Things to Know for the Fall 2024 Semester
Wildcats, you should take immense pride in the commitment you’ve made to your education! We can't wait to begin the new school year with you. There's a lot to know, but we want to make sure you have a good start. Please continue scrolling for important information, or jump to a specific section:
 


Move-in Day

For students residing on campus, please visit livingoncampus.jwu.edu for the Wildcat Packing List, Guide to On-campus Living, and Frequently Asked Questions. Please note the following reminders. If you have unanswered questions, email reslife.pvd@jwu.edu.

  • On-campus residents will be moving in to residence halls on DATE TBA.
  • Assigned move-in times will be sent to your JWU email address; follow those instructions closely and arrive as close to your move-in time as possible.
  • Be sure to print out the parking pass included in your email - this is very important if your vehicle needs to be moved.
  • Because there will be a considerable queue of vehicles and due to a high amount of walking, we recommend limiting your move-in helpers to fully mobile persons.
  • Consider meeting up with other family members, small children, pets, etc. after you've unloaded and moved your vehicle.
  • A robust but limited number of student volunteers will be on hand to help new students (who would like the assistance) unload and/or move their items (help may not be available depending on how busy it is, time, etc.).
  • Mandatory hall meetings will be held TBA


Commuters Meet & Greet

For students living off campus, please plan to stop by the Commuting Wildcats Meet & Greet. This is a great opportunity to connect with other commuters, meet your Pack Leaders, enjoy music and play games, learn about amenities for commuters, and enter the raffle for a chance to win a parking pass or JWU Flex Dollars to use at campu dining venues! From there, we'll head over to Gaebe Commons for Ignite the Night.

  • Sunday, August 25, 2024
  • 3-5pm
  • Downcity Welcome Center (corner of JWU Parking Garage, 35 Richmond St)

Please visit the Off-Campus Student Services website for dedicated commuter resources and sapces. If you have questions, please email ocss@jwu.edu or call 401-598-4595.


College Welcome Day Meetings for New Students

On Sunday, August 25, 2024, academic deans and chairpersons will be holding mandatory College Welcome Day information sessions for new students. Look for detailed instructions in your JWU email. Here's a summary of welcome day info sessions:

  • Arts & Sciences: 9am @ Schneider Auditorium (Xavier Academic Complex)
  • Business: 10am @ Pepsi Forum (Wales Hall)
  • Engineering & Design: 9:30am @ Bowen Center Presentation Room (main floor, adjacent to lobby)
  • Food Innovation & Technology: 9am @ Wildcat Center Main Gym
  • Health & Wellness: 9:30am @ The Bridge (entrance is directly across from Xavier Hall entrance - Xavier Courtyard area)
  • Hospitality Management: 11am @ Xavier Courtyard (between The Bridge and Xavier Academic Complex)


Offices & Hours

On Saturday and Sunday, August 24-25, our main offices will be open to support you as indicated below. Follow links for support services and contact info. To our parents and families, as always, we are here for you as much as we are for your students. Don't hesitate to contact our departments directly with any questions you may have.

Academic Success Center (ASC)

Stop by our open house on Sunday, noon-2pm, in The Yena Center. The ASC is here to support your academic journey at JWU. Learn about subject tutoring, writing support, supplemental instructions, success coaching, and other services - all of which are available to students at no additional cost.

Accessibility Services

Mandatory welcome meetings for new students requesting academic accommodations will be held on Sunday, following your College Welcome Day meeting. Look for meeting location and time in your JWU Email Inbox.

Campus Bookstores

Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday, 10am-4pm. The Downcity Bookstore is located in the John Hazen White Center. The Harborside Bookstore is located at The Wildcat Center).

Campus Dining

Visit the dining website for detailed information regarding on-campus dining locations and hours, meal plans, FAQs, care packages, food allergies, and more.

Counseling Services

Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm, in Wales Hall (Floor 2).

Health Services

Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm, in Wales Hall (Floor 3) and the Harborside Academic Center.

IT Service Desk

Call 401-598-4357, call 866-598-4357, or email it@jwu.edu for help with JWU technology (login and password errors, wifi and dorm network issues, computer labs, printing, etc.).

JWU Global (International Student Services)

Saturday, 9am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Sunday, 10am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Student Academic Services

Saturday & Sunday, 9am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Sunday, 11am-2pm, in The Friedman Center.

Student Employment

Saturday, 8am-2pm, in Wales Hall (Floor 1).

Sunday, 9am-2pm, in Wales Hall (Floor 1).

Student Financial Services

Saturday, 8am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Sunday, 9am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Student ID Cards (ID Pickup & Replacements)

Saturday, 8am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

Sunday, 9am-2pm, in the Student Services Center.

 


Class Start Notes & Reminders

Your Schedule

Classes start Monday, August 26, 2024Review attendance policies and the academic calendar and plan to attend all classes fully prepared and on time. Below are some of the ways to access your course schedule in jwuLink. Because changes are possible, please re-review your schedule 24 hours before the start of classes (note: classroom locations get assigned 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester). If you have any questions about your schedule, please contact Student Academic Services.

  • jwuLink Dashboard > click the Course Registration dropdown
  • jwuLink Dashboard > scroll down to the Academic Profile widget
  • jwuLink Shortcuts menu > My Information
  • jwuLink Tools menu > Academics

Important: When viewing your schedule, pay special attention to the meeting dates, days, and times that are listed. When viewing schedule details, the bottom row outlines final exam information (day and time) - again, look at the dates, days, and time. PLEASE WATCH THIS SHORT, HELPFUL INFO VIDEO!  

Books & Uniforms

Go to www.jwubookstore.com for a listing of required textbooks. Books can be rented or purchased online or in person (but go to the campus bookstore location where your classes are being held). Please contact your course instructor directly with any questions regarding books and other classroom requirements. If you have any questions about CFIT uniform requirements, please email events@jwu.edu.

To access course syllabi and announcements from your instructors, open ulearn, which is JWU's online learning management system used in the delivery of all courses. Tip: For quick access, look at the ulearn widget located on your jwuLink Dashboard.

Student ID Card

Official university student identification (ID) cards are issued to all students and must be carried at all times. While on campus, display your ID card on a lanyard, clip, etc. The ID card is part of the JWU campus electronic security system, campus dining meal plan, and transportation ridership. Review full ID card policies in the Student Handbook.

  • If you have not received your ID card or need a replacement ID card (carries a fee charge), please visit the ID Services counter in the Student Services Center (Downcity Campus).
  • If you are having issues accessing buildings with your ID card, please visit or contact Campus Safety & Security.

Holds

All holds must be cleared before August 29, 2024. Students who have not cleared holds by this date will have their fall course registration deleted. In addition to checking your JWU email regularly and often, please make sure to open jwuLink often and look at your TasksActivity feed and notifications, and holds.

Student Handbook

Remember, the Student Handbook is your reference to the resources you need at Johnson & Wales University. It contains information on academics, advising, financial services, student activities and services, academic and university policies, the Student Code of Conduct and Conduct Review Process, and much more. You should be familiar with and reference the Student Handbook often.


Buildings & Campus Map

Need help getting around campus? Open the campus map and reference the following building key (these are the possible codes that will be listed on your course schedule):


Parking & Wildcat Wheels

Students who plan to bring vehicles to campus and use JWU parking lots and facilities must register their vehicles each school year and are expected to visit transportation.jwu.edu and review ALL provided information, including information regarding regulations, rules, and bans.

  • JWU PARKING LOTS: You must purchase a parking permit and affix it to your vehicle to park in a JWU lot. Parking permits are NOT needed to park in the garage and do NOT waive hourly fees for the garage.
  • JWU GARAGE: To use JWU's parking garage, swipe your JWU ID card for access, take the ticket from the machine, and proceed into the garage to park. You will need this ticket when paying and exiting the garage. Payments can be made at one of the kiosks located throughout the garage. All kiosks accept credit cards and one kiosk also accepts cash. At the exit, you will insert your paid, validated ticket and the gate will open for you to exit. Please review hourly rates. Note: You must pick up a parking garage sticker from the garage office (ground level, near entrance).
  • HOW TO PURCHASE PERMITS & PASSES: Parking permits and a limited number of garage passes for the 2023-24 school year can be purchased online starting DATE TBA. Also, purchases can be made in person at the Cashier booth located in the Student Services Center during office hours for Student Financial Services.

As a reminder, Wildcat Wheels campus bus transportation is available to all JWU students with valid ID cards. Visit transportation.jwu.edu for current bus schedules and policies, and check the Wildcat Wheels jwuLink group channel for ongoing reminders and announcements.


