Welcome to a new academic year, Blue Jays! 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.  

Deadline to Change Meal Plans is August 30
There are only two days left to make changes to your meal plan selection for the fall semester! Visit the Hopkins Dining website before the end of the day on Friday, August 30 to change your meal plan.  

September 6 is the Last Day to Add Courses
Waitlists for the fall 2024 semester also end on September 6. If you have questions about waitlists or adding a course, contact SEAM. You can also view all upcoming registration deadlines online.

Complete Your Health Insurance Waiver by September 15
If you have private health insurance coverage comparable to the university plan, then you may be eligible to submit a waiver request. Please be aware that a waiver request form must be submitted each academic year regardless of whether your insurance information has changed. Visit JHU’s health insurance portal and select your school to learn more or waive coverage before the September 15 deadline. 

While the Milton S. Eisenhower Library undergoes a major renovation, Hopkins has opened new study spaces on Homewood campus. The temporary MSE Library Annex has been established in the former Johns Hopkins Club to serve as the primary library resource during the renovation of the MSE Library building. In addition, new study spaces are available in the Brody Learning Commons, Hodson Hall, and the Hutzler Reading Room in Gilman Hall. For more library status updates, visit the Sheridan Libraries website.

New Printing Credit Available on Your J-Card
Homewood undergraduates will receive a $4 printing credit on their J-Cards for this academic year. These credits can be monitored via the J-Card Transact e-Accounts app and used at any STAR or MSE Library printer at Homewood. Unused credits will expire at the end of the academic year. 

The Imagine Center Has a New Website
The Imagine Center website has relaunched with streamlined content, easy-to-navigate and comprehensive dropdown menus, and more. Visit imagine.jhu.edu to explore the new site and get connected to resources to support your professional development. 

FutureFest 2024 Starts Next Week
The Life Design Lab is holding its fifth annual Future Fest, Hopkins’ premiere life design exhibition and employer recruitment festival, from Sept. 6–20.  Registration is now open for all programming; if you’re not sure what programs might interest you, use the Life Design Lab’s new wayfinding tool to receive customized recommendations. 

New Dining Locations and Updates to Levering Kitchens
There are exciting new options for dining on Homewood campus this year:

Weekends at Hopkins Kicks Off On August 30
After the Student Involvement Fair, head on over to Wyman Quad for the first of many special events in a series we’re calling Weekends at Hopkins, hosted by Leadership Engagement and Experiential Development (LEED). This Friday, you can dance at a VR/silent disco afterparty. RSVP in Hopkins Groups and look for more Weekends at Hopkins events all throughout the academic year!

Get Personal Finance Recommendations from iGrad
Join iGrad, a personal finance platform provided by JHU that can help you better understand how to manage your money. iGrad can assess your finances in less than 5 minutes and recommend tools, content, and courses for your goals. Visit their website to learn more and sign up. 

Open House at the Recreation Center
Did you know you have access to the Blue Jay Group Fitness Pass sponsored by the Hopkins Parent's Fund? From Monday, August 26 to Sunday, September 8, you can enjoy FREE F45 classes as part of the O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being's annual open house. Visit the Rec Center portal or download the Follow Me to the Rec app to register for your free group fitness classes today. 

NEW DATE: Celebrate the Start of the Semester at Blue Jay Bash
Hopkins Dining's annual Blue Jay Bash is will be held next Thursday, September 5, from 5–8 p.m. Stop by the Freshman Quad for food, giveaways, music, games, and more. No meal plan is required to attend! Blue Jay Bash will replace dinner service at Hopkins Cafe and Nolan's on 33rd, which will both close after 2 p.m. on Sept. 5; Levering Kitchens will be open with regular hours. 

Blue Jay Tuesday is Back!
Blue Jay Tuesdays are back for fall 2024 and better than ever! Wear blue and/or your Hopkins gear every Tuesday this semester to be eligible for special giveaways and prizes at tables around campus. Next Tuesday, September 3, the Student Engagement team will be on the Hodson Hall patio giving away spirit buttons and Rice Krispie treats, as well as sharing information and resources from Public Safety. RSVP in Hopkins Groups to make sure it’s on your calendar.  

As the school year begins we'd like to share some support resources available to students: