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.

Hours of operation during Fall Recess
As Fall Recess approaches, please be aware of changes to operating hours on campus: 

CSS Saturdays: Study with a Tutor Dec. 6 and 13
CSS Saturdays provide an opportunity to study with community and academic support as finals approach. Tutors will be on hand to provide support for Chemistry, Physics and Math, and Gateway Computing (both JAVA and Python); study consultants will also be available for general academic support. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Center for Student Success (3003 N. Charles Street, Homewood Apartments Suite 193). Pizza and snacks will be provided! RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

Reminder: JHU student survey on sexual misconduct 
JHU is inviting students to participate in a survey on sexual misconduct. The results of the survey will be used to guide policies and initiatives to encourage a healthy and safe environment for all JHU students. 

A survey link has been emailed to all students; please submit your response by Dec. 9. As a token of our appreciation, approximately 20% of students who complete the survey will be randomly selected to receive a $15 Amazon gift card. If you have questions about the survey or have difficulty accessing it, please e-mail ClimateSurvey@jhu.edu. 

Cybersecurity reminder
IT is urging the Hopkins community to stay vigilant in light of a significant rise in phishing and other scam attempts. Remember, no one from Johns Hopkins will ever call or email you to ask for your password or multi-factor authentication (MFA) code. Read more about how to protect yourself in the Hub.

Watch highlights from LOTQ 2024

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members will gather on Wyman Quad starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to commemorate the end of another fall semester and the beginning of the holiday season with the annual Lighting of the Quads. The evening will include musical performances, hot cocoa, illuminated artwork, and exclusive giveaways, leading up to the moment when President Daniels flips the ceremonial switch to light up Homewood campus with holiday lights. Watch highlights from last year’s celebration, and be sure to RSVP in Hopkins Groups to celebrate with us this year! 

Spring and Intersession course registration
Continuous registration for Spring 2026 courses is now open to all undergraduate students through Jan. 31, 2026, at 12 p.m.  

Additionally, available courses for Intersession 2026 are now visible in SIS. Each January, undergraduate students can register for a diverse set of one- or two-week Intersession courses that are not typically offered during the academic year. Registration opens Dec. 2; contact your advisors or SEAM with any questions. 

Free snacks while you study in The LaB
The LaB at 3003 N. Charles St. is available as a place to study, do group work, socialize, and relax. Complimentary snacks are also available to enjoy while you study! The LaB's operating hours are:

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

Minor in Civic Life is now available 
The minor in Civic Life prepares students in any field to be leaders, both in their workplaces and communities, and to meet the critical challenges of democracy. To view the courses approved for Spring 2026, please visit the SNF Agora website. 

Last day to sign up for a Thanksgiving meal 
Staying on campus over the holiday? Today, Wednesday, Nov. 19, is the last day to order a packaged Thanksgiving meal from Hopkins Dining. Meal pick-up will take place on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 27) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Homewood students at Nolan's on 33rd. Please be sure to complete the correct order form based on your location.   

Upcoming RA information sessions
Interested in becoming a Resident Advisor for the 2025–26 academic year? On-Campus Living is now holding information sessions where you can learn more about the role and the application process. The next sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. in Wolman Theater, and Monday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m. virtually over Zoom. You can view the full schedule of information sessions, as well as the position description and other need-to-know details on the On-Campus Living website. 

Try HopGPT 
HopGPT offers members of the Johns Hopkins community secure and easy access to Large Language Models (LLMs) from industry leaders including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta. Developed by IT@JH, this secure environment mitigates security and privacy risks while ensuring that data remains protected. You can learn more about the platform on the HopGPT Support website. 

Final reminder: Get your flu shot by this Friday, Nov. 21
This is your final reminder to get the flu vaccine! Students are required to receive the vaccine by Nov. 21. Not receiving the vaccine or requesting exception will result in a registration hold. Holds will be placed Dec. 1. Please be patient with document uploads. Visit the myHealth portal to check compliance. 

Preserve your access to the Calm app 
Whether you’re a current Calm app user or are interested in accessing the platform for the first time, all users must authenticate their accounts in a web browser. Current users will need to complete the authentication process to continue using Calm. As a new benefit for existing and future users, you can now gift five accounts to non-Hopkins friends and family! 

Host a hometown visit
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is inviting current undergraduate students to participate in their Hometown Visits program over winter break. Hometown Visits give students the opportunity to go back to their high school or community-based organization to share their Hopkins experience and help prospective students learn more about our school from a peer's perspective. If you would be willing to help arrange a visit to your high school or community-based organization, please complete the interest form.

NCAA tournament play heats up for Hopkins athletics
Several of our Hopkins teams are gearing up for NCCA tournament competition! Women's Volleyball will open NCAA Division III tournament play against Stevenson on Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. in Goldfarb Gymnasium. Field Hockey will take on Babson in Hartford on Nov. 21. Women's Soccer will also compete on Nov. 21, traveling to Lexington, VA to take on Emory. Men's and Women's Cross Country will send 14 participants to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships on Nov. 22. And football earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III football playoffs and was also awarded a bye in the first round; Hopkins will take on the winner of a first-round game in the second round on Nov. 29 at noon at Homewood Field.

These are just a few of the many accomplishments we're celebrating this week! Several scholar-athletes have also earned individual accolades, including Player of the Year, All-Conference Honors, and more. Stay up to date on all things Hopkins sports by visiting the Hopkins Sports website and following @hopkinssports on Instagram!

Run the Homewood Holiday 5k 
Registration is open for the eighth annual Homewood Holiday 5k, scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 7. Enjoy a scenic route through the Homewood campus and gather for a post-race reception on Homewood Field featuring food and drinks, music, a costume contest, and a special appearance from Santa. Each registrant will receive a commemorative glass mug and a t-shirt. Learn more and sign up to race in person or virtually. 

As the fall semester winds down, we'd like to share some resources available to support you: