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?
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 on Monday, Jan. 13, locate the Welcome Center to check-in.
Check-in is where you can meet several student organizations, 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.
After moving into your residence hall, your First-year Advisors will be in the Alumni Building, Academic Resource Center (Room 213) to help you register for classes and submit your schedule. Tech Resources will also be open and just down the hall from your First-year Advisor (Alumni 207). Bring your laptop and any devices. They will help you connect them to the campus network and download your free Microsoft software package.
If you have any questions, please email us and we will respond as quickly as possible.
We can’t wait for you to join Bruin Nation!
If you need special housing accommodations, please 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.
SAT/ACT and Placement Tests
We require all students to take the ACT or SAT.
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.
English
New and transfer students (associate who receive fewer than 6 English credits or baccalaureate students who receive fewer than 9 English credits) who have no ACT or SAT scores must take this placement test. Testing may take as much as 45 minutes. Students wanting to challenge their ACT or SAT placement may also take the placement test.
Mathematics
Bachelor Degree Programs
Required the first semester of enrollment for all students who have no ACT or SAT scores and who have a specified mathematics course or elective the first semester of enrollment. Testing may take as much as 2 hours. There is a time limit on these tests, so be sure you have the maximum allowed time available. Students wanting to challenge their placement may also take the placement test. Study Guide for testing into Ma 103, 105 or 200
Mathematics Proof Techniques
Required of students registering for a 300-level or above math course who have not completed Ma 150. If passed, Ma 150 will be waived; if not passed, Ma 150 will be required prior to taking any 300-level or above math course. Testing may take as much as 45 minutes. Students should not take this test unless they are directed to do so by a math faculty member. Ma 150 Study Guide
Statistics Test for Math Ed Majors only
Offered to Mathematics Education majors who wish to try to exempt Applied Statistics (Ma 320) in order to replace the requirement with a more advanced upper-level course.
Modern Language
Chinese, French, German, and Spanish
Students registering for a modern language course for the first time at BJU must take the appropriate placement test. Testing may take as much as 45 minutes. A short verification is all that is needed for a student with no experience in the language.
Music
Music Qualifying
Students auditioning for a music lesson for the first time at BJU who are not a music major or minor, must take this test before auditioning for a music lesson. If not passed, MT 100 Fundamentals of Music (0 credit, 0 load) must be taken during the semester of your first music lesson. Testing should take 15 minutes or less.
Rudiments of Music
Required of all new music majors or minors registering for MT 105 Theory I. If not passed, MT 099 Introduction to Music Theory (0 credit, 0 load) must be taken during the same semester as MT 105. Testing should take 30 minutes or less.
Music Theory
Required of new music majors and minors who want to place out of or validate music theory courses (MT 105 & 106) on the basis of previous training. Learn more about the music theory test
Computer Science
Required of students who wish to try to waive CpS 110 (Computer Science I) and begin with CpS 209 (Computer Science II). Students must qualify to take Ma 105 (see math tests above). The test is in two parts: a multiple choice part that could take as much as 45 minutes, and (if that is passed) a programming part that should take no more than 60 minutes.
Placement Tests Online
Using your BJU login
If you don’t have a BJU login
- Create an Account
- Select that you’re taking an online course
- In the course selection, select “PLCMT: Any Placement Test”
- Take Tests
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.
Presidential Welcome
We’re glad you’ve joined Bruin Nation! You and your family are invited to the Presidential Welcome and Reception. Meet President Pettit and your student leaders for a short meeting followed by a reception.
The Bruins Way
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. Start doing your research now about which society you think you’d like to join.
Opening Exercises
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.
First-year Fiesta
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, activities, prizes, and a lot of fun. Dr. Pettit will share some encouraging words to all first-year students.
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.–1 p.m.
- New Student & Transfer Check-in (Student Center, Lobby and 2nd Floor)
- Residence Hall 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 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.
9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Technology Resources (Alumni 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 Testing (Alumni 220)
You can also take any needed placement tests online before coming to campus.
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 you were unable to attend Summer Orientation, this offers a quick overview of the topics covered in the parent sessions.
4:30–6 p.m.
- Supper (Kalmbach Room, Dining Common)
Meals may be purchased in the Kalmbach Room for additional family members.
7 p.m.
- New Students & Parents Presidential Welcome and Reception (Student Center, Levinson Hall)
Meet President Pettit and your student leaders for a short meeting followed by a reception. Bring your parents, too!
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. Benson 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.
1–4 p.m.
- Student Tours (Alumni Building, Academic Resource Center, Alumni 213)
Come by the Academic Resource Center and one of our student liaisons will help you print your schedule and walk you through where your classes meet and other important locations on campus.
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, our Coordinator 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 questions and answer.
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 section and meet the people you will be sitting beside for the next few weeks in chapel. You will receive an email with your assigned section.
8:15–10 p.m.
- First-year Fiesta (Kalmbach Room, 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, activities, prizes, and a lot of fun. Dr. Pettit will share some encouraging words to all first-year students.
Wednesday, Jan. 15
7 a.m.
- Classes begin.
11 a.m.
- Chapel (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
7 p.m.
- Evangelistic Meeting (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
Thursday, Jan. 16
11 a.m.
- Chapel (Founder’s Memorial Amphitorium)
Friday, Jan. 17
11 a.m.
- Society Meetings
New or transfer students may attend any society of their gender. Check campus bulletin boards or intranet for locations.
5 p.m.
- Bruin Women’s Basketball vs. Pensacola Christian College (Davis Field House)
7 p.m.
- Bruin Men’s Basketball vs. Pensacola Christian College (Davis Field House)
Saturday, Jan. 18
1:30–4 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.