The fall semester is approaching fast. Are you ready? Here’s a short list of important things to do before coming to campus.
Bringing a Car? Buy a Parking Permit
Students who register for fall classes prior to July 17 will be notified of their permit registration date and time through their Crimson email. Students who register for fall classes on or after July 17 will not receive an email notification and will only be required to wait 24 hours after registering for their fall classes to purchase their permits. Permit rates and instructions for purchasing are on the transportation services website.
Not Bringing a Car? Get Ready to Ride
Download PassioGo, the app that lets you see real-time bus and route information for Crimson Ride. If you’re planning to get around campus by bicycle, register your bike with parking services to get a free bike parking permit and review bike regulations on campus.
Send Packages for Move-In
Packages for move-in should be shipped no later than July 21 to make sure they arrive in time. But remember, you can always purchase everyday necessities like cleaning supplies, bottled water and other items not ideal for shipping at local Tuscaloosa retailers after you arrive. For more details, including how to correctly address items for shipment, see Campus Mail Service’s website.
Shop for School Supplies
In Alabama, you can shop for school-related items such as computers, books and clothing up to certain amounts free of sales tax between 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 19, and midnight Sunday, July 21. Many other states offer sales tax holidays for school items, too. You can always pick up your textbooks and other gear you might need from the Supe Store.
Make Changes to Residential Meal Plans
On-campus residents and first-year students are automatically assigned meal plans, which will be billed to students’ accounts. If you would like to choose a different meal plan, you must request your new meal plan option by July 30 at 11:59 p.m. The only exception to this policy is for incoming freshman attending the Aug. 14 or 15 Bama Bound sessions. Students attending one of these final sessions may select the Silver 125 plan by emailing mealplans@bamadining.com no later than Aug. 1.
New Phone? Add your ACT Card
If you got a new phone this summer, be sure to add your ACT Card to the new device. Download the eAccounts app, login with your myBama credentials and tap the Add to Apple/Google/Samsung Wallet button. The card will load into your Apple/Google/Samsung Wallet and will be ready to use. Do this prior to arriving on campus so you can access residence hall doors, meal plans, Bama Cash and more.
Experiencing issues getting your card loaded to a new device? Contact the Action Card Office at 205-348-2288 or action.card@ua.edu.
Mark Your Calendar for Not-to-Miss Events
Tied with the Tide nightly events start Aug. 10 for students participating in early move-in and Weeks of Welcome start Aug. 18. The Script A event for new students takes place Aug. 20. Events will ramp up with the official kickoff event, Bama Jam, featuring a concert and food trucks Aug. 22. Weeks of Welcome culminates with Get on Board Day Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. on the Quad. To stay up to date on all Weeks of Welcome events, follow @UAWhatsUP on social media.
Download Software
Get your computer ready for the start of the semester with free software. Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, MATLAB and others are available to all UA students. Download software with your myBama credentials at oit.ua.edu/software.
Re-up Your Bama Cash
Bama Cash is a convenient option to preload funds to an online account you can access with your ACT Card at over 100 on- and off-campus locations. Bama Cash is the only form of payment accepted for residence hall laundry facilities and campus network printing. Deposits can be made online through a web browser, the eAccounts mobile app or by calling the Action Card Office at 205-348-2288.
Transfer Prescription Medication
The Student Health Center Pharmacy can conveniently fill new or existing prescriptions for students on campus.
Download the UA Safety App
If you’re a new student, you will want to have this app from day one on campus. In addition to emergency alerts, the app includes the seven-day weather forecast, storm shelter locations, a campus map with GPS directions to buildings and much more. The safety app is available for download on iOS and Android devices.