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August Billiken Bulletin Newsletter

The Billiken Bulletin is a monthly electronic newsletter that provides resources to help you as a Saint Louis University family member navigate campus and provide direction to your students when they are unsure about where or how to find the information on campus.

We are extremely excited to have you in the SLU family. The Office of Parent and Family Engagement aims to proactively support your transition into the SLU community by creating opportunities to build a network and connect with other SLU families, guardians, and loved ones who can offer advice and help you navigate the university.

Take some time to visit the parent and family pages, which feature key resources for families and a list of parent and family events. In addition, you’ll learn how you can get involved by volunteering for the Billiken Parent and Family Association. In the interim, watch this video and hear from our Billiken families about why SLU is so special and why your student made an excellent choice.

The Office of Parent and Family Engagement is located in the Office of First Year Experience and Student Transition in the Division of Student Development located on the third floor of the Center for Academic Disabilities and Resource Center in Suite 349. The email is parents@slu.edu. Like us on the Office of Parent and Family Engagement Facebook page or join the Billiken Parent and Family Association Facebook group.

Fall Welcome

SLU Fall Welcome combines practical information sessions with campus traditions to officially welcome families and students to the university and the campus community. The Fall Welcome experience kicks off with our enthusiastic orange-clad Oriflamme members helping with the move-in process and extends into the first few weeks of classes. Highlights include University Convocation, the student-led Live the Oath presentation, and diverse programming, both serious and social. Fall Welcome seeks to introduce students to our Jesuit mission, give them meaningful opportunities to connect and ensure they have the resources to fully integrate into their new community. To see a detailed schedule, please visit our Fall Welcome page or download the Saint Louis University mobile app.

Students competing in rock, paper, scissors in Hermann Stadium
 

For those families who are interested in attending a soccer game we invite new families to join us at Hermann Stadium to support our men's soccer team in their home season opener where they will battle University of Evansville at 7 p.m. This will be a great activity if you are staying over for Saturday's activities. Stop by the Parent and Family Hospitality Headquarters to pick up your complimentary tickets.

Families are also encouraged to visit the Hospitality Headquarters, available from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. during new student move-in on Friday, August 16. The headquarters, in The Marketplace on the second floor of the Busch Student Center, will provide a cool, fun and relaxing atmosphere for you to take a break from the stress of move-in. We will have several campus departments available for you to speak with, and a vintage swag sale to raise money for SLU’s Billiken Bounty student food pantry (cash only).

Billiken Parent and Family Association

Now that you are a part of the Billiken family, there are opportunities to fellowship with other SLU families, both in St. Louis and out of state. We are always looking to partner with families to help us fulfill SLU’s mission of supporting our students.

Please visit the Office of Parent and Family Engagement’s webpage to see the various ways that you can be involved. Learn how you can network with other Billiken families within your state or become a liaison in our newly created Parent and Family Networks program. The deadline to be a liaison is Monday, Sept. 2.

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Visit the Billiken Parent and Family Association Webpage 
Like the Office of Parent and Family Engagement on Facebook
Join the Billiken Parent and Family Association Facebook Group
Connect with the SLU Mission by Checking Out Our Volunteer Opportunities

Join the Family Networks

Exciting news for Billiken families! The newly created Family Networks of the Billiken Parent and Family Association are here to make an impact in over a dozen cities across the United States. These networks are all about connecting families, fostering fellowship and creating lasting memories with SLU.

Student and their family wearing SLU branded shirts
 

From cheering on the Billikens at a basketball watch party or helping welcome new students at regional recruitment events, the Family Networks hope to offer a range of activities designed to bring families closer. 

We need your help to make it happen, since the success of these networks depends on your interest. Let us know if you’re interested in joining or starting a Family Network in your area.

Family Network Interest Form

Be a part of something special and help build a supportive, engaged community for all Billiken families. Please email bpfa@slu.edu with any questions.

Understanding Student Mail Services at SLU

Billiken families, now that your student is living on campus at SLU, it’s important that they are familiar with Student Mail Services policies and procedures so that they can receive and send mail at the post office on the first floor of the Busch Student Center. Nonresidential students may purchase postage at this location, but they cannot receive packages or letter mail there.

Your student should have already received their banner ID number. Students living on campus will also be assigned an MSC number. This number is important for mailroom processing. All incoming and outgoing packages should be labeled with this MSC number. The MSC number will be assigned by the end of July; please refer to the instructions below to retrieve it.

For your student to locate their MSC number:

  • Log in to the SLU portal
  • Click on the Banner Self-Service portal
  • Select “Personal Information”
  • Select “ Address”
  • You will find your MSC number in the “Student Campus Mailbox” section.
  • Use your MSC number for your incoming letters, as well as packages from couriers (i.e. Amazon, Fed Ex, UPS and USPS).
A Sample of What Your Student's Address Will Look Like:
 
                                       Student’s First and Last name
                   20 N. Grand Blvd 
MSC #
                       St. Louis, MO 63103
 
Shelves of packages in the SLU Mailroom
 

How Your Student is Notified

Once letter mail or packages are received by the mailroom, they are scanned into our system and an email is generated and sent to the student. The packages are assigned to one of two places:  

  • An organized shelf in the mailroom. The student is then required to schedule an appointment date and time through Appointy to pick up their packages.  
  • The parcel lockers. An email is generated to inform students that they have a package, then a second email is sent with a code for the parcel lockers.

Letter Mail

An email will be sent out to notify students when they have letter mail. No appointment is needed to pick up letter mail.

Outgoing Packages

We are a U.S. Postal Service store only. We do not accept Amazon, UPS or FedEx returns.

Do’s

  • Make sure the first and last name with MSC number is on the package or letter mail.
  • Advise your students to pick up their letter mail regularly. (It’s more exciting for them to pick up packages than letter mail).
  • Be patient with the Student Mailroom Services for the first couple of months. We have new student workers in training and as you can imagine, we are overwhelmed with incoming letter mail and packages.

Don’ts

  • Do not address mail or packages to residence halls.
  • Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Please keep in mind as we transition into the new semester, the mail services can get quite busy very quickly. Mail services staff will work hard to ensure that mail is processed promptly.

If you have questions or need more information please visit the SLU Student Mail Services webpage.

Family Weekend 2024

Homecoming and Family Weekend is Sept. 27-29. The weekend is a partnership hosted by Alumni Services and the Office of Parent and Family Engagement. The purpose of the weekend is to provide programs, engagement and experiences for alumni, students and families by showcasing the campus and sharing the wonderful opportunities, programs, and events with your families.

For more information and the entire schedule please visit the Homecoming and Family weekend page. If you have further questions please feel free to email parents@slu.edu. Registration will be available on August 1.

What’s the Scoop at SLU Facebook Live Series

Billiken families, join us for our Facebook Live Series, What’s the Scoop at SLU. It’s a monthly webinar that covers various topics presented by campus administrators at SLU. 

Read More and See the Entire Schedule

Important Calendar Dates

  • August 1: Vaccine compliance due for the Fall Semester

  • August 16: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Parent and Family Hospitality Headquarters at The Marketplace on the second floor of Busch Student Center, for first-year and transfer families and students

  • August 17: University Convocation and Family Welcome

  • August 17 and 18: Returning student move-in

  • August 21: First day of classes

Additional University Resources

SLU Student Handbook

University Newslink

University Academic Calendar