August 1 Weekly Message for New Families

Bottom Line, Up Front

  • Tuition is due today
  • Reminder – be sure to have a conversation about consent before school begins
  • Walking distances to oft-needed areas
  • Move-in guide coming just before move-in; see suggested move-in times
  • ICYMI
    • Vehicle registration opened at 9 am today (8/1) for first-year students
    • Enroll or waive your student in health insurance
    • Students should be completing their online modules

Dear parents and families of incoming students,

We’re coming down to the finish line with our weekly emails sharing FYIs, due dates, and other important information for you as your student gets ever closer to Move-In. (In case you missed last week’s message, it is archived here).

Tuition is due today

Tuition is due today, and I hope that everyone has already made their payment. In the event that you have not, please do that ASAP; see payment methods. 

Reminder – be sure to have a conversation about consent before school begins

In case you had not had a conversation about consent in July, we want all families to be sure to use our Consent Conversation Guide to have this conversation before school begins. Why is this important?

College is a time for your student to gain new experiences, build new friendships, and make new memories that will last a lifetime. They also will encounter new situations and may need guidance in navigating those. This conversation guide includes important information on University policies and procedures, the importance of discussing consent, and how consent is affected by substance use.

Remember that we are asking you to have an open dialogue about consent (not asking your student to be sexually active!) Consent can be about kissing or other activities. Every student and family will have their own values where matters of sexuality are concerned. We want to help students understand what consent looks like, how to give it, and how to be sure that when the time comes (whenever that may be) that both parties are consenting. You as parents, family members, and loved ones can help reinforce those concepts through this conversation guide.

Move-in guide coming just before move-in; see suggested move-in times

My colleagues across campus and I are working on a Move-In Guide that we will share in the August 8 or 15 issue of our Weekly Messages. The Move-In Guide will tell you where to start on move-in day, how to park, and more. We appreciate your patience as we finalize all those details.

We do want to share suggested move-in times for students arriving on 8/23, which you can see here.

Walking distances to oft-needed areas

Now that housing assignments have been released, you may be wondering how far your Deac will have to walk to get to some common places (fear not, the campus is very walkable and nothing is too far away!) Here is a guide to the walking distance from our first-year residence halls to some of the oft-needed places on campus:

  • Most academic buildings from South Campus: < 5 minute walk
  • South Campus to food (The Pit and Benson): 3 minute walk
  • South Campus to first-year parking at Winston-Salem First Church lot (just off campus): .9 miles (shuttle available)

ICYMI

Vehicle registration opened today (8/1) at 9 a.m. for first-year students

  • First year student vehicle registration began Tuesday, August 1 at 9:00 a.m. To register your vehicle, visit the WFU Parking Portal. This website is also a great place to find information about parking during certain events like Thanksgiving, Winter Break or Spring Break.
  • If you have a transfer student who is a sophomore, junior, or senior, you will find vehicle registration information here.

Enroll or waive student health insurance coverage (required for all students every year)

  • Every year, you must enroll in our student health insurance plan or waive coverage (i.e., you complete a waiver to show your student has acceptable insurance coverage through your policy). See details.
  • If you do not formally enroll or waive coverage, you will be charged for the WFU student insurance plan, even if you have sufficient coverage on your own policy.
  • Have questions? Please call 336.758.4247 or email sip@wfu.edu for more information.

Students should be completing their online modules

  • A couple of weeks ago, students received a message in their WFU email about required online Orientation course, New Deac 101.
  • ND101 is mandatory for both our new and transfer students. They will complete this asynchronous course through Canvas in two parts:
  • Module I: “New to The Forest” (due Monday, August 21st)
  • Module II: “Fall in The Forest” Extended Orientation (due Friday, September 29th)

Parting thoughts

We have only a couple more Weekly Updates coming to you. Please know that we can’t wait to see you and your Deacs on campus very soon!

Betsy Chapman, Ph.D. (‘92, MA ‘94)
Executive Director of Family Communications

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