Dear Parents,

Thank you for entrusting us with your college student. As you read this, your student is thinking about registration for winter and spring quarters, Thanksgiving break, and the end of fall quarter. This newsletter provides you with timely information on financial aid, student employment, campus events, and more.

Just for fun... I’ve been chatting with your students, and this is what I hear (and maybe something for you to ask about at Thanksgiving dinner?):

• Favorite thing to eat in the cafeteria: Haystacks, curry, Asian noodles, sushi, salad bar, and some very creative concoctions involving nuts, fruit, chocolate chips, soymilk, ice cream, and orange soda.
• Event most enjoyed attending: Laser tag, international fair, Midnight Mayhem in the library, Family Weekend talent show, Barn Party, and basketball games.
• Favorite class this quarter: U.S. History, Intermediate Accounting, Spanish, General Physics, General Biology, Messages of the Old Testament, and Survey of Health and Nutrition.
• Surprises: The rain, new restaurants, number of eateries offering student ID discounts, how easy it has been to get connected and pursue their passions, all the new faces on campus, how often they go to the Atlas, campus diversity, the quality of the articles in the Collegian.
• What parents should know about fall in Walla Walla: "Coming from California, fall is an actual season!" — "Barn Party is a great event at the beginning of the year, it’s a big costume party for the school." — "The weather gets cold pretty quickly after school starts." — "It’s the best time of the year, all the leaves change color!" — "Fall in Walla Walla is vibrant, the trees and the people." — "Fall is the perfect time to send us care packages full of ramen, hot cocoa, and homemade cookies, but also fall is beautiful and a great season to come visit!" — "Rain boots are a must to send your child with, and with the right friends there is always someone on campus to help you with anything, anything!"

May you enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

Claudia Santellano

Alumni and Parent Relations Director

Tips and FAQs
created for parents like you.

Family Weekend 2017

Thank you to the many families who joined us for Family Weekend in October, a special weekend filled with events that highlight the Walla Walla University campus, its students, and its faculty/staff. Held annually in October, the weekend includes opportunities for parents to visit with their students, to attend classes, and to interact with WWU faculty, staff, and administration.

This year, more than 150 family portraits were taken during the catered Sabbath lunch, and they are now available to download (see link below).

Plan now to join us for Family Weekend 2018, October 26–28. No RSVPs needed, but plan well ahead for lodging!

Service Day

Service Day is a school-wide event that occurs twice a year, and it is a time when students participate in service projects all over the Walla Walla Valley, helping local organizations and private residents. In the spring, Service Day occurs in partnership with Whitman College and Walla Walla Community College.

Over 500 currently enrolled students participated in more than 30 projects in this year’s Fall Service Day that took place on October 11. 
 

Global Service Project

Each year, the Associated Students of Walla Walla University (ASWWU) work on a global service project. ASWWU decided this year to partner with Beehive International, an Adventist humanitarian organization, to build a trade school in Haiti. ASWWU plans to raise $60,000 by graduation in mid-June.

Study Tours

Walla Walla University students have the opportunity to participate in summer study tours. Our 2017 summer study tour took place in the Middle East with 41 students participating in the Bible Lands Study Tour.

Remembering the Reformation

October 31, 2017, marked the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Several events took place on campus, including a special CommUnity with Professor Greg Dodds cloaked as Martin Luther, a screening of the 2003 film, Luther, and a panel discussion about what we can learn today from the Reformation. All events were well attended.
 

Notes From Student Financial Services

FAFSA is open for 2018-2019
The federal government opened the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for next school year on October 1st. The FAFSA for 2018-2019 uses 2016 tax information. Since most families have their 2016 taxes done by now, this should make applying for financial aid easier. Students and families whose financial situation has changed since 2016 can work with Student Financial Services on an individual basis, after their initial award letter has been generated. Visit sfs.wallawalla.edu to learn more.

How do students find a job?
Students needing employment should contact the Student Employment Office by phone at (509) 527-2357, and/or in person in Room 312 of the Canaday Technology Center bulidling. Visit wallawalla.edu/jobscene for current job listings.
 

Travel/Lodging Plans for Holiday Break

Final exams will take place December 11-13. Be sure to have your student review their exam schedule to help with scheduling of travel plans (see link below)!

Residence hall closures
As a reminder, residence halls will remain open during Thanksgiving and Spring Break. During Christmas break, the residence halls close the Friday of test week and reopen the Friday before school resumes. If students need assistance finding a place to stay over Christmas break, please contact Kristen Taylor, director of residential life and housing, by phone at (509) 527-2539 or email kristen.taylor@wallawalla.edu.

Local shuttle service from Pasco Airport (airport code PSC)
The Grape Line shuttle runs seven days a week, several times a day between Walla Walla/College Place and Pasco. Costs for tickets range from $7 to $15 depending on the place of departure and the destination. Find more information or make an online reservation>

Ask. Anything. Season 2

Walla Walla University Church's fall series addresses tough questions asked by our students. Each week, our students provide Pastor Alex Bryan a question to answer the following week. The questions have included, "The vast majority of us are not meaningfully included in church decision-making processes—and yet we are expected to support policy, even if we disagree with it. How do we respond to this problematic situation?" and "How should Christians interpret natural disasters like those suffered by the world community over the past month?" The sermon series can be viewed online.

Surprise Your Student!

Our "Surprise Your Student” program helps you send your student cupcakes or care packages delivered straight to their door. Cupcakes are from Frosted, Walla Walla's very own gourmet cupcake shop. The care packages hold an assortment of fun, creative and tasty treats, and they can be personalized with several different themes: "Birthday,” "Thinking of You,” "Get Well," and "Missing You.” Through this program, you can also order balloon bouquets or gift cards for local merchants.

Get Involved

Come Visit Your Student

Reserve a room
There are three guest rooms available on campus for rent. The fee for these rooms is $60/night plus tax. Arrange to stay in one of these rooms or to learn about other area lodging options>

Camper/RV accommodations available
Camper/RV parking is available behind Sittner, the men’s residence hall. Power, water, and sewage hook-ups are included in the $10 nightly fee. First come first served. Call Sittner front desk at (509) 527-2111 to more information.

Quick Resources for Parents