Spring Orientation 2014

Welcome to the University of Bridgeport! The entire UB

community is looking forward to your arrival. The New Student Orientation program is our opportunity to greet you and to get to know you better before your classes begin.

During Orientation, you’ll meet other new students, have opportunities to connect with faculty and staff, learn your way around campus, and become better acquainted with the University’s services and policies.

We also want you to have fun! So while you’re relaxing and meeting other students, we hope you’ll join us for

some of our planned events, such as our Welcome Picnic, an interactive trivia game show, trips, special workshops, and more.

Orientation begins for all new students on Thursday, January 16, 2014. Please plan on arriving on campus between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm and proceed directly to the International Admissions Office located on the 6th floor of the Wahlstrom Library. Be sure to bring this newsletter with you to help plan your first week at UB. We look forward to meeting you!

Note for ELI students: Students starting at the English Language Institute (ELI) should arrive Wednesday, January 15, 2014 and report to ELI at 9:00 am.

Inside this issueWelcome 1

Deposit Information 2

Fees and Registration 2

Info You Should Know 2

Arriving on Campus 3

Directions to Campus 3

Helpful Contacts 4

What to Pack 4

Meals and Hotels 4

University of Bridgeport Orientation Newsletter for New International StudentsLetter from the President

learning. We will do everything in our power to make your UB experience one that will enrich you for the rest of your life.

What exactly do I mean by the “UB experience?” You are about to embark upon a journey that will not only prepare you for a career but will also prepare you to better understand the world and your place in it. Here at UB, we have students from 80 differ-ent countries and 46 states. Nowhere in America will you find so many students from so many different coun-tries within such an intimate campus setting.

Whether it is in the classroom or in social activities, you will begin to interact with people from all corners of the world; you will be exposed to global perspectives that will better prepare you for both your career and your ability to make a positive difference in this world. The cross-fertilization of cultures and ideas is an everyday experience for our students and creates what biologists call “hy-brid vigor.”

We believe that one object of educa-tion, beyond career training, is char-acter development, and it is often in extracurricular activities that you will have the opportunity to do this. Get involved! Before you know it, you will proudly come to call UB your second home.

I appreciate your feedback and look forward to getting to know you.

Sincerely,

Neil Albert SalonenPresident

Welcome to UB!Welcome to the University of Bridgeport and thank you for choosing this institution as your place of higher

University of Bridgeport • Office of Admissions • 126 Park Avenue • Bridgeport, CT 06604

“You will be exposed to global perspectives that will better prepare you for both your career and your ability to make a positive difference in this world. “ — Neil Albert Salonen, President, University of Bridgeport

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Be Sure to Secure Your Place at UB — Pay Your Deposit(s)Pay your tuition deposit as soon as you obtain your student Visa. Send your signed Admissions Confirmation Form with your tuition deposit so we can reserve a place for you in the Spring 2014 class. Please refer to Admissions Confirmation Form and Acceptance Letter for more details on how to send the tuition deposit.

The tuition deposit for graduate students seeking a Master’s/Ph.D. degree is $200. The tuition deposit for undergraduate students seeking a Bachelor’s degree is $200. Pay your housing deposit to secure a room on campus. Send your housing deposit with a completed housing contact. Every student is mailed a housing contract with his/her official acceptance letter.

The housing deposit is $200 for Graduate and Undergraduate students. You may add the housing deposit to your tuition deposit and send one check, bank draft or money order. Graduate students will pay a deposit of $400 (tuition and housing) and Undergraduate students will pay a deposit of $400 (tuition and housing).

To pay your deposits, simply send a bank draft or money order, drawn on a U.S. bank, payable to: “University of Bridgeport.” You may also pay your deposit electronically at www.peertransfer.com.

Mail your bank draft or money order, along with your University of Bridgeport Acceptance Confirmation Form,

Housing Contract and Easy Living Contract that were sent to you in the mail, to the following address:

University of BridgeportInternational Admissions126 Park AvenueBridgeport, CT 06604 USA

Include your full name (last name and first name) and your University ID number with all deposit payments. You may also pay your deposit electronically at www.peertransfer.com.Very Important Notice: If you reside outside the U.S., you should NOT pay your deposits until AFTER you have obtained your F-1 Student Visa.

Deposit payments are non-refundable.

Information You Should KnowPlease bring your acceptance letter from UB with you. If you are a transfer student, be certain to bring with you the course catalog from your previous school and a copy of your preliminary transfer credit evaluation so that we may evaluate your transfer credits.

Health RequirementsStudents not providing proof of certain vaccines will not be able to register for classes or reside in any of our residence halls. For more information, please contact Student Health Services at 203-576-4712, or www.bridgeport.edu/life/servicesforstudents/healthservices/.

All students must submit the Health Examination Form filled out by their doctor. You can view all health requirements and download the Health form at: www.bridgeport.edu/life/servicesforstudents/healthservices/immunization.aspx.

Connecticut State Law and the University of Bridgeport require proof of these vaccines:Tuberculin test (PPD): All Students must have a PPD test within six months of admission to the University.Measles: Two vaccines are required after age one. This pertains to all students born after December 31,1957.Rubella: One vaccine. Pertains to all students born after December 31, 1957.Meningitis: All students living in residence halls.

Health Insurance All international students are required to have UB’s health insurance. The cost of $875 for the academic year will automatically be added to your student account. Policies from your home country will not take the place of this mandatory insurance.

Do NOT purchase a health insurance policy from your home country before coming to UB. For more information contact Student Health Services at www.bridgeport.edu/life/servicesforstudents/healthservices/.

Open UB Email at HomeWe recommend that you open your new UB email account from home, prior to coming to UB, so you can email your family to let them know you are safe. Please follow these steps:

• Go to http://www.bridgeport.edu/ubnet

• Click on “new account”

• Enter the following: first and last name, UB student ID Number, date of birth

• Your username and password will appear after clicking “submit”

• Your account will be created and activated

Fees, Payments and RegistrationAll new undergraduate students will be able to register for classes on Friday, January 17, 2014 at 9 am. During that day, new students will meet with their academic advisors for proper class selection. Your advisor will also discuss your prerequites courses and possible waivers. You will be able to buy your textbooks once you have selected your classes

All new students: pay your first semester charges in full by the first day of classes. UB Tuition, Fees, Room and Board, and other Costs Per Academic Year as shown on your I-20 Form: Full-time Undergraduate: $43,700; Full-time Graduate: $30,430.

The above mentioned amounts are for one academic year (2 academic semesters).Expect to pay half of the above mentioned amounts upon registration for your first semester if you will be living on-campus. International undergraduates who have received UB partial scholarships must pay the remaining costs that are not covered by their scholarships by the first day of classes.

Payments can be made by cash, bank draft, money order or credit card at the time of registration. For more information email: cashier@bridgeport.edu.

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University of Bridgeport • Office of Admissions • 126 Park Avenue • Bridgeport, CT 06604

Airport Shuttle ServiceFree transportation from John F. Kennedy airport (JFK) to the University of Bridgeport will be avail-able for new international students from January 11 through 15, 2014. The shuttle service is available on a limited first-come, first-served basis. Students wishing to use this service must reserve a place on the shuttle at least 48 hours in advance by sending an email to admit@bridgeport.edu. In your email please include your full name, student ID#, date and time of arrival, name of airline and flight number. After the university has received this information, a confirmation email will be sent to you with instruc-tions about how to obtain the shuttle service to the university.Please note: If you arrive on a date not indicated above, you will be required to pay for your own trans-portation to campus. We suggest you contact “Go Shuttle” limousine service at the Ground Transporta-tion Desk outside the baggage claim area. The cost will be approximately $70.00.

Directions to CampusBy AirIf you arrive at LaGuardia or Kennedy airports, go to the Ground Transportation Center and request a Go Airport Shuttle to Bridgeport. The Shuttle goes directly to campus and costs about $59 (make sure to ask for the student discount). If you arrive at Newark Airport, go to the Ground Transportation Center and request Connecticut Limousine. It costs $89 (additional 5% discount if booked online in advance) and goes to the Connecticut Limousine depot in Bridgeport. From there take a taxi to the University. For more information, contact Go Airport Shuttle at 1-800-733-8267 or www.totheair-port.com or Connecticut Limousine at 1-800-472-5466 or www.ctlimo.com.

DO NOT TAKE A TAXI, A TOWNCAR, OR A PRIVATE CAR FROM ANY NEW YORK OR NEW JERSEY AIRPORT.

By Bus or Train

Amtrack and Metro North trains and Peter Pan buses all make regular stops at the Bridgeport railroad and bus stations, which are located in the Bridgeport Transportation Center. From there you can take a five-minute taxi ride to campus.

By AutomobileTraveling South on I-95: Take Exit 27. At the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left. Take a left at the next stoplight under the I-95 overpass (make sure NOT to get back on the I-95 North entrance ramp). At the next light, turn right onto Broad Street. Continue on Broad Street until Gregory Street. Turn right onto Gregory Street. Proceed down Gregory Street for one block. Turn left on Myrtle Avenue. You may park in the parking lot on the right side.

Traveling North on I-95: Take Exit 27. At the bottom of the ramp, continue straight to the 3rd traffic light (bear to the right of the I-95 North entrance ramp). At the light, turn right onto Broad Street. Take your next right onto Gregory Street, proceed for one block. Turn left onto Myrtle Avenue. You may park in the parking lot on the right side.

Helpful Contacts

Arriving on CampusStudents planning to live in the Residence Halls:

Please note, UB Residence Halls will be available for new students on Thursday, January 16, 2014.

If you have already been assigned hous-ing for the Spring 2014 semester please go directly to that residence hall as ex-plained in your assignment email.

If you have not already been assigned housing for the Spring 2014 semester and you arrive on campus between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm (Monday-Friday), go to the Residential Life Office, (Seeley Hall, 490 Waldemere Avenue) to sign up for on campus housing.

It is important that if you arrive on campus after 4:30 pm (Monday-Fri-day) or on the weekend, go directly to the Security Office in Norseman Hall (203-576-4524), where you will receive instructions for temporary overnight accommodations. The next morning, go to the Residential Life Office to sign up for permanent housing. If you take the UB Shuttle bus, you will be attend-ed to no matter what time you arrive on campus.

If you arrive at the university after 11 pm, you must advise the Residential Life Office before you depart from your home country. Otherwise you will not be attended to and must make arrange-ments to stay with a friend or relative, or pay for a room in a nearby hotel. See page 4 of the newsletter for a list of nearby hotels.

Residential Life contact information:

Phone: 203-576-4228Email: reslife@bridgeport.eduFax: 203-576-4461

Students planning to live off cam-pus:

If you do not plan to live in a UB res-idence hall, but have not yet arranged for off campus housing, you may want to stay at a local hotel or with a friend/relative until you find housing. Some local hotels are listed on page 4. Tem-porary housing (two nights) for new students MAY be available (contingent upon availability of space), but priority is given to those who have sent in their $200 housing deposits and housing contracts prior to their arrival at UB.

International AdmissionsSteven Boyd203.576.4932admit@bridgeport.edu

Dean of StudentsEdina Ostreicher203.576.4938deanofstudents@bridgeport.edu

Bursar (to pay your bill)203.576.4472bursar@bridgeport.edu

Residential LifeRobert Vass203.576.4228reslife@bridgeport.edu

Career ServicesAimee Marcella203.576.4466careercenter@bridgeport.edu

Counseling Services203.576.4454counselingservices@bridgeport.edu

Financial Aid203.576.4568sfs@bridgeport.edu

Health ServicesMelissa Lopez203.576.4712healthservices@bridgeport.edu

OrientationJason Alt203.576.4273orientation@bridgeport.edu

InternationalAffairsYumin Wang203.576.4395internationaloffice@bridgeport.edu

RegistrarChris Hansen203.576.4652registrar@bridgeport.edu

SecurityApril Vournelis203.576.4524ubsecurity@bridgeport.edu

Making the Most of Your UB ExperienceWhether you are interested in writing for the school newspaper, running for class of-ficer, learning about different cultures, choreographing dance routines, or volunteering, the University of Bridgeport has a wide variety of extracurricular activities that provide students with a chance to entertain, be entertained, learn, and mature as a person. On the left is a sample of some of the clubs and organizations that UB has to offer. We encourage you to explore all options and really take the time to get involved and find your niche. And if we do not have a club that interests you, it is easy to develop a new one! Most students would agree that some of their most meaningful and rewarding experiences at college come through participating in life outside of the classroom. Remember, the types of experiences you have are up to you, and UB is what you make of it…so make it incredible!

If you would like more information on how to start your own club or information on existing clubs and organizations, please contact the Office of Campus Activities at campusactivities@bridgeport.edu or stop by room 117 in the Student Center, Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, when you arrive on campus this fall.

We look forward to meeting you!

Meals and Food ServiceMarina Dining Hall is open to students, parents, and guests. All new students will be able to eat lunch and dinner in the dining hall, beginning with lunch on Thursday, January 16. All others will have to pay a fee to dine. Full meal service will begin on Monday, January 21. Please contact Food Services at 203-576-4086 if you have any questions. Meal plans for all residence students start on Thursday, January 16. Additionally, Cafe Scribe is located on the first floor of Wahlstrom Library, offers coffee, fresh pastries, to-go sandwiches, and salads will be open beginning Wednesday, January 15 from 8:30 am- 7:00 pm.

Hotel AccommodationsTo get the special rates listed below, please be sure to mention that you are a UB student or family member of a UB student!

Bridgeport Holiday Inn 203-334-1234, $119/night.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott Milford, CT203-877-8588, approximately $115/night.

Homewood Suites by Marriot, Milford, CT203-337-3322; approximately $79-89/night.

We look forward to welcoming you!

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University of Bridgeport • Office of Admissions • 126 Park Avenue • Bridgeport, CT 06604

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What to PackWe want you to be comfortable in your new “home away from home.” The following is a Top Ten List of things students find helpful to bring along:

1. Shoes and clothes adequate for the four seasons

2. Toiletries such as shampoo, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a shower bucket for toting your stuff to the bathroom

3. Something “dressy” for special events

4. Power Strips, Surge Protectors, and a Multi-plug adapter

5. Sheets, blankets, comforter, pillows, towels and other linens

6. Favorite instant snack7. Medicine8. Small musical

Instruments9. Original academic

records and examination results

10. Completed Health Report