Welcome to spring semester, 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.  

Upcoming academic deadlines

Meal plan change deadline is Jan. 24
There are only two days left to change your meal plan for the Spring 2025 semester. Visit the Birdhouse before the end of the day on Friday, Jan. 24 to change your plan. After Friday, you will be unable to change your plan for the rest of the academic year. Not on a meal plan yet? There’s still time to enroll for the spring semester! Explore available options in the Birdhouse, including Dining Dollar-only and block meal swipe plans, and sign up today.

The Johns Hopkins Ice Rink at Homewood has returned for the 2025 winter season! All JHU students are invited to sign up for a free 90-minute skating session now through Sunday, Feb. 23. Rental skates, beverages, and snacks are also free of charge to all attendees who have completed their registration and submitted an electronic waiver.  

The ice rink has a new location, off West University Parkway in the Imagine Center parking lot. Check out the calendar for available time slots, theme nights, and giveaways—including exclusive Hopkins gear you won’t want to miss! 

For the latest updates on construction projects and active alerts affecting Homewood campus, visit the Facilities & Real Estate website.

JayBot SMS chatbot launching soon
You may have seen the announcement last week that JHU is launching a new SMS chatbot for undergraduate students! JayBot will be able to answer questions about all things Hopkins, connect you to resources, and share important updates throughout the academic year. Keep an eye out for an introductory text, followed by occasional check-ins throughout the semester.

Reminder: Study space locations and hours
The Sheridan Libraries website maintains a list of available study spaces and hours of operation. You can also view the current capacity in Brody Learning Commons and the MSE Library Annex. Note that a J-Card is typically required to access study spaces.

Blue Jay Welcome Weeks return for spring
Beginning this week, we’ll be highlighting many of the exciting on-campus events and programming for the spring edition of Blue Jay Welcome Weeks. It's an opportunity to connect with friends, explore resources, build community, and discover all that JHU has to offer! Visit Hopkins Groups to see upcoming events and follow @jhustudentlife on Instagram for weekly event highlights.

Life Design Lab offers a new way to dress for success
The Life Design Lab Career Closet is a partnership with MyCareerCloset, a subscription-based clothing company that provides students with affordable and sustainable apparel for professional development opportunities such as interviewing, professional conferences, internships and job opportunities. Learn more and subscribe online.

Submit questions for our dietitian
Whether it's about nutrition, food, supplements, disordered eating, or specific health conditions, the Student Health and Well-being blog is here to help. Submit a question for our dietitian Rayven Nairn, and a response may appear in From the Dietitian’s Desk on the blog. Please note that your submission might be reworded or summarized for clarity or leave out explicit, triggering, or identifying details.

Wellness-to-go vending machines
Wellness-to-go vending machines on Homewood campus provide easy access to over-the-counter medications and other well-being products at cost. Purchases can be made using an active J-Card account. Individuals can hold their J-Card up to the contactless reader on the vending machine or use mobile credentials to initiate a purchase.

There are currently two vending machines on Homewood campus:

Break the ice at Playfair on Jan. 24
The Office of Student Transitions and Family Engagement is inviting all undergrads to participate in Playfair: The Ultimate Ice Breaker on Friday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Rec Center. Join us for an evening of fun getting to know fellow students and compete in an Ultimate Rock Paper Scissors tournament! RSVP in Hopkins Groups.

The Spring Student Involvement Fair is Jan. 31
Learn about involvement opportunities with nearly 400 student organizations and campus departments! The Spring Student Involvement Fair will be held in the O’Connor Center for Recreation and Well-Being on Friday, Jan. 31 from 2–5 p.m. Register to attend in Hopkins Groups and follow LEED on Instagram for the latest updates. 

CIIP applications now open
If you're passionate about social impact and eligible for Federal Work-Study, apply for the Community Impact Internships Program. You’ll work with local organizations to tackle community challenges while gaining professional experience. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 7. For questions, contact Michael Rush.

As the spring semester gets underway, we'd like to share some resources available to support you: