News and Announcements
Announcement: Study Space App Available
| To: | Charles River Campus undergraduate and graduate students |
| From: | Kenneth Elmore, Associate Provost and Dean of Students |
| Suzanne Kennedy, Associate Provost ad interim for Undergraduate Affairs | |
| Daniel Kleinman, Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs | |
| Christine Paal, Assistant Vice President and University Registrar |
We are pleased to announce that starting today a new app – the BU Student Use Space App – will be available to Charles River Campus undergraduate and graduate students to reserve space on campus for studying, attending remote class sessions, or other campus use needs. The app may be accessed by QR code or at bu.edu/studyspace. It allows users to book up to 600 minutes of space a week up to a week in advance. We know that some students have found it challenging to locate spaces on campus where they can safely study, meet, or attend remote classes, and we hope that this app makes on-campus life a bit easier during this unusual time.
The app, originally developed for use on the BU Medical Campus, has been updated to include rooms and guidelines specific to the Charles River Campus. The app requires a BU Kerberos log in. It will allow users to search for available spaces, book rooms, and join wait lists for desired spaces. Students will get reminders of the spaces that they have booked so that they can effectively plan their days and weeks and cancel reserved spaces if they are no longer needed. All users are required to be up to date with attestation and COVID testing requirements, and must follow all other BU COVID protocols, such as wearing masks or face coverings at all times and observing social distancing guidelines. These rules and a QR code for booking will be posted outside each study space.
There are currently 62 rooms across the campus available on the app, and over 1,100 time slots available each week. The rooms range in size and hold an average of three students. More than half are single-occupancy rooms. As we get a better sense for student demand, additional rooms will be added to the app.
The Student Use Space app is one solution of several that focus on developing or repurposing space to enhance the student experience. We are working to develop and publicize a list of open study spaces that will be available on a first come, first served basis. We are also actively developing plans for appropriate four-season outdoor social use space.
We hope that these efforts are helpful in enhancing the on-campus student experience this fall.
Want to read more? Check out the BU Today article linked here.
Looking for Spring 2021 off-campus housing?
Boston University Off-Campus Services is hosting the first Virtual Fall Off-Campus Housing Fair on Wednesday, November 17, 2020, between 1 – 3 p.m. EST. For more information, please email och@bu.edu.
Need assistance with a Fall 2020 Leave of Absence or Withdrawal?
Life happens and emergencies crop up, regardless of University schedules. If you are an undergraduate student needing assistance with a last minute leave of absence or withdrawal for Fall 2020, we are here to help. Our volume is very high the entire month of August, so we've designed a process to meet you where you are, with minimal delay.
1.) Please email usc@bu.edu and carefully follow the outlined steps in our auto-reply message:
- read the suggested web materials (these vary depending on the time of year) and jot down any questions or concerns
- fill out three online forms using the links provided in the message
- schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and review your paperwork with an associate director at the USC
- If you are an international student, student athlete, or participating in a special program (five year bachelor's/master's, accelerated medical program, and others), be sure to also check in with your respective advisors, coaches, or program directors regarding your change in plans.
2.) At your appointment with the USC staff, we'll discuss your situation, answer those questions you jotted down, and if appropriate, we'll update your records. Our goal is to make your exit as smooth as possible, and your return-from-leave process even smoother.
We are hosting leave of absence counseling appointments seven days a week for the month of August. Please use the links in the auto-reply message to schedule an appointment. After speaking with us, you may realize you don't need to arrange a leave of absence or withdrawal after all, but the sooner you are able to complete the steps above, so we can have a thoughtful conversation, the more easily you'll be able to move on with your next steps for fall.
Remember, the tuition refund schedule applies; our goal is to help you complete your steps by August 25 to ensure the full cancellation of tuition and fees prior to the start of classes in September.
Important Compliance Items for Fall 2020
Are you aware of our new Fall 2020 University compliance items? Here's a quick checklist with essentials to get you in the know and ready for fall.
1.) Make sure BU has your current contact information and cell phone number. Review and update your personal information on the Student Link. We told you that Kerberos login would be important!
2.) Review your compliance status for Fall 2020. You can complete outstanding requirements on the Student Link directly, or locate additional information.
