Don’t come to college with the expectation of either loving or hating your roommate. Take things as they come and be flexible and willing to compromise. Be patient and exercise tolerance, but don’t let yourself be taken advantage of. • Don’t compare your relationship with your roommate to that of your friends’ roommate relationships. Each roommate interaction is unique and what works in one room won’t necessarily fly two doors down. • Approach differences in opinion and lifestyle as learning experiences. Don’t be quick to make judgments. Just because your roommate approaches certain aspects of life in a different way than you do does not mean you will not get along. • Find a place away from your floor, on or around campus, where you can go when you need some alone time. The rush of college life is fun and exhilarating, but sometimes you may need to have time for you. • Don’t be afraid to let people who hang out in your room know when it’s time to leave. Your room is your personal space, and you decide when people come and go. • With the aid of your resident advisors, you will work with your roommate or suitemates to complete an agreement, discussing your preferences and expectations for living in a shared space. Take the roommate agreement seriously. You and your roommate may have similar interests, but this doesn’t mean you necessarily have similar living styles. Consider things like cleanliness (is the floor just another shelf or would you prefer it neat?), sleep (is background noise OK? Do you like to sleep in?), guests (so as to avoid coming home to a party you didn’t know about), and temperature (many people have preferences—try to find a compromise if your preference and your roommate’s contrast).
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WHERE CAN YOU EAT ON CAMPUS? The short answer—almost anywhere.
Forest Park Parkway
1
Snow Way Drive
5
3
8 Skinker Boulevard
Big Bend Boulevard
Mudd Field
9 4 6
Francis Field
7
11
10
Forsyth Boulevard
Varsity Athletics
Shepley Drive
Buildings in red house dining locations. They are numbered so you can learn a little more about them in the descriptions that follow.
2 The Swamp
Wydown Boulevard
1
VILLAGE HOUSE The Village Coffee Connection and Millbrook Market Serves fresh pastries, breads, bagels, Kaldi’s coffee, and has a convenience store option. The Village Café Offers international and grilled specialties, a changing menu, Kaldi’s coffee, and more. Open for lunch, dinner, and brunch Saturday and Sunday.
2
SOUTH 40 HOUSE Bear’s Den (BD) This is the most popular place on campus! Offerings in BD include grilled favorites at Grizzly Grill, Latininspired treats at ¡Oso Good!, Easterninfluenced eats at World Fusion, pizza and pasta at Ciao Down, hot Kosher meals at L’Chaim, and the very popular Mongolian grill at Sizzle & Stir. Paws & Go The South 40’s mini-supermarket provides basic convenience items such as milk, cereal, fresh fruit, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, chips and salsa, cookies, crackers, spreads, etc. Cherry Tree Café Favorite coffee drinks are available to accompany an early morning bagel or late night treat. The café also offers deli sandwiches, soups, and is home to WebFood on the South 40—our online meal ordering system.
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3
ANHEUSER-BUSCH HALL Law Cafeteria This dining hall, located in the atrium of the Law School, serves as the dedicated eatery for students enrolled in the law program. The location is open to all members of the community. Bear Bucks are accepted, but they do not participate in the Undergraduate Meal Plan.
4
8
9
10
STEINBERG HALL Etta’s Café The café offers fresh salads, baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and features Kaldi’s Coffee.
DANFORTH UNIVERSITY CENTER
Danforth University Center Servery The main dining location on central campus features four serveries: Trattoria Verde, WashU Wok, 1853 Diner, and DeliciOSO. Also located in the servery is George’s Express, a pick-up point for our WebFood online ordering system.
RIDGLEY HALL Holmes Lounge This absolutely stunning café area is a place to relax with fresh food and good company. Provides freshly carved meat selections, paninis, soups, pastries, and Kaldi’s coffee.
BAUER HALL
Café Bergson It’s the place to go for an early morning espresso, coffee, pastries, or breakfast sandwich. Later in the day, stop in for a Jamba Juice smoothie, hot sandwich, and a cold beverage.
LOPATA HALL, LOWER LEVEL Stanley’s Café Offers a wide variety of lunch foods such as fresh sandwiches, salads, meat and veggie paninis, soups, and hot dogs, as well as baked goods and beverages.
Starbucks Serving custom coffee drinks and to-go pastries and snacks. Bear Bucks are accepted, but they do not participate in the Undergraduate Meal Plan.
6
MALLINCKRODT CENTER Subway Across from the WU Bookstore, Subway offers fresh sub sandwiches, salads, and more. Sandwiches can come on a variety of breads baked fresh daily.
SIMON HALL Einstein Bros. Bagels Serving great bagels, sandwiches, and gourmet coffee. Bear Bucks are accepted, but they do not participate in the Undergraduate Meal Plan.
5
7
11
HILLMAN HALL Grounds for Change This café offers a daily changing lunch menu, house-made pastries and desserts, grab-n-go meals, coffee beverages, and fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Ibby’s This full-service, sit-down restaurant offers a great atmosphere and unique menu offerings. It’s a great place to unwind at the end of the day. washington university in st. louis | 75
SAFETY WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT The Washington University Police Department, also known as WUPD, is a diverse law enforcement team that provides foot, bicycle, and vehicle patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week. WUPD officers possess the same authority on campus as that of a St. Louis County police officer. According to WUPD, we have a very safe campus, but no place is immune from crime. The key to reducing crime is responsibility for oneself, others, and one’s personal property. Most crimes committed are “crimes of opportunity,” which can be avoided by taking some simple preventative steps. To help you feel safe and secure on campus, Washington University has also developed initiatives to both enhance your personal safety and protect your property. Some of these programs include: BEAR PATROL: Bear Patrol is a team of students who patrol the Washington University campus at night and provide escorts to students, faculty, and staff. This service is especially convenient for escorts from Olin Library.
WashU Police Department Put this number in your phone (314) 935-5555
BICYCLE REGISTRATION AND LOCK PROGRAM: Bicycles may be registered free of charge through WUPD. Kryptonite U-Bolt bike locks can be purchased from WUPD at a low cost. Students who purchase a lock are automatically entered into the Bicycle Registration program. EMERGENCY TELEPHONES: The blue light emergency telephone system is a series of highly visible telephones strategically located throughout the Danforth Campus and extending into areas of university-owned off-campus housing. Pushing the red button connects the phone to the Washington University Police Department and help is dispatched immediately. FISTFUL OF FIVES: Both WUPD and EST (Emergency Support Team) can be reached on campus by dialing 5-5555. Easy to remember, easy to use. From off campus or using your cell phone, dial (314) 935-5555.
Washington University Police Department
LOST AND FOUND: WUPD administers the online Lost and Found program. This site gives the campus community the ability to report lost property, view a list of found items, or register their personal items online. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to register their serialized property for ease of identification in the event the item is ever lost or stolen. This site can be found on the WUPD website.
Lien House, Lower Level Enter on Shepley Drive
OPERATION ID: This program encourages students to record the serial numbers of their valuables on an inventory card to give to a parent or a friend for safe storage, and to engrave their student ID number or driver’s license number on the property. WUPD has inscribing devices available in their office free of charge. RAPE AGGRESSION DEFENSE SYSTEMS (RAD): RAD for Women, RAD for Men, and Advance RAD are 12-hour self-defense programs offered free to students and staff. The programs teach awareness, risk reduction, avoidance, prevention, and basic self-defense techniques— all led by certified instructors. For more information, visit wupd. wustl.edu or call (314) 935-5043.
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LO C ATI O N
PH O NE
(314) 935-5555 W EB S ITE
police.wustl.edu
STOP TAGS: The most popular targets for both casual and experienced thieves are computers, in particular laptops. WUPD provides a low-cost option for deterring theft of your computer or other valuables by putting a patented security plate on your equipment that is so strong that removal of the security plate will alter the item, making it easy to identify, but without damaging it. Each plate bears a unique barcode and a toll-free telephone number to call in case lost or stolen equipment is found. Also, a permanent tattoo bearing the number is chemically etched into the equipment and all vital information regarding your equipment, such as make, model, serial number, and owner, is registered with STOP. TRANSPORTATION: The university provides a variety of transportation services, both on and off campus. For more details about these options, please see the Parking and Transportation section of this publication (page 128). WHISTLE ALERT PROGRAM: WUPD offers a metal whistle for university students, faculty, and staff. The whistle can signal for help and alert others to call the police. Whistles are available in the Communications Center of the Police Department. Upon receipt of the whistle, you are instructed to refrain from blowing it except for emergencies.
Top Safety Tips •
Lock your room door whenever you leave and when you’re sleeping.
•
Never prop open exterior building doors.
•
Don’t allow people to tailgate (follow behind you) into your building.
•
Call the police at first sight of a suspicious person in the building.
•
Never leave your valuables unattended, even in common study areas.
•
Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially after dark.
KNOW “WHERE TO GO” IN AN EMERGENCY Washington University is committed to protecting the safety and security of our community. Emergencies or disasters can happen at any time and usually occur without warning. When an emergency strikes at WashU, our safe and prompt recovery will depend on existing levels of preparedness and a thoughtful response among students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
WHEN A CRISIS OCCURS You will have multiple ways to obtain information about the status of a crisis, when one takes place at Washington University. • WEBSITE: Visit the university’s website emergency.wustl.edu. New information will be posted to the site. If there is no current emergency, the site will say so. • HOTLINE: You can listen to frequently updated voice messages by calling the university hotline: (314) 935-9000 (5-9000 from a campus phone), or (888) 234-2863 (out of area) • EMAIL: Check your email for updated information. Keeping Information Current Confirm that your contact information is correct, including home phone number, cell phone number, email and campus address, and who to contact if you are ever injured. Confirm your information on the WebSTAC site at webstac.wustl.edu.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Students and their families can get alerts by downloading the WUSTL Mobile App and “allow notifications.” You will then receive all campus-wide alerts that our emergency operations team pushes out to the campus. Additional information about the WUSTLAlert System is available via emergency.wustl.edu. To download the app: iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch): itunes.apple.com/ us/app/wustl-mobile/ id786410936?mt=8 Android (Tablets, Smartphones): play. google.com/store/apps/ details?id=edu.wustl. gateway
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A HEALTHY FIRST YEAR STUDENT HEALTH Student Health Services provides state-of-the-art health care for students needing a variety of medical and mental health services. While we hope you do not get sick while you are here, at some point you may find that you are not feeling well, or you need advice on some health-related issues once the school year starts. If so, you can visit Student Health Services (SHS) in the Habif Health and Wellness Center located in Dardick House on the South 40. The center houses Medical, Mental Health, and Health Promotion Services. All three services can help you with issues that may come up during your time at WashU. MEDICAL SERVICES provides skilled routine care, preventive health care, evaluation and treatment of illnesses and injuries, immunizations and on-site lab, radiology, and pharmacy services. MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES provides counseling for individuals, groups, and couples, as well as crisis counseling. Some psychiatric services are available to prescribe and monitor medication. HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICES provides free consultation, programs, and information on issues including stress and sleep, alcohol and other drugs, fitness and nutrition, and sexual health at Student Health Services, at the Zenker Wellness Suite in the Sumers Recreation Center, and at events on campus. Check out the health promotion resource library in the SHS waiting room center. If you find you’re not feeling well, you should seek treatment at SHS before attempting to go somewhere else. Staff members are committed to taking excellent care of students while supporting your academic experience at Washington University. Same-day medical appointments are available. Schedule via shs. wustl.edu. If you are on the WashU insurance plan, a referral is required for most services within a certain distance from campus. SHS staff members hold all necessary degrees, licenses, and certifications to practice in Missouri. They have particular training and experience in working with university students. They are committed to the growth and personal development of each student within the university community. In addition, they provide consultation to various health-related student organizations and assist with training of faculty and staff who deal extensively with students. Read more about each service and staff member at shs.wustl.edu.
STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN All students are required to have adequate health insurance coverage. Information concerning the insurance requirement can be found at shs.wustl.edu. Students wishing to waive the student health insurance plan must complete a waiver prior to September 5.
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WASHU NIGHTLIFE Amelia Grumbach
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Moving from the suburbs of Rhode Island to right outside St. Louis, I was super excited about finally living in a place with more entertainment options and events. I also knew that in college, there would be many more opportunities for me to explore my surrounding community with my friends. Living on campus without access to a car, I was worried about being able to find alcohol-free things to do on the weekends. I still wanted to have a great time with my peers, but needed to find a space in which there was no drinking. When people talk about college night life, the limited options usually include local bars or whoever is having a party that weekend. At WashU, I have found that the options are not limited at all, and there are great options for activities each weekend both on and off-campus that do not involve alcohol. Some of my favorite memories so far have included driving to John’s donuts to be the first in line when they open at 11 PM, waiting in Cherry Tree for crepes from Miss Pam, hanging out at Bear Beginnings evening events with my first-year floor, and watching hundreds of hot air balloons take off in Forest Park at Balloon Glow. In addition to all the local late-night eating spots and diners on the Delmar Loop, sitting at a booth in the BD until 2 AM can foster some of the most interesting and memorable conversations between friends.
Ursa’s Nite Life: Ursa’s is a fun spot on the South 40 where late-night events are held. There are six different events each month. Each event has free food. Some of the events Ursa’s has done in the past: DIY craft nights, movie nights, hangout Fridays (board games and video games), a cappella shows, and music by student bands. Events are held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, usually after 9 PM.
The Pageant often has concerts, with performers ranging from Flume to Brothers Osborne to Chance the Rapper. WashU’s Social Programming Board also provides free admissions to comedians, actors, and singers throughout the year. Memorable events have included listening to Colin Jost from SNL tease us about our memory foam mattresses and listen to Chiddy Bang perform on Mudd Field. In Forest Park, the Muny has free performances through the summer and into the early fall and the Fox Theater boasts student tickets and shows all year. Recent plays and musicals have included Hairspray, Billy Elliot, West Side Story, Wicked, and The Sound of Music. Whether it be food, music, comedy, or relaxation that you are looking for, I can guarantee that you will be able to find things to do in the bustling night life within and around Washington University’s community.
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STUDENTS HELP PEERS WITH HEALTH ISSUES Peer Health Educators (PHEs) are student volunteers interested in health promotion who share their knowledge with the larger campus community through programming. PHEs are nationally certified and receive additional training from SHS staff on specific health topics including sexual health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and fitness and nutrition. Several other student groups dedicated to peer health education include Stressbusters, Phi Lambda Psi (Greek women’s health and wellness honorary), Pride Alliance and Safe Zones (LGBTQIA), Reflections (body image concerns), Uncle Joe’s and Active Minds (mental health), and several groups devoted to sexual violence risk reduction and survivor support (SARAH, LIVE, and CARE). Most of these groups will be at the Activities Fair in September to tell you more about what they do and how you can become involved. In addition, you can find them online via wugo.wustl.edu.
Health Tips for a Successful First Year: •
Enjoy the Sumers Recreation Center or join an intramural (IM) or club sports team to make friends, keep moving, and relieve stress.
Alan I. Glass, MD, director of Habif Health and Wellness Center, is the medical director of EST, a student organization that serves as first responder when there is an emergency on campus. EST is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the academic year. Students who join the team go through an intensive training process and become licensed Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the state of Missouri. All medical treatment provided through EST is confidential. To contact EST, dial (314) 935.5555. For information on membership and more, visit est.wustl.edu.
