Welcome to the Annapolis Campus

Welcome, Class of 2016! Here are the forms and links you'll need for registration this year. Please note that there are different deadlines for the forms, ranging from mid-July to the day you arrive here. If you have any questions, please contact your Admissions counselor.

Freshman registration packets: (Coming soon! Check back for working buttons below.)

Medical      Housing      Registrar      Admissions Survey


Other useful information:

Annapolis Campus panorama


About the Dormitories
All freshman students are required to live on campus. This helps to create a sense of community among those attending the college and helps new students to adjust better to college life. About 82% of undergraduate students at the college live in one of the dormitories.

Resident Assistants and parents help carry boxes up dorm stairs

All the dorms are air-conditioned. Dorms are co-ed, usually by floor.

There are no co-ed bathrooms. All dorms are non-smoking, as Maryland state law prohibits smoking in most workplaces.

There are eight dormitories: Humphreys Hall (1837), Chase-Stone House (1857), Paca Carroll House (1857), Pinkney Hall (1858), Randall Hall (1903), Campbell Hall (1954), Gilliam Hall (2004), and Spector Hall (2006). Historic buildings have lots of charm, but they require lots of maintenance. The college is constantly upgrading the dormitories and you will find a mix of old and new facilities in each. Because there are a limited number of single rooms, freshmen always have at least one roommate. Your room assignment will be given to you when you register. The dorm rooms are open for occupancy after registration.

Heavy luggage or packages can be delivered up to two weeks before registration day. Ship such packages to the following address: Your Name, St. John's College, 60 College Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401-1887. Mark the packages "Hold for Registration."

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What's in the Dormitory Rooms?
Furniture for each student includes:

  • Twin-size mattress and box spring
  • Mattress and cover
  • Desk and chair
  • Study lamp
  • Wastebasket
  • Bookshelves
  • Single dresser or half a double dresser
  • Mirror
  • Closet space (average 3 feet wide)

The windows have Venetian blinds. (If you'd like curtains, it's best to wait until you see your room, since windows are not standard sizes.)

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Bookshelf in a dorm room
Mind your bookshelf space

What to bring?
Dorm rooms have basic furniture. You may wish to bring:

  • Sheets (we recommend twin extra–long sized sheets)
  • Towels
  • Pillow
  • Blanket
  • Comforter or spread
  • Small rug, other comfortable items like floor pillows or backrests
  • Clothing, including winter jacket and formal wear for waltz parties and special occasions
  • Hangers
  • Shoes (including special shoes for sports and/or the gym)
  • Raincoat and umbrella
  • Computer and printer (not required for work at St. John's, but most students bring their own)
  • Books, CDs, posters
  • Stereo
  • Hobby or special interest equipment (camera, musical instruments)
  • Sports equipment and apparel
  • Toiletries (and a tote to get them to the shower)
  • Mug, fork, spoon, knife, plate, bowl, and food storage containers to use in your room
  • Laundry detergent
  • Plasti-tak or other removable adhesives for mounting posters, etc. (tape is not allowed because it damages the walls)
  • Key chain for the key card required to enter your dormitory and the key for your room (for sale in the college bookstore)

Many students like to have a small microwave or refrigerator in their room. Small appliances are allowed, but not encouraged because the buildings are not wired to support the power demand of many appliances. Open heating elements such as hot plates, water boilers, and hot-pots are not allowed. Other items not allowed are: candles, incense, weapons and self-defense devices such as stun guns. Smoking is prohibited by state law inside all campus buildings, including the dormitories.

There are washers and dryers in the basement of Campbell Hall and in Chase-Stone; ironing boards are available on many floors.

In general, less is more. Wait and see what you need. You will have the opportunity to get it once you are here. The college runs shuttles to all the major shopping areas in and around Annapolis.

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College Mailing Addresses
Mailing address for students:

Your Name
St. John's College
P.O. Box 2800
Annapolis, MD 21404

Street address for students (for shipping packages):

Your Name
St. John's College
60 College Ave.
Annapolis, MD 21401

Telephones
Students are encouraged to have cell phones. The dorm rooms do not come with telephones or telephone service. Students can arrange for phone installation on an individual basis with the local provider. They will be billed by Verizon, the local phone company. The college does not handle individual telephone accounts for students. There is a college phone on every dorm floor; these phones receive calls from off-campus but may be used to make calls only to other extensions on campus. Some students find that cell phones are a way around having to pay for phone installation and a monthly fee for an outside line.

To call a student: The main college number is 410.263.2371. Callers to that number can be connected to any dorm floor. Someone from the floor usually answers a ringing phone; if the person being called is not available, floormates will leave a message. In an emergency, the Assistant Dean's office or the Public Safety office will locate a student.

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Computer Information for Incoming Freshmen

Female student uses a classic typewriter to type her paper on the SJC lawn
On the other hand, who needs the network?...

Information Technology Services (ITS) supports the College’s mission and strategic directions by providing information technology services and support.  

Our goal is to provide you information on computer standards, the campus student lab and network access as well as how to obtain your network account.  If you have questions or inquiries about our services and support we invite you to contact the ITS Help Desk at 410-626-2892 or helpdesk@sjca.edu.  Please identify yourself as an incoming freshmen.

Network Connections
All dorms at St. John’s College are wired for access to the Internet and the campus network.  In addition, wireless network access is available in a number of common spaces throughout the campus.  You will need a Network Account (see below) to access the network.  If needed, a network cable can be purchased at the campus bookstore.

Network Account
ITS will provide you with a network account, a username and password that you will use to access campus computers, the campus network, a college provided personal email account and disk space.  This information and a document describing appropriate use of College resources will be provided during registration.  Acceptance of an account signifies that you have read and agree to comply with these guidelines.  While wireless access is provided in some areas, as per these guidelines, students are not permitted to setup wireless access points themselves.

The Hodson Computer Center (Student Lab)
The Hodson Computer Center is located on the lower level of the Barr Buchanan Center and it is equipped with Windows and Macintosh computers, laser printers and scanners. 

The primary purpose of the facility is to provide you with access to Office applications, email, the Internet and other applications needed for, and a benefit to, your academic work.  With your College issued 1Card badge, the center is accessible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week during the academic year.  Student Assistants are available in the center at designated times to provide you with assistance in the use of campus computer resources.

Computer Configuration Standards
The information below outlines the current minimum recommendations for Windows-based and Macintosh computers for use by students at St. John’s College.  The intention is to recommend both hardware and software for a system that will remain useful for the next few years and allow ITS to support you with problems related to accessing our network services.

In order to participate in the college network, and obtain ITS support services, your computer must meet or exceed these recommendations.

Windows Hardware/Software Recommendations:

Processor: Desktop/Laptop: Intel Core 2 Duo, or AMD 64X2 Dual Processor
Memory: 2 GB (4 GB is highly recommended)
Hard Drive Capacity: 100 GB or more
Operating System: XP/Vista/7/Linux
Office Suite:Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 or 2010
A free alternative: Open Office or Libre Office
Web Browser: Internet Explorer/Mozilla Firefox/Chrome
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware: Required

Macintosh Hardware/Software Recommendations:

Processor: 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo               
Memory: 2 GB (4 GB is highly recommended)
Hard Drive Capacity: 100 GB or more
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 and above/Linux
Office Suite: Microsoft Office MAC 2008 or 2011
A free alternative: Open Office or Libre Office
Web Browser: Firefox/Safari/Chrome/
Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware: Required

Visit the Office of Information Technology for more information.

Student Email Accounts
Each student is provided with an email account and personal folder on the student servers. Account information will be provided during Freshman registration. You will be able to use Outlook Web Access to access your mail, from any Internet-accessible computer anywhere in the world. Instructions, rules and guidelines will be provided to you during the registration process.

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Parking & Transportation
Although students may have cars, freshmen and sophomores may not park on campus, in any campus lot. The city of Annapolis does not grant parking permits to St. John's students who live on campus. Parking is limited; the college strongly urges students not to bring cars. The city will ticket and tow cars parked illegally, including cars without permits parked in permit-only zones near campus. Some students park in the Naval Academy stadium, which is within walking distance of the campus. See http://www.pinnacleparking.com/mid_index.htm online for details.

Bicycles are a good method of transportation around Annapolis. You should be sure to have a secure lock. There are several storage racks for bikes on campus.

Downtown Annapolis is within walking distance of campus, and there are many shopping areas close by. The College provides weekly shuttles to local malls and shopping centers on a regular basis. Both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are accessible by bus.

Note that BWI airport is the most convenient to campus. Transportation to and from Reagan and Dulles airports is difficult to arrange, expensive and time consuming.

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Female student serves herself lunch in the dining hall
 

Food
For those on the food service, meals are served in the Dining Hall (Randall) seven days a week. A variety of foods is offered at every meal, including vegetarian and vegan options. Sometimes the lines are long, but the Dining Hall is open long enough at every meal to accommodate all students on the food plan.

The Coffee Shop is located in the basement of McDowell Hall. Snacks and meals can be purchased there all day and during some evening hours during the week. There are also a variety of snack and drink machines on campus.

Health Services
The services of the Health Center are available to all students regardless of whether they carry their own health insurance or use the one available through the college. (Students must be covered by health insurance; for information on the policy available through the college, contact the Health Center at 410.626.2553.)

Three counselors are also on staff. Appointments can be made directly by students. The counselor makes appointments with the psychiatrist as necessary.

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Buying Books and Supplies
The Campus Bookstore stocks all books required for St. John's classes. Several translations and/or editions are available of most books on the reading list, and the Bookstore keeps a complete list of all recommended editions, and a compilation of book advice/opinions/comparisons by St. John's tutors. In addition, several of the staff are either St. John's graduates or current students and will happily offer you their personal views.

Should you buy all your texts at the start of the year? No! Buying your books involves making choices you aren't yet equipped to make. Your tutors may have preferences, and you're going to hear lots of opinions from upperclass students. You will also develop your own tastes. The basic things you need to start are: the Greek manual, Euclid's Elements, the freshman Lab Manual, the freshman chorus anthology, and a copy of Homer's Iliad.

Male student pores over books in the bookstore
 

The Bookstore also accepts personal checks and VISA, MasterCard, or American Express credit cards. Naturally, cash is also welcome.

What the Bookstore stocks: program books, lots of fiction, poetry, reference, history, sciences, philosophy, books to help you learn Greek or math, biographies of philosophers, books on writing, drama, art books, and music (scores and libretti).

Special orders are taken at no extra charge. There is also a small supply of sweatshirts, T-shirts, baseball caps, and other SJC paraphernalia. The Bookstore carries school supplies like pads, pens, binders, and pencils, and even laundry detergent and some basic toiletries. The store also offers a fax service.

The Bookstore phone number is 410.626.2540 and the e-mail is bookstore@sjca.edu.

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Banking
There are no banks on campus, but students can cash small checks at the Bookstore and the Business Office. Half a dozen banks are located within three or four blocks of the campus and several banks offer free checking accounts to St. John's students. Money management is often an issue for college freshmen, so be sure to think about how deposits will be made, whether a debit card might work for you, whether you should have your own credit card, and how much spending money you might need per week. Students who work at the college in the federal work-study program will have checks issued to them every two weeks-the money is not automatically credited to their tuition or other college accounts.

Contact Numbers and E-mail Addresses

Main Switchboard - 410.263.2371