The Cornell University Graduate School hosts orientation events to introduce graduate and professional students like you to resources that will help you transition to campus and the community. Your fields and departments will host additional activities, but these first-weekend events -- which we strongly encourage you to attend -- are designed to welcome you to the larger graduate student community. Welcome. We're glad you're here.
Monday, August 24 UNIVERSITY REGISTRATION FOR ALL NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS 8:30 a.m. to noon in Bartels Hall
This is registration for attendance at the university, not Course Enrollment for the semester. Register early to avoid the $350 late fee for registering after Sept. 18.
GRADUATE STUDENT CAMPUS RESOURCE FAIR 8:30 a.m. to noon in Bartels Hall
Representatives from various campus offices and organizations share information about their programs, activities, and other valuable resources that will help you succeed in Graduate School.
PICNIC LUNCH 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on the Ag Quad outside Caldwell Hall
Come by for a free picnic lunch and meet the Graduate School deans, President David Skorton, and mingle with other new graduate students.
ORIENTATION INFORMATION SESSIONS 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Bailey Hall
Dean Alison Power welcomes you and other new graduate and professional students, and Dr. Wai-Kwong Wong, Ph.D., delivers a keynote address on the essentials for excelling in graduate school and how best to maintain balance. The sessions will introduce you to the Center for Teaching Excellence, the Graduate and Professional Student Association, the Big Red Barn and other academic, social, and professional development resources.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS 3:45 to 5 p.m. in various locations
Students will meet by discipline area and hear from a panel of returning graduate students and Graduate Student Services Representatives, who will answer your questions about the first-year adjustment to Cornell and Ithaca, successful mentoring and advising relationships, and other topics of interest to new students.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL 5 to 6 p.m. in the Big Red Barn Graduate & Professional Student Center
Unwind at the end of the day with ice cream sundaes from Cornell's very own Dairy Bar. All graduate students, spouses, partners, and family members are invited to attend this annual event sponsored by your student government, the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly.
Other Events for Graduate and Professional Students
Saturday, August 22 INTERNATIONAL GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION
Aug. 22, 3 to 7 p.m. Statler Hall Auditorium
For more information, visit isso.cornell.edu.
Welcome & Overview of Issues Specific to International Grads
3 to 4:30 p.m. Statler Hall Auditorium
Brendan O'Brien, director of the ISSO, will cover the following topics in a "Quiz Show" format: International Student Services and Programs, Immigration Basics and other Legal Issues, Health and Safety, and Taxes.
Adjusting to Academic Culture in the United State
4:45 to 5:30 p.m.
A Cornell faculty member will discuss elements of the U.S. academic system, academic expectations and ethical concerns at Cornell. A panel of international graduate students will share their experiences and answer questions.
International Student Organization Fair and Welcome Reception
5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Beck Center Park Atrium
Enjoy light refreshments, compliments of the ISSO, and get to know some of your fellow new students while you browse the International Student Organization Fair and learn about the variety of student organizations and activities at Cornell.
Note: This orientation program for international students is not mandatory, but all new international graduate and professional students are strongly encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend this program, you are invited to ISSO's International Student Orientation program, to be held Wednesday, Aug. 26. Check with the ISSO for time and location.
MINORITY GRADUATE STUDENT RECEPTION AND ORIENTATION Noon August 25. The Big Red Barn
This event is being held to welcome new minority graduate students to Cornell. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to meet new and continuing minority grad students.
STUDENTS WITH FAMILIES RESOURCE FAIR 3 to 5 p.m. August 25 in TBA
Family-service organizations from across campus and throughout Ithaca share information and answer your questions. The fair also features activities and entertainment for an afternoon of fun. This event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School, Campus Life, Residential Programs, Workforce Diversity and Inclusion, the Law School, JGSM, CALS and ISSO.
ITHACA BY NIGHT 7 p.m. August 25. Meet at the Big Red Barn
This popular annual orientation event offers you a first taste of the Ithaca nightlife. Returning graduate students volunteer to lead groups of new students to dinner at a variety of Ithaca's best restaurants. After dinner, groups get together at Pixel, a favorite local bar graduate students frequent. Remember to bring money for dinner and entertainment, and a government-issued photo ID with proof of your age.
TGIF (Tell Grads It's Friday) 4:30 to 7 p.m. August 28. The Big Red Barn
This and every Friday throughout the academic year is the time to unwind with fellow graduate students, faculty, staff and their guests. This popular weekly event features free snacks, soda and $1 beer.