•
Check out the foods marked “Connie’s Choice” and other healthy food choices served throughout campus.
•
Get your flu shot this fall.
SUMERS RECREATION CENTER
•
Wash your hands!
•
Sign up for free stress management sessions through Health Promotion Services. If you are sexually active, get tested for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, through Student Health Services.
•
Consider less caffeine and more sleep.
EMERGENCY SUPPORT TEAM (EST)
The Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center opened on October 29, 2016, transforming the recreation and fitness landscape for WashU students. Located at the west end of campus next to historic Francis Field, the state-of-the-art Sumers Recreation Center houses a variety of spaces, programs, and services to help students reach their fitness and wellness goals. All students who pay the WashU Student Health & Wellness Fee are automatically members at Sumers. The heart of Sumers is the Fitness Center, which features an extensive lineup of brand new cardio and strength equipment as well as a cutting-edge functional fitness rig and medicine ball wall. Sumers also houses a three-court gymnasium, a 1/10-mile indoor running track, and three group exercise studios where students can take advantage of more than 50 BearFit group exercise classes per week including cycling, yoga, TRX, and Zumba. Students can also access the racquetball and squash courts, as well as Millstone Pool during open swim hours. In addition to the fitness programs and spaces, Sumers also houses the “Zen Den,” a relaxation space outfitted with two motorized massage chairs available for complimentary use, as well as a massage room where members can purchase sessions with a licensed massage therapist. Rounding out the spaces within Sumers is the Zenker Wellness Suite—a satellite space for Student Health Services offering information and programming on SHS initiatives. For more information, visit rec.wustl.edu. SOUTH 40 FITNESS CENTER The South 40 Fitness Center is a satellite facility for the Office of Recreation located conveniently amongst the residential colleges on the second floor of the South 40 Center, just above the Bear’s Den. It features a full lineup of cardio equipment and a limited offering of strength training equipment as well as a stretching area. Access to S40 Fitness is complimentary to all students who pay the WashU Student Health & Wellness Fee. For more information, visit rec.wustl.edu.
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SUSTAINABILITY Washington University’s commitment to being a sustainability leader is woven throughout all aspects of the undergraduate experience— from the courses you will take, to faculty research, to the way you will live on campus. Sustainability is a major part of the WashU culture. Here are some important ways you can be part of this commitment: • Study sustainability. Consider majoring or minoring in one of WashU’s sustainability-related programs. Regardless of your major, explore how your field can help develop sustainable solutions. • Refuse single-use. Carry a reusable water bottle. Eat on dishware at major campus eateries. If you need to take your food/drink to-go, use the reusable Eco To-Go box or a reusable mug and get discounts! The Eco To-Go program is free and easy to use in WashU Dining Services locations. • Conserve energy. Bring LED or CFL lights and Energy Star appliances to campus. Always turn off lights when leaving a room. Coordinate with your roommate(s) to share appliances and turn off or unplug devices when not in use. Set thermostats between 67 and 70 degrees during cold months and 73 to 76 during warm months. • Recycle. Campus has a single-stream recycling system—almost all paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastics #1–5 and 7 go in the same bin. Go to sustainability.wustl.edu/vision-progress/waste/ single-stream-recycling for more information. • Compost. Look for waste sorting stations at participating campus dining areas. Follow the signs to help WashU move toward being zero waste. • Go car-free. Use low-carbon transportation throughout your time at WashU. Bring a bike and register it with WUPD to get a discounted U-Lock, use public transit with your all-access U-Pass, and sign-up for the convenient and cheap Enterprise CarShare program for the times when you need a car. • Shop at the Trading Post. The Trading Post is a student-run free thrift store on the South 40. Be sure to visit their SWAP sale early on move-in day for room essentials: www.swapstl.com • Take the Green Monday pledge. Join a growing campus initiative to reduce our collective ‘foodprint’ by eating vegetarian, low-carbon meals at least one day per week. Learn more here: sustainability. wustl.edu/get-involved/green-monday • Less is more. Remember, the greenest thing you can do is consume less energy, water, and products. By changing simple habits in everyday life, we can have a big impact on public health and the environment. • Join a student organization. WashU has over a dozen organizations focused on various aspects of sustainability. You can also run to become your Residential College’s Eco Rep.
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Learn more and sign up to receive the Office of Sustainability’s newsletter at sustainability.wustl. edu.
FINANCES FINANCIAL SERVICES Student Financial Services (SFS) is a student resource for financial assistance information and general money management topics. Located in the lower level of North Brookings Hall, SFS provides services to help students manage their money wisely. These services and resources include:
Student Financial Services
• Meet with the counselor on duty. If you have questions about financial assistance or would like help planning your budget, just walk in, call, or email to speak with a counselor.
(314) 935-5900 (888) 547-6670
• Pay your Student Accounting Billing Statement. SFS is available to answer questions and accept payments; however, it may be more convenient to pay your bill electronically. • Obtain an Interest-Free Emergency Loan. An emergency loan may be helpful in some situations. Stop by SFS to discuss your situation with a counselor.
H OUR S
8:30 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday PH O NE
EM A IL
financial@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
financialservices.wustl.edu
• Research student employment opportunities. If you are looking for a part-time job, login to “My FA Access” at sfs.wustl.edu and select “Student Employment.” • Establish a Budget. Use the Student Budget Planning Worksheet at sfs.wustl.edu and select Budget Worksheet to help plan some of your variable costs and get a clearer picture of the money you will need throughout the academic year. • Consider your payment options. In addition to need-based financial assistance, Washington University offers simple, innovative payment options your family may want to consider. • Use the Financial Planning Comparison Worksheet at sfs.wustl. edu to compare and consider what works best for you.
STUDENT ACCOUNTING Student Accounting generates billing information, receives payments, and maintains your student account. They are here to help you understand your invoice and payment options as well as disburse refunds and produce your 1098-T forms. ACCESS YOUR BILLING INFORMATION Login to WebSTAC and select Billing & Bear Bucks. Select Pay/View My Bill to access your billing statement. Invite other payers to receive your monthly billing statement under Parent/Other User ID’s. All other information in WebSTAC will remain private. Students can view current transaction activity on WebSTAC under Billing & Bear Bucks/ Account Inquiry at any time.
Student Accounting H OUR S
8 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday PH O NE
(314) 935-5274 (800) 758-0050 EM A IL
student.billing@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
financialservices.wustl.edu
Your first billing statement will be issued electronically in early July. Billing statements are generated on the last business day of the month for accounts with a balance. There are many methods of payment available. Visit our website at financialservices.wustl.edu/ student-accounts to learn more.
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BEAR BUCKS The Bear Bucks account is an optional cashless system for purchasing select on-campus and off-campus services. Bear Bucks can be used for undergraduate residential laundry services, at select vending machines, for various printing services, and at all dining locations. Bear Bucks may be used at several campus businesses including the WU Campus Store, Edison Theatre, Bear Necessities, Wash-U-Wash, and a variety of student group events and activities. Select businesses off campus also accept Bear Bucks. Bear Bucks is accessed through your Washington University ID card; the same card that you will use for identification, building access, and your meal plan. Students can initially purchase Bear Bucks on their housing application and manage their Bear Bucks account through WebSTAC. Up to $1,000 may be billed to a student account through WebSTAC each semester. Other Bear Bucks facts: • Ninety-eight percent of all undergraduate students have a Bear Bucks account. • Funds remain available until you leave the university. • Additional funds may be added to the account with a credit or debit card via Guest Deposit on card.wustl.edu.
BANKING OPTIONS While it may be easier to maintain a relationship with the bank you use at home, many students find that it’s convenient to have an account with a local bank. Bank of America has a full-service branch located right on campus on the second floor of Mallinckrodt Center (close to the Bunny). In addition, Bank of America ATMs are located on the South 40, the Village, and by Seigle Hall.
TIPS ON MANAGING YOUR MONEY • Record all checking account transactions as you make them • Reconcile your checking account at least once a month and check your online bank statement • Establish a savings plan, and try to set money aside for emergencies • Avoid unnecessary purchases, especially with credit cards • For help, contact a Student Financial Services counselor at sfs.wustl.edu A Note on Credit Cards A credit card can be convenient, but be sure to use it wisely. Carry only the minimum number of credit cards you actually need. Be aware of your credit account balance at all times, make your monthly payments on time, and make sure you have a plan to pay off your charges before making a purchase using credit. To prevent being a victim of credit card fraud, you must do all you can to guard yourself and your funds. Always check to make sure you know exactly where your credit cards are and consistently check the statements. In the event that your credit card is lost or stolen, immediately notify the credit card company.
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Bear Bucks is accepted at over 50 off-campus locations as well as the following places on campus: • Bear Necessities • Charles Knight Center Dining Room • CS40 • Edison Theatre • Einstein Bros Bagels • South 40 Fitness Center • Student Union • Wash-U-Wash • WU Campus Store • Wydown Water Visit card.wustl.edu/bear-bucks for a complete list of locations that accept Bear Bucks.
TECHNOLOGY ON CAMPUS
CELL PHONE SERVICE EXPECTATIONS
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (STS)
Five major cell phone providers have cell sites on or near Washington University’s Danforth Campus. If you do not currently have a cell phone plan, we recommend making cell phone arrangements while on campus during Bear Beginnings.
STS supports Washington University students in addressing their technology needs and services. STS provides support services for the technology used by all WashU students. Those services include virus removal, high speed internet connectivity (both wired and wireless), telephone services (including emergency text messaging), cable television, printing, computer labs, and a variety of service desk answers for student questions. Our Student Technology Coordinators (STCs) serve within the residential colleges as the “first face” of STS for student residents.
STUDENT TECHNOLOGY COORDINATORS Each residential college has a Student Technology Coordinator (STC) who resides in the college and provides quick answers to technology questions for residents. This person is the liaison between STS and students and can provide you with updated information about current and future technology initiatives. It is strongly suggested you get to know your STC as soon as you move in. His/her complete contact information is available at sts.wustl.edu as well as in your residential computer lab.
The advantages of local cell phone service include: • A local telephone number will make connecting with the university and local services easier and less expensive. • A local carrier contact can answer specific questions about coverage and be responsive to issues while you are here. • Pricing terms are available to students and staff and that may be advantageous to other plans. For those families that already have a cell phone plan, we recognize it may not be best for your circumstances to make additional local cell phone arrangements. We do, however, recommend you check with your current cellular service provider for details and commitments for their coverage within the university residential area.
RESIDENTIAL COMPUTER LAB SERVICES There are computer labs in each residential college where students may get access to printing and to the internet if they do not have personal computers. For a complete list of residential computer labs and locations, please visit sts.wustl.edu/services/ residential-computerlabs.
Student Technology Services
PRINTING ON CAMPUS
(314) 935-8324 (TECH) (text) (314) 935-7100 (service desk)
Students can print from anywhere by emailing documents as attachments to print@wustl.edu. The document(s) will then be available to print from any print release station in the residential areas. The STS website has directions for how to set up your computer to reach any printer, so you do not need to worry about bringing a printer from home. For more information about printing, please visit sts. wustl.edu/services/printing.
LO C ATI O N & H OUR S
Gregg House, Lower Level (service desk, academic year) Sunday–Thursday: 12 PM–12 AM Friday and Saturday: 12 PM–6 PM PH O NE
EM A IL
student.technology@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
sts.wustl.edu
STUDENT TELEPHONE SERVICES All rooms are wired to connect to the university’s telephone system. You may request to have the line activated and a telephone set placed in your room once you arrive on campus. There is no charge for local telephone service, and you may contract with Telephone Services to use the university’s low-cost long-distance network, as well as other services. The system allows you to make direct calls, place collect calls, or use a calling card, depending on the services you choose. washington university in st. louis | 85
HELPFUL TECHNOLOGY TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS Technology and Copyright: Is copying ever right? It is important to understand copyright laws apply to all intellectual works. We aren’t just talking about music and movies, but also software, photos, articles, and websites, for example. Only the copyright owner has the right to reproduce and distribute his or her work. Sharing copyrighted material without the owner’s permission is a violation of the law and can lead to serious legal sanctions. Washington University takes violations of copyright laws seriously, but it does so in the best interest of the students. Even if you don’t agree with the stance Washington University and other institutions have taken on this matter, it is in your best interest to refrain from engaging in this illegal activity. First of all, many of the methods used to share copyrighted material can cause serious problems to your computer, such as viruses and the installation of spyware software. Secondly, a blemish such as a violation of the law on your permanent record is less than desirable. If you are caught, you will be notified immediately and will have to speak with the appropriate authorities. File sharing is dangerous, both for your computer and yourself, and it simply isn’t worth it. For your sake and the sake of others, please find legal ways to acquire copyrighted material. Microsoft Office for WashU Students All current students now have access to download the full Microsoft Office suite of applications for free through their Office 365 account. You can install Microsoft Office on up to five devices and may choose to install Windows and/or Mac OS versions. For detailed instructions on how to download and install Microsoft Office through Office 365, please review the installation instructions for Windows or Mac OS on email.wustl.edu/office-apps. What to Bring With You This summer, remember to pack all the cables, cords, connections, manuals, and CDs for all the software installed on your machine. Remember to bring the information about your computer’s warranty (who to call) so you can get warranty service. STS cannot provide any hardware support for your machine (which could violate your warranty) but can assist you with getting connected to a vendor for help. What if I Don’t Bring a Computer? Labs equipped with a printer, a scanner, and multiple computers are located in each residential college (see the STS web page for a complete listing). An additional print-release station with colorprinting capabilities is centrally located in the South 40 inside the Bear’s Den. On the Danforth Campus, each school has a computing center. Plus, there are multiple computing locations within Olin Library including public computers on each level and the Arc Technology Center.
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UNIVERSITY STORES WU CAMPUS STORE The Washington University Campus Store, located in Mallinckrodt Center, provides important academic resources and services to the Washington University community. Many course materials are available in new or used condition to purchase or rent or as e-books. The WU Campus Store now offers Price Match on books stocked and shipped from selected online competitors. If you don’t see the book you need in the store, go to wubookstore.com to shop the Follett network of stores. There are no shipping charges for in store pick-up. Looking to read the latest bestseller or an academic book written by a favorite professor? The store has a complete selection of fiction and nonfiction books. Washington University licensed apparel and gifts are a large part of the store and you can be assured of the finest quality and selection. You can also find school, art, and architecture supplies, as well as technology hardware, supplies, and peripherals. The WU Campus Store gives back to WashU by providing course book scholarships and supporting on-campus organizations, campus events, charities, and student groups. You can get everything you need at the WU Campus Store in store or online at wubookstore.com! Course Materials The WU Campus Store can assist you with all your course material needs. (See page 16.) Technology Department Located within the Campus Store, the Technology department carries an expanded selection of computer hardware, peripherals, accessories, and supplies. Apple Service Center The Technology Department provides diagnostic service and repair to Apple laptops and desktops. The Service Center does not repair iPads or iPhones. Service Center hours are 10 AM–6 PM. It is located at the Technology Information Counter. Software
Dell The Campus Store offers select Dell configurations at educational discounts (academic ID is required) as a PC option on campus. Peripherals and Supplies The Campus Store carries a complete selection of mice, keyboards, laptop sleeves, protective gear for tablets and phones, bags and locks, and external hard drives. They also stock everything you need to complete your assignments from printers, paper, and ink to flash drives.
BEAR NECESSITIES Bear Necessities, located on the South 40, is a notfor-profit gift and convenience store operated by the Women’s Society of Washington University in St. Louis. Conveniently located steps from your residence hall, the store specializes in WashU logo apparel, school supplies, and health and beauty products. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new WashU sweatshirt or need to grab a notebook, pen, or a toothbrush, Bear Necessities has what you’re looking for. For parents and families, Bear Necessities offers fullservice support to help you celebrate your student’s special occasions from far away. For celebrations, the store has yummy custom-made birthday cakes as well as balloon bouquets for any occasion. Gifts can be ordered online, or call and talk to a personal shopper. All proceeds fund student projects and scholarships. Each year Bear Necessities supports four full scholarships and contributions to more than 30 WashU student projects through the Women’s Society of Washington University. Bear Necessities is not affiliated with the WU Campus Store.
WU Campus Store LO C ATI O N
Mallinckrodt Center, Danforth Campus PH O NE
(314) 935-5500 EM A IL
MS Office 365 is available for PC and Mac to students for free and can be downloaded through email. wustl.edu. Adobe products are available for purchase.
wustl@bkstr.edu
HARDWARE
Bear Necessities
Apple As an Apple reseller, the Campus Store stocks the latest in Apple laptops and desktops at educational pricing (academic ID is required). Computers are available in-stock or configured to-order. The iPad is available at the Campus Store, and we are still the place to go for all your Apple and iPhone accessories.
W EB S ITE
wubookstore.com
LO C ATI O N
Umrath House, South 40 PH O NE
(314) 935-5071 W EB S ITE
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CHAPTER FIVE
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OUR NAMES, OUR STORIES At Washington University, we strive to know all students by name and story. While some of us may share names, we all have our own unique story to tell. This section aims to share some of those stories with you. The university aspires to be a supportive, inclusive, and diverse community. To this end, we hold the following values for our campus.
SECTION CONTENTS
• • • •
The WashU Bubble Starting School As... Getting Connected A New and Diverse Community • Cultural Connections
COMMUNITY VALUES STATEMENT FOR WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS We, as members of the Washington University community, strive to ENGAGE, LEARN, RESPECT, and INCLUDE to know each other by name and story. ENGAGE
RESPECT
• We are valued members of the Washington University community.
• We act with kindness and empathy.
• We seek out different perspectives and experiences. • We share our stories and listen to others. LEARN • We hold the courage to speak up, take risks, and make mistakes. • We challenge ourselves to think critically and reflect upon our actions and words. • We discover and explore identity.
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• We are responsible to our community and for our actions. • We will forgive and be forgiven. INCLUDE • We welcome differences as well as commonalities. • We learn from others. • We value others.
THE WASHU BUBBLE A WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH UNIVERSITY WITH THE FEEL OF A SMALL COLLEGE WashU might be a campus of 14,000 students (about 6,700 undergraduates), but our medium-size research university often feels like a smaller liberal arts college thanks to all of the opportunities you’ll have to get to know other students and faculty members. See what we mean:
Trish is Dina’s RCD in Park/ Mudd Residential College
Trish Gomez
Sorority sisters
Members of Uncle Joe’s
Paulome Srivastava
Attended Habitat for Humanity spring break trip together
Demi Kallis
Tara Robinson
Rachel Roberts
Dina Guilak Members of student organization Spoon University
Members of the WUSA League
Ashoka
Tracy Cherian
First-year roommates
Amanda Drath WUSAs for same floor
Tracy was Karena’s WUSA Lived on same first-year floor Vishruth is the RA of Karena’s WUSA floor
RJ Doro
Karena Yan
Sophomore suitemates
Attended LAUNCH Pre-O program Vishruth Reddy
Same SOAR small group
Katie Penvose
Dr. Baker is the Faculty Fellow for Amanda’s Residential College, Koenig
Track team The Pikers a cappella
Rachel Kershner Fraternity brothers
Dr. Scott Baker
Sean Lundergan Writers for student newspaper, Student Life
First-year roommates
Rugby team
Ethan Bredemeier
Drew Ells
Ben Goodfriend
Lived on same first-year floor
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STARTING SCHOOL AS... Hey there! It’s the First Year Center Executive Board again. We each arrived at WashU with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences, and we know the same is true for you as well. These experiences influenced our expectations about starting school at WashU. We wanted to share some of our reflections and the reflections of our peers with you as you prepare to arrive on campus. We hope these stories will help you frame your own expectations and alleviate some of the nervousness you may be feeling. Each of these stories was written by a student here at WashU. Enjoy!
A STUDENT FROM A SMALL TOWN I never truly realized how much I enjoyed my small town until I went away for college. Picture this: A crisp fall day, the leaves just turned vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. Walking down Main Street through the center of our town you see people enjoying a morning walk, people sipping on their morning cup of coffee as they head to their car to go to work, and people admiring the quiet rumble of the waterfalls that roar under the bridge next to the popcorn shop. Everyone went to the same school from kindergarten to 12th grade, and I had a graduating class of 150 students. Everything is so familiar there and that is why I wanted a change when I was deciding between colleges. It was hard to leave what I knew to go to a place with so many unknowns: unknown faces, unknown city, and unknown adventures. I was excited for the adjustments and getting to meet new friends! I also had heard that St. Louis barbecue is something special and that the Cardinals fans are unbelievably faithful. But I did wonder, would I make as strong of connections with people in college as I had back home? Would I fit in academically? WashU has helped me adjust and transform into college life in so many ways. My WUSAs and RAs made my floor community into the small community I missed back home! I met my suitemates and soon I was involved with various extracurricular activities; WashU did not feel so big after all. As for academics, WashU provides all of its students with all the resources I could imagine to help them succeed in the classroom. Not to mention, the professors love to get to know their students! Leaving a small town and coming to a medium-sized institution allowed me to become who I am today. For that reason, coming back to my small town has been amazing. I love telling my friends and family all that I have learned about myself and the friendships and adventures I have made along the way. Trading stories with my friends and family at home only pushes us closer to one another. I learned to appreciate more of the little things like the leaves changing, my mom’s cooking, and of course, my bed at home. I am very thankful to have two incredible places to call home and each provide me with a community of love, support, and encouragement!
A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT Ever since I could remember, I knew I wanted to go to college. I was always encouraged by my mom to “do what no one else had done.” My oldest sister went to community college and my middle sister went to beauty school, so when the time came around for me to start applying, my family encouraged me to go as far away as I could. Once I got accepted to WashU, I was so excited to begin a new stage of my life. The interesting part about it all was it wasn’t just me going through this new experience, but my family as well. My sisters were excited to hear all about my college stories when I came home, and my mom was happy that I would be learning how to be independent before moving out of the house. 92 | bear facts
Starting School As... •
A Student from a Small Town
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A First-Generation Student
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A Student from a Small High School
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A Student with Dietary Restrictions
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A Student on Financial Aid
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A Student with a Learning Disability
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A Spiritual Student
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An LGBTQIA Student
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A Multicultural Student
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An International Student
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A Student from the South
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A Student from the West Coast
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A Student from the East Coast
Visit firstyear.wustl.edu for additional student stories and insights. Other Starting School As stories include: •
A Pre-Health Student
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A Non-Pre-Health Student
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A Student from St. Louis
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A Student from the Midwest
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A Student from a CloseKnit Family
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A Student from a Large High School
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A Student from a Public School
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A Student from an AllGirls High School
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A Student the First Time Away from Home
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An Only Child
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The Youngest Child
During my application process, my high school helped a lot with the college application process, so much that I didn’t realize how much my mom didn’t know until I got to WashU in the fall. Whenever I explained something about school to her, like the GPA system, financial aid, or housing, she had a lot of trouble understanding it all. When things began getting tough, I felt like I had nowhere to go. I couldn’t ask my mom or my sisters for advice because they had never been through the experience themselves. Many of my peers had parents who went to college, including prestigious universities. Because of that, their parents knew people who knew people who knew more people. It seemed easier for them to know how to succeed because their parents could share advice about their personal experiences. It’s not that my family didn’t want to help me in this way; they just really couldn’t. Luckily, I had many WashU mentors who have helped me understand all of the resources available to me. WashU provides academic and cocurricular resources to all students. While I didn’t have the advantage of knowing how to do it all before coming to college, I have been able to figure it out, which has been a very rewarding journey. The most rewarding part, however, is hearing my mom tell me how proud she is of me and everything I have accomplished in the past year and a half.
A STUDENT FROM A SMALL HIGH SCHOOL I grew up in a small town where my high school had 400 students total. I’d known many of my peers since elementary school, and walking around the halls at school everyone knew each other’s names. Going from such a familiar community to a mid-sized college like WashU seemed like a huge transition, one that I was extremely nervous for, my main worry being that I would feel alone and forgotten among such a large crowd. How was I supposed to make strong connections with my peers when there were so many of them to meet? Would there be the same cohesive feel among my first-year classmates that I had with the students in my high school grade? Am I sure that I will be okay on a campus where I would never be able to know everyone’s names and they won’t know mine? At the beginning, the sheer number of students at WashU felt overwhelming, but I soon became accustomed to seeing many people around campus, and strange faces soon became familiar. As the year progressed and students became involved in groups such as Campus Y, and EST, or took classes in a specific department, I made connections between students all over campus in every year of college. My Intro to Psychology classmate was suitemates with a girl who I knew on EST, and my intramural soccer teammate went to the same sleepaway camp in New York as my childhood best friend. The comment of “What a small world!” has come to mind more than I ever thought it could as a network of intertwined relationships forms each time I meet someone new on campus. My first-year floor became a comfortable and safe community, similar to that of my grade in high school. The members of my study groups for classes such as Chemistry and Spanish turned into people with whom I would get weekly lunches in Holmes or meet at the Athletics Complex for a spin class. My fears of feeling alone in the crowd gradually dissipated as my support network grew until I felt just as at home in the larger undergraduate community at Washington University in St. Louis as I did in my 400 person high school.
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A STUDENT WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS Being gluten-intolerant, I came to school very nervous about what my diet would look like. I figured all the regular “college food” like hamburgers and fries and chicken tenders would be off limits to me and I would be left eating salads all day, every day. As much as my mom was for the idea of vegetables for every meal, I was not thrilled by the thought. When I arrived to campus I scheduled a meeting to meet with the director of University Nutrition at Washington University, Connie Diekman. It was a very simple process. I emailed Connie explaining the situation and Connie said she would be more than happy to meet with me. In our meeting, Connie walked me around the main eatery on campus known as the DUC and showed me what I could and could not have at each station with my allergy. She also introduced me to a few of the chefs who I could always go to if I had questions or wanted something made special. A few times, I’ve used this resource for the occasional, necessary, and very “college” gluten-free grilled cheese. The university also has an online ordering system called GET Food. You can pick from many of the foods served in both the DUC and Bears Den, the dining area on the South 40. You have the option to order pasta, stir fry, taco salad, sandwiches, and more. You get to choose what goes in them and there is the option to check a box next to many common dietary restrictions. If you are coming to school with a dietary restriction, don’t worry. Washington University does a great job accommodating many eating restrictions including gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, lactose intolerant, food-related allergies, and more. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Dining Services on campus, and they will help you find a diet to keep you energized and healthy.
A STUDENT ON FINANCIAL AID Growing up, I never really worried about money. I always had food on the table, a house to live in, and my parents never said no when I asked for something. I didn’t really realize how much income affected a person’s life until I started applying for colleges. I came from a very racially diverse high school, but economically we were all pretty much in the same category: ‘low-income.’ Low-income meant many things, so you never really knew what people’s financial situations were. However, that changed when we all started applying to colleges. I was instructed by my college counselor to “apply to schools that were generous with financial aid.” At first, I assumed it was because my high school didn’t want anyone to graduate with debt, so I thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until we completed 94 | bear facts
the FAFSA that I realized that “generosity” was based on your EFC, which stands for your Estimated Family Contribution. Mine was the lowest you could get: $0. The EFC of my close friend was well in the tens of thousands. He was told early on that he would more than likely have to take out loans and lots of them. I began to worry. Do schools really have enough money to pay for my education? Will I have to take out loans or decide where I want to go based off of my financial aid package? Once the financial aid awards began coming in, the difference between my letters and his were as clear as day: I was always given financial aid, and WashU covered everything. It was then that I began to think about the family incomes of my future classmates. What kind of work do their parents do? What kinds of things do they have that I don’t? Would I find community at WashU? For a while, I was nervous about people thinking less of me for being on financial aid. I thought it would be easy for them to tell that I was wearing Target clothing or that I was skipping out on invites to dinner off campus because I needed to use meal points instead of going out. But to my surprise, it was rarely an issue. I’m not going to lie and say I don’t notice differences. They’re hard not to notice, especially when I see visible markers of these differences. But how much money my family makes doesn’t really matter to people here, and I have a community of support.
A STUDENT WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY Growing up with dyslexia, I was never personally responsible for making sure I got the accommodations I needed. My school and my parents took care of everything; I just needed to use the resources they put in place for me. In college, however, that all changed for me (and it likely will for you too). If you will be 18 or older when you come to WashU, your parents will not be able to secure accommodations for you. In college and beyond, you must take the initiative and be your own advocate. For me this was a big shift; no longer did everything just fall into my lap. I had to take responsibility so that I could receive the resources that I needed to succeed. I was, of course, afraid that I would mess up and wouldn’t get the help and accommodations that I needed. Luckily, WashU has an amazing place called Cornerstone: The Learning Center, which houses Disability Resources. Cornerstone has a large full-time staff whose sole purpose is to help students succeed. As soon as I went to Disability Resources, all my anxieties disappeared. They sat down with me, asked me what I needed to succeed, and then told me exactly what to do so I could receive the proper accommodations. I have never once felt ashamed of my learning disability or of the resources I receive. Students and faculty alike have all been respectful of my needs and courteous of my accommodations.
Because of the hard work of the Cornerstone staff and the initiative that I took, I have been able to succeed at a higher level than I ever thought possible. Finally, here are some tips if you think you may qualify for accommodations: >
Be proactive and don’t procrastinate. As soon as you know you are coming to WashU, contact Cornerstone (cornerstone.wustl.edu) so you can begin the process and everything can be set up by the time classes begin.
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Follow deadlines. If you qualify for accommodations, you need to meet deadlines in order to receive them for classes or tests.
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If you have a question or concern, speak up. This is the easiest way to make sure everything goes smoothly for you.
A SPIRITUAL STUDENT Growing up as a Muslim in an almost exclusively Christian town, I had learned to keep my religious affiliation to a minimum in fear of standing out too much from my peers. My family maintained a relatively traditional Islamic lifestyle which included things like refraining from alcohol, pork, taking Quran lessons, and going to the mosque for Sunday school. Staying in touch with my religion was easy when at home, but at school I made sure not to speak much about my religion except when asked questions whenever they came up in class or conversation. When the sound of the call to prayer rang loud on my mother’s phone during a cross-country meeting for students and parents, I remember feeling a rush of embarrassment as I knew that the sound was foreign to my teammates. And despite my closest friends knowing me well, I still felt uncomfortable disclosing the fact that as a Muslim, I prayed five times a day. These concerns were at the forefront of my worries before coming to college. Although I knew that I’d be surrounded by people of all different religious backgrounds including my own, I was very apprehensive about what I would say to my roommate, for example, when I first had to lay out that prayer rug five times a day. However, upon arriving on move-in day, the multitude of students and staff present to welcome new students made me feel right at home. I immediately told my roommate about my praying habits and received not only acceptance by her but also a prior understanding of Islamic customs that I did not even need to explain. In the first weeks of school, I began sharing more and more about how I practiced my religion. The more I shared about Islam, the more I learned about the religions of those around me on a level much deeper than anything I experienced in high school both in the classroom and with my peers. There is something truly unique about living on a campus as religiously diverse as WashU, where students are able to engage in not only conversation about
religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, but also have firsthand experiences by going to events such as Fast-a-thon hosted by the Muslim Student Association, or Friday evening Shabbat dinner at the Chabad House. WashU also offers various food options for specific diets such as Halal and Kosher options at nearly every dining facility, making the lives of students with religious dietary needs as convenient and comfortable as possible. WashU students are well aware of the fact that learning is a lifelong experience and there is no better way to foster a community of acceptance and kindness than through understanding the needs and behaviors of the people around them, including spiritual behaviors. For this reason, I am proud to say I am a Muslim student at WashU who can practice my religion openly and simultaneously be engaged in the beliefs and practices of others.
AN LGBTQIA STUDENT The summer before I started college at WashU marked a momentous occasion: I came out as gay to my best friend. Growing up in central Indiana, I didn’t always feel comfortable with expressing my sexuality. When I first came to WashU, I was shocked by the openness and acceptance of the student body. Sexuality, gender, and other identities were viewed in a different light than I was used to at home. Over the course of my first semester, I gradually started coming out to more and more friends from home during breaks or via FaceTime. When I came back to campus from Winter Break, I promised myself that I would come out to my two roommates. I spent many hours at home thinking of every possible response they could have. What if they didn’t want to live with me anymore? What if it affected our close friendship? When I finally mustered the courage to tell them, all the anxiety and preparation I experienced for this event was trivial. While my roommates were surprised, it changed nothing about our relationship as roommates or friends. The relief and freedom I experienced from coming out to my roommates led me to gradually come out to the rest of my friends and floormates. WashU has excellent resources for LGBTQIA* students. WU Pride Alliance, the largest related student group, has a very diverse membership and puts on great events like Trans* Awareness Week, formals and dances, and guest speakers throughout the year. Other groups include PLUS, OPEN, Transcending Gender, and SafeZones. WashU offers a free, two-day retreat called Destination Q for LGBTQIA students and allies to explore leadership and identity development. All the LGBTQIA groups and Campus Life provide great resources to all students to foster an inclusive environment. These resources and an open-minded student body make WashU an amazing place to be yourself and gain acceptance! *LGBTQIA: Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Questioning Intersex Asexual washington university in st. louis | 95
A MULTICULTURAL STUDENT I grew up in a home with a Greek mother and Spanish father while attending a French school. If you’re counting the number of cultures, that comes out to four. I grew up eating lamb and roast potatoes with fasolakia on Thanksgiving, eating a tortilla Española with a traditional paella on Christmas Eve, and doing the Galette des Rois for Mardis Gras. For Christmas, we decided to pay homage to the United States and make a turkey and stuffing, but this was the only holiday that resembled anything that my classmates were doing. I had cousins from all over the world, none of whom spoke the same native language, who always wanted to know what was going on in my life. We were all so close, and I was nervous that going to school away from my family was going to cause me to lose the ties I had to these cultures. Thankfully, WashU has a ton of cultural groups on campus, which are open to all students, that put on fantastic cultural shows and make a bunch of amazing food. I found myself feeling so much more comfortable with the community around me and found awesome people who were interested in learning more about our cultures and who shared the same interest in learning about, celebrating, and embracing many different cultures, as I do.
AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT When I started at WashU, even the word “international student” caused stress and fear for me. I felt as if I was expected to complete two seemingly overwhelming tasks simultaneously: go to college and learn the American way. Sure, I was not the only international student on campus; there were kids from all over the world. Still, I had to learn how to make myself comfortable here. Part of getting comfortable was reconnecting with the people back home and easing the homesickness. I video-chatted with my family and called my friends to see how they were. I hung photos and paintings that I had brought with me so that I could remind myself of home. I even ordered local snacks and drinks from Amazon. Doing these little things reminded me of who I am and where I’m from. But I also knew I had to take a risk. Reminding myself of home was good, but coming to WashU allowed me the opportunity to expand my horizons and try new things. There were hundreds of clubs and organizations for me to try out, and students were so eager to listen to stories about my experiences, my culture, and my history. So here’s my advice: branch out, take risks, and talk to some new people. Share your story because others will listen to you. If you need help adjusting, Stix International House, home of the Office for International Students and Scholars (oiss.wustl.edu), is also a great resource. They have different programs that allow international students to meet one another and form great friendships. All in all, think of WashU as your new home— meet new people, talk to family and friends, and don’t be afraid to get outside your comfort zone. Don’t worry; we’re all friends here.
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A STUDENT FROM THE SOUTH For me, deciding to leave the South was really difficult. It seemed like everyone I knew was staying in the South at big state schools, especially since I was the only one in my senior class to come to WashU. I was afraid to leave behind mild winters, Southern hospitality, and easy access to some of the best barbecue. Although my first winter here was definitely an interesting new experience, it was tolerable. Back in my home town, just the anticipation of an inch or two of snow would cause the whole city to shut down and grocery stores to run out of bread and milk. Here, I slipped and slid my way to class through snow and 10 degree weather, which I was definitely not used to, but I quickly adjusted to bundling up in more layers than I had ever worn before and waddling my way around campus. It might seem like a lot of work at first, just to go to class, but it is definitely worth the warmth in the chilling January wind. I was also pleased to find that Southern hospitality was matched by Midwestern friendliness. I am always greeted with smiles by my RAs, WUSAs, and staff members, and they were always willing to talk to me and make a connection with me. Through this, I was able to meet so many people from different backgrounds and cultures, many of which I was not exposed to back at home. And although nothing can beat that Southern barbecue, St. Louis barbecue has been a close second. The transition to the WashU community from the South can be such an eye-opening and meaningful experience. Enjoy it!
A STUDENT FROM THE WEST COAST While I love the West Coast and will eventually return 10 shades paler than when I left, this was my time to explore a place I may never get the chance to explore again. In preparation for my new home, I bought a thick winter coat that went down to my ankles, wool socks, and a pair of gloves that I could use my phone with. I looked like a marshmallow until I got the hang of layering, but I was better safe than sorry. The thought of not having access to avocados and fresh fruit made me really nervous until I realized that any fruit or vegetable found on the West Coast can usually be found at a St. Louis grocery store. (If you like Mexican food as much as I do and Chipotle won’t cut it, Mission Taco is a nice substitution to hold you over.) I was slowly adapting to my new environment, and I came to find that it actually was not going to be as difficult as I anticipated. My closet and fridge were filled with things that made me feel much more comfortable about my new home, but it was the people who really sealed the deal. Midwesterners have this amazing ability to have genuine and caring conversations even if you’ve only known them for 10 minutes. You’ll come to really appreciate people asking you how your day is going or if you need any help.
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A STUDENT FROM THE EAST COAST Before starting the college process, I had never heard of WashU. My school criteria were: not too big, not too small, and preferably near a city, so I thought I was going to end up somewhere in the northeast, which was comfortably similar to home. In meetings with my college counselor we talked about countless schools up along the East Coast, but she also encouraged me to consider other regions. I knew I didn’t want to swelter in the heat, so the South was out, and I thought the West Coast would be too far, which left me with the Midwest. Going to school in Washington, D.C., “Washington University” brought another university to mind, but once my college counselor mentioned WashU, I started hearing about it everywhere. Suddenly I noticed when a friend’s mom mentioned her brother-in-law worked at the WashU School of Medicine and when several students in the grade above me decided they would attend WashU the next year. But St. Louis? The entirety of my knowledge of St. Louis consisted of “there’s a big arch there,” and I liked the fast-paced feel of the East Coast. Despite my reservations, my mom and I visited campus on a very hot and very humid summer day, and when I left I thought, “I think I might go here.” I didn’t love WashU yet and didn’t even know that much about it, but I felt like it was a place that would work for me. After the months of applications, I was excited when I finally decided on WashU, but all of my friends were staying on the East Coast, and every once in a while I would think “I’m going to live in Missouri” with the realization I did not know much about the region. Now with a fair few trips under my belt, I’ve realized the plane ride to St. Louis is a quick one, and the drive is just as enjoyable, lending itself to scenic stops in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Christmas shops in Santa Claus, Indiana. And then there’s St. Louis itself. I was right. St. Louis is definitely different than D.C. St. Louis isn’t huge, with thousands of people walking purposefully through the streets, but it’s definitely a city with pride and identity all its own. As the semesters roll on, St. Louis and, importantly, WashU, have felt more and more like home, and with each class, excursion, or day spent relaxing in my room, I find more reasons I’m glad I chose to come here.
GETTING CONNECTED CENTER FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is a community resource to learn about diversity, social justice, and identity. The center’s staff supports and advocates for students from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized populations and creates collaborative partnerships with campus and community members to promote dialogue and social change. The center is open for students to engage formally through attending programs, workshops, and trainings. The campus community is also welcome and encouraged to participate informally by spending time in the center or connecting with the staff, undergraduate interns, and graduate fellows. The Center for Diversity and Inclusion is located on the 3rd floor of the Danforth University Center. More information is available at diversity. wustl.edu or by contacting diversity@wustl.edu.
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Multicultural Student Organizations: African Students Association, AltaVoz, Ashoka, Asian American Association, Asian Multicultural Council, Asian Music Association, Association of Black Students, Association of Latin American Students, Black Anthology, Black PreLaw Association, Black Senior Alliance, Chinese Students Association, Hawaii Club, Hong Kong Students Association, Iranian Cultural Society, ITALO, Japan Peer Network, Korean International Student Society, Korean Students Association, Lunar New Year Festival, Minority Association of PreMedical Students, Mariachi Cuicacalli, Mixed, National Black MBA Association, National Organization of Minority Architecture Students, National Society of Black Engineers, PL4Y, Russian Club, Sensasians, Singapore Students Association, Taiwanese Students Organization, Thai Student Association, TRUTH: Teaching Racial Understanding Through Honesty, Turkish Students Association, Vietnamese Students Association, WU Bhangra, WU Chaahat, WU RAAS, YoWU
MULTICULTURAL GROUPS Washington University prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive environment. In creating that environment, it provides students with the chance to join organizations that appeal to many different cultural needs and interests. Washington University has many groups aimed at ensuring a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for students. Many cultures are represented and celebrated. You can find more information about all the different groups and their activities by visiting wugo.wustl.edu, meeting with a staff member in Campus Life, or by viewing more information online at campuslife.wustl.edu.
LGBTQIA
LGBTQIA Student Organizations Connections*, Nice Jewish Queers, Open, People Like Us (+PLUS), Pride Alliance, Safe Zones, Transcending Gender, WashU Ace & Aro
Washington University is committed to providing a welcoming learning and living environment for all. There is one full-time staff member in Campus Life dedicated to working with students, faculty, and staff to create an inclusive environment for members of the LGBTQIA community and advises undergraduate student groups.
RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE Washington University is interested in the growth and development of the whole student, including one’s spiritual or religious life. There are many religious groups and opportunities for you on campus as well as a multitude of local worship places to explore. For a list of faith groups and their contact information, visit wustl.edu/currentstudents/religious-life. If you are interested in finding student groups involved in faith-based activities and programs, visit wugo.wustl.edu.
Religious & Spiritual Student Organizations Asian Christian Fellowship, Association of Christian Truth Seekers, Baptist Student Union, Bhakti Yoga Club, Campus Outreach, Catholic Student Union, Chabad Student Association, Christians on Campus, College Central, Episcopal Campus Ministries, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, First Year Students of Hillel, Grace Fellowship, Harambee Christian Ministries, Hillel Leadership Council, InterBeliefs Council, LeChayim, Latter Day Saints Student Association, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Muslim Students Association, Overflow, STAMM United Methodist Campus Ministries
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BIAS REPORT AND SUPPORT SYSTEM Washington University values diversity, inclusion, and human dignity, and strives to foster an environment in which all community members are respected and able to take part in academic, cocurricular, and social activities. Unfortunately, though, there are times when an incident may occur that doesn’t fall in line with those values and expectations. The university developed a system through which students, faculty, staff, and community members who have experienced or witnessed incidents of bias, prejudice, or discrimination involving a student can report their experiences to the university’s Bias Report and Support System (BRSS) team.
The BRSS team comprises trained Washington University faculty and staff who work to: •
Support students who have witnessed or been the target of biasrelated incidents
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Refer community members to campus partners, groups, or individuals who can provide ongoing support
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Inform the community about the frequency and nature of bias incidents reported through the BRSS
Housed in the Center for Diversity & Inclusion, the BRSS promotes an inclusive community at Washington University by providing a central, streamlined process for reporting incidents of hate, bias, and/or discrimination involving students.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS Some of WashU’s greatest traditions are the campus-wide cultural shows held throughout the academic year. The four signature events include Diwali, Lunar New Year Festival, Black Anthology, and Carnaval. These performances are put on throughout the year by various student groups and often sell out Edison Theatre. They include skits, dances, and other performances by students.
DIWALI Diwali is a major festival originating in the subcontinent of India. It is commonly known in the Hindu religion as the “Festival of Lights,” but is celebrated widely by a variety of cultures and religions around the world, such as Sikhism and Jainism. At Washington University, Diwali is one of the most widely anticipated and largest student-run productions, drawing participants from various ethnic and religious backgrounds in order to make the show an integrated experience of cultures.
CARNAVAL Carnaval is the annual Latin cultural show organized by the Association of Latin American Students. The celebration is named after the grand festivals of music and dancing that occur throughout the world on the eve of Lent with the most popular carnavales being the ones in Brazil. Each year, the show’s skit touches on current events and topics effecting the Latino population and features several dances that encompass the vast culture and art throughout Latin America.
BLACK ANTHOLOGY Black Anthology was founded in 1989 to commemorate the history and progress of people of African descent. The production has evolved from a compilation of skits (an anthology) of well-known poetry or theater to a fully scripted play that is student written, choreographed, and produced. The productions look at issues impacting Black identity.
LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL The Lunar New Year Festival is an annual production celebrating the Lunar New Year and promoting awareness of East Asian culture through traditional and contemporary performances. Interspersed throughout the show is a skit seeking to engage the community in a social justice issue affecting the Asian-American community, and fundraising throughout the year aims to give back to the surrounding community. Completely student-run, this show brings together performances from various parts of East Asia for an exhilarating cultural celebration! 100 | bear facts
Bias Report and Support System EM A IL
brss@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
brss.wustl.edu
A NEW AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY Jessie Lee
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 My first day here was crazy. I remember trying to meet all my WUSAs and RAs while they frantically moved boxes up and down the stairs into my new home. Every time I would run into an unfamiliar face, I would shake their hand, introduce myself, learn their name, only to forget it by the time I met the next person. I spent the whole day unpacking boxes, moving all the furniture around, learning my way around my residence hall, taking lots of pictures, while patiently waiting to meet my new roommate. When we finally settled down and gathered for our first floor meeting, I quickly recognized that I was surrounded by people who had not only come from all around the country and even the world, but also from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, identities, and ideas. Throughout the next few days, I started to realize that my definition of diversity was far narrower than what it really meant. It stretched beyond race or ethnicity, past age and gender, all the way through to intersecting identities, experiences, backgrounds, and much more. Being unaccustomed and unaware of many of these aspects, I was on edge whenever I met someone new so as to not seem ignorant or say something offensive. Looking back, I know now that many of us feel this way in new situations. At first, it can be unfamiliar and uncomfortable not knowing much about these differences, and that’s okay. But as with any uncertainty, nothing will change if there is no conversation and sharing of experiences. By embracing the unfamiliarity and using it as a learning opportunity, we can grow as a community to become one that is more inclusive and more understanding. Once I found the courage to ask others to share their story, I was thrilled to find that many were happy to explain their experiences, beliefs, and identities and to learn about my own.
There are still many ways in which we can grow to ensure an entirely inclusive community where anybody and everybody feels welcomed and supported. Diversity and inclusion at WashU is always changing, as we continuously welcome students from new experiences, backgrounds, and cultures. So I challenge you, as part of the WashU community, to share your story, ask questions, appreciate your differences and your similarities, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes us all different, in a community that brings us all together.
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102 | bear facts
C H A P T ER S I X
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM washington university in st. louis | 103
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Create your story here. As a college student, academics are your first priority. Also important is how you choose to complement your learning with opportunities and experiences outside the classroom. What are your current interests? What would you like to try? How and where do you want to leave your mark at WashU? You have many choices ahead of you. In this section, we have created a snapshot of many of the opportunities available to you. Whether your interests lie in student government, fraternity or sorority life, sports, religious organizations, or even Quidditch, WashU has something for you. Your co-curricular life is just as important as your academic life. So again, we challenge you to create your story here and be remarkable!
FIRST YEAR CENTER The First Year Center supports new students through their transition into the Washington University community to ensure that they build and sustain their academic and personal goals. The Center brings together people, programs, and resources to provide an undergraduate experience of exceptional quality where all students are known by name and story and where they prepare themselves for lives of purpose and meaning.
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SECTION CONTENTS
• First Year Center • A Day in the Life • A Backstage Pass to the First 40 Experience • Campus Life • When to Get Involved • Student Government • Co-Curricular Activities • Community and Civic Engagement • School Spirit and Traditions • Sports on Campus • Arts on Campus • WashU at Your Fingertips
WELCOME FROM LORI S. WHITE LORI S. WHITE, PhD
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs I am the lady who wears pink tennis shoes on campus, is the self-appointed school spirit police officer who will “call you out” if she sees you wearing anything but WashU swag on campus, and will invite you to lunch if you stop her on campus and introduce yourself. So who am I? I am the vice chancellor for student affairs. As the vice chancellor for student affairs, my colleagues and I focus primarily on your outsideof-the-classroom life at Washington University. We are the folks who: coordinate orientation; work in your residence halls, the Danforth University Center, the Sumers Center for Recreation; get you connected with leadership and other involvement opportunities; make sure you are staying healthy physically and mentally, and are making good choices related to your personal and community behavior; support WashU spirit and traditions, including 17 varsity sports; provide you with a range of academic and other support services; and help you chart your post-graduation path. Once your family and friends congratulated you on your acceptance to Washington University in St. Louis, I am sure the next phrase you heard was “college will be the best years of your life!” I know you will have many “best years” and sincerely hope the time you spend at WashU is among them.
You have decided to attend a university that is a top academic institution and one that will provide a range of opportunities and experiences that will prepare you for a successful and satisfying future. I look forward to personally welcoming you to WashU and to learning your name and story. Go Bears!
JUNE AND JULY SOAR: Summer Orientation Advising Registration This on-campus, three-day, overnight experience includes meeting with an advisor and registering for classes, getting to know upperclass student leaders, exploring campus and the St. Louis community, as well as meeting some of your new classmates. Bear Bulletin E-Newsletter
First Year Center PH O NE
(314) 935-5040 EM A IL
firstyearcenter@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
firstyear.wustl.edu
The Bear Bulletin is an e-newsletter first-year students receive throughout their first year. Some newsletters will focus on important dates, deadlines, on-campus events, and announcements from the First Year Center. Other newsletters provide suggestions for things to do and places to eat off campus and profile a few of the many interesting students and faculty members at WashU. Be sure to watch for the first edition of the Class of 2021 Bear Bulletin in mid-June 2017. Continues on page 107
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A DAY IN THE LIFE Farah Hashim
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 Monday—my alarm goes off: 6:35 AM, 6:40 AM, 6:45 AM. Many ‘snoozes’ later, I’m finally up at 6:55 AM and getting dressed for my trek to Sumers Recreation Center1. Half asleep, I hand the gym attendant my room key instead of my ID card2, I laugh it off, and then officially begin my day with a workout. About an hour later, I speedily walk back to my room and head straight away to the shower where I see a couple of my suitemates brushing their teeth. The three of us have a pretty set routine, so we’re able to all get ready in the bathroom together without disrupting anyone else’s schedule. We each get dressed, asking the others’ opinion on what shoes to wear or if anyone knows if we’ll be needing an umbrella that day. Each one of us chooses to make breakfast in our room to save time (and meal points)3, and soon enough we’re out the door at approximately 8:43 AM (my friends are very punctual) to grab some coffee from Cherry Tree Café4 before heading to 9 AM physics in Crow Hall5. Classes begins on “WashU Time,” 10 minutes after the time listed. After the physics lecture, I head over to my Spanish class, a small course with about 12 other students, in Eads Hall6. Being in this smaller class has allowed me to connect with a professor more easily, and being able to talk and interact a lot with peers during class has made it especially more fun (even if it’s in a different language). After Spanish, I have an hour break and so I often head to Olin Library7, either to print something I’ll need for my next class or just check my Blackboard8 to make sure I am kept up-todate with assignments for that day. My phone buzzes with a text from a friend. She’s finished with her class at around 11:30 AM, and so I meet up with her and another friend who has already saved us a table at the DUC9 to grab some lunch before our biology class in Brown Hall10 at noon. Before class starts, I see my
friend whom I met in biology lab11 a few rows down. I catch up with him for a little bit and talk about the next lab we’ll be going to the next day. Biology ends and I am officially done with classes for the day, having a few hours free to study. I head towards Simon Hall12, grabbing a snack from Einstein’s to fuel myself for a little bit of homework in the library on the second floor of Simon (one of my favorite study spots). At around 4 PM, I head over to the Life Sciences building for a peerled biology study group13 to prepare for the upcoming exam the following week. After this study session, I pack up my things and decide to head back to my room to relax for a little bit before dinner. I hear a knock on the door from a friend who lives down the hall asking if my suitemates and I would like to go eat, so we all head down to BD14 together. After eating, chatting, and relaxing, we finally muster up the energy to head to our respective rooms and do a little more studying for the night. I get a text from my COSA15 Matt asking if I would want to update our WUSA floor calendar16, so I finish up what I am currently studying and head over to the second floor of Eliot A17 residential house on the South 4018, the floor which we are WUSAs for, and work on the calendar with him. Pretty soon it’s around 11:30 PM, so I head back to my room and catch up with my suitemates while we relax and wind down, and soon enough I’m dozing off. I head back into my room, turn off the lights, and hop into bed. I set my alarm(s) and within minutes I am fast asleep, reenergizing for another busy day. Goodnight!
1. Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center, where students can work out for free, opened in the Fall of 2016. // 2.Students will carry around two personal cards: a room key that grants swipe access to only a student’s suite door and room door, and a student ID card that will grant access to buildings, library books, and be used as both a meal point card in dining halls as well as Bear Bucks card. (Bear Bucks is a cashless system on the WU ID card which can be used to make purchases on and off campus. Bear Bucks are accepted on all four Washington University in St. Louis campuses as well as select off-campus businesses.) // 3. Meal plans range from least number of meal points and cost to highest: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. First-year students are required to purchase no less than the Silver Plan. For residential students, the Silver Plan is the most popular: adequately meeting the dietary needs of most students. As sophomores, my friends and I have chosen the bronze plan in order to have the opportunity to make our own breakfast. // 4. Cherry Tree is a café on the South 40 located inside the Bear's Den (see footnote 14); it serves coffee and pastries all day, sandwiches at lunchtime, and comfort food during dinner hours. // 5. Wayman Crow Hall houses the department of Physics in Arts & Sciences. // 6. James Buchanan Eads Hall houses the Arts & Sciences Computing Center, Language and Instructional Media Center, and the Teaching Center. Many romance language classes, College Writing classes, and other smaller, discussion-based classes are held in Eads. // 7. John M. Olin Library is the main library located on the Danforth Campus. // 8. Blackboard is the website professors use to post syllabi, course documents, assignments, and grades students need for their classes. // 9. The Danforth University Center, referred to as the DUC (pronounced “duck”) is a major student center on campus. It houses the largest campus eatery, Ibby’s Campus Bistro, the Career Center, Student Union, and the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, just to name a few. Many students will have lunch in the DUC during the school week. // 10. Brown Hall is a building belonging to the Brown School of Social Work, but many large lectures such as biology are held in the building’s large lecture hall. // 11. Most introductory science courses will have a laboratory component to them. Students will prepare for the lab, execute the instructions, and then come to conclusions and write a brief report. // 12. Simon Hall houses the Olin Business School and has lecture and seminar classrooms, study rooms, a library, a courtyard, open study spaces, and Einstein Bros. Bagels. // 13. The Life Sciences building houses the biology department and is where biology labs take place. Introductory science courses will often offer small, upperclass student-led study groups to help students better grasp the material in a more engaging setting. // 14. Bear's Den, referred to strictly by students as “BD,” is the main dining facility located on the South 40 and offers a variety of food options. BD also houses an on-campus market called Paws and Go that provides an abundance of fresh produce, snacks, drinks, frozen meals, a frozen yogurt station, and an extensive salad bar. // 15. COSA is an abbreviation for co-WUSA. WUSA (pronounced “woo-sa”) stands for Washington University Student Associate, and they are student leaders who aid with the first-year transition process to WashU. WUSAs generally work in pairs, and Matt is my partner. // 16. This is a large academic calendar created by WUSAs that is available on each first-year floor, notifying students of upcoming academic deadlines and exam dates. // 17. Eliot A is a part of Thomas H. Eliot Residential College, and has kitchens on each floor, and laundry in each building, along with a number of study spaces, a computer lab, and a multipurpose room. // 18. The South 40, commonly shortened to “The 40,” is the southernmost 40 acres of the WashU campus that boasts our first- and second-year residential community.
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AUGUST Pre-Orientation Pre-Orientation programs are a great start to your WashU experience. Held before Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation, they provide you with the opportunity to work closely with a campus organization, gain valuable leadership skills, get a jump start on getting involved on campus, and meet other students with similar interests. See pages 29–31 for more information. Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation This welcome week officially introduces Washington University to new students and their families. You will learn more about the academic opportunities in your school and the residential college experience, as well as participate in social activities with your classmates. See page 39 for more information. Common Reading Program Each entering class reads a book sent to them over the summer. When you arrive at WashU, you will join intellectual, small-group discussions led by a faculty or staff member to discuss the book. See page 39 for more information.
SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER First 40 The First 40 is a series of fun events and activities on campus and in the community that are open to new students during their first 40 days at Washington University.
JANUARY–MARCH Emerging Leaders Program In the spring semester, new students can take part in the Emerging Leaders Program, a seven-week leadership development experience. Each week focuses on a different area of leadership. In this program, you will learn how to strengthen your personal leadership style and skills. Working in small groups, you are paired with an upperclass peer mentor.
APRIL First-Year Finale First-Year Finale is a celebration held at the end of the first year to encourage students to reflect on their first-year experiences and recognize outstanding members of the university community who contributed to their first-year success.
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YEAR ROUND Home Plate Founded and run by Risa Zwerling Wrighton, wife of Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, the Home Plate program matches you with a host family you can visit several times a year for home cooked meals and enjoyable dinnertime conversation. (See page 70 for more information.) Lunch By The Dozen You have the opportunity to participate in a series of lunches and dinners throughout the year hosted by faculty who teach large introductory courses in fields such as chemistry, psychology, physics, history, math, and art history. Get to know a professor outside of the large student lecture hall.
SAVE THE DATE FOR A FEW OF FALL’S EXCITING EVENTS August 24 August 24–27 August 28 September 1 September 4 September 15 October 14–17 October 20–22 November 22–26 December 8 December 11–20
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Move-In Day Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation Day 1 and First Day of Classes First Friday & Fall Activities Fair Labor Day (no classes) Balloon Glow in Forest Park Fall Break (no classes) Parent & Family Weekend Thanksgiving break (no classes) Last day of classes Reading period & final exams
A BACKSTAGE PASS TO THE FIRST 40 EXPERIENCE Sam Pointer
Olin Business School Class of 2019 The first 40 days of your WashU experience will be filled with a lot of mixed emotions: the desire to get the year started, the fear of being away from home, and the excitement and nervousness of starting a brand new part of your life. These are just a few emotions that you will experience in your first 40 days. With all of these unknowns coming at you all at once, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure about what steps you should be taking as you start your time at WashU. Fortunately, WashU provides the necessary resources and support to help with your transition to WashU. First 40, which spans the first 40 days on campus for new students, boasts events all over campus to welcome incoming students. These events allow student to form relationships with peers while also learning about WashU and the surrounding St. Louis area. The premier First 40 event is Day 1: a celebration of your first official day as a WashU student. This event aims to help ease students through the transition process and the start of classes. The celebration begins at the Underpass, where upperclass students wearing bright WUSA shirts will be passing out school supplies, snacks, and taking pictures to capture your first day. The WUSAs will be around all day to help you with any questions you may have and will also help guide you around campus making your Day 1 a day to remember. Another event to highlight is Symphony on the South 40. This event brings an important part of the St. Louis arts scene to campus, hosting the St. Louis Symphony for an open air concert for students, faculty, staff, and community members. You leave your class or finish up dinner with floormates and world class musicians come to campus and play for you. It is a truly remarkable show to witness and was honestly my favorite part of the First 40 Experience.
In addition to these, there are tons of other events going on in relation to the First 40 Experience. The Fall Activities Fair is a highlight of the first few weeks of the fall semester. All of the student groups on campus table on Mudd Field and showcase their organizations and how new and returning students can get involved. This is a perfect time to explore interests, meet people who share your passions, or learn about something completely new to you. I hope that this gave you an insight into what First 40 is all about but this is not all. Congress of the South 40 puts on various events for first-year students. A majority of these take place on the South 40, so it allows easy access and is always an enjoyable time. Many memorable events are hosted in your residential colleges; you’ll get to know your new community and floormates throughout your first year. Your RCDs, RAs, and WUSAs will all have great events planned to get you ready for this new part of your life. I hope that you make the most of your First 40 days and your time here at WashU!
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GETTING INVOLVED You can find countless opportunities to quickly get involved in meaningful co-curricular activities. Both staff and students are here to help you find the right connection for you.
LEARNING TO LEAD In addition to finding fun and interesting ways to spend your free time, we want to challenge you to understand what constitutes good leadership. While you are here, you will learn how to apply that knowledge to your experiences. To support this effort, Campus Life invites you to participate in leadership development opportunities including LeaderShape, Redefining Community Experience, and Emerging Leaders. For more information, please visit campuslife. wustl.edu.
Campus Life PH O NE
(314) 935-3443 W EB S ITE
campuslife.wustl.edu
SAVE THE DATE! THE ACTIVITIES FAIR IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1. Panhellenic Sororities ΑΕΦ
Alpha Epsilon Phi
ΑΟΠ
Alpha Omicron Pi
ΑΦ
Alpha Phi
ΓΦΒ
Gamma Phi Beta
ΔΓ
Delta Gamma
STUDENT GROUPS
ΚΔ
Kappa Delta
There are countless ways to become involved at WashU. Check out Student Union’s list of student organizations and their contact information by visiting su.wustl.edu. Additional information on student groups can be found at wugo.wustl.edu. An Activities Fair will be held in early September and again in January. Approximately 300 student groups will be represented, and members will share information about what they do and how new students can become involved.
ΚΚΓ Kappa Kappa Gamma
CAMPUS LIFE Campus Life sponsors several programs to promote student engagement on campus. To help you make decisions about your involvement, the office holds Advisor of the Day hours, which gives you the chance to meet with staff, learn about co-curricular opportunities, and make the most of your time here.
SORORITIES AND FRATERNITIES WashU is home to 12 IFC fraternities, nine Panhellenic sororities, and three National Pan-Hellenic Council city-wide chapters, all of which help foster scholarship, service, and leadership. Nearly 30 percent of WashU students are involved in Greek letter organizations and, through their affiliation, make positive contributions to campus and the greater community. Greek students manage to juggle the demands of the classroom with the expectations of their chapters. If you think you would like to “Go Greek,” first-year students wait until January for the recruitment process to begin. There is limited recruitment for upperclass students in the fall.
ΠΒΦ
Pi Beta Phi
ΧΩ
Chi Omega
IFC Fraternities AΔΦ
Alpha Delta Phi
ΑΕΠ
Alpha Epsilon Pi
ΒΘΠ
Beta Theta Pi
ZBT
Zeta Beta Tau
ΘΞ
Theta Xi
ΚΣ
Kappa Sigma
ΣΑΕ Sigma Alpha Epsilon ΣΝ
Sigma Nu
ΣΦΕ
Sigma Phi Epsilon
ΣΧ
Sigma Chi
ΤΚΕ
Tau Kappa Epsilon
ΦΔΘ
Phi Delta Theta
NPHC Organizations ΑΚΑ Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. ΑΦΑ Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. ΔΣΘ Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. 110 | bear facts
WHEN TO GET INVOLVED AUGUST
Many student organizations and performance groups welcome students throughout the year. Others require commitments or elections at certain times of the year. To help you prepare for the year ahead, here’s a timeline of what to expect and when. PERFORMANCE GROUPS like a cappella and improv host auditions during the first two weeks of school. Look for fliers around campus when you arrive for more information about auditions.
SEPTEMBER
CULTURAL SHOWS, including Diwali, Lunar New Year Festival, Black Anthology, and Carnaval, are sponsored by various student groups. These shows often sell out Edison Theatre and include skits, dances, and other performances by students. There are many ways to get involved, so be sure to look for these groups during the Activities Fair on Friday, September 1 to learn more about the shows and audition dates.
OCTOBER
STUDENT UNION (SU) is the undergraduate student government. New students can get involved with SU from their first semester on campus as senators, treasurers, or on First-Year Class Council. Elections for senators and treasurers happen each semester; class council is elected in September for the first-year class and then in March for subsequent years; find more information at su.wustl.edu.
NOVEMBER
CONGRESS OF THE SOUTH 40 (CS40) is the student board that oversees life in the South 40 residential area. New students can get involved at the residential college-level by becoming a part of your college council or an assembly representative. CS40 is responsible for many events including CS40 Week, WUStock, and more.
DECEMBER
DANCE MARATHON (DM) is a major fundraiser on campus, raising money for Children’s Miracle Network of Greater St. Louis. This year’s DM is on November 4. You can register as a dancer and form teams with your floors or friends or you can show up on the day of to participate in this 12-hour dance party.
JANUARY
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY INVOLVEMENT is an opportunity close to 30 percent of students choose. Men and women in the Class of 2021 may go through recruitment in the spring; transfer students may go through recruitment in the fall. WUSAs are the students who guide you through your first year at WashU. By around this time of the year, you may realize that you also want to help new students transition to college (we think it’s the best role on campus). The WUSA application process happens early in the spring semester; firstyear.wustl.edu.
FEBRUARY
SU SPRING ELECTIONS are held for the upcoming year’s executive council, school councils, class councils, senate, and treasury. Election packets are available in February and ballots are cast during the first week of March. If you missed the opportunity to run for a position in the fall, you can always run in the spring!
MARCH
RELAY FOR LIFE is another major fundraiser on campus held on Francis Field each April to benefit the American Cancer Society. Similar to Dance Marathon, you can register early to walk and raise money with a team, or arrive on the night of the event and participate in the Relay.
APRIL
MAY
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT STUDENT UNION Advocate. Allocate. Program. Student Union is Washington University’s undergraduate student government. The mission of Student Union is to create a vibrant campus community by advocating for the needs and interests of undergraduate students, developing and implementing both innovative and traditional programs, and allocating the student activity fee for unique and engaging activities, programs, and initiatives. Visit su.wustl.edu for information. Student Union’s offices are located in the Danforth University Center. SCHOOL COUNCILS All five undergraduate academic divisions (Architecture, Art, Arts & Sciences, Business, and Engineering) are represented by their own council. Each council offers programming specific to the school, acts as a channel of communication between students and its school administrators, and gives students a social outlet. Council events have included Bauhaus, Vertigo, Art Prom, and Olinpalooza. CLASS COUNCILS Each class (first-year, sophomore, junior, senior) elects a class council of five representatives. The primary goal is to develop class unity through a variety of programs and activities.
CONGRESS OF THE SOUTH 40 Congress of the South 40 (CS40) is the largest programming body on the South 40. As a student body, we coordinate events like WUStock and Residential College Olympics (RCO). Interested in sports? Reading? Cooking? We’ve got you covered with our variety of events and activities! Our goal is to make life on the 40 as awesome as possible. Joining CS40 is a great way to get connected with your residential community, all while building teamwork and leadership skills. Sound interesting? Look out for us at Bear Beginnings to learn how to run for a position! Meanwhile, check us out at cs40.wustl.edu and like us on Facebook! Welcome to the South 40 and welcome home!
STUDENT ENTREPRENEURIAL PROGRAM (STEP) The Student Entrepreneurial Program (StEP) provides students the opportunity to own and operate their own businesses while serving the campus community with unique resources. Students can either buy into one of the 12 existing businesses or start something new. Funding is available for students who qualify. Students interested in learning more should contact Jessica Stanko, in the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation & Entrepreneurship, stanko@wustl.edu. Gregg Walkway (right), which connects the South 40 with Main Campus via the Underpass, serves as home to many StEP businesses. You can also find Student Technology Services (STS), Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling, and Cornerstone: The Learning Center along this row of storefronts in the lower level of Gregg House. 112 | bear facts
First-Year Class Council elections are held during the first few weeks of school; be sure to look for more information when you arrive in August.
Bears’ Bikes
bearsbikes.com
Bear Discounts
beardiscounts.com
beardiscounts@gmail.com
Off the Row
offtherow.com
admin@offtherow.com
The Shopping Stop
theshoppingstop.com
SWAP: Sharing With A Purpose
facebook.com/ sharingwithapurpose
University Trucking, Inc.
utrucking.com
U-Shuttle
u-shuttle.com
Wash-U-Wash
WashUwash.com
Wydown Water
wydownwater.com
info@utrucking.com
support@WashUwash.com
COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Active civic and community involvement is a central part of WashU’s student culture. By engaging in the local community, you can explore and positively impact St. Louis, meet peers who share a common interest, and develop the leadership skills necessary to lead change at the national or international level. Many opportunities are available, from one-day projects and philanthropy events to community partnerships that involve a greater commitment and a deeper exploration of your role as a civic agent.
THE GEPHARDT INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The Gephardt Institute is your resource for understanding and navigating the many ways you can be engaged with the community and issues beyond our campus through service and other civic initiatives. Our programming provides dynamic, powerful experiences that will help you understand how to align civic and community engagement with your own passions and skills, now and in the future. You can join one of the 57 student- led community service groups, explore courses that apply in class learning to address community needs, tutor K–12 students through Each One Teach One, gain skills to advocate for causes you believe in, register to vote, learn about ballot initiatives and candidates, attend our St. Louis Up Close dialogues with local leaders, and be immersed in an issue through a service trip or nonprofit internship. When you arrive on campus, be on the lookout for information on Meet St. Louis, half-day experiences that will help you discover and explore the richness of your new hometown. Find us at on-campus events such as our Community Service Fair to learn about the many programs and options available to you. Later, you might need funding or transportation assistance as you pursue projects that are important to you; the Civic Engagement Fund and the CarShare Fund are available to support those expenses. Additionally the Goldman Fellows Program and Civic Scholars Program provide excellent opportunities to grow as a civic leader; you’ll begin hearing about these competitive programs in the spring. If you know you want to be involved in the community but you aren’t sure how to begin, just stop by our office and we’ll be glad to help you navigate your options. At Washington University, the opportunities to be engaged in the community are endless!
The Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement PH O NE
(314) 935-5599 W EB S ITE
gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu
Stay connected with service and engagement opportunities on campus and beyond through our email newsletter. Sign up at gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/ newsletter. Get information on voting and how to register at gephardtinstitute. wustl.edu/vote.
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CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Sam Pointer
Olin Business School Class of 2019 At the beginning of my time at WashU, I was a bit scared when it came to joining clubs or student groups because I wanted to make sure I was able to handle all of my school work first. Like many incoming students, I did it all in high school so I could beef up my college application. This made some of my high school activities feel like a chore. I wanted WashU to be different. I wanted the co-curriculars I participated in to be something I enjoyed doing, but I still knew that school came first. After a semester of getting settled and getting the hang of the whole college thing, I started to get involved. I started a website with a few other students. I became a tour guide. I even started to get involved in my community more and more. When they say we have something for everyone to join, they really mean it. There are a variety of organizations offering different levels of commitment and involvement. Community service groups are available for anyone who is interested in getting involved in the WashU community as well as getting engaged in the St. Louis community you now call home. Club sports and intramurals are offered for students of all levels of athletic experience. There are also many performing arts groups, cultural groups, and religious groups for students to participate in. If you have found your passion or you know what you want to study, you may be able to find research opportunities to help explore your interests or a student group based around an academic field. There are opportunities to be a student worker around campus in various departments and offices if you are looking for a paid position. And the great thing is, even if you cannot find the group for you, all you need is a group of friends and you can explore creating one of your very own student groups.
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My advice to first-year students is to take risks. College is your time to put yourself out there and explore. Don’t let apprehension or anything like that keep you from joining that club or helping with that research project. If you put yourself out there enough, you might just find something that you really enjoy. The Activities Fair, offered in the fall and spring semesters, is a great opportunity to check out new student groups. From there, you can attend a few GBMs (general body meetings) to see what seems like a fit. You can also go on to wugo. wustl.edu to check out groups, events, and other opportunities for involvement. Lastly, do not be discouraged if you don’t find something you are passionate about right away. Sometimes it takes time to find your niche and that is okay. Students seek out new ways to get involved and explore their interests throughout their time at WashU!
CAMPUS Y Learn. Lead. Serve. Join the Campus Y and be part of an organization that has been on campus for more than 100 years! The Campus Y has more than 25 student-led programs serving the Washington University community and the greater St. Louis community. Their programs span a wide range of issues and have something for everyone. The Campus Y organizes programs such as Safe Trick-or-Treat in partnership with the CS40 that provides an opportunity for school-age children to trick-ortreat throughout the residential colleges; Greg Delos Y-Tutor, a program organized to help St. Louis students develop academically; and W.A.G.S. (Working so Animals Get Support), a program that supports and socializes dogs and cats at local animal shelters, just to name a few. Whatever you are interested in, the Campus Y is an excellent opportunity for students to find their niche. Be sure to check out their website at campusY.wustl.edu to learn about all their programs or stop by their office in the basement of Umrath Hall, next to Mallinckrodt Center to learn about all of their programs.
Campus Y PH O NE
(314) 935-5010 W EB S ITE
campusY.wustl.edu facebook.com/wucampusy
Check out campusY.wustl. edu to learn about all of their programs.
SPORTS ON CAMPUS VARSITY ATHLETICS As a founding member of the University Athletic Association, Washington University competes in Division III of the NCAA. Bears athletics have developed a very strong reputation both in our conference and nationally, winning 21 NCAA National Team Championships, 194 UAA Titles, and making 217 NCAA team appearances. Additionally, WashU annually finishes in the top 10 of the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup, an award that ranks the best athletics programs in each NCAA and NAIA Division. WashU’s student-only fan group, Red Alert, supports Washington University athletics by encouraging all students to come out to the games. Membership in Red Alert is free and you can sign up at the beginning of the year or at most of the athletic events during the year. Along with receiving free pizza and prizes from Red Alert, you will be promoting school spirit and cheering on your fellow classmates. For more information and updates on athletics as well as team schedules, please visit WashU Athletics’ website washubears.com.
VARSITY AND CLUB SPORTS Baseball m Basketball mw Cross Country mw Football m Golf w Soccer mw Softball w Swimming & Diving mw Tennis mw Track & Field mw Volleyball w
INTRAMURAL SPORTS Intramural (IM) sports are an enjoyable and relaxing way to get to know a lot of people through organized recreational activities. The Intramural Sports Program offers 34 team, individual, and special events throughout the academic year for all members of the Washington University community. You do not have to have prior experience or be an athlete to participate in IM sports. Participants may choose to play at a recreational or highly competitive level. Anyone with a WashU ID is eligible to participate in men’s, women’s, and coed events. Traditional sports such as flag football, volleyball, basketball, and softball are staples of the intramural calendar, while sports such as Ultimate Frisbee, inner tube water polo, and Euchre offer nontraditional options. The Intramural Sports Program offers a free agent list for individuals in search of a team to play on, as well as managers who need extra players. For more information about participating in IM sports, visit rec.wustl.edu. Additionally, the Intramural Sports program is always looking for officials in basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, and volleyball. Intramural officials work in a fun and social environment (while making some money) with a flexible work schedule. For more information about officiating in IM sports, visit rec.wustl.edu. washington university in st. louis | 115
SPORTS CLUBS WashU sponsors 41 sports clubs that offer students the opportunity to participate in a sport or physical activity in an organized setting. Sports clubs are completely student-run clubs that are all recognized members of Student Union. Sports clubs are a popular option for students interested in a sport that WashU does not offer at the varsity level, or for students who want to compete collegiately without the time commitment required of a varsity sport. Many sports clubs compete against other colleges and universities at the local, regional, and national level. Some sports clubs are noncompetitive, offering students an avenue to be involved in a recreational pursuit such as skiing, snowboarding, karate, or rock climbing. Aside from being an outlet for competition and fitness, sports clubs are also a great social outlet. Many sports clubs hold regular social gatherings and activities outside of their activity spaces. To find out more about joining or starting a sports club, visit rec.wustl.edu.
