PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for the week's social events may not be purchased over the phone or online. Please pick up your tickets at the GSS on or before August 30th, as the capacity of each event is limited!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Welcoming volunteers: 11:00 am
We will welcome volunteers and talk about our goals this year. We will also provide lunch for everyone. Join us if you have signed up for volunteering for any of the events, and if you are interested in volunteering, you can still contact the orientation coordinator (Maryam Shahrokni) via email: mshahrokni@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Orientation 2009 Registration 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Please come to GSS or SUB and register for the core orientation day as well as different social events. You can join one of our campus tours in the morning and have a cup of coffee in the afternoon
Campus Tour: 10:00-12:00 noon *
Come and get orientated to UBC's beautiful campus and its most frequented locations! *Meet at 9:45am at the Graduate Student Society front lobby. Tour starts at 10am. FREE event!
Museum of Anthropology Tour: 1:00-2:30 pm *
The UBC Museum of Anthropology is world renowned for its collections and acclaimed for its unique settings on the cliffs of Point Grey. It is Canada’s largest teaching museum, housing some 535,000 ethnographic and archaeological objects that give insight into the cultures of indigenous people around the world. *Meet in the Graduate Student Society front lobby at 1:45pm. Tour starts at 2:00pm. FREE event!
Enjoy a cup of java or tea, socialize with new and returning grad students, and watch some talented performers in Thea's Lounge at the Graduate Student Centre. Tickets are FREE!
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
CORE-ORIENTATION DAY!
Welcome at the Chan Centre: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Location: Chan Centre
This includes:
- 8:00-9:00 Check-in and refreshments
- 9:00-9:45 Welcome and opening remarks
- 9:45-10:30 Introduction to campus resources for Grad Students
- 10:30-10:45 Break
- 10:45-11:30 Presentation "Being a Successful Graduate Student"
Join us for morning refreshments, welcoming remarks and information from the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Student Society, and other groups all in the Chan Centre. (see orientation homepage for morning details.) Don't forget to register online at http://www.grad.ubc.ca/new/orientation/. This is a FREE session that all new graduate students are strongly encouraged to attend.
BBQ lunch and Information Fair: 11:30 - 1:00pm
Location: Graduate Student Society Plaza
Let your own Graduate Student Society grill up some burgers for you (meat and veggie) while you socialize with other new grad students at the Graduate Student Plaza. Pick up literature and meet representatives from various campus groups as well at the info fair booths, and enjoy other surprises! This is a FREE event!
Afternoon Workshops in 3 Tracks: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Location: See table below
Timeslot |
Location: |
Location: |
Location: |
Location: |
Session 1 (1:00-1:50pm) |
Building an Effective Relationship with your Supervisor |
Getting to know Vancouver |
Surviving & Thriving in Grad School: A Student Perspective |
Money Matters for Graduate Students |
Session 2 (2:00-2:50pm) |
Building an Effective Relationship with your Supervisor |
Being a TA: Facilitating Tutorial Groups of Diverse Students |
Surviving & Thriving in Grad School: A Student Perspective |
Money Matters for Graduate Students |
Session 3 (3:00-3:50pm) |
Getting to know Vancouver |
Being a TA: Facilitating Tutorial Groups of Diverse Students |
Getting Involved Locally, Getting Involved Globally |
Money Matters for Graduate Students |
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Money Matters for Graduate Students
Who should attend: Anyone obtaining financial support from scholarships or campus assistantships.
Presenter: Brendan Morey, Graduate Awards Administrator
What are the sources of income and other financial support available to graduate students? What rules and deadlines govern the availability and distribution of funds? This workshop will answer these crucial questions and offer additional tips on wise financial planning for graduate students.
Being a TA: Facilitating Tutorial Groups of Diverse Students
Who should attend: Anyone who will or may be a teaching assistant during their graduate program.
Presenters: Indy Batth, Karrmen Crey, Amy Perrault
Effective Teaching Assistants recognize the diverse backgrounds of students in tutorial groups, and are able to respect and respond to their needs. Using case studies, the panel will facilitate an interactive discussion of strategies for leading successful tutorials.
Building an Effective Relationship with your Supervisor
Who should attend: Research-oriented graduate students, whether you already have a supervisor or not.
Presenters: Dr. Cindy Prescott, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Professor, Forest Ecology & Nutrition, and Joshua Caulkins, PhD student, Geography.
For students in research-oriented graduate programs, building a productive and positive relationship with your supervisor is an essential element for your success at UBC. In this session UBC faculty and grad students will talk about this all-important relationship, identify concrete strategies for getting it off to a good start and troubleshooting common problems.
Getting Involved Locally, Getting Involved Globally
Who should attend: Anyone with an interest in public service/volunteering in the Vancouver community, or in global health research and service opportunities .
Presenters: Susan Grossman, Community Service Learning Coordinator, UBC Learning Exchange; Dr. Bob Hancock, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and participant, UBC Global Access Initiative and Neglected Global Diseases Initiative; Dr. Mike Gretes, Universities Allied for Essential Medicines.
UBC is known for its community engagement, both locally and globally. In this session, learn about ways that graduate students can participate in local community service through the UBC Community Service Learning initiative, and global health research and service projects. These projects are an outstanding way to enhance your learning and serve the world we live in.
Surviving and Thriving in Grad School: A Student Perspective
Who should attend: Anyone
Presenters: Current Grad Student Panel - Farzad Khadem (Moderator), Lena Patsa, Sara Saberi, Andrew Patterson, and Mrigank Sharma
Come hear from a varied panel of current UBC grad students how to manage the highs and lows and twists and turns of graduate student life. These students will share their hard-won wisdom with you, give you tips on keeping your grades and spirits up, and take questions from the audience.
Who should attend: Newcomers to Vancouver.
Presenters: UBC Graduate Students
Here we are in one of the world's most beautiful cities. What does Vancouver have to offer beyond the boundaries of campus? Both long-time and new Vancouver residents (and current graduate students) will share with you the Vancouver they know neighbourhoods, services, arts and recreation opportunities and favourite places to go and things to do. Get to know your new town!
Wrap up and prize drawing: 4:00-4:30pm
Location:Swing Space
Come back together following the afternoon workshops for your chance to win some door prizes! This will take place at the Swing Space.
Ale Tasting Ice Breaker: 5:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Koerner's Pub (in the Graduate Student Centre)
Get oriented to your very own graduate student meeting place - Koerner's Pub - as you sample five of Canada's finest ales! (non-alcoholic beverages also available). