The Billiken Bulletin is Saint Louis University's parent and family newsletter. We recognize the importance of transparency and accuracy to families as it relates to SLU and your students. This monthly newsletter will provide additional insight into life on campus and more details about our resources.
May Billiken Bulletin
Welcome back, Billiken families! In the final edition for the 2022-23 school year, you will read about how to transition your student to alumni status, prepare your student for next year and support your student’s career development over the summer. Thank you for keeping up with the SLU community this year. The Billiken Bulletin will return in August.
So Your Billiken is a New Alum…
Even though your student is graduating in May, their connection to the University doesn’t stop at commencement. Your Billiken will be one of SLU's alumni. Whether in corporations, classrooms, courtrooms or the community, your Billiken is out in the world putting their SLU degree to work. Even though they’ve left campus, they haven’t left the SLU family. We want our grads to stay in touch.
Check out the Alumni website to learn how your Billiken can stay connected by volunteering to help undergraduates and attending events and programs with other SLU alumni.
Saint Louis University COVID-19 Update
The first week of April yielded many changes to current and upcoming COVID-19 mitigation strategies on campus. From isolation housing options to vaccine requirements, here is what you need to know:
- SLU no longer requires COVID-19 vaccination for students or employees on St. Louis campuses. The University may, at a future date, reinstate COVID-19 vaccine requirements to protect the well-being of our campus community.
- Testing is no longer required of students or employees exposed to someone with COVID-19. On-campus testing options will be available for students at the Student Health Center, and we encourage those exposed to get tested five to seven days after the exposure.
- All students living in a residence hall now have the option to stay in their living space if they test positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether that student has a roommate, suitemate or their own room. Residential students were encouraged to have conversations with their roommates and suitemates to create an “action plan” they could implement if someone in their space became ill. This call to a conversation was paired with ways to navigate challenging or awkward conversations and tips for staying healthy before finals.
Our primary priority is your student’s well-being; the University will continue monitoring COVID-19 on campus through contact tracing and a strong partnership with our local health department.
The end of the semester can be a busy time for many students. If your student feels sick, please don’t hesitate to suggest they call the Student Health Center or the University Counseling Center for support. We have resources available 24/7 to respond to your student’s needs.
Read more about our recent updates to COVID-19 policies on campus:
- Scaling Back SLU's COVID-19 Response
- Message to Residential Students: Updates to COVID Isolation Procedures
Attention Billiken Families with Graduating Seniors
The Office of Career Services recently sent a letter to your senior Billiken detailing post-graduation resources, including a dedicated “Class of 2023” webpage. We encourage you and your graduating Billiken to browse the page and use the tools available.
You should also encourage your student to schedule an appointment with a career counselor. Along with self-guided work, talking with someone about post-college plans can help refine your student’s next steps. Your student can use MySLU to schedule an individual appointment or check the Career Services website for drop-in appointment hours. Students can also email career_services@slu.edu or call 314-977-2828.
Academic Advisor Corner
Question: How will my student know what classes to register for each semester?
Each semester, students are required to meet with their primary academic advisor to discuss the course requirements. Academic advisors will review the required courses with the student and discuss course recommendations using the academic catalog and other advising tools. Depending on the student’s major, the student may also need to meet with their faculty mentor.
Question: What is the process for students to change their major and who will my student need to speak with?
The first step is to connect with their current academic advisor so they can get the proper referral to the correct advising office for the new major. After receiving the referral, the student will meet with an academic advisor and/or a department representative in the new major. Once the student is ready to apply to the new major, the student will receive appropriate paperwork from the new advising unit. Advisors will work with the student to ensure they receive the correct information for courses required in their new major.
Question: My student would like to study abroad. Is this possible?
Most students can spend a semester or summer abroad, depending on their major and the courses available in the study abroad program. This is an important factor to consider in course planning, so we recommend students inform their academic advisor and (if applicable) their faculty mentor(s) of this interest as soon as possible to begin the planning process. Students can also connect with the study abroad office to learn about important deadlines and processes.
Do you have a question for Academic Advising?
Send your questions to parents@slu.edu, and Academic Advising will answer them in an upcoming Billiken Bulletin.
Question: How do students schedule their academic advising appointment?
SLU has an online scheduling system called “EAB Navigate Student” that allows students to schedule academic advising appointments with their assigned advisor and other members of their success team. Students can use the desktop app through the myslu.slu.edu applications page or download the EAB Navigate Student app on their smartphone.
Question: How does my student get approved to take a summer course outside of SLU?
Please see the newsletter from March 2023 for more information on summer classes.
Your Student is Invited to the Mosaic Soirée!
We are thrilled to invite your student to Mosaic Soirée, a graduation celebration for undergraduates and graduates of color, sponsored by DICE. This is a time for us to come together and celebrate their hard work and achievements. While this event celebrates our students of color, all are welcome!
The event will occur at 6 p.m., Friday, May 12, in the Busch Student Center, Rm. 300 (Saint Louis Room).
Please RSVP here by May 12, 2023, to confirm attendance so that we can plan accordingly.
How to Support Your Student’s Career Development This Summer
Whether your Billiken is starting their career, working a summer internship, or is in the beginning stages of building their resume, the summer is a great time to work on career development.
Join the Billiken Parent and Family Association
Did you know you are automatically a member of the Billiken Parent and Family Association (BPFA) once your student accepts admission to Saint Louis University?
BPFA supports the University mission and SLU students by collaborating with campus partners. The BPFA Volunteer Board is designed for parents and families who want a closer connection to the University and have time to volunteer throughout the year. Volunteers don’t have to live in St. Louis — you can be an ambassador in your home state.
The BPFA Volunteer Board helps to shape parent and family programs at SLU that provide opportunities to engage with Billiken students, faculty and administration. It’s also a great way to establish fellowship and connect with other Billiken families. The BPFA Volunteer Board serves in an advisory capacity by assisting the University administration in identifying areas of concern or interest.
We are asking all our Billiken Families to complete our Spring 2023 BPFA Feedback Survey. We need your feedback for the Office of Parent and Family Engagement and the BPFA program to recruit and improve our support and resources to families and students. This survey will take less than 10 minutes and must be completed by May 31.
If you are interested in interacting with campus partners and supporting students in a volunteer capacity, please fill out this quick BPFA interest form or peruse our sign-up genius to learn more about the volunteer opportunities for future events. BPFA would love to have you!
Congratulations to Our Senior BPFA Parents
We want to acknowledge our senior BPFA parents and their graduating Billikens. The BPFA thanks you for contributing to the association and wishes your students the best of luck in their future endeavors.
- Dee Crye and senior Kennedy Crye
- Lynn Laaker and senior Maria Laaker
- Marquita Parker and senior Mera Parker
- Sundari Chetty and senior Meena Chetty
Benefits of BPFA
- Engaging with SLU administration, faculty and staff on-campus initiatives
- Opportunities to volunteer in person or virtually for campus events
- Building community with fellow Billiken parents
- Actively engaging in your Billiken's college experience
- Being an integral part in assisting the University to achieve its mission
Email bpfa@slu.edu with any questions.
Office of Parent and Family Engagement Graduate Assistant Position is Open
If your student wants to pursue a graduate degree at SLU, there is an opportunity in the Office of Parent and Family Engagement. We seek an energetic individual who is passionate about SLU and wants to support Billiken families. If this sounds like your student, encourage them to apply. This GA will support the office director by playing an integral role in planning Homecoming and Family Weekend, creating and implementing communication strategies, and assisting with the Billiken Parent and Family Association (BPFA). The Office of Parent and Family Engagement will accept applications until July or until the position is filled.