ARTS ON CAMPUS Washington University enjoys a vibrant array of public arts offerings available to community and campus audiences alike. Opportunities range from world-class professional performances and exhibitions to concerts, plays, art shows, and writing workshops that give students a chance to hone their talents, WashU is a leading resource for engaging and inspiring cultural opportunities in the St. Louis region and beyond.
PERFORMING ARTS Edison Theatre presents a season of varied and acclaimed professional performances each year. The Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences stages world-class performances and offers rigorous academics for anyone interested in theater and performance studies, dance, or drama. The Department of Music in Arts & Sciences also presents an extensive lineup of public concerts each year including student, faculty, and guest performances, in addition to opportunities for students to enrich their education through the study of music.
CLUB SPORTS Archery Badminton Baseball Basketball Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Climbing Crew Cycling Equestrian Fencing Field Hockey Figure Skating Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Lacrosse Okinawan Karate-Do Roller Hockey Rugby Running Sailing Ski & Snowboard Soccer Softball Squash Table Tennis Tae Kwon Do Tennis Triathlon Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball Water Polo Wrestling
VISUAL ARTS Washington University boasts a diverse array of opportunities for exploring the visual arts. From the outstanding collection and special exhibitions at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum to the numerous galleries and installation spaces around campus to rigorous and interdisciplinary academic offerings, anyone— whether casual visitor or dedicated artist—will find a host of excellent visual arts resources on campus.
LITERARY ARTS Washington University offers a number of opportunities for anyone interested in the literary arts to engage with instructors and other writers on campus. Anyone can apply to be part of the intensive and energetic Young Writers or Summer Writers programs. A number of academic departments on campus emphasize the literary arts, including the Department of English and the Center for the Humanities. Playwriting opportunities include the annual A.E. Hotchner Playwriting Competition and Festival sponsored by the Performing Arts Department; the student-sponsored Day O’ Shame, a 24-hour playwriting slam; and Thyrmetition, a competition sponsored by Thyrsus, a student organization. Current students can also receive help and develop writing skills at the Writing Center. 116 | bear facts
Explore the Arts at Washington University 560 Music Center Assembly Series Department of Music Edison Theatre Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum Performing Arts Department arts.wustl.edu
ONLINE LEADERSHIP Connect with your classmates, share your experiences, and establish yourself as a leader on campus and in the digital realm: • Respect your peers and community by remembering that your actions online have an impact beyond yourself. • Consider the online privacy of others, and protect your own. • Remember that once something is online, it’s permanent, and safeguard your reputation by managing your privacy settings. • Exercise your right to free expression responsibly. • Your voice has power. Use it to evoke positive change, thought, and innovation.
WASHU AT YOUR FINGERTIPS WUSTL MOBILE From finding your way around campus to viewing your grades, WUSTL Mobile provides you with convenient on-the-go information. Access the circulator schedule, course listings, dining menus, the directory, library information, maps, news, tech help, and WebSTAC. This app is compatible with iPhone and Android devices.
STAY IN TOUCH WITH #WASHU SOCIAL
Follow @WUSTL on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
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Visit us on YouTube
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SCHOOL SPIRIT AND TR ADITIONS Natalie Klug
School of Engineering & Applied Science Class of 2019 Back home in a small town in Ohio, we celebrate many traditions from athletic accomplishments to academic achievements. In my transition to Washington University, I expected many of the same traditions to be recognized. Washington University holds many traditions that date back to over 150 years ago that highlight our academic rigor, athletic drive, and school spirit as a whole. Convocation
Community Service
One of the memories from my first year that I know will last a lifetime occurs on the night that the new students move-in. Convocation is WashU’s formal welcome to the incoming first-year class and their families. The students will arrive with their residential floors, wearing their residential college apparel and cheering loudly among their floormates. I still remember the feeling of my nerves rushing away when I entered the gym, the whole facility was electric with energy! Families are able to watch the ceremony from the AC, where the students assemble, and there is also live streaming. At the ceremony, speeches will be given by the chancellor, a faculty member, and a senior class student. After the ceremony, the parents light the way as the first-year class processes to Brookings Quad to enjoy a sweet St. Louis treat and kick-off the start to an amazing journey at WashU.
Living in St. Louis encourages our students to reach out and give back to the community surrounding us. Each semester, students are given many opportunities to go out into St. Louis and neighboring communities to give back through a variety of student groups. For instance, the fall Dance Marathon is a 12hour dance party put on by a team of students to raise funds for local hospitals through Children’s Miracle Network. This past year, Dance Marathon raised over $150,000 for Children’s Miracle Network! In the spring, students have the chance to honor those touched or taken by cancer in Relay For Life on our own Francis Field track to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Sporting Events Although we may not have Division I sports, our athletes are extremely valued and recognized at the university. Students at WashU enjoy supporting their friends and floor mates in and out of the classroom! Just this past semester, our campus was filled with energy when the women’s soccer team won their first National Championship! In total, WashU has now won 21 National Championships among the 17 sports that we offer. In addition to knowing the schedule of your friend’s contests, WashU also has the student group Red Alert, which promotes school spirit at all athletic contests and often gives out free prizes for those who attend games! ThurtenE Carnival WashU is home to the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the country, known as ThurtenE. Overseen by ThurtenE Junior Honorary, students put on plays, build facades, organize games, and sell food to the WashU and St. Louis community in the spring semester. Also, ThurtenE features classical carnival rides, such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, to create an amazing WashU experience. 118 | bear facts
Cultural Events The diversity of the WashU community is most definitely showcased in the various cultural events hosted by our campus cultural organizations. The productions these groups put on are not only fun to go to with friends, but also teach valuable lessons in respecting each other and our backgrounds. Through these shows, I have truly seen our motto at WashU to know each other “by name and story” come to life. It is even more rewarding to participate in the shows themselves. In the fall, the South Asian Student Organization (Ashoka) sponsors Diwali to honor South Asian culture. In the spring, the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) celebrates Latin American culture through magnificent dance numbers in Carnaval. Black Anthology is a written play to focus on Black culture while the Lunar New Year Festival depicts East Asian culture through a mixture of skits and dancing. I have enjoyed attending each of these events so far in my time at WashU and look forward to going to more. These events are highly attended by our students and are definitely worth checking out!
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C H A P T ER S E V EN
EXPLORING ST. LOUIS washington university in st. louis | 121
EXPLORING ST. LOUIS Washington University in St. Louis... located in Missouri. How many people have you had to explain that to since you decided WashU was the place for you? While some of your friends and family may be confused about our location, St. Louis is an exciting and energetic city with a wide array of attractions and opportunities. It’s your chance to get to know this city on the river, which was once home to Scott Joplin, and to the grandfather of Rock and Roll, Chuck Berry, and hosted the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympics. Residents and visitors alike laud this city for its beautiful brick architecture, amazing hospitality, great restaurants, and low cost of living. Plus, with tons of concert venues, museums (many of which are free), a world-class zoo and botanical garden, and one of the nation’s biggest parks right at WashU’s doorstep, you won’t be short on off-campus activities to keep you busy. The articles in this chapter will highlight just some of what St. Louis has to offer, explain how you can navigate the city, and introduce you to a few of our favorite neighborhoods. You’re going to be here for a few years; we encourage you to get out and explore your new home!
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SECTION CONTENTS
• The St. Louis Experience • Things to See & Do in St. Louis • Map of St. Louis • Bucket List: 50 Things to Do • Transportation & Parking
THE ST. LOUIS EXPERIENCE Mariel Ehrlich
College of Arts & Sciences Class of 2019 St. Louis is an incredibly vibrant and accessible city for Washington University students, as it hosts unique neighborhoods, free museums, and infinite community and nationwide events. Like all big cities, St. Louis is a diverse collection of neighborhoods, cultural hubs, and exciting activities from dining to performances. The city is spread out but it definitely includes all of the excitement and options of a major metropolis. You must leave the “WashU Bubble” and go into St. Louis in order to fully embrace the Washington University in St. Louis experience. Luckily, it is easy to travel into and around the city with WashU’s free public transportation pass, the U-Pass. With the U-Pass, students always travel for free on the MetroLink train or on the buses. From these stations, everything is within walking distance when students are committed to understanding the city on foot, too. Some students also bike around St. Louis, with their own or rented bikes on campus, and some students drive discounted rental cars through the Enterprise CarShare programs. Exploring St. Louis is the best way to situate yourself on campus because it’s exciting to learn about a new place, have this knowledge to integrate with your studies, and also to meet new peers through urban adventures. St. Louis has incredible international food, unique neighborhoods, and a rich history. My favorites are Cherokee Street’s sites of historical activism, community art in Old North, and international performances at the Peabody Opera House. Numerous free museums and monthly festivals make it easy for students to connect with each other and the local community. A tip for independent exploration is to keep track of St. Louis event calendars online, so that you can have current information on upcoming and free events.
I have explored St. Louis through my classes, co-curriculars, and on my own accord. Many classes at WashU are committed to experiential learning, so students conduct their courses in the community of St. Louis. Experiential-learning classes include research seminars, community engagement workshops, architecture studios, business consulting projects, internships at social welfare agencies, shadowing hospital doctors, and more. Many co-curricular activities also explore St. Louis, as student publications find inspiration at public art performances and dedicated tutors work in the public schools. During my first year, I often explored the city and spent quality time with new friends for the first time because many students were interested in understanding a new place and reflecting on our adventures together. Most importantly, WashU supports unique programming opportunities that engage students with the city as soon as they arrive on campus. I explored St. Louis in a pre-orientation program, through organized tours by the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, and at Home Plate program dinners with a local host family. There are so many different ways to have a St. Louis experience. Cultivating the St. Louis experience is the most valuable way to make WashU a complete home and to explore adult independence in a new community with infinite options for exploration.
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ST. LOUIS St. Louis’s Forest Park is one of the country’s largest urban parks. At 1,371 acres, it is more than 50 percent larger than New York’s Central Park, and it includes a variety of (mostly free) attractions, including museums, a boathouse with paddle boats for rent, golf courses, tennis courts, and even an ice-skating rink. // While you’re in Forest Park, you can stop by The Muny. With 11,000 seats, it is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the country. It stages seven different musicals each summer, and for every performance there are 1,500 free seats that are claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. // In addition, Forest Park is home to the Saint Louis Zoo, a free zoo that houses 19,000 animals across 655 species, and the Saint Louis Art Museum, a free museum that contains more than 30,000 works of art, including three mummies from Ancient Egypt and original paintings by Matisse, Gauguin, Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. // In September, you can catch the Balloon Glow in Forest Park, an event that happens every year the night before the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. At the Balloon Glow, all of the balloons that will 124 | bear facts
appear in the race are inflated and lit up by their burners. // If you head to midtown, don’t miss Pappy’s Smokehouse, which serves Memphisstyle barbecued brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and more. Pappy’s has been profiled in The Huffington Post and by the Travel Channel; just make sure you get there before they run out! // When going further downtown, be sure to visit Citygarden, an urban park and sculpture garden spread over two full city blocks. It includes fountains, pools, a restaurant, and beautiful trees and flowers right in the middle of downtown St. Louis. // From Citygarden, you will be able to see the Gateway Arch, St. Louis’s most recognizable landmark. The Arch is 630-feet tall, made of stainless steel, and positioned perfectly to provide views of the entire city of St. Louis, as well as the Mississippi River and nearby Illinois. // After your trip to the Arch, you can relax with a drink and some gooey butter cake from Park Avenue Coffee. Gooey butter cake is a special St. Louis treat that resulted from a baker’s mistake during the Great Depression, and a stay in St. Louis would not be complete without a stop at Park Avenue Coffee, where they have 76 different gooey butter cake flavors—everything from blueberry to
banana split to white chocolate raspberry. // Also downtown is City Museum, a surrealistic adultsize playground with enchanted caves, a 10-story slide, and a towering playground made of old airplane fuselages, metal tunnels, and catwalks. The museum has been designated a “great public space” by the Project for Public Spaces. // For a completely different experience, head to the Cathedral Basilica, the 5,000-seat, 100-year-old mother church of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The basilica includes a variety of burial crypts, an outdoor sculpture structure, and the world’s largest mosaic installation. // Near the basilica is the Fabulous Fox Theatre in midtown St. Louis. A former movie palace originally built in the 1920s, the 4,500-seat theatre has been entirely renovated and now attracts some of St. Louis’s biggest shows, including musicals fresh off of Broadway, concerts, comedians, and dance companies. // For a taste of Italy, head to The Hill, a historically Italian-American neighborhood with a variety of fantastic Italian restaurants. This is also the best place to get toasted ravioli, a local dish of fried breaded ravioli and marinara dipping sauce. // Just minutes from The Hill, the Missouri Botanical
Garden is a 79-acre garden and botanical research center. Its many features include a Japanese strolling garden, a playground and fountain area, and a geodesic dome conservatory. // Staying in St. Louis over winter break? Keep a look out for the Loop Ice Carnival, an event that includes carnival games, performers, face painters, and 5k and 10k runs. There is also a variety of ice sculptures and ice carving demonstrations. // Despite the cool temperature, St. Louis also has one of the nation’s largest Mardi Gras celebrations, which usually takes place in late February or early March. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a day of revelry before the beginning of Christian Lent and is celebrated with parades, music, and tons of beads. // Throughout the spring and summer, you can visit Ted Drewes, an iconic frozen custard chain in south St. Louis. It’s most famous for the concrete, a custard blend so thick that you can stick a spoon in it and turn it upside down without the spoon falling out. // Finally, you can visit the Saint Louis Science Center, a collection of buildings that include a science museum and planetarium. It’s one of the largest science centers in the country. washington university in st. louis | 125
MAP OF ST. LOUIS Clayton 6 minutes by MetroLink Home to the Clayton business district, this area has some great restaurants and parks you’ll want to check out. It’s also a great place to take a walk!
Downtown St. Louis 17 minutes by MetroLink In Downtown St. Louis, you’ll find the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium (home of the 2011 World Champion Cardinals), and more.
Delmar Loop 20-minute walk from the Clock Tower “The Loop” has a host of restaurants and shops, including Thai and Middle Eastern food, as well as vintage clothing stores. Central West End 10 minutes by MetroLink The Central West End has lots of restaurants and provides a great opportunity for you to get off campus. The Medical School is also here. University City Delmar Loop
Clayton
Midtown
Forest Park
Downtown
Richmond Heights
mississippi Rive
Central West End
r
Brentwood
The Hill Tower Grove Park
Brentwood 10 minutes by MetroLink Brentwood is a shopping area that includes some essential stores you’ll want to visit, including Target, Trader Joe’s, and several great restaurants.
