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
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
10-11 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 – LIVE Session
Tuesday, April 26, 2023
10-11 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual Webinar on Zoom

Learn about graduate student housing options on- and off-campus within the greater Rochester community from the Graduate, Family, and Off-campus Housing staff. There will be tips and resources provided in the webinar to help you research and discover housing options and communities off campus and an overview of the housing lottery system for those interested in living on-campus. The graduate housing staff will also share tips for finding roommates, housing options for graduate students living with partners/families/children, avoiding scams, and what to look for when reviewing a lease. We will give an overview of public transportation (bus and shuttle) available in Rochester and parking considerations. Feel free to bring your questions! Register online to receive Zoom login information.

Graduate Student Housing Q&A Webinar – LIVE Session
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
10-11 a.m. (Eastern)
Virtual Webinar on Zoom

Do you have questions about how to find housing in Rochester as an incoming graduate student? Join the Graduate, Family, and Off-campus Housing staff for a Q&A session on Zoom. There will be tips and resources provided in the webinar explore and find housing (with an emphasis on off-campus options) including neighborhoods to consider, resources for finding roommates, avoiding scams when reviewing a lease, safety on and around campus, University shuttles and public transportation and more. Please feel free to bring your questions or submit questions or topics online ahead of the session so we can speak to what you would like to learn about! Register online to receive Zoom login info.

Health and Wellness Resources for Graduate Students – LIVE Session
Thursday, July 13, 2023
9:30-10:30 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. Feel free to bring your questions! Register online to receive Zoom login information.

Tools for Academic Success as a UR Graduate Student – LIVE session
Thursday, July 27, 2023
10-11 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, and River Campus Libraries 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 Zoom login information.

Career Services and Student Employment – What You Need to Know as a Graduate Student – LIVE session

Tuesday, August 1, 2023
10-11 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 through 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. Presenters: David Cota-Buckhout (AS&E GEPA and Greene Center), Lauren Ward (Office of Student Employment). Register online to receive Zoom login information.

Building Your Career Roadmap for Success: Critical Points You Need to Know as a Master’s Student to secure internships and full-time jobs – LIVE session
Wednesday, August 9, 2023 UPDATED to Tuesday, August 8, 2023
10-11 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 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 the university 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. By attending this session, we hope this will help you in starting to build your own career roadmap, knowing key deadlines and steps to take to achieve job search success. Register online to receive Zoom login information.

Webinar will be presented by Dave Cota-Buckhout, assistant director of alumni engagement and career support in AS&E GEPA.

NEW! Anti-Racism Training for incoming Graduate Students – LIVE 2-part series on Zoom

Note: You are required to attend both sessions if you register as these are interactive, live, discussion-based workshops held on Zoom. A Zoom link will be provided prior to the sessions to students who have registered.
 
Session I — Opening the Door: Foundations
Monday, August 21, 2023
9-10:30 a.m. (eastern)
 
In this workshop, we will discuss the language of anti-Black racism, the history of race and racism here at UR, the position of our self in society, and concept of social constructs. Participants will review contemporary language, and gain understanding of its importance as part of the struggle for equity and when discussing anti-Black racism. Participants will also leave with an overview of power dynamics as interwoven with the history of anti-Black racism in the US and on campus. Finally, participants will develop an understanding of the ways our identities impact how we interact with each other. 
 
Session II — Fostering an Anti-Racist Campus 
(Session I is a prerequisite for Session II) 
Thursday, August 24, 2023
1-3 p.m. (Eastern)

In this highly interactive workshop, participants will start out exploring how our norms inform the way we manage our interactions with undergraduates and peers. Next, we will look at different types of anti-Black racism and begin to grapple with implementing cultural humility. Lastly, participants will engage with real-world applications of anti-racist concepts presented in the previous session. By working through case studies together, participants approach race-related scenarios that commonly arise for graduate students at Rochester. Through this process participants will gain skills that inform many types of interpersonal interactions as well as personal and departmental action planning.

Register online to receive Zoom login information for the Anti-Racism Trainings.

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 2023” on the right 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.

We invite you to attend the following in-person interactive events below once you arrive to campus as part of AS&E Graduate Student Spring Welcome. Keep in mind, your new department may also have orientation related programming planned in addition to what’s listed below.

Dean’s Welcome Graduate Student Social and ID Pickup (HIGHLY encouraged for all to attend)

Monday, August 28, 2023
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 Resource Fair (HIGHLY encouraged for all to attend)

Tuesday August 29, 2023
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!

Graduate Student River Campus Tours (Optional)

Tours offered during the following dates/times:

• Thursday 8/17, 10-11 a.m.
• Wednesday 8/23, 3-4 p.m.
• Thursday, 8/24, 10-11 a.m. 
• Thursday 8/31, 4-5 p.m.

Join current graduate students and the AS&E GEPA staff for an informal tour of the University campus. Get to know building locations of important campus resources, the best study spaces, dining locations, and more! To join a 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 download a map. Registering online is encouraged but not required in order to attend.

Graduate Activities Fair

Friday September 8, 2023, 12-1:30 p.m. (in-person in the Hirst Lounge of Wilson Commons, second floor)

Interested in getting involved on campus and meeting other graduate students? Don’t miss the Graduate Activities Fair! Stop by anytime between 12-1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 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!)

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.

Webinars for All International Students

ISO Welcome Webinars
Friday, May 5 OR Thursday, June 15
9-10:15 a.m. (Eastern)

Presentation Recording | Q&A Recording | Presentation Slides

The ISO will be offering welcome webinars to introduce some ISO staff members, help plan your arrival, review key ISO requirements, and discuss possible scams you should know. These two webinars will have the same content, so you should only attend ONE session. Register for May 5 or Register for June 15.

International Student Experience Webinar
Thursday, July 6, 2023
9-10:30 a.m. (Eastern)

Presentation Recording | Q&A Recording | Presentation Slides

At this webinar, you will learn more about the experiences of international students at University of Rochester and learn all about the opportunities for student engagement with the ISO. The webinar will be followed by a Q&A session where incoming students can ask experienced international students many questions about their experiences. Register for International Student Experience Webinar.

Student Employment and Social Security Webinar
Thursday, August 10, 2023
9-10:15 a.m. (Eastern)

Presentation Recording | Q&A Recording | Presentation Slides

This presentation sponsored by the International Services Office and Student Employment Office provides international students with guidance on how to begin the process of searching for employment on campus and applying for a social security number once you have gained for-service employment. Register for ISO Student Employment and Social Security Webinar.

Immigration and Compliance Webinar
Monday, August 28, 2023
9-10:15 a.m. (Eastern)

Presentation Recording | Q&A Recording | Presentation Slides

The ISO will be hosting a mandatory Immigration and Compliance webinar required for ALL graduate and undergraduate students. The webinar will provide all international students with information about how to stay in compliance with F and J visa regulations while studying and working in the United States. The session will be recorded, but you are required to attend. ISO will deliver all ISOP Orientation Meetings virtually. Register for ISO Immigration and Compliance Webinar.

Some orientation programs are mandatory for students who are scheduled to arrive in the US/Rochester for full-time study during fall 2023 (requires full-time academic registration for the term). This includes students who will arrive prior to the start of classes and students who will arrive later within the summer 2023 term. Additionally, students who began a new program of study from abroad in spring 2023 must also attend this meeting if they intend to arrive in-person to continue their enrollment in the fall. New international students throughout all University divisions are required to attend the same meetings, including those transferring their immigration record via SEVIS from another US institution.

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.