Skip to main content

Welcome Week

If you are flying directly to BJU from your home, schedule your flight to arrive in the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (airport code GSP).

Do you need shuttle service from the airport or bus station?

Check-in

When you arrive on campus on Monday, Jan. 13, arrive at the Welcome Center to check-in before moving into your residence hall room. Check-in is where you can get your room assignment (residence hall students) and ID card, register your vehicle, ask any remaining financial questions, and pick-up your class T-shirt and Welcome Week booklet. After you check-in at the Welcome Center, you can move into your residence hall.

Students checking in

Residence Hall Move-In

Please come to the Welcome Center to receive your room assignment. Contact your admissions counselor or Student Life regarding your housing request.

Meet Your Academic Advisor & Register for Classes

Your First-year Academic Advisor will be in contact with you during December. Please be sure to pay your deposit, so we can begin building your schedule.

The First-year advisors will be in the Academic Resource Center on Monday, January 13. After you check-in at the Student Center, please go by the Academic Resource Center in the Alumni Building to meet with your advisor to help finalize and officially submit your schedule.

Student meeting with a faculty member

Placement Tests

Placement tests are given to determine the level of instruction that you should register for. You should take all placement tests that apply to you before registering for classes. Following each test, you will be informed which course(s) you should register for and/or waive.

If you have any questions about which placement test you need, please contact your First-year Advisor.

Auditions for Music Lessons and Groups

If you’re taking music lessons for the first time at BJU or if you want to join a music group, you’ll need to audition before you register for music lessons/groups. Music groups are open to all students, regardless of what academic program you’re in. If you’re planning to join a music group, you’ll be able to reserve space for it on your schedule in StudentCentral when you register for classes.

Students represent their society

Students at the new student activity

Welcome Meeting

New Students & Parents Presidential Welcome Meeting — Meet Dr. Cockett and your student leaders for a short meeting. Bring your parents, too!

Society Rush

Society Rush is a crazy time of year where you’ll choose a society to get involved in for the rest of your college experience. It's good to do your research ahead of time, take advantage of all the freebies you’re offered, and have a blast meeting and hanging out with other students.

Opening Exercises

Your official welcome as a BJU Bruin comes during this annual tradition. After you join the procession into the Founder’s Memorial Auditorium, you’ll be challenged by student leaders and hear your professors commit to supporting you through prayer and encouragement. This annual tradition not only sets the spiritual tone for the year, but also bookends your college experience. And most importantly, you’ll hear encouraging and challenging messages that will help orient your heart toward following Christ and cultivating a lasting relationship with Him.

Bruins Way

Bruins Way (New Student Orientation) — This intense but enjoyable time will get you up-to-speed with campus life and provide a good start for your academic career. You will meet and interact with current students, faculty, and administrators who will give you the inside scoop about college life at BJU. You will meet society leaders and learn of opportunities for involvement. (Graduate students and stop-out students are not required to attend.)

Welcome Week introduces you to life at BJU and helps your transition to college life. We have exciting activities planned as you learn how to succeed at BJU.

Monday, Jan. 13

8 a.m. –5 p.m.

  • International Student SEVIS Registration (Student Center, The Hub)
    All F-1 international students (and their dependents) in the United States must report to the Designated School Official at their initial enrollment of the academic year. Bring the following items (including items for any dependents): passport, visa, and I-20.

9 a.m.–12 p.m.

  • New Student & Transfer Check-in (Student Center, Lobby and 2nd Floor)

  • Residence Hall Move-in (Student Center, Lobby and 2nd Floor)
    When you arrive on campus, come to the Student Center to claim your reservation. You will receive your ID card at that time. If you are a residence hall student, your ID card will provide access to your residence hall and meals at the Kalmbach Room. You may move into your room as soon as you complete the check-in process.

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

  • New and Transfer Student Advisor Meetings (Alumni Building, Academic Resource Center, Alumni 213)
    Your academic advisor will guide your academic journey. You will need to see your advisor to register for your classes and talk about academic goals.

  • IT Support Center (Alumni 207)
    The Technology Resources team will be happy to help you connect your laptop and any hand-held devices to the BJU intranet.

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

  • Lunch (Kalmbach Room, Dining Common)
    Lunch is the first meal provided through your meal plan. Meals may be purchased in the Kalmbach Room for additional family members.

3 p.m.

  • New Parent Orientation (Student Center, Levinson Hall)
    If your parents were unable to attend Summer Orientation, this offers a quick overview of the topics covered in the parent sessions.

4 p.m.

  • New Students (including Transfers) & Parents Welcome Meeting (Student Center, Levinson Hall)
    Meet Dr. Crockett and your student leaders for a short meeting. Bring your parents, too!

