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Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs  ›  News and Events  ›  University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation

University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation

August 12, 13, and 14, 2024

To welcome new graduate students to the Carnegie Mellon community and help support the transition to graduate study, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, in partnership with many colleagues across campus, offers University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation.

View the full schedule of events

In addition to the in-person offerings that are outlined below, new graduate students will also be invited to an asynchronous, online Orientation Canvas Course to complement the in-person content.

Attendance at the University-Wide New Graduate Student Orientation is highly encouraged but is not mandatory. For more information on new student onboarding, please visit the Incoming Graduate Students and Postdocs page. 

Contact

Schedule of Events

Monday, August 12, 2024

Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons, CUC All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events.
1 - 1:45 p.m. University Welcome CFA Tent* All Students President Farnam Jahanian and other members of university leadership will formally welcome new graduate students to the Carnegie Mellon community.
2 - 2:30 p.m. Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Welcome CFA Tent* All Students Members of Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) executive leadership will introduce themselves and discuss how new students can get involved with GSA.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. The Basics @ CMU CFA Tent* All Students This session will provide an overview of basic information about life at CMU that will help prepare students for their graduate student journey. Panelists include leaders from Campus Dining, Parking/Transportation, CMU Police, Student Affairs, and Computing Services.
4:30 - 7:30 p.m. GSA Welcome Picnic The Cut All Students New graduate students can join GSA for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only.
Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons, CUC All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. 
1 - 1:45 p.m. University Welcome CFA Tent* All Students President Farnam Jahanian and other members of university leadership will formally welcome new graduate students to the Carnegie Mellon community.
2 - 2:30 p.m. Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) Welcome CFA Tent* All Students Members of Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) executive leadership will introduce themselves and discuss how new students can get involved with GSA.
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. The Basics @ CMU CFA Tent* All Students This session will provide an overview of basic information about life at CMU that will help prepare students for their graduate student journey. Panelists include leaders from Campus Dining, Parking/Transportation, CMU Police, Student Affairs, and Computing Services.
4:30 - 7:30 p.m. GSA Welcome Picnic The Cut All Students New graduate students can join GSA for food trucks and yard games on The Cut! This event is open to new graduate students only.

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons, CUC All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. 
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. OIE Check-In and Welcome for Master's Students McConomy Auditorium, and Connan Room, CUC International Master's Students The Office of International Education will welcome international master’s students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins.
1:30 - 2:20 p.m. Key Academic Resources for Master's Students McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Master's Students Master’s students will learn about critical campus resources to support and enhance their academic work at CMU. Panelists include representatives from the Student Academic Success Center, Disability Resources, University Libraries, the Eberly Center, and Community Standards & Integrity.
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Panel Rangos and McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Students M Shernell Smith, Associate Dean and Executive Director of The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, and other key campus partners will discuss their roles in ensuring equity and building a sense of inclusion and belonging for all at Carnegie Mellon.
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Health & Well-Being Panel Rangos and McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Students Maureen Dasey Morales, Associate Vice President for Community Health and Well-Being, as well as stakeholders from Athletics, University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Nutrition, Student Support Services, and Meaning-Making Programs will discuss the resources available to support your health and well-being at Carnegie Mellon and beyond.
Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events.
10 - 10:45 a.m. Doctoral Student Welcome Rangos, CUC All PhD Students University leadership will formally welcome incoming doctoral students to the Carnegie Mellon community. Presenters include Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives, Amy Burkert; Vice Provost for Faculty, Shelley Anna; and Director of the Robotics Institute and Professor in the School of Computer Science, Matthew Johnson-Roberson.
11 - 11:45 a.m. Key Academic Resources for Doctoral Students Rangos, CUC All PhD Students Doctoral students will learn about critical campus resources to support and enhance their academic work at CMU. Panelists include representatives from the Student Academic Success Center, Disability Resources, University Libraries, Research Integrity & Compliance, the Eberly Center, and Community Standards & Integrity.
12 - 2 p.m. College-Specific Programming and Lunch for Doctoral Students Various All PhD Students Doctoral students will have the opportunity to enjoy a boxed lunch while meeting key leaders and partners within their own college. Each college will host a program exclusively for its students, so locations and program agendas will vary.
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Panel Rangos and McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Students M Shernell Smith, Associate Dean and Executive Director of The Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, and other key campus partners will discuss their roles in ensuring equity and building a sense of inclusion and belonging for all at Carnegie Mellon.
2:30 - 4:30 p.m. Health and Well-Being Panel Rangos and McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Students Maureen Dasey Morales, Associate Vice President for Community Health and Well-Being, as well as stakeholders from Athletics, University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Nutrition, Student Support Services, and Meaning-Making Programs will discuss the resources available to support your health and well-being at Carnegie Mellon and beyond.

Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons, CUC All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. 
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. OIE Check-in and Welcome for Master's and Doctoral Students McConomy Auditorium, and Connan Room, CUC International Master's and Doctoral Students The Office of International Education will welcome international master’s and doctoral students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins.
1 - 2 p.m. Master's Student Panel McConomy Auditorium, CUC All Master's Students Current master’s students will share their experiences at CMU, offer advice, and answer questions.
2 - 3:30 p.m. Campus Resources Fair Rangos, CUC All Students Representatives from various campus departments and services will be available to answer questions and provide information (and giveaways!) at tables arranged around Rangos Ballroom.
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. GSA Sweet Treat Social The Mall All Students Join GSA for yard games, socializing with other grad students, and a sweet treat from Kona Ice or Bruster's Ice Cream! This event is open to all graduate students.
Time Event Location Audience Description
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Graduate Orientation Central Kirr Commons, CUC All Students Graduate Orientation Central offers new students and families an opportunity to meet members of the CMU community, get information about Orientation programming and campus resources, grab a beverage or snack, and take a break before or between events. 
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. OIE Check-In and Welcome for Master's and Doctoral Students McConomy Auditorium, and Connan Room, CUC International Master's and Doctoral Students The Office of International Education will welcome international master’s and doctoral students, provide helpful information, and conduct mandatory check-ins.
1 - 2 p.m. Doctoral Student Panel Connan Room, CUC All PhD Students Current doctoral students will share their experiences at CMU, offer advice, and answer questions.
2 - 3:30 p.m. Campus Resources Fair Rangos, CUC All Students Representatives from various campus departments and services will be available to answer questions and provide information (and giveaways!) at tables arranged around Rangos Ballroom.
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. GSA Sweet Treat Social The Mall All Students Join GSA for yard games, socializing with other grad students, and a sweet treat from Kona Ice or Bruster's Ice Cream! This event is open to all graduate students.
*CFA Tent rain location: Rangos, CUC, with other simulcast locations throughout the CUC.