We can't wait to begin the new school year with you. There's a lot to know, and we want to make sure you have a good start. Please continue scrolling for important information. In addition, we ask that all students continue opening jwuLink daily to review their full activity feed and notifications for important reminders, updates, and other things to know.
Jump to a specific section:
► Move-in Day ► Commuter Welcome ► College Welcome Day ► Offices & Hours ► Course Schedule, ID Cards & Student Handbook ► Parking on Campus ► Wildcat Wheels & RIPTA ► WoW (Weeks of Welcome) Events ► Part-Time Job Fair ► Local Stuff & Banks
Move-in Day
For students residing on campus, move-in day is Saturday, August 24, 2024. Assigned move-in times will be sent to your Wildcat Email. Please follow those instructions closely and arrive as close to your move-in time as possible. Also, please visit livingoncampus.jwu.edu for the Wildcat Packing List, Guide to On-campus Living, and Frequently Asked Questions.
Additional notes:
- Because there will be a queue of vehicles on Saturday and a high amount of walking, we recommend limiting your move-in helpers to fully mobile persons and meeting up with other family members after you've unloaded and moved your vehicle.
- Volunteers will be on hand (Saturday only) for a period of time to help unload cars and move items.
- You are encouraged to bring your own hand truck for moving in and, at the end of the semester, moving out.
- Leave pets at home (students living in pet-friendly communities must receive approval for their pet before the animal arrives to campus).
- If you are interested in a Microfridge, please look for (or stay tuned) for an email to your Wildcat Email Inbox with detailed information.
- Send an email to reslife.pvd@jwu.edu with any questions.
Commuter Welcome
For students residing off campus, please plan to stop by the Commuter Welcome. 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 campus 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
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, academic deans and chairpersons will be holding mandatory information sessions for new students. Detailed instructions will be sent to your Wildcat Email. Here's a summary of welcome day info sessions:
- Arts & Sciences Students: 9am @ Schneider Auditorium
- Business Students: 10am @ Pepsi Forum
- Engineering & Design Students: 9:30am @ Bowen Center Presentation Room
- Food Innovation & Technology Students: 9am @ Wildcat Center Main Gym
- Health & Wellness Students: 9:30am @ The Bridge
- Hospitality Management Students: 11am @ Xavier Courtyard
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. Please contact our departments directly with any questions you may have.
Academic Success Center (ASC)
- Sunday, noon-2pm @ The Yena Center
- Stop by our open house and learn about subject tutoring, writing support, success coaching, and other services - all of which are available to students at no additional cost.
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm @ John Hazen White Center (Floor 1) and Friedman Center (Floor 1)
- Saturday, 10am-3pm @ both campus bookstores
- Sunday, 8:30am-3pm @ the Harborside Bookstore; 10am-3pm @ the Downcity Bookstore
- The Downcity Bookstore is located in the John Hazen White Center (lower level); the Harborside Bookstore is located at The Wildcat Center.
- Follow link for detailed information regarding on-campus dining locations and hours, meal plans, FAQs, care packages, food allergies, and more.
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm @ Wales Hall (Floor 2)
- Follow link for detailed hours.
- On Saturday & Sunday, Wales Hall Fitness is open noon-5pm; and Wildcat Center Fitness is open 10am-5pm.
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm @ Wales Hall (Floor 3) and Harborside Academic Center
- Saturday & Sunday, 8am-4pm
- 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 @ Student Services Center
- Sunday, 10am-2pm @ Student Services Center
- Saturday & Sunday, 9am-2pm @ Student Services Center
- Saturday, 9am-2pm & Sunday, 11am-2pm @ Friedman Center (CFIT Faculty Offices)
- Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm @ Wales Hall (Floor 1)
Student Engagement
- Saturday, 10am-2pm @ Friedman Center (Student Engagement Lounge)
- Stop by for a Wow (Weeks of Welcome) schedule, grab a snack, or say hi!
- Saturday, 8am-2pm @ Friedman Center and Student Services Center
- Sunday, 10am-2pm @ Student Services Center
Student ID Cards (ID Pickup & Replacements)
- Saturday, 8am-2pm @ Student Services Center
- Sunday, 9am-2pm @ Student Services Center
Course Schedule, ID Cards & Student Handbook
Classes start Monday, August 26, 2024. Please review the Course Schedule jwuLink page for information about:
- Accessing your course schedule
- Locating buildings
- Attendance requirements
- Books and syllabi
- Holds
ID Cards
Official university 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 (carries a fee charge), please visit the ID Services counter in the Student Services Center.
- If you are having issues accessing buildings with your ID card, please visit or contact Campus Safety & Security.
Student Handbook
The Student Handbook 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. In jwuLink, access the handbook anytime via your Shortcuts menu.
Parking on Campus
Students who plan to bring vehicles to campus must register their vehicles EACH school year. Please review important rules, regulations, and instructions on transportation.jwu.edu. On-campus parking options for undergraduate day program students include:
- JWU Parking Lots (located at Harborside, JWU parking permit required, overnight parking allowed)
- JWU Parking Garage (located Downcity, pay-as-you-go hourly rates, limited number of passes available for purchase, no overnight parking)
HOW TO OBTAIN A PARKING PERMIT & USE JWU PARKING LOTS:
- Beginning Monday, August 12, buy your 2024-25 Parking Permit online (the cost is $230 for the year).
- If you are graduating in the fall semester and only need a fall semester permit, buy your permit in person at the Cashier booth in the Student Services Center.
- After purchasing your permit online, allow 24 business hours for processing and then pick it up in person at the location you selected during checkout.
- Pickup locations include the ID Services counter in the Student Services Center (274 Pine St) or the Safety & Security Substation (old classroom 17) in the Harborside Academic Center.
- After you pick up your permit, affix it to the inside of your windshield at the bottom-left driver's side.
- Students may use Lots A, B, D, E, or F (if parking overnight, please use Lots E or F); please refer to the campus map for locations.
- If residing in Harbor View or Harborside Village, there are limited, first-come, first-served parking spaces located at those buildings.
- Remember, Wildcat Wheels provides free bus transportation between the Harborside and Downcity Campuses.
HOW TO USE THE JWU PARKING GARAGE:
- Review all parking garage policies (please note that a parking permit does NOT waive hourly fees for the garage).
- During the fall and spring semesters, the garage is open Monday-Friday, 6am-11pm (it’s closed on the weekends and recognized holidays).
- The garage is located on Pine Street (use 185 Pine Street for GPS directions); please refer to the campus map for location.
- When entering the garage with your vehicle, stop at the gate, swipe your JWU ID card, take and keep the ticket from the machine, and proceed into the garage to park.
- Pick up a parking garage sticker from the garage office (ground level, near entrance) and affix the sticker to your windshield (there is no fee or cost for this sticker).
- When leaving the garage, before returning to your vehicle, stop at one of the payment kiosks in the garage, insert your ticket, and complete payment (all kiosks accept credit cards).
- When driving out, stop at the gate, insert your paid/validated ticket, and the gate will open for you to exit.
- For quick reference, hourly rates are: First 30 minutes free; next 1 hour $1; next 2 hours $2; next 3 hours $3; next 4 hours $4; next 5 hours $6; next 6 hours $8; next 7 hours $10; next 8 hours $11 (max daily rate).
OPTIONAL GARAGE PASS:
- Beginning Monday, August 12, a limited number of 2024-25 Garage Passes can be purchased online.
- The cost is $340 for a semester pass or $650 for a year pass.
- Please evaluate the amount of time you expect to be on campus daily before purchasing a pass.
Wildcat Wheels & RIPTA
Wildcat Wheels campus bus transportation is available to all JWU students. There is no fee or additional tuition charge; however, students must present valid JWU ID cards to board JWU buses. Visit transportation.jwu.edu for schedules and policies.
- To quickly see Wildcat Wheels schedules in jwuLink, go to the Tools menu > Campus Info > Wildcat Wheels.
- For ongoing service updates and notices about special shuttles to JWU events (like College Welcome Day, Ignite the Night, etc.), please monitor the Wildcat Wheels group page.
RIPTA
The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) provides public transportation, primarily buses, in Rhode Island. The main hub of the RIPTA system is Kennedy Plaza, a large bus terminal in downtown Providence, where buses can take you to other parts of the city or the state. Visit ripta.com for schedules, fees, and other information.
- If you plan on utilizing RIPTA often, consider buying a RIPTA UPASS, which is a discounted fare pass program for students.
- After a purchase is complete, activation instructions will be displayed on the confirmation page.
- Please email upass.pvd@jwu.edu with any questions.
WoW (Weeks of Welcome) Events
Whether you're a new or returning student, there's LOTS going on for all students. Check out the below summary and please visit the Student Engagement group page for detailed information and to update your calendar. Come with friends, meet new friends, have fun, and enjoy some free stuff!
PS Homecoming & Family Weekend is October 4-6, 2024 (follow link for schedule and registration info).
Ignite the Night – Sunday, 8/25, Gaebe Commons, 7:30-10pm: Welcome new members of the JWU community as we bring their light to campus in this longstanding tradition! All returning students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to come.
First Day Freeze – Monday, 8/26, Friedman Center, 12-2pm & Downcity Willie’s, 5-7pm: Chill out after the first day of classes with free ice cream! Drop by both the Downcity and Harborside Campuses for a treat and to learn more about campus dining offerings.
Trivia Night – Monday, 8/26, Friedman Student Engagement Lounge, 8-9pm: Come test your knowledge during Student Engagement’s weekly trivia night. See if you have what it takes in a friendly competition of trivia with your peers. Topics can range from just about anything, and it is free to enter.
Friedman Game Night – Thursday, 8/29, Friedman Student Engagement Lounge, 8pm: Come explore what Student Engagement’s Friedman Lounge has to offer on Friedman Game Night. Bring a friend or make some new ones while engaging your mind with our wide range of games we have to offer. From Uno to Monopoly, we have a lot of games to offer!
Student Involvement Fest – Friday, 8/30, Gaebe Commons, 12-3pm: Learn about all the clubs and organizations on campus with one of the biggest student celebrations of the year!
UIB Outdoor Movie Night - Friday, 8/30, Wildcat Center Green Space, 7:30-10pm: Hosted by the University Involvement Board, come to the first movie night of the semester for a blockbuster film on the lawn. Bring your blanket and enjoy snacks provided by UIB!
UIB Gaebe Games – Monday, 9/2, Gaebe Commons, 5-7pm: Hosted by the University Involvement Board, stop by for food trucks, lawn games, and music out on the Gaebe green!
Meet the Greeks – Tuesday, 9/3, Gaebe Commons, 4-6pm: Curious about fraternity and sorority life on campus? Drop by Gaebe Commons to learn more about how you can get involved and what each organization has to offer!
Team Style Trivia – Wednesday, 9/4, Wildcat Center, 8pm: Test your knowledge with a team! Join Student Engagement in the Wildcat Center where you can compete on a team of up to four people for a chance to win a prize! Grab your friends and test your combined knowledge against all your peers.
Skate Night – Thursday, 9/5: Join Student Engagement at the United Skates of America, where you can roller skate, play laser tag, rock climb, and play arcade games! JWU will provide transportation, so grab your friends and have a night to remember during Skate Night! Tickets will be sold online. Kkeep an eye on our Student Engagement jwulink group page for more information!
JWU at the Zoo – Saturday, 9/7, 5-8pm: Join Student Engagement for a night at the Roger Williams Park Zoo! JWU at the Zoo is a campus favorite where we come out to see a variety of animals, including elephants, giraffes, sloths, red pandas, and so many more!
UIB Block Island Trip – Saturday, 9/14: Hosted by the University Involvement Board, join us on a trip to Block Island. Transportation and ferry admission will be provided. Tickets will be sold online. Keep an eye on the Student Engagement jwulink group page for more information!
UIB Big E Trip – Friday, 9/27: Hosted by the University Involvement Board, join us for a trip to the Eastern States Exposition, one of the top ten Fairs in North America and the largest on the East Coast. Tickets will be sold online. Keep an eye on the Student Engagement jwulink group page for more information!
Part-Time Job Fair
Stop by our first job fair of the year 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, too. 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 Stuff & Banks
Art, Banks, Dining, Discounts, Music, Recreation, Shopping, Theatre 45e2
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.
Photo credit: GoProvidence Facebook page/@nrmillard