Forest Park 15-minute walk from the Clock Tower Forest Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country and the majority of the activities inside are free! Check out the zoo, a WashU student favorite.
Soulard
Midtown 12 minutes by MetroLink Midtown is home to cultural landmarks like the Fabulous Fox Theatre and Powell Hall (home of the St. Louis Symphony).
DON’T FORGET Tower Grove Park
This neighborhood, south of Forest Park, is home to lots of cool restaurants and parks, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
Soulard
Close to the river, this neighborhood is known for its historic farmer’s market and John's Donut.
Richmond Heights
This neighborhood includes several shopping centers (one just 10 minutes by foot from the South 40), and the Saint Louis Galleria, one of the area’s largest shopping malls.
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STL BUCKET LIST: 50 THINGS TO DO St. Louis will be your new home for the next four years. We hope you’ll take time to explore and discover all this great city has to offer. Not sure where to start? The students in the First Year Center have compiled a bucket list of can’t-miss Washington University in St. Louis noshes, experiences, and events. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Eat a BLT at Crown Candy Kitchen. Then explore the historical buildings and new shops in Old North neighborhood. Play in the water at City Garden and climb on the statues (don’t worry, it’s allowed). Order and wear the WashU ring with pride. Snuggle up on the couches and enjoy a movie on the enormous screen at the Moolah Theatre and Lounge. Try to spot WashU’s campus from the top of the Arch. Go down the 10-story slide at the City Museum. Watch a movie on Art Hill with friends. Pet a stingray at the zoo. Challenge Fredbird to a dance off at a Cardinal’s game and try to get on the Jumbotron. Watch the St. Louis Symphony at Powell Hall. Eat toasted ravioli at a restaurant on the Hill. Count how many countries are represented in the six blocks of restaurants on South Grand. See a show at The Pageant and sing along at the top of your lungs. Sled down Art Hill in the snow. Check out an a cappella concert at the 560 Music Center. Have a root beer float at Fitz’s. Read each of the stars in the walk of fame on Delmar. Count how many you can find at the National Blues Museum and how many are connected to WashU. Satisfy a late-night donut craving with an apple fritter from John Donut. Do the downward dog during yoga at the Arch. Enjoy a warm plate of chicken tikka masala from House of India. Watch a shooting star go by from the hammocks on the South 40. Taste a “Delmar” at President Barack Obama’s favorite deep-dish pizza place, Pi. Have a picnic while watching a free play at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. Paint the giant sphere at the Underpass. Go to the steps at Brookings Hall and watch the sunrise or the balloon race pass over. Go to The Cup and try every cupcake flavor. Confetti is obviously the best. Head to the Saint Louis Art Museum and locate Vincent van Gogh’s “Stairway at Auvers.” Stop and smell the flowers, or scented herb garden, at the Missouri Botanical Garden in the historic Shaw neighborhood. Collect your four best friends and eat pancakes at Uncle Bill’s. (Put strawberry jam on them. It’s amazing.) At the Missouri History Museum, locate images of the 1904 Olympics being held on Francis Field. Eat the bread pudding at Cyrano’s after watching an opera performance at the Loretto Hilton. Buy apples at the farmer’s market in Soulard. Visit Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park. Locate Jupiter from the telescope at the Crow Observatory. Take MetroLink to Busch Stadium and cheer on the Cardinals. Drink an avocado slush from St. Louis Bubble Tea. Bowl a strike at Pin-Up Bowl. Volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity Restore before you check out IKEA down the street. Run all the way around Forest Park. Toss, a frisbee, on Mudd Field. Find “The Way” at Laumeier Sculpture Park. Learn to ice skate at Steinberg Skating Rink in Forest Park. Eat funnel cake at the Forest Park Balloon Glow. Bike the Katy Trail as far as you want—it goes all the way to Clinton, Missouri! Try something from every stand at Taste of St. Louis. Try king cake at Mardi Gras. Run in the Go! St. Louis Marathon. Hike in Castlewood State Park and find your inner peace with nature. Get together with a special friend and go paddle boating at twilight in Forest Park. Graduate from WashU and stomp on that seal. washington university in st. louis | 127
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING NAVIGATING CAMPUS Bus service is provided for travel exclusively around the Danforth Campus. The Circulator shuttle service operates on an approximately 20-minute frequency, seven days a week from 7:40 AM to 2 AM, during the academic year. Bikes are also a great way to get around campus. For your convenience, there are bike racks and bike repair stations located across campus.
EXPLORING ST. LOUIS Metro Transit Wondering how you are going to explore St. Louis or get your shopping done without a car? Metro Transit St. Louis provides transportation around the St. Louis region by MetroBus or MetroLink light rail. It also offers special services for registered ADA-eligible customers. Washington University works with Metro Transit in order to coordinate the U-Pass program, which allows all full-time undergraduate students to use any St. Louis Metro Transit service for free. With the U-Pass, students have the ability to work, intern, volunteer, and explore all of the area’s cultural and entertainment venues. Ordering your U-Pass before arriving on campus in August will ensure that it is included in your move-in packet (see right). Questions may be directed to parktrans@wustl.edu or (314) 935.5601. Biking Bikes are a great way to get around (and get off) campus, especially if you don’t have access to a car. The Washington University Police Department (WUPD) offers Kryptonite bike locks for a low cost, and you can buy them during Bear Beginnings or throughout the rest of the year at the WUPD Office on the South 40. In addition, you must register your bike through WUPD for free to get a decal and registration number. For more information, you can go to WUPD’s website at police.wustl.edu. Carshare As an alternative to using public transportation, the university, in conjunction with Enterprise, provides the WashU community access to a car-sharing program. Car sharing is when members of a community share a fleet of vehicles. For an hourly rental fee, you can have access to a vehicle when you need one without all the hassle of having a car on campus. All Washington University community members over the age of 18 with a valid driver’s license are eligible to participate in this program. To find out more about the CarShare program and complete your registration, go to parking.wustl.edu/ transportation/Pages/car-share.aspx.
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Easy U-Pass Ordering Instructions If possible, you will want to order your U-Pass before arriving on campus in August. Ordering early will ensure your U-Pass is included in your move-in packet. Visit firstyear. wustl.edu for information about ordering your U-Pass. Questions may be directed to parktrans@wustl.edu or (314) 935.5601.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM WASHU AMTRAK—Amtrak runs trains through Gateway Station, a train and bus terminal in St. Louis. The terminal is very accessible from campus; it is only a 10-minute car ride or a 15-minute MetroLink trip from WashU. Trains run from St. Louis to a variety of Midwestern cities. It is particularly easy to get to Chicago, Kansas City, and Little Rock (as well as to places between St. Louis and those cities), and one-way or round-trip fares are available. You can purchase tickets or get more information at amtrak.com. MEGABUS—Like Amtrak, Megabus stops in St. Louis at Gateway Station. It provides direct service from St. Louis to Chicago; Columbia, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri; and Memphis, Tennessee although it is possible to continue on to a variety of other cities from those destinations. One-way and round-trip fares are available, and you can purchase tickets or get more information at megabus.com. GREYHOUND—Greyhound also runs through Gateway Station. It provides direct service from St. Louis to Kansas City, Memphis, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Oklahoma City, although it is possible to continue on to other cities from those destinations. One-way and round-trip fares are available, and you can purchase tickets or get more information at greyhound.com.
PARKING SERVICES First-year and sophomore students are not allowed to have cars on campus. This regulation is taken very seriously and violations will have serious implications. Junior and senior transfer students should check with Parking and Transportation about having a car on campus.
Parking Services LO C ATI O N & H OUR S
North Campus, 700 Rosedale Ave Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM PH O NE
(314) 935-5601 EM A IL
parktrans@wustl.edu W EB S ITE
parking.wustl.edu
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ABBREVIATIONS & OTHER ESSENTIAL WASHU EXPRESSIONS We tried to avoid using abbreviations and WashU lingo throughout Bear Facts, but once you’re on campus you’ll be hearing a lot of the following expressions. 40, The 560, The AC, The ACAC ArtSci B-School BD Circ CS40 CSO DUC FYC GenChem Half & Half IFC IM IQ LabSci Main Campus Olin PAD PanHel PLTL Pre-O RA RCD
The South 40, where all first-year students and many sophomores find their home. Occasionally abbreviated, but rarely heard, as S40. 560 Music Center, home to a concert hall, performance spaces, and practice rooms on The Loop. The Athletics Complex, a set of buildings houses the Field House, Sumers Recreation Center, recreational courts, a weight room, cardio room, pool, squash courts, a spinning studio, and an ergometer room. A Cappella Advisory Council, the group responsible for organizing a cappella auditions in the fall. The College of Arts & Sciences, the largest of WashU’s five undergraduate programs. Olin Business School. Bear’s Den, the main eating area on the South 40 located in the basement of South Forty House. The Circulator, a bus making trips around campus in 20-minute intervals. Congress of the South 40, responsible for planning events for residents of the South 40. Community Service Office, located in the DUC. Danforth University Center, a major hub of activity on Main Campus. (Sounds like: duck) First Year Center, responsible for connecting you with the people, programs, and resources you’ll need to make the most of your time at WashU. General Chemistry I (Chemistry 111A), one of WashU’s largest classes. Half order of chicken, half order of fries, a favorite in Bear’s Den and The Village. Interfraternity Council, the governing organization for fraternities on campus. Intramural Sports, a fun way to compete against your peers (see page 115). Integrated inQuiry, the core curriculum requirements for those in the College of Arts & Sciences. Laboratory Sciences Building, home of Chemistry and the largest lecture hall on campus: LabSci 300. Main Campus is generally distinguished from the two residential areas as the location where nearly all classes and administrative offices are. When used alone, could either refer to Olin Library or Olin Business School. Use context clues. Performing Arts Department, housed on the second floor of Mallinckrodt. Panhellenic Council, the governing organization for sororities on campus. Peer-led Team Learning, a collaborative way of conquering certain subjects. Offered by Cornerstone. Pre-Orientation Program. (See page 26 for more information.) Resident Advisor, two of which are found on each first-year floor.
Residential College Director, the professional living in your ResCollege who is responsible for managing all day-to-day operations, working with RAs, and getting to know you and your peers. Residential College Olympics, a competitive event held each spring by CS40 where all ResColleges (and RCO the North Side) compete in various activities held on the South 40. ResCollege Residential College, a community of buildings, often housing both first-year and sophomore students. Residence Hall, the place where you live on campus. ResHall
ResLife RPM SAC SFS SLAM SoFoHo STC STS StudLife SU T/X Underpass WCC WILD WUSA WUSTL
The Office of Residential Life. Residential Peer Mentor, who provides academic support to your ResCollege in a particular area. Student Admissions Committee, the student group responsible for conducting campus tours. Student Financial Services, the office responsible for awarding financial aid packages and finding scholarships for which you can apply. SFS is located in North Brookings. Saint Louis Art Museum, a large (free) art museum located steps away from campus in Forest Park. South Forty House, housing sophomores, Bear’s Den, and ResLife. Student Technology Coordinator, a go-to resource for technology support in your ResCollege. Student Technology Services, located along the Gregg Walkway and offering tech support. Student Life, the independent newspaper of WashU available Mondays and Thursdays. Student Union, which serves as the voice of students in the university community. Transfer/Exchange, students joining or visiting the WashU community from another school. The Underpass, a pathway under Forsyth Boulevard connecting main campus with the South 40. Weston Career Center, the career center dedicated to students in the business school. Walk In, Lay Down, a music festival held each semester in Brookings Quadrangle. Washington University Student Associate, students responsible for making your transition to life at WashU as smooth as possible. (Sounds like WOO-sah) Washington University in St. Louis! Often called WashU or WUSTL. (Sounds like: WOO-still)
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CONTACTING YOUR STUDENT Parent and family members! Use this page to keep track of your student’s contact information while at WashU. You can cut along the line on the left to keep this page in an easy-to-find location around your house or office.
NAME ROOM Residence House
Number
MAILING ADDRESS
See page 23 for more information
STREET
ST. LOUIS
MO 6 3 1
IMPORTANT CONTACTS First Year Center
firstyear.wustl.edu
(314) 935.5040
Residential Life (ResLife)
reslife.wustl.edu
(314) 935.5050
Dining Services
diningservices.wustl.edu
(314) 935.7098
Student Health Services (SHS)
shs.wustl.edu
(314) 935.6666
Student Financial Services (SFS)
sfs.wustl.edu
(314) 935.5900
University Registrar
studentrecords.wustl.edu
(314) 935.5959
2017–2018 CALENDAR OVERVIEW FALL SEMESTER
SPRING SEMESTER
August 20
Fall tuition and fees due
August 24
Move-in Day; Bear Beginnings
August 24–25
Parent & Family Orientation
August 28
First day of classes
September 4
Labor Day (No classes)
October 14–17
Fall Break (No classes)
October 20–22
Parent and Family Weekend
November 22–26
Thanksgiving Break (No classes)
December 8
Last day of classes
December 11–20
Reading period and final exams
January 15
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No classes)
January 16
First day of classes
March 11–17
Spring Break (No classes)
April 27
Last day of classes
April 30– May 9
Reading period and final exams
May 18
157th Commencement
YOU’VE MADE IT TO THE END OF BEAR FACTS! We hope that this guide has helped you feel prepared for your arrival to campus in August and that you’re excited to see what’s in store over the next four years at WashU. Be sure to keep an eye out for messages from students you’ll meet when you get to campus. WUSAs and RAs will be in touch this summer and have started groups on Facebook for each first-year floor so you can start connecting with your future floormates. You can also join the Class of 2021 or WashU transfer student group on Facebook to meet more of your peers, get questions answered, and stay up-to-date on news from The First Year Center and other campus offices as you get ready for college. Always feel free to reach out directly to The First Year Center (by now you’ve seen our contact information everywhere). We’re here to help make your first year of college great. The page before is meant to be a reference for your family as you leave home for school. The scissors are there for a reason: feel free to cut out the page and fill it in with your contact information so that your family can stay in touch with you during the year. Good luck and have a great summer. We can’t wait to meet you!
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SEE YOU SOON! MOVE-IN DAY 2017 THURSDAY AUGUST 24
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DEAR ALMA MATER, THY NAME IS SWEET TO ME, OUR HEARTS ARE ALL FOR THEE FAIR WASHINGTON. THY HALLS SHALL HONORED BE THROUGHOUT THIS GREAT COUNTRY FOR ALL ETERNITY, OUR WASHINGTON. THOSE DAYS OF YOUTH WHICH ALL OF US SPENT WITH THEE FORM A DEAR HISTORY, FAIR WASHINGTON. COULD THEY RENEWED BE, WE’D LIVE OUR DAYS WITH THEE FOR ALL ETERNITY, OUR WASHINGTON. ALMA MATER GEORGE LOGAN & MILTON ROSENHEIM CLASS OF 1908
This book was created by THE FIRST YEAR CENTER Campus Box 1136 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 firstyear.wustl.edu (314) 935.5040 134 | bear facts