Gym & Fitness Centers

Fitness center use is free to all students, faculty, and staff who possess a valid JWU ID card. Students may participate in a wide range of fitness and recreation programs and intramural sports. Each semester, the fitness centers sponsor multiple recreation programs that promote a holistic approach to wellness, while being fun, engaging, and educational. Fitness classes may include spin, yoga, Zumba®, boot camp and cardio kick-boxing. Pilates and self-defense classes are offered throughout the year at the Wildcat Center. Classes are held in the mornings, at noontime and early evenings. In addition, a variety of intramural programs are offered that have proven to be very popular. Also, club sports allow students to participate in sports activities that go beyond the scope of intramural programs.  Current club sports include esports, cheer/mascot, dance, football, rugby and MMA. For more information about any of these program offerings, please call 401-598-1624, or contact the Wales Hall or Wildcat Fitness Centers or the JWU Athletics department.

Wales Hall Fitness Center Hours (Starting Sat 8/24)

  • Monday-Thursday, 7am-9pm
  • Friday, 7am-5pm
  • Saturday-Sunday, noon-5pm

Located on the lower level of Wales Hall on the Downcity Campus, this fitness center provides cardiovascular equipment including True treadmills, Cybex stationary bikes and Cybex ACR Trainers. Also offered are a variety of free weights and selectorized equipment including Hammer Strength and Life Fitness Equipment.

Wildcat Center Fitness Center Hours (Starting Sat 8/24)

  • Monday-Thursday, 7am-1pm
  • Friday, 7am-7pm
  • Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm

Located on the second floor of the Wildcat Center, this fitness center is a state-of-the-art facility with more than 6,000 square feet of fitness equipment. StairMasters, treadmills, stationary bikes, a Cybex circuit, power racks, free weights, a Gravitron machine, plyometric equipment and Body Trek machines are all offered at this facility.

Wildcat Center Recreation (Starting Sat 8/24)

  • Monday-Thursday, 8am-10pm
  • Friday, 8am-7pm
  • Saturday-Sunday, 10am-7pm

Located on the Harborside Campus, the Wildcat Center services the entire university community. It offers four basketball courts, three volleyball courts, a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, a student life center, and a bookstore. The center is home to the Wildcats intercollegiate sports teams, the Student Engagement Harborside Campus office, the Athletics department and Intramural and Recreational Activities.


Weeks of Welcome Events

Ignite the Night, First Day Freeze, Student Involvement Fest, Meet the Greeks, JWU at the Zoo, Block Island Trip, Big E Trip

Whether you're new or returning, there's LOTS going on for all students. Update your calendars now and don't miss out! Come with friends, meet new friends, have fun, and enjoy some free stuff. Check out the Student Engagement group channel for all the events going on and full details.

PS Save the date and join us for Homecoming & Family Weekend, October 4-6, 2024. Follow the website link for more info!


Part-Time Job Fair

Stop by to browse part-time jobs and connect with local employers! If you're selecting your Federal Work Study position or looking for an on-campus job, hiring managers from various JWU departments will be present to meet with you. Please call our Experiential Education & Career Services office at 401-598-1070 with any questions.

  • Thursday, August 29, 2024
  • Noon to 3PM
  • Gaebe Commons (rain location is Pepsi Forum)


Local Info & Banks

Art, Banks, Dining, Discounts, Music, Recreation, Shopping, Theatre

Start exploring! The city is filled with a bounty of amazing restaurants along with rich art and entertainment, from live music venues to big screen multiplexes, small art house cinemas and an IMAX. There are also many outdoor and sports options, too. Nearby shopping destinations include Providence Place Mall, Garden City Center, and Warwick Mall. National chains like Target, Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Kohl’s and others are close by as well. A great place to start learning the city is goprovidence.com.

Many attractions and retailers provide a discount to college students, typically after showing a student ID. So, be sure to ask or look for offers!

Students can bank at any institution of their choice. The following banks, listed as a convenience, have full-service locations in the Downcity area: Bank of America, Bank Newport, Bank Rhode Island, Citizens Bank, Santander, and Washington Trust.

Aerial photo of Waterfire in Downtown Providence

Photo credit: GoProvidence Facebook page/@nrmillard