4:30–6 p.m.

10:30–10:50 p.m.

  • Residence Hall Discipleship Groups

Tuesday, Jan. 14

8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  • International Student SEVIS Registration (Student Center, The Hub)
    All F-1 international students (and their dependents) in the United States must report to the Designated School Official at their initial enrollment of the academic year. Bring the following items (including items for any dependents): passport, visa, and I-20.

8:30 a.m.–10:50 a.m.

  • The Bruins Way & Society Fair (Student Center, Levinson Hall)
    This intense, but enjoyable time will get you up-to-speed with campus life and provide a good start for your academic career. You will meet and interact with current students, faculty, and administrators who will give you the inside scoop about college life at BJU. You will meet society leaders and learn of opportunities for involvement. (Graduate students and stop-out students are not required to attend.)

11-11:45 a.m.

  • Student Life Seminar (Student Center, Levinson Hall)
    This seminar is for any student that did not attend BJU first semester. Mr. Daulton will explain the basics of the student experience at BJU, including opportunities for growth, expectations for conduct, and resources for success.

1 p.m.

  • New Transfer Student Meeting (Alumni Building, Academic Resource Center, Alumni 210)
    This required meeting with Mr. Nathan Washer will get you up to speed with campus life and provide a good start for your academic career as a transfer student here at BJU. This is a required meeting for all new transfer students.

1–4 p.m.

1–5 p.m.

3 p.m.

  • New International Student Meeting (Alumni Building, Center for Global Opportunities)
    Come meet Dr. Matthew Weathers, Mr. Mark Vowels and the international team at this required meeting for all new international students. They will provide helpful information for your first semester at BJU.

4 p.m.

  • New International Student Immigration Meeting (Alumni Building, Center for Global Opportunities)
    As a visa student with an I-20, you are under a special set of regulations enforced by the United States Department of Homeland Security. These regulations begin immediately upon entry to the U.S. and continue until your final departure. Mr. Bryan Boudreau and Mrs. Cyndi Simmons, our Coordinators for International Student Engagement, will review some limitations and benefits on the student visa and will explain campus work authorization. There will be time for you to ask questions.

7 p.m.

  • Opening Exercises (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
    This is the first opportunity for our university family to meet together as we begin the new semester. Arrive a few minutes early to find a seat and bring your ID to scan at the end of the service.

10:30–10:50 p.m.

  • Residence Hall Discipleship Groups

Wednesday, Jan. 15

7 a.m.

  • Classes begin

7 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 16

9–9:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 17

11 a.m.

  • Society Meetings (New or transfer students may attend any society of their sex. Check campus bulletin boards or intranet for locations.)

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 18

1 p.m.

1–3 p.m.

  • Theatre Auditions (Stratton Hall)
    For all students wishing to participate in Performance Hall dramatic productions this semester. Come prepared to perform a one-minute monologue.

3 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 19

  • Church Services
    View the list of churches that provide transportation here.

Monday, Jan. 20

8 a.m.–5 p.m.

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    No morning and afternoon classes. Administrative, staff and faculty offices will be closed.

10:30–10:50 p.m.

  • Residence Hall Discipleship Groups

Tuesday, Jan. 21

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

  • Society Prayer Meetings (Various locations)
    New or transfer students may attend any society of their sex.

Wednesday, Jan. 22

Thursday, Jan. 23

11 a.m.

  • Discipleship Groups (Day Students - Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
    Residence Hall students will meet with their discipleship group leader in their residence halls.

9–9:45 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 24

11 a.m.

  • Society Meeting (Various locations)
    New or transfer students may attend any society of their sex. Check campus bulletin boards or intranet for locations.

12–5 p.m.

  • Society Decisions (The Den)
    Come by the CLD office in The Den with your society decision.

6 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

  • Concert, Opera & Drama Series: Wiesenthal (Rodeheaver Auditorium)
    Famed “Nazi Hunter” Simon Wiesenthal welcomes one final group to his Jewish Documentation Center in Vienna. With warmth, wit and surprising humor this charming man recounts the story of how he brought history's greatest mass murderers to justice. Tom Dugan's one-man show is beautiful, heartbreaking, and dappled with hope.

8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 25

9 a.m.

1 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

  • Concert, Opera & Drama Series: Wiesenthal (Rodeheaver Auditorium)
    Famed “Nazi Hunter” Simon Wiesenthal welcomes one final group to his Jewish Documentation Center in Vienna. With warmth, wit and surprising humor this charming man recounts the story of how he brought history's greatest mass murderers to justice. Tom Dugan's one-man show is beautiful, heartbreaking, and dappled with hope.