Checklist for Fall 2024 First Year Students

• Start to use your BSU email today! It was sent from BSU Accounts (BSUAccounts@bridgew.edu) to the personal email address provided in your application.
  • IMPORTANT: It can take up to two hours from the time you are approved in our system to when your account is activated and this information is sent.
• To access your email, use the link provided in the communication sent from IT. You can also access your email on the student portal by clicking on email from the left navigation bar.
• IMPORTANT: Login to your BSU email with the default password. You will be prompted to set up MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) before resetting your password. View how to configure MFA.
  • You will need to login to your email and set up this security BEFORE you can access InfoBear.
• All information is sent to your BSU email. Don’t miss important information: Be sure to check daily!
• If you have not received your BSU email account information from BSU Accounts:
  • First, check your junk or spam folder.
  • Contact IT support at 508.531.2555 or ITSupport@bridgew.edu and provide them with the following information.
    • Bear ID (formerly Banner ID)
    • Address
    • Phone Number

Have you provided or verified your emergency contact details in InfoBear? Before the semester begins, please make sure your personal information and emergency contact details are accurate so we can contact you, or someone for you, if there is an emergency.  

• Completing all placement testing by June 28, 2024 will ensure you are able to register at the earliest possible time. Students must complete their Bridgewater Elementary Algebra Readiness (BEAR) Exam as well as submit their English essay to choose classes and meet with an advisor in the Academic Achievement Center. View information on Math and English placement testing.
• Any questions regarding testing, please contact us at 508.531.1780 or email us at testing@bridgew.edu.
• If you have a documented disability and need to request testing accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 508.531.2194 or SAS@bridgew.edu.

• Advising & Registration is a combination of individual preparation and a one-on-one appointment with an Academic Advisor from the Academic Achievement Center to discuss your goals, answer questions, and finalize your first semester classes.
• After you complete your Placement Testing, you’ll get a Welcome email from the Academic Achievement Center (NewStudentAdvising@bridgew.edu). The email will contain instructions on how to review course recommendations, set up a registration plan, and schedule an appointment with an Advisor.
  • Advising Welcome emails will go out to students’ BSU email accounts beginning in late May.
• When you follow the instructions in the Advising Welcome email, you will…
  • Watch a video with detailed instructions on how to create your first semester Registration Plan. 
  • Review your advisor-recommended courses for your first semester at BSU.
  • Create your own first semester Registration Plan.
  • Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
  • Attend your advising appointment and register for your classes! 
    • During this one-on-one appointment, your advisor will review your Registration Plan, help you to make any necessary adjustments, and help you register for your first semester classes.
    • If you have other questions about your first semester at BSU, the advisor can help you with those, as well.
    • For your convenience, appointments will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams. Please download Microsoft Teams to your device the day before your meeting so you can be prepared when it’s time to begin. We are also happy to set up in-person academic advising appointments in June for those interested.  If so, please email NewStudentAdvising@bridgew.edu with a few options of your availability.

Students with disabilities or significantly impactful diagnoses may be eligible for accommodations or other related support through the Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS).

For more information, visit the SAS web page. You may also initiate your request through the SAS portal.  The team can be reached via email at SAS@bridgew.edu.

• Bear Launch is a one-on-one phone call with a BSU student who will walk you through the important steps on your checklist, review the orientation process and offer an opportunity for you to ask questions.
• Watch for an email with your Bear Launch assigned date and time. This email from orientation@bridgew.edu will be sent to the email address on your admission application.
• Your phone call will come from the phone number 508.531.1000 and last about 20 minutes.

• First, submit your $250 housing deposit.

  • Online payment via credit card (preferred payment option)

    • Click “Student,” then enter your BEAR ID and PIN.

    • Once logged in, select “Deposits” from the top menu.

    • Select "Fall 2024” as the "Term"; select "Room Deposit Fall 2024” as the "Deposit Type."

    • Then continue to pay your $250 housing deposit by credit card or electronic check.

    • Payment can also be made over the phone via credit card or electronic check with one of the cashiers at 508.531.1225.  

• You will then receive instructions to complete your Residence Hall License Agreement via BSU email, where you will select your meal plan and complete your Roommate Matching Profile.  
• Information to select your room online and prepare you for your move onto campus is sent via email.
• All information will be sent to your BSU email from Residence Life and Housing.

• If you are renting an apartment or house off campus and not living at your home address, remember to update your local address with the registrar’s office.  Complete this Change of Address Form.
• Follow Off Campus and Commuter Student Services on Instagram and TikTok at @BSUCommutes or on Facebook at @OffCampusatBSU. 
• Email OFFCAMPUS@bridgew.edu with any questions you have about commuting to BSU. 
• If you're looking for an apartment, view the off-campus database.

• The Connect Card is the official Bridgewater State University identification card. 
• Please submit your photo for your new Connect Card today.

If you are planning to bring a car to campus, you’ll need a parking permit for it. Visit the Parking Services website for details about parking on campus and information on how to obtain your permit. 

• With your BSU Checkpoint registration email, you will receive information about registration for BSU’s in-person family orientation program. For more information, please visit our family orientation website at https://www.bridgew.edu/student-life/family-orientation.
• Parents, family members and supporters can learn about the BSU Family Hub on EngageBSU and ongoing family engagement opportunities by visiting www.bridgew.edu/family.

• Download the BSU Mobile App in the App Store or Google Play Store. The BSU Mobile App includes access to campus resources, your class schedule, campus map, and more! You can log onto the App with your full BSU email address and password to see all the features.  
• In addition, EngageBSU is the official involvement platform used by the BSU community. On it you can find events to attend, organizations to join, and other opportunities to make the most out of your BSU experience.

• Add the Navigate website to your browser favorites and download the 'Navigate Student' app from your device's app store.  
• Navigate gives you access to your courses, your support team, and the ‘Raise a Hand’ feature to request assistance throughout your BSU journey. Click here for instructions and additional links to this resource. 

• Have your final high school transcript sent to admission@bridgew.edu or by mail to the Office of Admission Welcome Center, 45 Plymouth Street, Bridgewater, MA 02325 no later than the first day of classes.
• Do you have AP scores? Depending on the score, you can earn college credit! Request College Board to send your scores directly using code #3517 for BSU.

• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all undergraduate students registered for 9 or more credits, and graduate students registered for 7 or more credits, to have health insurance. BSU Student Accounts will send you a billing notification automatically enrolling you in the student health plan.
• If you already have your own health insurance (often a plan provided by your parent) you will need to waive the school insurance and have it taken off your bill. If you do not see your insurance carrier on the drop-down menu of acceptable insurance plans, please contact the Wellness Center for assistance at 508.531.1252.  
• You will receive a billing notification in mid-July from Student Accounts with more information pertaining to the waiver/enrollment process and deadlines.
• The Fall Health Insurance Waiver/Enrollment website is available to registered students in mid-July.

• All students are required to complete a Student Financial Responsibility Agreement (SFRA) via InfoBear each semester, prior to registering for classes. This agreement outlines a student’s financial obligation.
• Students must complete the SFRA for ALL terms prior to registering for any term. The Fall 2024 SFRA will be available beginning in mid-March.
• If you plan to apply for financial aid, please complete the current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be sure to add Bridgewater State University’s school code of 0021830.
  • Please note that if you are waiting for your FAFSA to process, please continue with course registration.  
  • If you have questions or need additional guidance regarding financial aid benefits, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

• The BSU Wellness Center ensures a healthy living and learning community by verifying immunization requirements set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  
• Once you have registered for classes you should have access to your new BSU Student Patient Portal where you will find our required Tuberculosis Screening Form and an ‘upload’ tab to share your required immunization information. Sign in using your BSU single sign-on username and password. All immunization information is due within 30 days of registering for classes.

Welcome to Bridgewater State University!  At BSU, we care deeply about creating a safe environment for every student - an environment in which students can thrive and achieve academic success.  As such, sexual and relationship violence is not tolerated by the BSU community, period.  As a new Bear, we want to ensure you are educated on this serious issue. It is also the law. 

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. Sexual violence, sexual harassment, and relationship violence fall under the scope of Title IX. To comply with federal and state law, universities are required to provide their campus community with education on Title IX related issues including our sexual violence policy, your rights and reporting options, and available resources.

You will be required to complete the Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Prevention and Response Course (SPARC) before the start of the fall 2024 semester. Please note that this course takes roughly an hour to complete. Please plan your time accordingly and see further instructions within the course for additional information and troubleshooting tips. The deadline to complete the course is October 4th, 2024. This course will remain on your Blackboard dashboard upon completion so that you are able to continue to access the information and resources available to you here at BSU.   

BSU strives to promote a campus culture that challenges violence, combats unhealthy norms, supports survivors, and prioritizes the ideals of respect and equality because everyone at BSU deserves to feel safe and supported. We all play a role in preventing sexual and relationship violence. Thank you for doing your part to keep BSU safe. 

• This survey will provide BSU with information on how to best support your success!
• Your personalized survey link will be available on your New Student Dashboard when the survey opens for responses.
• The first 300 students to click the link and complete the survey will automatically have $5 added to their Connect Card!

• BSU Checkpoint is a program designed to assist you in completing your time-sensitive items like placement testing, scheduling a one-on-one advising appointment, and much more! This program is geared for you as an individual, and gives you access to campus resources to help you get started.  
• Family Members/Supporters are welcome to register for the Family portion of this program.

Crimson Orientation, which occurs in the days prior to the start of the fall semester, offers a variety of interactive and individualized sessions and touchpoints designed for new to BSU resident students to make connections, learn about BSU, and engage with the BSU community.  

More information about this program will be sent directly to your BSU email. 

• Crimson Celebration is more than just an event at the conclusion of your Crimson Orientation—it's a rite of passage! Get ready to discover the heart and soul of our campus as we introduce you to time-honored traditions and celebrate the diverse talents and passions that make our community thrive. From rallying around the mascot to inspirational messaging to food trucks and engaging activities, you'll learn what it means to be part of our proud community. Let loose, make new friends, and let the spirit of BSU ignite your journey!
• More information about this program will be sent directly to your BSU email.

• During our Kick-Off and Opening Day, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with faculty and staff before connecting in the classroom, see what student organizations and activities you might want to get involved in, and even attend a Welcome BBQ at University Park that welcomes the entire BSU community.  
• More information about this program will be sent directly to your BSU email.