Office and Parent and Family Engagement
Welcome to the SLU community! As part of the Billiken family, you play an integral role in assisting with the transition and success of your student into the Saint Louis University community. Saint Louis University's Office of Parent and Family Engagement (OPFE) provides resources, communications and services for families to assist with navigating SLU so that your student can succeed in the college environment.
Whether you live across town or the globe, we know a part of you is at Saint Louis University as long as you have a student here. Parents and families are a valued part of our SLU community, every member of which is devoted to the academic and personal success of students.
The Mission of the OPFE
Our mission at the Office of Parent and Family Engagement is to cultivate strong bonds between Saint Louis University and our students' families by fostering open communication and understanding. We strive to showcase the diverse perspectives and experiences of our university environment while engaging families in enriching programming that promotes academic growth and a vibrant collegiate experience.
Through building a supportive community, we aim to empower families as valuable resources for our university and collaborate with them to advance SLU’s mission of serving a higher purpose for a greater good.
To Get Started
- Like the SLU Office of Parent and Family Engagement Facebook page
- Join the Billiken Parent and Family Association Facebook Group to connect with other SLU families (Be sure to answer all the required questions to join)
- Download the official SLU Parent and Family Guidebook
- Download the Rave Guardian Campus safety app
- Email us anytime at parents@slu.edu
Stay Informed and Find your Community
All SLU families are automatically members of the Billiken Parent and Family Association (BPFA). BPFA helps parents and families stay informed about events and relevant topics affecting your student's journey at Saint Louis University. Together, BPFA provides support every step of the way, from your students' first day on campus to the day they graduate.
Great for families outside of Saint Louis, the BPFA Family Networks span across more than a dozen cities in the United States, facilitating connections among our more far flung Billikens. These groups coordinate a range of activities, from Billiken basketball watch parties to regional recruitment events, with the goal of nurturing strong bonds between families and the University.
Between all of the paperwork and processes and the sometimes confusing array of SLU acronyms, there's much to learn about Saint Louis University. Our What's the Scoop at SLU? Facebook Live webinars are designed to give families opportunities to learn more about how the various campus departments and offices are working to support their students. You'll also have a chance to meet the faces behind the names and ask any lingering questions.
Whether this is the first time you're sending a student to college or the fifth, it can feel overwhelming to learn the ins and outs of a new University setting. We've compiled a list of common Saint Louis University resources, as well as some books and websites that will help you support your SLU student's experience like a pro.
The First-Year Experience
It all starts with SLU 101; both you and your student will attend sessions to help prepare you for the year to come.
View SLU 101 for Parents and Guardians
Next, we’ll see you at Fall Welcome. The first few days on campus not only assist our first-year students in their transition to Saint Louis University, but offer resources and programs for you too.
Learn More About SLU's First-Year Experience
There are lots of opportunities to stay involved with your student and the SLU community from that point on, including Homecoming and Family Weekend (what you might think of as Parent Weekend) and Billiken Parent and Family Association events throughout the year.
