All first-year and new transfer students begin their Saint Louis University experience with Fall Welcome, which begins five days before the start of classes and extends through the end of September.
Fall Welcome is full of activities planned to help you meet new friends and connect with campus resources. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with faculty, gain a sense of Billiken spirit and hear from SLU’s president at New Student Convocation and Family Welcome.
Look out for the students in orange! Oriflamme Leaders are a leadership position comprised of sophomore, junior and senior students here to help you move in and acclimate to your first several days on campus by answering questions and helping you get involved.
Fall Welcome 2018
Fall Welcome starts August 23, 2018 and continues through the month of September. A detailed schedule is scheduled to be released on July 1st and will be available on:
Click on the Fall Welcome icon in SLU's app to get event updates, fun facts about SLU and the latest on move-in and other important news.
Important Dates for Fall Welcome 2018
Thursday, August 23rd
New Student Move-In
Arguably the most exciting day of the year for our Billiken family, Oriflamme leaders will be anxiously waiting to greet you and help with the heavy lifting as you get settled in your new home away from home. Watch for additional details to come in your personalized housing mailing, where you will receive a designated move-in time and special instructions for the day.
Learning Community Orientation and Dinner
4 – 8 p.m. in the Wool Ballrooms (BSC)
All Learning Community residents and guests are invited to this special session designed
to help you understand your obligations as a member of our Learning Community Program.
First Floor meeting
8:30 – 10 p.m. in your residential community
Facilitated by your RAs and peer mentors, you will gather to meet your new neighbors
and discuss community expectations and campus policies.
Late Night Breakfast
10 p.m. in Grand Hall Dining
In honor of your first night at SLU, make plans to join the Residence Hall Association
for a favorite campus tradition. New students can mix and mingle with their new Billiken
buddies and get to know the outstanding FYE leadership crew. As an added bonus, show
off your singing talents by participating in our special acoustic karaoke show featuring
the talented John Rush.
Friday, August 24th
University Convocation
9:30 – 11 a.m. in Chaifetz Arena
You won’t want to miss the official kickoff to the academic year. Members of the
SLU community come together to celebrate new beginnings and new Billikens with a special
processional ceremony, outstanding speakers and an inspirational message from SLU’s
33rd President, Dr. Fred Pestello. Students will gather in the Chaifetz Arena Pavillion
at 8:30 a.m. to receive instructions for entrance. Families and guests are encouraged
to attend.
College and School luncheons
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Students and families will be invited to individual college and school luncheons and
brief programs immediately following Convocation. A complete schedule of all college
and school programs will be released in late July.
Parent and Family Workshops
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. in various locations
Families have one final opportunity to meet specific staff within our SLU community
and learn more details about how Saint Louis University will help their student achieve
success during their time on campus. A complete workshop schedule will be available
in late July.
Student Workshops
1:30 – 4:30 p.m. in various locations
Students will attend special workshops of their own as they meet important campus
administrators and staff, participate in one final campus tour to identify their classrooms
and receive a special student welcome from SLU’s Student Government Association.
A complete workshop schedule will be available in late July.
Parent Reception
5 – 8 p.m., location TBD
Hosted by Dr. Kent Porterfield, Vice President of Student Development, this will be
a relaxed opportunity to join other Billiken parents for appetizers, drinks and entertainment.
Square Dance
8 – 10 p.m., Olive Compton Parking Garage
Another great SLU tradition...the Square Dance! Don't worry if this is new territory
for you; you certainly aren't alone. Join the Oriflamme leaders for a night of two-stepping
fun while getting to know more of your Billiken family. If you're worried that square
dancing isn't for you, there will be plenty of other activities to keep you occupied
while your classmates break it down.
Saturday, August 25th
New Student Day of Service
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sending Forth Ceremony, 10 a.m. at Hermann Stadium
As new students prepare to live SLU’s mission and go forth as true “men and women
for others,” families and friends are invited to a special Sending Forth ceremony
at Hermann Stadium. As our Billikens trek to various sites to serve our local community
with blessings and well wishes, students and families should use this time for a final
hug of Fall Welcome. It won’t be too long until families return to campus to celebrate
Homecoming and Family Weekend 2018!
Billiken Backyard Bash
6 – 8 p.m., Simon Rec and SLUruba
Stop by your new "backyard" for a cool treat and some laid-back fun. Enjoy some time
outside at the SLUruba pool and sand volleyball court or head inside the Simon Rec
Center to play giant volleyball, jump on some inflatables, roll on some Keylogs in
the indoor pool and more.
Paint SLU
8 – 11 p.m., The Quad (Between Pius Library and Dubourg Hall)
The most exciting dance party of the year happens during Fall Welcome! With a professional
DJ, lights, lasers and gallons of neon paint…you’re truly in for a treat. Be sure
to wear something you don’t mind getting ‘painted’ by 1,000 of your closest friends.
Don’t worry, all of the paint is biodegradable and water soluble – and there will
be a paint free zone for those who prefer to just watch the wet, neon fun.
Sunday, August 26th
Spirit Competition Prep
12:30 – 2 p.m., Residence hall floors
It’s going to be a blue-out at Hermann Stadium! You will definitely need this time
to get decked out in your SLU gear, face paint and fun signs. Your RAs, PMs, and
Oriflamme leaders will help you get into the Billiken Spirit and teach you cheers
to push our Billiken teams to victory.
Women’s Soccer
2 p.m. at Hermann Stadium
Show the most school spirit and Billiken Pride as SLU’s women’s soccer team battles
SIUE. There’s no time to let up the cheers as our secret spirit competition judges
will be roaming throughout the game to recognize the group with the loudest and proudest
school spirit.
Men’s Soccer
5 p.m. at Hermann Stadium
While the spirit competition winners will have already been selected, there’s no reason
to let up your chants and cheers as SLU’s men take on Memphis for the second half
of our soccer doubleheader.
First 9 p.m. Mass
9 – 10 pm, St. Francis Xavier College Church
Join the SLU community for the first student liturgy of the academic year, followed
by a cool taste of St. Louis!
Get Your SLU Spirit T-shirt
Don’t miss the Fall Welcome Billiken Spirit Competition. That’s where you’ll get a spirit shirt unique to your class. You’ll wear it to the men’s and women's soccer games that night and throughout your years at SLU to show your Billiken pride. Some alumni even wear their shirts when they return for Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Fall Welcome Goes Green
In an effort to leave a smaller carbon footprint on SLU and our environment, Fall Welcome 2018 has many components to encourage sustainability including reduced waste, a paperless schedule option, water-bottle filling stations across campus and recycling containers during move-in. We encourage you to think sustainably as you prepare your journey to SLU.
Parent and Family Information
Each year, Fall Welcome features special events specifically for Billiken parents and family members, including the Family Hospitality Room and Family Jazz Reception.
If you will be flying to St. Louis and need a ride from the airport, consider using Go Best Express, which offers SLU community members a discounted rate for direct service to and from Lambert International Airport.
Maps and Directions to Campus
SLU's visitor parking garage is located near the intersection of Grand Boulevard and Laclede Avenue, at 3642 Laclede Ave, St. Louis, Mo., 63103.
Driving directions to SLU's visitor parking garage from nearby airports:
You can also take MetroLink, St. Louis' lightrail system, from Lambert International Airport to the Grand Station stop via the Red Line. From there, the University offers two transportation options to campus: the SLU Shuttle or SLU Ride.
Hotels near SLU
Saint Louis University is located in a thriving urban area filled with lodging options, from boutique to budget. There are a number of hotels that have been recommended by guests of Saint Louis University and that offer discounted rates for University visitors.
Parent and Family Programs
Parents and families are a vital part of the SLU community. We invite you to consider all the ways in which our parent and family initiatives can assist you in supporting your student and making the Saint Louis University experience rewarding and memorable.