Welcome Week
Do you need shuttle service from the airport or bus station?
If you need a ride to campus from the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, the Greenville bus station or the Amtrak train station for the fall or spring semester, submit a request (login required) to make arrangements. The cost for this service is $15, which will be billed to your account.
After you arrive and collect your luggage, make your way to the BJU vans parked just outside the baggage claim area. Because of airport security, the van drivers cannot leave their vans to meet you inside the terminal.
Check-in & Move-in
When you arrive on campus, come to the Student Center to claim your reservation. If you are a residence hall student, you will receive your room assignment and ID card at that time. Your ID card will provide access to your residence hall. You may move into your room as soon as you complete the check-in process.
You can also bring your laptop to the Information Technology (IT) station and we’ll connect it to the campus network. We’ll have this station open during check-in hours.
Once you check in, you’re ready to move in! You’ll find your room number on your admission certificate. If you need help finding your residence hall, check out our campus map or ask another student or a member of the faculty or staff for directions.
After you move in, check which placement tests and auditions you’ll need. You may have to complete a few of these before you build the schedule for your first semester.
If you need special housing accommodations, submit an accommodations request.
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 classes. 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.
ACT and Placement Tests
We require all students to take the ACT or SAT. So if you haven’t submitted your scores by the week of registration, you’ll take the ACT on the next date of national testing.
Your ACT scores and any placement tests you take determine the level of instruction you should register for in various subject areas. Make sure to take all placement tests that apply to you before registering for classes. Following the tests, we’ll let you know which courses to register for.
Placement tests will be given on Monday, Jan. 8 and Tuesday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (Alumni 220)
Meet Your Academic Advisor & Register for Classes
Once you’ve auditioned and taken all placement tests you need, you’ll need to meet with your academic advisor. You can find your advisor’s name and office location on your admission certificate or on StudentCentral.
All advisors will be in their offices on Monday and Tuesday of this week, so be sure to meet with yours about your class schedule. They’re available to answer any questions about registration or your classes or to talk with you about your career plans. You can register for classes before or during your meeting with your advisor.
To register for classes and arrange your schedule, log on to StudentCentral. Make sure you indicate any times you plan to work or have music lessons or groups—doing so will make things go much smoother.
If you attended summer orientation, all you’ll need to do to complete your registration is to accept your preregistered class schedule.
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.
Welcome Activity
We’re glad you’ve joined the Bruin Nation! To celebrate and to get to know you a little better, our First-year Experience team hosts a fun activity where you’ll eat good food, meet other new students and enjoy games together.
Campus Opportunities Expo
Explore dozens of ways you can get involved in the student body at the Campus Opportunities Expo. All student organizations gather in one location and set up booths so you can find the opportunities that interest you. Make sure you talk with the student representatives and ask about openings in their group for you. Some may want you to complete your first year before you can join, but it’s good to let them know now that you’re interested.
Community Outreach Fair
Outreach in the local community is a vital part of your education at BJU. At the Community Outreach Fair you’ll have the opportunity to explore and sign up for events that will take place during the first few weeks of school.
Monday, Jan. 8
8 a.m. –5 p.m.
- International Student SEVIS Registration (Student Center, The Hub)
All F-1 international students (and their dependents) who did not attend BJU first semester 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.–1 p.m.
- New Student Check-in (Student Center)
- Residence Hall Move-in
You will receive your room assignment and ID card at that time. Your ID card will provide access to your residence hall. You may move into your room as soon as you complete the check-in process.
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- New and Transfer Student Advisor Meetings (Alumni Building)
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. Prior to seeing your advisor, you should take any placement tests needed.
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Tech Resources (Alumni Building, 207)
The Tech Resources team will be happy to help you connect your laptop and any hand-held devices to the BJU intranet.
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Placement Tests (Alumni 220)
11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- Lunch (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 International Student Meeting (Alumni, CGO)
Come meet Mr. Mark Vowels and the CGO team at this required meeting for all new international students. He will provide helpful information for your first semester at BJU.
4:30–6 p.m.
- Supper (Dining Common)
Meals may be purchased in the Kalmbach Room for additional family members. Supper is also available for purchase at the Chick-fil-A counter in The Den.
7 p.m.
- New Students and Parents Presidential Welcome and Reception (Levinson Hall)
Meet President Pettit and your student leaders for a short meeting followed by a reception. Bring your parents, too!
Tuesday, Jan. 9
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- International Student SEVIS Registration (Student Center, The Hub)
All F-1 international students (and their dependents) who did not attend BJU first semester 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.–11 a.m.
- The Bruins Way (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. You will also have the opportunity to meet society leaders and learn of opportunities for involvement. New and transfer students should go by the Center for Leadership Development (CLD Office) located in The Den on Friday, Jan. 19 (Noon–5 p.m.) to let them know your society decision. (Graduate students and stop-out students are not required to attend.)
8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Advisor Meetings for Stop-Out Students (Faculty Offices)
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. Prior to seeing your advisor, you should take any placement tests needed.
9 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Placement Tests (Alumni 220)
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. Prior to seeing your advisor, you should take any placement tests needed.
11-11:45 a.m.
- Student Life Seminar (Levinson Hall)
This seminar is for any student that did not attend the fall semester. Dr. Newton will explain the basics of the student experience at BJU, including opportunities for growth, expectations for conduct and resources for success.
1–4 p.m.
- Music Auditions (Gustafson Fine Arts Center)
Please see your academic advisor to make any changes to your schedule after your music auditions.
4 p.m.
- New International Student Immigration Meeting (Alumni, CGO)
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 final departure. Mr. Bryan Boudreau, our campus International Student Advisor, will review some limitations and benefits on the student visa and will explain campus work authorization. There will be time for questions and answers.
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 your seat and meet the people you will be sitting beside for the next few weeks in chapel. You can find your chapel seat assignment on your profile page in StudentCentral.
8–9:30 p.m.
- First-year Fiesta with Dr. Pettit (Dining Common)
Whether you are a new student this semester or a returning second semester freshman, Dr. Pettit and First-year Experience invite you to join us, other administrators and student leaders for a night full of nachos, ice cream, activities, prizes, and a lot of fun. Dr. Pettit will share some encouraging words to all first-year students.
9:45–10:15 p.m.
- Society Prayer Meetings
New or transfer students may attend any society of their gender. Check campus bulletin boards or intranet for locations.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
7 a.m.
- Classes begin.
11 a.m.
- Chapel (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
7 p.m.
- Evangelistic Meeting (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
Thursday, Jan. 11
11 a.m.
- Chapel (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
Friday, Jan. 12
11 a.m.
- Society Meetings
New or transfer students may attend any society of their gender. Check campus bulletin boards or intranet for locations.
Saturday, Jan. 13
2 & 4 p.m.
- Bruins Basketball (Davis Field House)
Support the Bruins basketball teams as the women’s team plays Trinity College at 2 p.m. The men’s team hosts Warren Wilson College at 4 p.m.