3.) Review your Fall 2020 Student Account. Remember, your account needs to be settled to access University services, including residence hall check-in. If you need assistance, refer to the Fall 2020 Move-in Resources page on our website, or contact Student Accounting Services (studenta@bu.edu) or Financial Assistance (finaid@bu.edu).
4.) Stay compliant with our COVID-19 on-campus testing requirements. Visit BU's Healthway website to learn more.
Visit the Back2BU website for additional helpful resources and the latest information.
Special drop-in hours for week of April 9
The deadline to arrange a Spring 2018 leave of absence or University withdrawal is Wednesday, April 11th at 5 p.m. The USC is offering additional drop-in hours the week of April 9th in order to best assist students who need to finalize paperwork by the University deadline. Inquiries regarding Spring 2018 leaves and withdrawals will be prioritized during these special drop-in hours.
| Monday, April 9th | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | 2 - 3:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday, April 10th | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | 2 - 3:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday, April 11th | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | 2 - 3:30 p.m. |
The regular USC drop-in schedule (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9-10:30 a.m.) will resume beginning April 12th.
Leave of absence information sessions for Spring 2018 external study abroad participants
In recognition of International Education Week, the USC is offering students the opportunity to attend an information session designed specifically for students taking a leave of absence to pursue a non-BU/external study abroad. Sessions will be offered on select dates in November and December. Interested students can attend a group session (lasting 45-50 minutes) where the USC staff will explain the leave of absence process and answer questions. We hope these group information sessions will be a useful alternative for students whose December class and exam schedules make it tricky to arrange an individual appointment prior to leaving campus for the Intersession holiday.
Fall 2017 move-in hours
It's almost time for Fall move-in, see the USC hours of operation for mid-August through mid-September, below. Normal drop-in hours will resume on Tuesday, September 5, when the academic year begins. Please check the schedule for more information.
Safe travels back to and around campus everyone!
USC Hours of Operation (mid August to mid September)
| August 14 – September 1 | Monday through Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST |
| September 2 & 3 | Labor Day Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) | 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST |
| September 4 | Labor Day (Monday) | 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST |
| September 5 – 8 | Tuesday through Friday | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST |
Summer 2017 Comm. Ave. Bridge Closure
From July 27 through August 14, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be closing the section of Commonwealth Avenue where it crosses over the Massachusetts Turnpike in order to replace the structure of the bridge. MBTA buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and emergency vehicles will have limited access to the bridge during the project. The MBTA B line trolley service will be replaced by a shuttle bus from Blandford Street to Babcock Street. Students should be aware of potential delays and plan accordingly.
Find out more about the project on the official website.
The University Service Center is maintaining regular office operations during the Bridge project; staff can be reached weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm in person at the office, or by phone.
Fall 2016 Leave/Withdrawal deadline
Undergraduate students wishing to take a leave of absence or withdraw for the Fall 2016 semester must do so prior to the semester deadline of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29. Students with on-campus housing assignments must also complete residence check-out and return of keys within 48 hours upon arranging the leave/withdrawal. If you are considering a Fall 2016 semester leave of absence or withdrawal and have not already spoken to an associate director, please review the information available on our website and then contact the office before Thanksgiving Break, so that we can discuss your plans and assist you with the necessary paperwork.
Due to the increase in office traffic surrounding the November 29th deadline, we will assist students with Fall 2016 leaves of absences and withdrawals following the Thanksgiving Break on a drop-in basis on Monday, November 28 and Tuesday, November 29, between the hours of 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4:00 p.m.
ERC Study Plan Consultations
Get ready to take on your Study Period and Finals with a little help from the Educational Resource Center.
Whether you've already started to get a study plan together, or you just thought 'I should probably get on that soon.' The staff at the ERC can help you get started with a plan to help organize yourself and get moving on conquering your last weeks of the semester!
When: Weekdays April 21 to April 29 between 12 pm and 5 pm
Where: Yawkey Center for Student Services, 100 Bay State Road, 6th Floor
How: Sign up for a same day, 20 minute consultation appointment by calling 617-353-7077 or visit in person
View full ERC flyer