Orientation Programs - Graduate Student Handbook, University of Maryland

Departmental Orientation

Most departments sponsor some kind of orientation for their new graduate students. Unfortunately, it's too difficult to keep track of the schedules for all departments so you'll need to contact your department for more information.

Graduate School Orientation

Each year the Graduate School holds orientation for new graduate students. During the summer there are two sessions: a general orientation for all students and a networking reception for students of color and other interested students. All orientation sessions typically feature introductions by key administrators, information handouts, a student panel for Q&A and an information fair. Food is served.

Fall 2007 Graduate School Orientation Dates:
» General Orientation:: Tuesday, August 28, 2007, 2:00 - 6:30pm, Colony Ballroom, Stamp Student Union
» Networking and Welcome Reception for Graduate Students of Color: Monday, August 27, 2007, 4:30 - 6:30pm, Nyumburu Cultural Center Multipurpose Room

International Student Orientation

A comprehensive program run by International Education Services (IES) is mandatory for all new incoming graduate and undergraduate students holding F-1 or J-1 visas. There are two orientation periods over the Summer and one in the Spring.

Fall 2007 International Student Orientation will be held August 21-24, 2007 at various locations across campus. Please visit the IES Orientation website for comprehensive information regarding Fall 2007 orientation, including details about the program.
» 2007 International Orientation Schedule

Campus-wide TA Orientation: August 27

Each August, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) coordinates an orientation for all new graduate teaching assistants on campus. Throughout the day, TAs are introduced to important members of the Administration, given a comprehensive guide to campus resources, provided a host of teaching and learning tips from experienced faculty, and invited to participate in smaller workshops. These cover a range of teaching topics such as facilitating productive discussions, dealing with cheating, staying sane as a TA, and addressing identity and difference in the classroom.

Fall 2007 TA Orientation: August 27, 2007 from 8:30am - 4:30pm
1101 Bioscience (8:30am - 1:00pm) and Jimenez Hall (1:15 - 4:00pm)
GTAs may view the tentative program and sign up to attend GTA Orientation via the CTE website www.cte.umd.edu. If you have any questions, contact Spencer Benson, Director of CTE, at sbenson@umd.edu, 301-314-1288 or Henrike Lehnguth, CTE’s Coordinator of Graduate Student Programs, at lehnguth@umd.edu, 301-314-1283.

» Center for Teaching Excellence website

Library Orientation

The University of Maryland Libraries provide a variety of library orientation programs specifically tailored to the needs of your discipline. Select the link above for a list of available orientation programs.
» Library Orientation for Graduate Students website