We know you have lots to keep track of as a Hopkins student, and The Word from the Bird is here to help! Each edition compiles important deadlines, announcements, and other need-to-know information, along with helpful reminders and updates about resources, services, programs, and more.

Let us know how we can make this communication more helpful at studentaffairs@jhu.edu. If you missed a previous edition of the newsletter, you can find an archive of past issues online.

Get your flu shot by Nov. 21
Flu season is here, and all JHU students are required to receive the annual flu vaccine no later than Nov. 21. Learn more about the flu vaccine policy, where and how to get vaccinated on campus, and documentation requirements when receiving the vaccine from other providers.

Extended hours at the LaB
The LaB at 3003 N. Charles St. is now open for extended hours as a place to study, do group work, socialize, and relax! Operating hours are now:

Sunday–Thursday: 12 p.m.–12 a.m.
Friday: 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 12 p.m.–9 p.m.

Be on the lookout for announcements of special programming and events taking place in The LaB later this semester!

Family Weekend is an opportunity for your family to visit you on campus and explore your home away from home! The schedule of events for the weekend is available on the Family Engagement website, and includes walking tours, craft activities, yoga, delicious food, live performances, and much more. Registration is available via Blue Jay Family Connection, the portal for parents and families. 

Jasmine Norton's new concept, The Urban Kitchen, will open soon in Ralph's Marketplace

It's been so exciting to watch the Bloomberg Student Center come to life with student activity this past month, and we're grateful for your feedback and your patience as we continue to add furniture, programming, and services. 

In the coming weeks, you will start to see more activity (and start smelling delicious aromas) in our food hall, Ralph's Marketplace, as our vendors begin testing their kitchens. We anticipate the BSC's food stalls will open for business early next month. You can read more about the chef behind one of those stalls, James Beard Award semifinalist and Baltimore native Jasmine Norton, in the Hub. 

Please also note that due to necessary testing in the building, the BSC will be closing at 10 p.m. rather than midnight. Thank you for your understanding. 

Upcoming academic deadlines

Have questions about managing your courses? Contact SEAM. 

Apply for an Intersession Career Trek
The Life Design Lab’s Intersession Career Treks and Courses are 2- to 3-week-long opportunities for students to dive deep into an industry they are interested in working in. Participating in Career Treks offers a unique opportunity to pair classroom learning with visits to top employers for the chance to gain an insider’s perspective on various industries. Destinations available this January include San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Washington, DC, and right here in Baltimore. Learn more and apply by Oct. 6.

Student Appreciation Day at the JHU Campus Store
The JHU Campus Store is hosting a Student Appreciation Day on September 25 from 12–6 p.m. Enjoy an in-store celebration featuring giveaways (while supplies last!) and exclusive discounts. Follow the Campus Store on Instagram for the latest updates about the celebration, and we hope to see you there!

Deadline extended: Submit a Fall 2025 Aspirations Awards nomination
Would you like to celebrate a member of the Hopkins community who's had a positive impact on your life? Nominate that inspiring professor, motivating mentor, or great student organization leader for an Aspirations Award! The Aspirations Awards recognize students, faculty, and staff who embody our Aspirations for Student Learning: Curiosity, Self-Awareness, Collaboration, Confidence, and Responsible Leadership. Nominations for the Fall 2025 awards are now open; learn more and nominate your candidate by Sept. 29.

Learn more about searching for and securing off-campus housing
Begin exploring your off-campus housing options with JHU’s Off-Campus Housing office. This information session will cover the different housing options available, factors to consider when searching, and safety considerations. There will be four sessions over two days on Oct. 7–8. Register in Hopkins Groups to attend.

Deadline extended: Join the Library Student Advisory Council
Help shape library services, spaces, and initiatives on Homewood campus! This is a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with Sheridan Libraries Dean Elisabeth Long and make a meaningful impact on the student experience. Students from all class years and fields of study are encouraged to apply. The deadline has been extended to Sept. 25. Learn more and apply.

Landing in your inbox: Stress and Depression Questionnaire
Students will receive an email invitation to complete an optional anonymous online stress and depression questionnaire this month. A JHU counselor will evaluate your responses and provide personalized feedback. You will also have the option to anonymously exchange messages with them to learn about resources at Hopkins and in the community. 

Apply for the Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund
The Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund awards up to $10,000 for Johns Hopkins students or teams to create dialogue-based programs. The fund supports student-led initiatives that teach respectful, effective engagement across differences.

Apply by Oct. 15 for the chance to bring your dialogue project to life; if you have any questions about the Student Blue Jay Dialogue Innovation Fund, or would like to connect with other student groups around your ideas, attend a virtual info session on Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. RSVP to receive a Zoom link. 

Make a Cookie Connection on Sept. 25
Stop by the patio outside of the AMR II Annex on Sept. 25 between 1–2 p.m. to pick up a free cookie and connect with staff from the offices of Student Outreach and Support, Student Conduct, and Leave of Absence Administration. This will be the first in a series of events called Cookie Connection—opportunities to learn more about resources from Student Affairs offices while also enjoying a delicious treat. Stay tuned for announcements of future Cookie Connection dates, and RSVP for this one in Hopkins Groups!

Play like a Jay on Oct. 9
Take a break from studying and get some fresh air and exercise! Meet in Wyman Park Dell at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 for pickleball—no experience required! Plus, Recreation staff will be on hand to help you explore their game and equipment library, which students can borrow from for free! Learn more and RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

As a new academic year begins, we'd like to share some resources available to support you: