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SLU 101 Tips for Parents and Guardians

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What to Expect at SLU 101

Saint Louis University offers a complete schedule of SLU 101 sessions designed for parents and guardians to help you become more familiar with campus and cover transition topics of interest to parents and families.

Parent and family session topics include scholarships and financial aid, student health, campus safety, academic advising, student services and transition issues.

While you might consider returning to campus in August for Fall Welcome to help your student move on campus, SLU 101 is the event where parents and families receive the most information about SLU and are able to interact with our faculty, staff and students. Having a parent or family member attend with the student is helpful because SLU 101 programming includes a student track and a guest track, with different schedules. 

Watch the SLU 101 Virtual Panel for Parents and Guardians.

Hotels for SLU 101

SLU 101 guests are responsible for their own overnight accommodations. Guests are not allowed to stay with their students in the residence halls during SLU 101.

Saint Louis University is located in a thriving urban area filled with hotel accommodations just minutes away from campus, many of which offer discounted rates for Saint Louis University visitors. Please note that rates are subject to change and based on availability.

Find Hotels Near SLU

Please park in Laclede Parking Garage for SLU 101.

View SLU Campus Maps

Supporting Your Student During SLU 101

Prepare Questions

Think about what you want to know, not just what you should find out. Also think about what information may help you throughout their time at SLU. Thinking ahead will help you determine what's truly important to you and your student.

Listen and Take Notes

Jot some notes as various presenters share information — make note of websites where the info resides online. Use your cellphone to take pictures of important slides in presentations — sometimes a visual can help in recalling what you learned. Feel free to bring a notebook or journal so you can write down information or ideas you gather throughout the program. Once you return home, you can read through your notes.

Get to Know Other Parents and Families

SLU 101 is an excellent time to mix and mingle with others who are going through the same thing that you are. Develop informal support structures and compare notes with other parents and family members.

Give Your Student Some Space

This is their first full campus experience as a SLU student so it's important that they learn to navigate on their own. Give them space to meet people, to ask questions and take charge of their college life. Empowering them to be their own self-advocate will help build their confidence for their return in the fall.

Self-Care

Drink water, stay cool and pace yourself. Take breaks when you need them during the presentations. Remember that the facilities are air-conditioned and to wear layers to help you remain comfortable inside buildings that may feel hyper-cool due to the high air conditioning during the summer months. Wear comfortable shoes; your campus visit will include some walking as you navigate campus.  You may want to bring a water bottle with you to stay hydrated and don't forget any personal items such as medicine or phone charger that you may need throughout the day.

SLU101 group leader having a conversation with parents on a trip through campus

Create a Reflection Checklist

Take notes of things you learn during SLU 101 so you can discuss these items with your student once you return home.

  • What do you want to discuss with them before they return to campus in August? What family expectations may you have of them?
  • Allow your student to share with you their personal goals they have for college.
  • Listen to what they learned during SLU 101.
  • Discuss how they can be responsible for managing problems as they occur in college by knowing the resources and services available for them at SLU. 

Sample Parent and Family Schedule

A folder of information will be provided during check-in. Below is a sample schedule of what to expect from the program for parents/families. This schedule includes accurate start times and end times for each day, but presentation titles may change. 

Each student can register up to two guests to attend SLU 101.  The guest track is designed for parents or guardians of the new students.

(This sample schedule is for SLU 101 Freshman Orientation. If you have a new transfer student, check out SLU 101 Transfer Orientation information.)

Day One

  • 8 a.m.
    Check-in student at Grand residence hall and then check-in at Busch Student Center
  • 9 a.m.
    SLU 101 Welcome
  • 9:30 a.m.
    Overview of the SLU 101 Program
  • 10 a.m.
    SLU and You!
  • 10:25 a.m.
    Student Financial Services
  • 11:15 a.m.
    Academic Advising Overview 
  • 12 p.m.
    Lunch
  • 1 p.m.
    Campus Tour
  • 1:45 p.m.
    Short break
  • 2:00 p.m.
    Campus Safety and Community Standards
  • 2:40 p.m.
    Stop, Pause and Ask! (mini-panel)
  • 3:10 p.m.
    Residential Life and Dining or Commuter Life
  • 4 p.m.
    Pick Your Session (variety of short presentations to choose from)
  • 4:35 p.m.
    Building a SLU Academic Toolbox
  • 5 p.m.
    Family Reception (for parents/guardians)
  • 6 p.m.
    Mission Dinner

Day Two

  • 9 a.m.
    Information Technology Services Overview

  • 9:25 a.m.
    Student Health and Counseling

  • 10:10 a.m.
    Student Panel

  • 11:10 a.m.
    The End is the Beginning: What's Next?

  • 12:15 p.m.
    Lunch and Campus Resource Fair

  • 1:30 p.m.
    Optional Afternoon Activities (If you still have items to finish before departing campus, please use this time to visit necessary offices or complete any tasks.)
  • By 3 p.m.
    Check-out of Grand residence hall for students (Checkout will begin in the morning, but students must be out by 3 p.m.)