Welcome to the Walla Walla University Family!
Dear Parents and Families,
As your student navigates their year at Walla Walla University, we want to partner with you in supporting their growth and success. College brings exciting opportunities alongside real challenges. Academic struggles, homesickness, and uncertainty are normal parts of becoming an adult, and we're here to help students navigate these experiences. Our faculty and staff care deeply about each student's development and have created comprehensive support systems to guide them through all the highs and lows of the year. We encourage you to stay connected with your student and reach out to us whenever you have questions or concerns. We're grateful to partner with you and remain committed to doing our best for each student in our care.
Your Walla Walla University Family
Parent and Family Guide
This guide has been designed to provide information that will help keep you informed and allow you to continue to mentor your student throughout this experience. We have included important dates, phone numbers, and information about the transition to college, specifically for this academic year. Download the Parent and Family Guide PDF.
Contact Us
Torrah Lovett
Parental Relations Coordinator
parents@wallawalla.edu
(509) 527-2890
Enrolling your student
Campus information
Parent Connection e-newsletter, sent by email quarterly. Check your email address on file or update at wallawalla.edu/update.
Parents' FAQ
Parental involvement in the university experience can increase motivation and improve grades, but the right balance between involvement and interference is essential for the student’s growing independence and self-responsibility. Staying in touch with your university student through expressions of love and specific interest creates a helpful level of parental involvement.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) does not allow us to release student information or academic information to parents, even if they are paying the bill, unless the student gives explicit permission. If they choose to do so, students can give parents login information to their WWU account (myWWU) for access to various types of information.
Statements are generated by the tenth of each month. Students are usually mailed one copy, or they can access their financial information at any time from their WWU account (myWWU). Using myWWU, students can also authorize other people (e.g., parents or sponsor) to receive a statement by mail.
Students can drop courses for a number of weeks into a term, but there are important deadlines and financial consequences to keep in mind. Before dropping a course, the student will need to visit with the course instructor and academic advisor. Dropping courses can affect students’ financial aid eligibility and scholarships, regardless of their GPA.
In order to succeed academically, students must complete all course requirements, which typically include an exam during finals week at the end of the term. On the rare occasion that early departure is necessary, the student may request an early exam through the office of the associate vice president for academic administration. If the request is granted, there is a $100 fee for each early exam.
There are many resources available to your student. These include mentoring for all freshmen through our Freshman Success Program, free tutoring at the Teaching Learning Center, academic advisement, counseling services, career counseling, health and wellness services, and disability support services. Course instructors often provide individual assistance to students as well.
The Walla Walla Walla University family gathers each week at CommUnity for worship, academic reflection, and celebration of the values of the university. All undergraduate students taking six or more credits are required to attend a minimum number of CommUnity meetings each term. Attendance is not required for students who already have a baccalaureate degree, are enrolled for less than six credits, are married, have dependent children in their immediate care, or are at least 25 years of age.
The student should first attempt to speak with the instructor and/or department chair or school dean about the issue. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may contact the Associate Vice President for Academic Administration (509) 527-2395 for assistance.
This status and special monitoring occurs when a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 or their term GPA is below 2.0 for two consecutive terms. Such students are limited to taking no more than 13 credits and are encouraged to meet regularly with their academic advisor. If the GPA does not improve sufficiently during the probation term, the student will be dismissed from WWU. A dismissed student may apply for readmission, presenting evidence of readiness to succeed.
Students who live in residence halls are more connected to the campus and have an increased likelihood of academic success. Students from outside the Walla Walla Valley are required to live in the residence halls until they are at least 22 years old, married, or have senior status (135 credits). Students of any age who wish to live with an immediate family member may submit a request for off-campus housing.
Support WWU, support your student:
Visit your student during Family Weekend.
Opportunities for student internships at your company? Want to volunteer to mentor a student? Let us know! Get in touch with our Student Development Center.
- Looking for a speaker for an event or for your professional organization? Consider our faculty experts!