BOWLING 6 to 8 p.m. August 28 in Helen Newman Lanes.
Cornell's own North Campus bowling lanes are the site for this informal gathering open to students, partners, friends, and kids. Free shoes, lanes and pizza are provided.
GRADUATE STUDENT CLUB FAIR AND PIZZA TASTE-OFF 6 to 8 p.m. September 17. The Big Red Barn
Cornell University is home to a wide variety of graduate student groups, and you can learn all about them at this informal fair. You can also vote for your favorite pizza by taking part in the taste-off between local vendors.
Events at the Big Red Barn (BRB) Graduate and Professional Student Center
The BRB is the campus center for graduate students. It's a casual gathering spot that offers regular social programming, dining facilities, wireless Internet access, computer kiosks, a variety of periodicals, and meeting space. It's also a great place to relax, join a friend, or make new ones. The Big Red Barn opens for the academic year on Thursday, Aug. 23. brb.gradschool.cornell.edu or bigredbarn@cornell.edu or (607) 254-GRAD.
WEEKLY EVENTS International Coffee Hour
Thursdays, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., beginning Aug. 27
Meet international and American students for conversation over free coffee and cookies. Sponsored by the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).
TGIF (Tell Grads It's Friday)
Fridays, 4:30 to 7 p.m., beginning Aug. 28
Free soda and snacks and $1 beer at this popular weekly event, open to graduate students, faculty, staff members and their guests.
Latin Dance Lessons
Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 2
Learn to Salsa. Lessons given in 4-week sessions. Also look for Swing Dance lessons, and Tango Dance practice weekly.
MONTHLY EVENTS Tango Dance
The last Friday of each month following TGIF, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight.
Free admission. Lessons given at the beginning of each dance. Free beverages and snacks.
SPECIAL EVENTS Speed Dating
Sunday, Sept. 27 (tentative with time TBA)
Meet "lots" of people in a three- to five-minute interview.
Pumpkin Carving
Saturday, Oct. 24 (time TBA)
An annual event for kids and the kid in you. Pumpkins and carving materials supplied.
Family Holiday Party
Sunday, Dec.12 (time TBA)
Celebrate the holidays with a mix of songs, stories and crafts. Features treats for the kids and pictures with Santa for grad students.
Graduate and Professional Student Assembly Activities
The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA) represents the interests of all graduate and professional students on non-academic issues. In the fall, each field elects one or two students to serve as non-voting members. The GPSA relies upon graduate and professional student involvement for its functioning, so get involved! Contact gpsa@cornell.edu with questions. Meetings are at 5:30 p.m. Mondays in the Big Red Barn greenhouse. Discussion meetings are in the Memorial Room of Willard Straight Hall (unless otherwise noted).
Cornell Library Tours and Information Sessions For more information on Cornell Library orientation events, visit orientation.library.cornell.edu.
THE AMERICAN ACADEMIC LIBRARY SESSION
This session is designed for new international students and faculty members who have had little or no experience using academic libraries in the United States. Learn how American academic libraries work, how to conduct basic searches, and how to use library services. Students new to the United States should plan to attend one of these sessions prior to attending a Library Research Orientation session (see below). Hour-long sessions in 106G Olin Library are at 11 a.m. Aug. 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Aug. 24.
CORNELL LIBRARY COLLABORATIVE LEARNING COMPUTER LABORATORY (CL3) ORIENTATION
Visit the Uris Library CL3 Lab and discover resources available for making multimedia presentations. Demonstrations will cover digital video and still cameras, digital voice recorders, scanners, and more. The 30-minute session begins at 2 p.m. Aug. 26 in the CL3 Lab, located on the gallery level of Uris Library.
LIBRARY E-SERVICES FAIR
Representatives from libraries around campus will demonstrate general electronic information resources in a variety of disciplines. Door prizes and refreshments. The fair runs from 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 25 in Olin Library's Libe Cafe.
LIBRARY RESEARCH ORIENTATION SESSION
This seminar for new students and faculty members provide a general introduction to using the Cornell University Library. In this hands-on session, participants will learn about the wide variety of resources available online, include the library Web site, online catalog, and databases. The session also will include a discussion of print materials and ways to find resources that are not online. Held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 21, 24, and 25; from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 26; and from 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 4 in the Uris Library Electronic Classroom, located on the gallery level of Uris Library.
