Orientation Schedule
The below orientation information is for all incoming graduate students within AS&E sponsored by GEPA office. Check your email for more information on these sessions and the “GEPA Ready” orientation newsletter throughout the summer. Your respective department may host additional orientation and onboarding programming for you to attend.
Fall 2024 GEPA orientation includes:
Virtual Orientation Webinar Programs
Join us for a virtual webinar and online orientation training modules to get to know resources on and off-campus available to you as a University of Rochester graduate student. The following webinar sessions will be or have been recorded and uploaded to Blackboard.
Welcome to the University of Rochester! Learn about orientation, onboarding, and how to get started as a UR graduate student - LIVE Session
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
Join the AS&E Dean and Assistant Dean, as well as the AS&E Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) staff team, to welcome you and help you get started on your path to graduate school at the University of Rochester! We’ll be providing important information on what to prepare for and expect over the next few months prior to arrival, including required and optional programs, events, and onboarding tips. There will be an overview of graduate orientation and ways to begin connecting to your new campus community. Feel free to bring your questions! Register online to receive login information.
Graduate Student Housing and Getting Around Rochester: Tips and resources for on and off campus housing options
Various virtual webinars on Zoom (check schedule)
Join the Graduate, Family, and Off-Campus Housing Office for a series of webinars highlighting the housing options for Graduate students.
Check the schedule of upcoming dates, topics, and registration links. Please email rebecca.orton@rochester.edu with any questions.
Health and Wellness Resources for Graduate Students
Thursday, June 20, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
Learn about mental and physical health resources available to you as a UR graduate student in this informative webinar. Representatives from University Health Services will be discussing health insurance options and selections, the health history form, vaccination requirements and what to submit and prepare before you arrive. They will also discuss what services will be available to you through University Health Services for your physical health. The University Counseling Center and Health Promotion office will also tell you about mental health, counseling/therapy, and wellness offerings to help support you throughout your graduate education. Register online to receive login information.
Tools for Academic Success as a UR Graduate Student
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
The transition to graduate school doesn't need to be difficult. In this webinar, staff from the Learning Center, the Writing, Speaking, and Argument Program, River Campus Libraries, and the Kearns Center will introduce their offices and the support they provide for graduate students at UR to ensure their academic success. Students will leave this webinar with a set of resources to turn to as they transition to graduate school. Register online to receive login information.
Career Services and Student Employment – What You Need to Know as a Graduate Student
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
Need a job on-campus? Figuring out how to utilize your graduate-level education for career success? In this webinar, you will hear from staff representatives from AS&E GEPA, the Greene Center, and the Office of Student Employment to understand the process of securing student employment at the University of Rochester – including Graduate Assistantships – and a broad overview of what makes up the career exploration process for internships and post-graduation employment success. Students will leave the session with a firm understanding of identifying and utilizing online resources, key individuals, and departments to connect with, and strategies for success in their employment journey at all stages of their graduate education. Register online to receive login information.
Presenters: David Cota-Buckhout (AS&E GEPA and Greene Center), Lauren Ward (Office of Student Employment).
Building Your Career Roadmap for Success: Critical Points You Need to Know as a Master’s Student to Secure Internships and Full-Time Jobs
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
10:00-11:00 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
As a master’s student, your timetable for the job search process is often a short 12- to 18-month window, so you need to be prepared for applying to internships and jobs right away starting in your first semester this Fall. Luckily, you have many resources, services, and opportunities at your disposal to assist you in securing meaningful internships, research positions, and then full-time employment by graduation! Be better prepared by learning about the key resources to utilize at UR starting now surrounding resumes, networking, job and internship search platforms, as well as important in-person programs like Career Expos and alumni-based events to attend and connect with employers, and self-directed tools to help. This session will help you in starting to build your own career roadmap, knowing key deadlines and steps to take in order to achieve job search success. Join webinar.
Webinar presented by Dave Cota-Buckhout, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement & Career Support in AS&E GEPA
Academic Honesty in Practice: Tips and Resources
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
10:00-10:30 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual webinar on Zoom
Interested in learning more about ways to complete your academic work with honesty and integrity? This session is facilitated by the AS&E Academic Honesty Liaison, a confidential resource for students with questions or concerns about the policy and processes. Whether you have questions stemming from your mandatory academic honesty training on Blackboard or wish to learn more about available resources, this session is designed to support your commitment to making decisions in your academic work that align with the values and principles of our policy. Register online to receive login information.
Mandatory and Optional Online Blackboard Modules
Login to Blackboard around June to complete mandatory modules for Academic Honesty and Title IX trainings. Take some time to review the rest of the optional, yet important information on ways to get connected with campus resources and the greater Rochester community.
When you login to Blackboard look for “AS&E Graduate Student Orientation Fall 2024” on the left side under the “organizations” section.
In order to access Blackboard you first need to activate your NetID and set up your University of Rochester email address. Please view the Incoming Student Checklist to view additional tasks you need to complete in preparation for joining the University of Rochester community.
AS&E Graduate Student Fall 2024 Welcome to Campus Orientation In-Person Programming
We invite you to attend the following in-person interactive events below once you arrive to campus as part of AS&E Graduate Student Fall Welcome. Keep in mind, your new department may also have orientation related programming planned in addition to what’s listed below.
Graduate Student River Campus Tours & Goergen Athletic Center Tour (Optional)
River Campus Tours will be offered at the following dates/times:
- Friday, 8/9, 10-11am
- Monday, 8/12, 2-3pm
- Thursday, 8/15, 10-11am
- Wednesday, 8/21, 4-5pm
- Friday, 8/23, 11am-12pm
- Thursday, 8/29, 3:30-4:30pm
Join current graduate students and the AS&E GEPA staff for an informal tour of the University River Campus. Get to know building locations of important campus resources, the best study spaces, dining locations, how to navigate the tunnels, and more! To join the tour, please meet at the front entrance of Lattimore Hall (on the Eastman Quad) promptly at the start time. Printed River campus maps will be available for pickup at the tours or you can download a map. We are also offering an in-person tour of the Goergen Athletic Center on 8/22 at 5:30pm immediately following the Graduate Resource Fair. Please REGISTER to select which tour(s) you plan to attend as space for each tour is limited.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Training (Required for some students, by invite only)
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
9 a.m.-4 p.m. (In-Person, Locations communicated via email)
You will receive further information via email if your department requires you to attend. New GTAs will learn more about their roles and responsibilities in this full-day training. Lunch will be provided for training attendees.
Graduate Resource Fair (HIGHLY encouraged for all to attend)
Thursday, August 22, 2024
4-5:30 p.m. (In-Person at LeChase Hall, River Campus)
Meet with representatives from a variety of crucial on and off-campus resources to ask questions, learn about their services and ways to get connected. While you’re there, meet other graduate students from AS&E and Warner School of Education and pick up a free University of Rochester t-shirt (while supplies last) and ice cream treat!
Dean’s Welcome Graduate Student Social and ID Pickup (HIGHLY encouraged for all to attend)
Saturday, August 24, 2024
4-5:30 p.m. (In-Person at Feldman Ballroom, Douglass Commons, River Campus)
Join the AS&E dean and assistant dean for a welcome greeting and learn some important info and tips from current AS&E graduate students to help you get started on your journey here at UR! After the greeting, there will be an informal social hour to meet other graduate students with free appetizers and drinks. While you’re there, pickup your student ID card if you uploaded your photo in Blackboard.
Graduate Activities Fair (Highly encouraged for all to attend)
Thursday, September 12, 2024
12-1:30p.m. (In-Person in the Hirst Lounge of Wilson Commons, 2nd floor)
Interested in getting involved on campus and meeting other graduate students? Don’t miss the Graduate Activities Fair! Stop by anytime between 12-1:30pm on Thursday September 12 to learn more about and meet with representatives from the various graduate student organizations on campus and get connected. There will be raffles going on and FREE pizza (while supplies last!).
International Student Orientation
The International Services Office (ISO) will host a virtual orientation as a supplement to their online pre-arrival orientation. This programming is designed to provide essential information on maintaining your valid F-1 or J-1 nonimmigrant status while in the United States, as well as other important details about life at the University and in Rochester.
Dependents: F-2 and J-2 dependents are welcome to attend the scheduled ISO Orientation meeting. Spouses are advised to review the dependent information we have online and reach out to ISO for any clarification or advising: questions@iso.rochester.edu.
Please visit the International Student Orientation Program page for additional details as they become available.