The Bloomberg Student Center is a new kind of space for Johns Hopkins, one designed to bring the campus community together. We know you might have questions about what’s inside the building, how it works, and how to make the most of it.
This page is here to help. You’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about amenities, student employment, event spaces, dining options, and more.
If you need help reserving space, planning a visit, looking to get involved, or just curious about what to expect, you’re in the right place. If your question isn’t listed here, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at 410-516-7035 or [email protected].
Jump to FAQ sections:
General Information
What are the BSC’s hours of operation?
Standard hours of operation are:
| Monday—Thursday |
7:30 a.m.–12 a.m. |
| Friday |
7:30 a.m.–1 a.m. |
| Saturday |
10 a.m.–1 a.m. |
| Sunday |
10 a.m.–12 a.m.
|
Beginning Friday, May 22, the Bloomberg Student Center will shift to summer hours.
How do I book a tour of the BSC?
Tours of the BSC can be requested via an online form. Tours are limited to 12 people, but larger groups or additional tour times can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Can my service animal accompany me?
Yes. Service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are allowed in all common areas.
Is smoking allowed in the BSC?
The BSC is a smoke-free facility. No smoking or vaping of any kind is permitted within any facilities or around the facility grounds.
Is storage available in the BSC for personal belongings such as instruments or prayer rugs?
Storage for personal items is not available in the BSC.
Is food allowed in all areas of the BSC?
Food and beverages are permitted in most areas of the BSC, including lounges and designated common spaces. However, certain spaces—such as performance venues, rehearsal rooms, and technology-equipped meeting spaces—may have restrictions to protect equipment and maintain cleanliness. Food is not permitted in the theater.
How many pianos are available for use?
The BSC has five pianos available in designated multipurpose rooms and in two open lounge spaces.
What equipment is available in rehearsal spaces?
BSC rehearsal spaces include mirrors, ballet bars, music stands, and AV capabilities. Some rooms may have built-in sound systems, projectors, and specialized lighting.
Is audio, amplification, and AV available in all multipurpose rooms?
Most multipurpose rooms are equipped with AV technology, including projectors, speakers, and microphones. However, availability may vary based on room setup.
Are there limitations for using the dance rehearsal space?
Yes, to maintain the sprung wood floors, activities requiring hard-soled shoes, heavy equipment, or excessive impact may be restricted. Dance Marley will be available in the dance studio, and users may be required to wear appropriate footwear or use protective mats.
Are art supplies provided in the Bloomberg Student Center?
Basic supplies such as easels and general-use materials are available in the Creative Rooms. However, students may need to bring their own specialized materials for projects.
Additionally, the Creative Media Center has digital workstations, a 3D printer, and a large-format printer. The CMC also supplies the Recording Studio and the Textile Studio.
Are academic classes held in the BSC?
Academic classes are not held in the BSC.
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Building Access & Security
What do I do if my J-card doesn’t scan?
The Bloomberg Student Center is open for all Johns Hopkins affiliates. Please note that JHMI badges are not compatible with the card readers in our newest buildings, including the BSC and the Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC; a J-Card Mobile Credential is required to access these buildings. This requirement is expected to extend to other Homewood facilities in the future.
Signing up for a J-card Mobile Credential is free, easy, and takes just a few minutes. Step-by-step instructions for setting up both Apple and Android devices can be found on the J-Card website.
What does the university do with students’ card swipe data?
Card swipe data provides important occupancy reporting and ensures the building is staffed appropriately for cleanliness, safety, and support. Since this is a brand-new space, accounting for occupancy trends as we open the building helps us more accurately operationalize the required support.
Is the BSC fully open to the public?
A phased opening of BSC spaces and amenities is planned through the first year of operations while we continue working to make the space fully functional. At this time, access is limited to JHU students, faculty, and staff, but we will have more to share as building operations get up and running.
Portions of the building, such as Ralph’s Marketplace and certain event spaces like the theatre, will open to neighbors from the surrounding community at a future date to be determined after the building and its amenities are fully operational.
Can I bring a guest to the building?
Yes! During the 2025–26 academic year, the BSC is open to JHU affiliates with a valid J-Card. Guests are welcome when accompanied by their host and must check in at the Welcome Desk.
How is the guest policy enforced?
Affiliates—including faculty, students, and staff—are responsible for their guests at all times and are expected to follow the building’s guest policy by escorting them to the Welcome Desk for check-in.
Visitors without a J-Card must complete the required sign-in process, which includes presenting a valid government-issued ID for verification and signing a waiver acknowledging personal responsibility and liability.
Is there security in the building?
Yes. JHU Public Safety personnel are responsible for the safety and security of our campus community on a 24/7 basis, including the BSC. Public Safety personnel, along with other university partners, are stationed at the Welcome Desk. Our Public Safety team also maintains a visible presence throughout the building to ensure safety and support operations of the space.
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Dining
How were the dining vendors selected?
Johns Hopkins has focused on local dining options for the BSC as part of the university’s ongoing strategy to leverage every opportunity to invest directly in Baltimore’s local economy and local small businesses and support Baltimore’s entrepreneurial community.
Businesses were invited tosubmitproposals foroperatingone of the food venues intthe BSC. An extensive review and interview process helped narrow down the list ofpossible operators. JHU hosted a tastingeventofthe finalists’ submissionsandsolicitedfeedback from affiliates. This resulted in theselection of thevendors currentlyoperatingin the BSC.Hopkins dining has partnered withfour local vendorsto bring a coffee shop, a full-service restaurant, and four quick-service food stalls to the BSC.
Can I use my meal plan at the BSC?
Yes, students are able to use Dining Dollars to purchase food and beverages in Ralph’s Marketplace and at Mo’s Place, the BSC’s full-service restaurant. However, Dining Dollars cannot be used to purchase alcohol, and meal swipes are not accepted for any purchases at the BSC.
How does alcoholic beverage service operate?
The operator of Mo’s Place holds the liquor license andis responsible forthe service in the location. Only beer and wine are available for service, by the glass.Staffat Mo’swill be certified through the national recognized certification for alcohol service, “TiPS,” and all patrons under the age of 30 will berequiredto show ID.
Is Hopkins Dining involved with food service in the BSC?
Hopkins Dining oversees the food operations at BSC, with a dedicated manager working closely with the local partners.
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Catering
What are the catering options for events in the BSC?
Catering for events in the BSC follow university event dining guidelines, with several flexible options available. Hopkins Dining’s 1876 Distinction is the preferred on-campus catering provider, offering a wide range of services—from casual meetings to large receptions—with a focus on sustainable practices and exceptional service. 1876 has first right of refusal on catering needs in the BSC. Should 1876 Distinction not be able to meet the needs of a customer, there is a selection of pre-approved outside caterers and BSC vendors are available to support campus events. Student organizations may also request to use EZCater, a university-supported food delivery platform that connects to student organization funding accounts.
Can student organizations bring in their own food?
Student organizations maynot prepare food or beverages andbringinto the BSC for any event, meeting, or tabling activity. Organizations are encouraged to use in-house, food hall vendors, who offer grouppricingor they may select from the approved cateringvendor list. Organizations may also use EZ Caterer vendors for fooddelivery.
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Events & Space Reservations
Who gets priority for reservations?
Student-focused events, including institutional programs, registered student organization events, and arts performances, have the highest priority. Only student requests for space will be granted after 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the weekends.Departments/staff may requestspaceMonday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
How does Express Scheduling work?
The BSC provides small (2–6 people) huddle spaces for impromptu gatherings or conversations among students. These spaces are for student use and can be requested for up to two hours, no more than four timeswithina week, andscheduledup to 24 hours in advance.In order toreserve these spaces, you must use the university’s scheduling system,25Live.
To authenticate, go to the 25Live site, put in your username and password, and as long as you have a JHED, it will allow you to see available space and request a room using Express Scheduling.
What does “student-focused” mean?
A student-focused event is defined as an event with audiences where 90% of the attendees will be JHU students or incoming students.
Events in the BSC may be scheduled to begin 30 minutes after the building opens and must end 30 minutes before the building closes each day. This ensures adequate time for setup and cleanup by staff. Be sure to reference the BSC’s hours of operation to plan your event within the approved timeframes.
Is tabling available for student organizations?
Yes, tabling is available both indoors and outdoors at the BSC. The indoor tabling location ison level 2 near the Welcome Desk. Outdoor tabling takes place on the plazaadjacent tothe Ralph’s Marketplace entrance, offering a highly visible space for student organizations to connect with the campus community.
Are there fees for using BSC spaces?