MAP AND GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION COLLECTIONS
This extensive research collection of cartographic materials is a useful resource for students in many disciplines. The set of U.S. topographic maps, maps of East Asia and Southeast Asia, and the variety of historic and current urban maps are particularly noteworthy. GIS and scanning workstations offer mapping software and data. Tours lasting 30 minutes begin on the lower level of Olin Library at 1 p.m. Aug. 24 and at 4 p.m.
OLIN · KROCH · URIS LIBRARIES TOUR
These three libraries provide rich resources in the social sciences and humanities to the entire Cornell community. Tours will be offered at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 20, 21, 24, 25, and 26; at 3 p.m. Aug. 22; and at 3 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28. The 40-minute tours begin at the upper lobby of Uris Library. Audio-only versions of the tours are available on MP3 players at the circulation desks in Olin and Uris libraries, and online at libecast.library.cornell.edu.
RARE AND MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS TOUR, KROCH LIBRARY
New students and faculty can learn about Cornell's rare books, manuscripts, and other original research materials during these 20-minute tours, which start on Level 1 of Kroch Library rotunda about 40 minutes after the start of the Olin·Kroch·Uris Library tour described above. (Not offered Aug. 22).
MANN LIBRARY TOUR
Explore individual and group study rooms, state-of-the-art computing, Manndible Cafe and more in this tour of Mann Library, Cornell's largest science library, serving the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology, and the Division of Nutritional Sciences. 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Aug. 24 to 27. No registration required. Meet in the Mann Library lobby.
INCREASE YOUR GOOGLE-FU! MANN LIBRARY RESEARCH SESSIONS
This hands-on introduction will teach you how to search wisely and well, how to use the Web as a way into more complex resources, and what you won't find easily. Stop by the information desk on the first floor of Mann Library, register online after Aug. 17 at workshops.mannlib.cornell.edu, or simply attend the hour-long sessions that begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 24 and 26 in the first-floor Mann Library Stone Classroom
GO BEYOND GOOGLE! BETTER RESEARCH FOR SUCCESS: MANN LIBRARY RESEARCH SESSIONS
Learn what you need to succeed as well as time-saving tips for finding quality scholarly information fast and easily in this hands-on introduction to life and social sciences library research at Cornell. Stop by the information desk on the first floor of Mann Library, register online after Aug. 17 at workshops.mannlib.cornell.edu, or simply attend the hour-long sessions that begin at 1 p.m. Aug. 25 and 27 in the first-floor Mann Library Stone Classroom
CORNELL STORE COMPUTER SHOWCASE
Take advantage of exclusive student discounts on computer hardware and software. Hosted by the Technology Connection, authorized campus reseller for Apple, Dell, Gateway, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Adobe and Red Barn. www.store.cornell.edu. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 21, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Cornell Store, central campus.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSE REGISTRATION
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 in Teagle Hall Gym.
Cornell Cinema
Cornell Cinema, considered one of the best campus film-exhibition programs in the country, offers a wide variety of films during Orientation Week. During this week only, films are free Monday through Thursday for new graduate students with Cornell ID. Regular graduate student prices are $4 per show or $35 for a 10-admission discount card. Tickets and admission cards can be purchased at the theatres in the evenings and at the Willard Straight Hall Ticket Desk during the day. Graduate students pay just $2 for a selected screening the second Friday of each month. For information, contact 255-3522 or www.cinema.cornell.edu.
Aug. 23. 7 p.m. David Lean's 1962 epic biopic Lawrence of Arabia, winner of seven Oscars. Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 24. 7 p.m. A free fun-filled orientation to Cornell Cinema. Munch on free popcorn, watch a slew of coming attractions trailers and short films, find out how you can become involved with the organization, and win door prizes (including movie posters, movie passes and T-shirts). Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 24. 9:15 p.m. Federico Fellini's 1954 La Strada (The Road), starring Anthony Quinn and Giulietta Masina, a Best Foreign Film Oscar winner. Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 25. 7 p.m. Silent 1925 comedy classic College, starring Buster Keaton as a bookish collegiate who tries to win the girl by becoming an athlete. With musical soundtrack. Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 25. 8:45 p.m. David Lean's 1962 epic biopic Lawrence of Arabia. Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 26. 7 p.m. John Ford's 1940 The Grapes of Wrath, starring Henry Fonda. Ford won an Oscar for his direction. With faculty introduction. Willard Straight Theatre.
Aug. 26. 10 p.m. Stanley Kubrick's classic 1968 sci-fi film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Willard Straight Theatre.
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