Blue Jay Family Flyer, December 2018




Dec. 7

Last day of classes for the semester

Dec. 8–11

Reading period

Dec. 10

Lighting of the Quad

Dec. 12

Helpful Holidays Reminder webinar 12–1 p.m.

Dec. 12–21

Final examination

Dec. 21–Jan. 6

Mid-year vacation

Jan. 9

Residence Hall applications


Recently, JHU launched a new team to manage tuition payment processing and third party payers. There are two important changes we wanted our families to be aware of:
  1. Students who have third party payers—outside organizations paying all or part of their tuition—must now go into SIS Self Service > Billing > Third Party Billing to upload documents and complete a very brief acknowledgement form. This includes students who receive VA education benefits, but does not apply to federal financial aid/grants such as Pell grants.
  2. Any tuition payments submitted by mail should now be sent to:

    TPP Team
    Johns Hopkins University
    Garland Hall, B33
    3400 N. Charles Street
    Baltimore, MD 21218

Helping your student over the holidays

Many of your students will be home this month to spend the break with friends and family. Winter break can be an exciting, joyful time, but it’s also time to check in with your student about how they’re doing, what they’ve been doing, and what they’re looking forward to in the spring.
The Career Center is presenting a Helpful Holidays Parents webinar on Dec. 12, 12–1 p.m., hosted by Ann Garner, Director of the Homewood Career Center. This program will help you prepare for any conversations you might have about your student’s changing goals, their plans for their first summer, and making the most of their four years.
Mark your calendars! If you have specific questions in advance, please feel free to submit them to bluejayfamilies@jhu.edu before Dec. 7.
Katyna Skaff and family

Blue Jay Family feature: Skaff family

There are many elements to consider when selecting a college, from the range of majors offered and the reputation of the institution to the size and location of the campus. After narrowing the options down to a shortlist of schools and scheduling in-person visits, the first impression of a college community is often the deciding factor.
When Katyna Skaff, a Class of 2022 parent, and her family took their first tour of the Homewood campus in February 2017, the tree-lined walkways and Georgian architecture were certainly welcoming. But nothing made a greater impact on the prospective Blue Jay family than Hopkins’ students themselves.
“We saw that students were happy,” Katyna says. “Everyone we encountered was welcoming and friendly.” In addition to an introductory session at Shriver Hall with an informative panel that included students
in different programs, Katyna remembers a student-led campus tour that truly made the difference. “He did a great job of being patient, answering all of our questions, and taking us through every building. Inside Shriver Hall, we were just a number among approximately 100 other families; when we ended the tour, we felt like we belonged.”
Continue reading the Skaff story
Student speaks at security forum

An open dialogue on campus security

This fall, as Johns Hopkins University considers options to augment its security operations, the administration has created multiple opportunities for conversations with students, faculty, staff, and neighbors to gather feedback about safety on and around Hopkins’ Baltimore campuses.
So far this semester, the university has hosted several events to facilitate a dialogue with Hopkins affiliates and community members. Two sessions of its three-part discussion series, “The Challenges of 21st Century Policing,” were held Oct. 29 and Nov. 9, when national experts discussed the current landscape of university policing and constitutional policing and police accountability.
Hopkins also hosted two community forums—in Charles Village near the Homewood campus on Nov. 13 and in East Baltimore near the medical campus on Nov. 26—where university leadership heard directly from JHU affiliates and neighbors about their experiences, recommendations, and concerns. In addition, the university has had more than 30 meetings over the past few months with community leaders and neighborhood associations as well as students on campus, to discuss security and get feedback.
During the first discussion, JHU President Ronald J. Daniels said that while the establishment of a campus police department at Johns Hopkins—a possibility first raised publicly in March—remains an option, university leadership is open to alternatives and wants to learn from the experiences of other universities in similar settings that have confronted similar security issues.
"If there are other ways that we can get to where we need to, in terms of ensuring the level of safety and security for our campuses and the communities around us, we are all ears," Daniels said. "And these kinds of discussions will leave us ample opportunity to pursue the alternatives."

Third Discussion Series Session: Dec. 5

The third and final discussion series, "Root Causes of Crime and Solution-Oriented Strategies—A Public Health Perspective" will take place Wednesday, Dec. 5 from 1–3 p.m. at the Bunting Meyerhoff Interfaith and Community Service Center located at 3509 N. Charles Street. All events are open to the public and most are livestreamed. The university's Public Safety Initiatives website includes event-related information, such as how to RSVP for upcoming events and archived videos and other materials from past events.
Fireworks during the Lighting of the Quad

Lighting of the Quads scheduled for Dec. 10 

Over the past decade, Lighting of the Quads has become a highly anticipated moment for Hopkins to gather and reflect as a community as we hear from university leaders. We recognize and showcase the talent of Hopkins students. We celebrate the closing of the semester and the beginning of the winter season gathered under the glow of thousands of lights and a fireworks display.
This year Lighting of the Quads will be on Dec. 10 on Keyser Quad (the rain date is Dec. 11). Festivities will start at 6 p.m. and the ceremony will begin at 7 p.m.
This grand tradition is proudly supported by the Hopkins Parents Fund and your support is greatly appreciated.

Leaving the nest 2019

As the season changes, thoughts begin to turn towards finding housing off-campus for second-year students. Students, along with their families, have many questions about this process and the Off-Campus Housing Office has provided some tips to help.
  • Stay informed - Students and families are encouraged to reach out to the Off-Campus Housing Office with any questions or concerns. In addition, there will be several events during the spring semester designed to help students understand their options and the process of securing an apartment or home. Events include the Off-Campus Information Session on Feb. 7 and the Spring Off-Campus Housing Fair on Feb. 19.
  • Plan ahead and frame expectations - With our popular study abroad program, students may be away for their spring or fall semester or they may have a summer internship here in Baltimore. Both of these scenarios will alter housing needs and may affect when a student may want to start their lease. Families should begin to have conversations around lease options, cost, location, and future plans.
We welcome you to visit the Off-Campus Housing website and utilize the many services available. The Off-Campus Housing office is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Read more tips

Live-in leadership: Now accepting Resident Advisor applications

The Office of Residential Life currently employs over 65 student staff members as Resident Advisors (RA) who assist and enhance the community within our residence halls. These staff members dedicate countless hours to training, programming, and community building to help us strengthen the undergraduate experience. Applications to become an RA for the 2019–2020 year are available now, with a deadline of Jan. 9, 2019. Visit the Residential Life website to learn more about the job description, qualifications, application process, and more.
Graduates standing during the ceremony

Five Tips for Graduation

For those Blue Jay Families with seniors, commencement is quickly approaching! Are you and your Blue Jay ready? Before you know it, it'll be May 23! Check out our top five tips that will help prepare you for the momentous occasion. 
  1. The university-wide Commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m. in the Royal Farms Arena at 201 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD.
  2. If your schedule permits, consider arriving on Wednesday, May 22, to join your graduate for other Commencement-related activities. The schedule of events will be updated throughout the year with student organization and academic department events happening on the Homewood campus on the 22nd.
  3. Our Visitor Information page has external links to hotels near the arena, frequently asked questions, details on event accessibility, and suggestions to help you commemorate your graduate’s moment.
  4. The Commencement Undergraduate Checklist contains information on ordering graduation-related items, including class rings, graduation announcements, senior portraits, and academic regalia.
  5. To request ASL interpreters, assisted listening devices, or Braille program booklets contact the Commencement Office at commencement@jhu.edu or 410-516-7711 by April 23.
In mid-November, parents of students expected to graduate in May should have received an email from the Commencement Office. If you did not receive or have questions, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@jhu.edu, call 410-516-7711 or message us through Facebook or Instagram.
Parent and Family Relations
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