Students and departments are not charged for using BSC spaces. However, fees may apply for additional services or equipment beyond standard use.
Mo’s Place is available to rent for private events at a rate of $250 per hour with a minimum of two hours required. For additional information or to inquire about booking, guests can contact [email protected].
Can external groups rent spaces in the Student Center?
BSC spaces are not intended to be rented by non-university groups.
When can departments reserve spaces for non-student-focused events?
Department events may be scheduledanytimeduring building hours, including weekends,when we are not inthe fall and spring semesters.
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Student Employment
Are there student employees at the BSC?
Yes, the BSC offers a variety of student employment opportunities across its operations, including roles in event support, customer service, creative media, and building management.
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Building Design & Construction
Who designed the BSC?
The BSC was designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) and Shepley Bulfinch.
HowistheMattin Centerrecognized forit’srolein campus life for the past 20 years?
The Mattin Center opened in the spring of 2001. While the building was slightly less than 20 years old, our space requirementsevolved over time, and the building design did not accommodate the larger gathering venues our students seek today.
The Mattin Center was funded by dozens of donors, including Christina Mattin (A&S ‘76). We take our commitments to donors very seriously and deliberately engaged them in the design process for the new student center.
The BSC not only honors our commitment to the arts but also directly provides rehearsal and performance spaces tailored to the dynamic needs of our student artists. We will continue to celebrate our alumni and friends who have championed student spaces and the arts at Hopkins, ensuring their legacies remain an integral part of our community.
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Student Involvement & Purpose
What is the purpose of the BSC?
The BSC is designed to be a hub for student engagement, providing spaces, amenities, and opportunities for students to socialize, connect, create and relax.
How involved were students in the BSC’s planning process?
For generations, Hopkins students have voiced a desire for a dedicated student center that promotes social interaction and encourages community-building beyond the classroom. The university announced that it had secured philanthropic support for a student center in March 2019, kicking off a collaborative process in which input from students helped shape the vision for the building and its programmatic offerings.
Throughout the development of the student center, students have actively influenced the experience, beginning with their votes in the design competition to select the project’s architect and envision the future space. Additionally, the dining program was developed through a collaborative selection process. Finalists selected from over 100 local small businesses in Baltimore were invited to share their food with the Hopkins community at a campus expo, where more than 200 students, staff, and faculty provided feedback. The result is a dining lineup that reflects both the diversity of Baltimore’s food scene and the tastes of the Hopkins community.
Can you list anything specific in the design or programming that was informed by student feedback?
Actually, every program element in the BSC was informed by student feedback. Before design began, JHU partnered with a consulting team to conduct a year’s long exercise to determine what JHU students wanted in a student center. Eighteen formal engagement sessions were conducted that included over 1,500 participants.
Above all, we learned that students sought a place to exercise creativity. That is why the building includes flexible multi-purpose spaces designed to support dance, music rehearsal, painting and ceramics, and, of course, theater.
Who maintains and manages the building?
The building is managed by Student Affairs, in close collaboration with Johns Hopkins Facilities and Real Estate (JHFRE) and Public Safety. This partnership ensures smooth operations and a safe, well-maintained environment.
How can students provide feedback on operations and improvements?
The BSC reflects years of student input and campus-wide collaboration. Student Affairs is committed to listening and incorporating student voices and will establish a student advisory board to regularly gather input on building operations and potential improvements. In addition, students can submit feedback at any time online.
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Sustainability
What sustainability features does the BSC include?
The BSC is designed with sustainability as a core priority andacheived(verify with JHFRE)LEED Platinum certification. The BSC’s sustainability charter focuses on three key goals: student health and well-being, environmental stewardship, and resource conservation.
Student Health & Well-Being – The building incorporates mass timber construction, bird-safe glass, and Red List-free materials to create a healthier indoor environment. Additionally, biophilic design elements and improved air filtration contribute to occupant wellness.
Stewardship of the Local Environment– The BSC features a reimagined landscape with outdoor gathering spaces that support biodiversity and sustainability initiatives. A stormwater retention system helps manage runoff and reduce environmental impact.
Conservation of Resources – The BSC is built for energy efficiency, featuring tiered roofs with solar panels, carbon-sequestering concrete, radiant flooring, and a high-efficiency HVAC system utilizing variant refrigerant flow and dedicated outdoor air filtration to minimize energy and water use.
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