Campus Life
Arriving on Campus
When you get to Boston, you'll have a few things to do before you start your classes. We've put together a step-by-step guide on how to get your ID, where to buy your books, and how to find your classes.
We recommend that you take care of the following items as soon as possible:
1. Get Your Student ID: The Terrier Card
All Boston University students, faculty, and staff are assigned a nine-character, computer-generated ID number. This University ID number (or "U" number) is used for all University records, including registration and class adjustments.
Terrier Cards for new students are issued at the start of their first semester. Photo identification must be presented to receive a Terrier Card. Valid identification includes a driver's license, state identification card, or passport. Terrier Cards are valid for on-campus identification only.
To obtain your Terrier Card, please go to:
Terrier Card Office
George Sherman Union
775 Commonwealth Avenue, Lower Level
Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
If you have questions regarding the Terrier Card, please call 617-353-9966 or e-mail tco@bu.edu.
2. Set Up Your Log-in and E-mail Account
Academic Computing System (ACS) e-mail accounts are available to all faculty, staff, and students. ACS services are accessible anywhere, and can be used in conjunction with the general-purpose personal computing labs in the basement of 111 Cummington Street, in Mugar Memorial Library, and in many University residences. These labs provide access to a variety of popular PC software and high speed printing.
You can open an account at the Information Technology's Input/Output Services window in the basement of 111 Cummington Street. Your account will normally be available within twelve hours. You will need to present your Terrier Card in order to open a Boston University e-mail account. Further information about the Boston University Office of Information Technology can be found under Campus Facilities.
If you registered for courses online, you already have a BU login account, and do not need to set up a new account.
3. Pay Your Bill
If you have not paid your bill already, please visit Student Accounting Services in person or click here for more information on payment options.
Student Accounting Services is located in the basement at 881 Commonwealth Avenue. Their phone number is 617-353-2264.
4. Buy Your Books
You can buy textbooks for your courses at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore located at 660 Beacon Street in Kenmore Square.
Summer hours are:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
The main phone number is 617-267-8484 and the Textbook direct line is 617-236-7420. You may also e-mail the bookstore at bksbu@bncollege.com.
You do not need your books for the first day of class, so you can buy them when you arrive on campus and after you attend your first class.
5. Locate Your Classes and Check Your Schedule
You'll want to make sure you know where to go - and when - on the first day of class. After you register, you will receive a copy of your course schedule and room location.
If your course is: CAS PS 101S B1 GEN PSYCHOLOGY TR 0600P 0930P PSY155
Then you will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9:30 p.m. in PSY, which stands for the Psychology Building, room 155.
To find your building code and locate your class, please use the following links:
If you do not receive a copy of your course schedule in the mail, contact us to find out where your courses are being held.
6. Check-In with ISSO (Visiting International Students Only)
Please note that all visiting international students attending Summer Term programs at Boston University are required to check-in with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) immediately after arriving on campus regardless of US immigration status.
The ISSO is located at 888 Commonwealth Avenue on the second floor. Visit www.bu.edu/isso or call 617-353-3565 if you have any questions about check-in or immigration documentation.* It is the responsibility of the ISSO to keep complete and accurate records on each international student and provide them to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) upon its request. It is critical that all students check-in with ISSO at the beginning of the Summer Term program to ensure accurate reporting.
*Students should bring all relevant immigration documents (i.e. passport, I-94 card, form(s) I-20, form(s) DS-2019, etc) with them to the ISSO.
