Register your bike or e-scooter
If you plan to get around campus by bicycle, e-bike, e-scooter, unicycle (or single-wheel device) or another personal mobility device, you must register your personal mobility vehicle with parking services. Wheelchairs, non-motorized skateboards and electric personal assistance mobility devices are excluded. And get familiar with the micromobility policy, which outlines rules for these vehicles on campus.
Bringing a car? Buy a parking permit
Students who register for fall classes prior to July 16 will be notified of their permit registration date and time through their Crimson email. Students who register for fall classes on or after July 16 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.
Send packages for move-in
Packages for move-in should be shipped in time to arrive on campus by July 31. 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 17, and midnight Sunday, July 19. 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.
Secure Your Meal Plan
First-year students and on-campus residents are automatically assigned the All Access meal plan, which will be automatically billed to students’ accounts. If you would like to change your meal plan, you must select your new meal plan in myBama by July 15 at 11:59 p.m. The only exception to this policy is for incoming freshmen attending the Aug. 11 or 12 Bama Bound sessions. Students attending one of these final sessions may select the Silver 150 plan by emailing dining@ua.edu. Going Greek? After you receive your bid, your plan will automatically be downgraded. Please email dining@ua.edu if you do not wish to downgrade.
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 Weeks of Welcome events
Tied with the Tide nightly events start Saturday, Aug. 8, for students participating in early move-in, and Weeks of Welcome starts Monday, Aug. 17. The Script A event for new students takes place Tuesday, Aug. 18. Events will ramp up with the official kickoff event, Bama Jam, featuring a concert and food trucks on Thursday, Aug. 20. Get on Board Day will be Thursday, Aug. 27, at 5 p.m. on the Quad. Stay up to date on all Weeks of Welcome events by following @UAWhatsUP on social media.
Download software and apps
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. Be sure to download Okta Verify as well, which will replace Duo on Sept. 14. Learn more at oit.ua.edu/okta.
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 or the eAccounts mobile app or by calling the Action Card Office at 205-348-2288.
Transfer prescription medication
The Student Health Center Pharmacy is conveniently located inside the Student Health Center lobby and carries many common prescription items as well as over-the-counter medications. The pharmacy can fill prescriptions, including ones from your family physician back home, provided the medications are stocked in the pharmacy. Refills may be requested by phone or through the Pharmacy Mobile App. Prescriptions and over-the-counter items can be charged to student accounts, FSA/HSA cards or credit cards. If you have questions, call 205-348-6276.
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.