Congratulations, Wildcats! You should take immense pride in the commitment you’ve made to your education. We’re so excited for this school year and urge you to take advantage of everything JWU has to offer. Check out all info on this page for not just a smooth arrival, but a fun one too. Be sure to update your calendar with our Weeks of Welcome events - we can't wait to see you there!

To our Wildcat parents & families, we are here for you as much as we are here for your students. Please contact our departments directly with any questions you have. We also invite you to visit or like our Parent & Family Facebook Page.

Continue scrolling for important information regarding semester start requirements, classes, ID cards, parking, dining, COVID-19 & other health reminders, housing move-in, college welcomes, events, and local info.

Tasks & Requirements

Semester start requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied prior to enrollment. In order to be considered officially enrolled in classes at the start of each semester, all university semester start requirements must be satisfied. Students who fail to fulfill these requirements will have holds placed on their accounts and be prohibited from entering classes or changing their schedules. In addition, students may not be able to select/keep their housing assignments.

Be sure to take the following steps to avoid delays:

• Open jwuLink often to review your Tasks and scroll through your activity feed for important reminders & announcements
• Check your JWU email regularly for official notices
• Check your Holds in jwuLink > if you have one, contact the department that placed it & get it cleared ASAP

During welcome weekend, the Student Academic Services (SAS) and Student Financial Services (SFS) offices will be open in the Student Services Center (on the Downcity Campus) from 8am-2pm on Saturday, 8/27 and 9am-2pm on Sunday, 8/28. 

Classes

Fall classes start Monday, August 29, 2022. Important notes:

• You are expected to attend all classes, fully prepared & on time
• Review attendance policies & the academic calendar and plan accordingly for class meeting days, holidays & breaks
• If you have any questions about CFIT uniform requirements, please email events@jwu.edu

Get your Course Schedule in jwuLink. It details course meeting times, classroom locations, and final exam times. Important notes:

• Check and re-review your course schedule at the start of classes
• Your schedule is not considered final until 24 hours before the start of classes - until then, changes to your courses & classroom locations are possible
• Classroom locations do not get assigned until 2-3 weeks prior to the start of the semester

Go to www.jwubookstore.com for a listing of required textbooks. Important notes:

• Books can be rented or purchased either online or in person (but go to the bookstore location where your classes are being held, Downcity or Harborside)
• During welcome weekend, the bookstores will be open 9am-5pm on Saturday, 8/27 and 10am-4pm on Sunday, 8/28
• If you have any questions regarding books or course expectations, please open ulearn (Tools menu of jwuLink > Academics) and/or contact your course instructor
• ulearn is JWU's online learning management system used in the delivery of course materials for all courses - learn more

Need help getting around campus? Open the campus map!

JWU 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. Remember, lost or damaged ID cards will incur a $30 replacement fee. 

New students will receive their ID cards at orientation. If you need a new or replacement ID card:

• Go to the ID Services counter in the Student Services Center (on the Downcity Campus). Note: During welcome weekend, hours are 8am-2pm on Saturday, 8/27 and 9am-2pm on Sunday, 8/28.
• If you're on the Harborside Campus, ID Services will be available in the Friedman Center for a short period of time. During welcome weekend, they will be available from 8am-2pm on Saturday, 8/27 and 9am-2pm on Sunday, 8/28. They will remain available at Harborside during the first two weeks of classes only (after that, they will be available in the Student Services Center).

Parking on Campus

Resident & commuter students who plan to bring vehicles on university property (including JWU's Downcity parking garage) must register their vehicles & obtain parking permits.

• If you will be using JWU parking lots, you must buy & pick up a parking permit each year. 2022-23 permits can be purchased starting Monday, 8/8 and then picked up at the ID Services station in the Student Services Center or at the Campus Safety & Security substation in the Friedman Center.
• If you will be parking in the Downcity Parking Garage only, you must pick up a (no cost) garage-only permit from the garage office.
• Permits do not waive hourly fees for JWU's Downcity parking garage. 

To use JWU's Downcity 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. Review hourly rates & important FAQs. Note: A limited number of garage passes for the semester/year will be available for purchase starting Monday, 8/8 (and available for pickup in the garage office).

All students with vehicles are expected to review parking regulations and information regarding parking bans.

Campus Dining

Please visit dining.jwu.edu for detailed information regarding on-campus dining locations, meal plans, FAQs, care packages, and food allergies. Some reminders about meal plans:

• There are a variety of meal plan options depending on where a student opts to live on campus.
• Resident students select their meal plans for the academic year when selecting their rooms in the housing portal.
• Any meal plan option is available to commuter students. Wildcat Meals are recommended and are available to purchase in blocks. These are unlike a traditional meal plan as they are valid for the entire academic year.
• Meal plans can be purchased starting Monday, 8/8 - visit the dining website for link & additional info!

Health Services

• It is required that every student complete a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines (a medical/religious exemption form can be found in the Medicat Portal). In addition, booster shots are highly recommended. Please note, any unvaccinated member of the JWU community may be required to participate in sentinel testing, at any time upon request.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you have tested positive, you must inform Health Services immediately by calling 401-598-1104 (Downcity office) or 401-598-1151 (Harborside office). Visit covid.jwu.edu for more information and FAQs.
• If you have a Health Services hold, open the Medicat Portal to see which requirements are missing.
• Upload your completed health documents and vaccine records to the Medicat Portal (under the “uploads” section).
• Mask-wearing, regardless of vaccination status, is optional; however, anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask (KN95 recommended) is fully supported in doing so. Masks are still required in Health Services offices. Please carry a mask for any times or situations that require it.
• Please use the phone numbers above to contact Health Services with any questions, or email healthservices.pvd@jwu.edu.

Move-in Day: Saturday, August 27, 2022

Assigned move-in times & instructions will be emailed to resident students by mid-August (times will range from 8am to 1pm). Be sure to check your JWU email often. Please note the following:

• All residents must have a negative point-of-origin COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of campus arrival and must upload it to the Medicat Portal. Visit covid.jwu.edu/faqs.html for instructions & FAQs.
• Each resident is limited to three (3) guests; negative COVID-19 tests are not required for guests, but they should remain home and off campus if they are feeling unwell or have been exposed to a positive case.
• Masks are not required, but they are more than welcome.
• Mandatory hall meetings will be held from 3-5pm on Saturday; consult your hall team upon move-in for more details.

Email reslife.pvd@jwu.edu with any on-campus housing questions!

College Welcome Day: Sunday, August 28, 2022

Each of the colleges - led by their deans & department chairpersons - will be sharing important information that new students need for their studies. Please monitor your JWU email for detailed information & instructions. A summary of the college welcome times & locations are detailed below. If you're not certain of your college, view your Academic Profile widget on your jwuLink Dashboard.

Weeks of Welcome: Don't Miss Out!

Below is a quick look at some of the activities & events we have planned for the start of the semester (they are subject to change). For time, location & more info, follow JWUPVDInvolved on Instagram and look for announcements in jwuLink. We look forward to seeing you there, Wildcats!

• Wildcat Welcome > 8/27, 3-7pm @ Corner Grass Lot (Harborside): A fun night of inflatables and free food! Come join us and make friends with the new students on campus!

• Ignite the Night > 8/28, 8-11pm @ Gaebe Commons: Join us in this annual celebration as we kick off a new academic year at JWU Providence! Ignite the Night is your chance to celebrate your arrival to campus with your classmates and JWU community.

• First Day Freeze > 8/29, noon-2pm @ Harborside Bus Loop & 5-7pm @ Willie’s (in the Bowen Center): We are handing out free ice cream to celebrate the first day of classes! Don’t miss your chance to grab some on either campus!

• UIB Trivia Night > 8/31, 8-1pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: The University Involvement Board is hosting a trivia night! Join them and test your knowledge with your friends!

• Part Time Job Fair > 9/1, 12-3pm @ Gaebe Commons (rain location - Pepsi Forum): Meet with over 30 employers hiring for local jobs. Five priority tickets will be raffled off for the headline comedian Thursday night! Must be present to win a seat to this popular sell out event. Open Handshake in jwuLink (Tools menu > Jobs & Internships) for updates on which employers are coming to campus.

• Comedy Night w/ Chris Distefano > 9/1, 8:30-9:30pm @ Schneider Auditorium: Join Chris Distefano, as seen on his podcast “Hey Babes” or his Netflix Special “Speshy Weshy”, for a night of jokes and laughs you won’t want to miss! Tickets, which are required, will be made available via University Tickets (jwuLink > Tools menu > Campus Life).

• Student Involvement Fest > 9/2, 1-3pm @ Gaebe Commons: Looking to get involved on campus? Come visit Gaebe Commons and get to know all clubs and organizations we have on campus!

• Outdoor Movie Night - Uncharted > 9/2, 8-11pm @ Corner Grass Lot (Harborside): Come out to the Corner Grass Lot to watch Tom Holland’s “Uncharted”! Free snacks and Ice cream and the first 100 people get free food from Saugy’s food truck!

• Roller Rave > 9/3, 6-10pm @ Wildcat Center Main Gym: Join the University Involvement Board in the Wildcat Center Main Gym for a night of music and rollerblading!

• Karaoke Night > 9/7, 8-10pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Grab your friends, prepare your best song, and join us in the Wildcat Center Lounge for a night of vocals and free food!

• Big Bucks Bingo > 9/8, 8-10pm @ Schneider Auditorium: Want to win an Apple Watch? Nintendo Switch? $500 Amazon Gift Card? If the answer is yes, come to Big Bucks Bingo for the chance to win these amazing prizes and more!

• JWU at the Zoo > 9/9, 5-9pm @ Roger Williams Zoo: Join us at Roger Williams Zoo for a night of fun with friends and animals! We also have a 1-hour Armadillo Experience starting at 6:30PM! Shuttles will be provided both there and back. Tickets, which are required, will be made available via University Tickets (jwuLink > Tools menu > Campus Life).

• UIB Movie Night - The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent > 9/9, 7-9:30pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Join the University Involvement Board for a good movie and fresh popcorn!

• Block Island Trip > 9/10, 9am-6pm @ Block Island: If you are looking to get off campus and doing some exploring, join the University Involvement Board on a trip to Block Island! Tickets, which are required, will be made available via University Tickets (jwuLink > Tools menu > Campus Life).

• Stuff-A-Plush > 9/12, noon-4pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Looking for something fun to do? Come to the Wildcat Center Lounge with your friends and build your own stuffed plush for free!

• Paint Night > 9/14, 8-9:30pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Classes can be stressful, so join us for a relaxing night of paints and fun as you bring out your inner Picasso!

• Constitution Day Trivia > 9/16, 1-3pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Join us in the Wildcat Center Lounge and show off your constitutional knowledge for the chance to win prizes!

• UIB Movie Night - Everything Everywhere All At Once > 9/16, 7-9:30pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Join the University Involvement Board for a good movie and fresh popcorn!

• Pirate Trivia > 9/19, 8-10pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Set sail on this challenge and you’ll be hooked before you know it! No treasure map here, just one way to win the pirate’s treasure!

• Miniature Golf & Laser Tag > 9/21, 6-10pm @ Wildcat Center Lobby and Delaney Gym: Meet us at the Wildcat Center for some late night fun and games!

• Trip to the Big E > 9/23, 10am-6pm: Travel to the The Eastern States Exposition with the University Involvement Board and see the best entertainment, food, and games New England has to offer! Tickets, which are required, will be made available via University Tickets (jwuLink > Tools menu > Campus Life).

• Mentalist Mark Toland > 9/28, 8:30-9:30pm @ Schneider Auditorium: The audience is the cast, your thoughts are the props, and your mind is his stage. Join mentalist Mark Tolland as featured on NBC, FOX, CBS, and NPR (just to name a few) and have your mind blown- though he may predict that too!

• UIB Movie Night - The NeverEnding Story > 9/30, 7-9:30pm @ Wildcat Center Lounge: Join the University Involvement Board for a good movie and fresh popcorn!

• Homecoming & Family Weekend > 10/7-9: Save the dates and get more info at familyweekend.jwu.edu! 

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

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.

Photo credit: GoProvidence Facebook page/@nrmillard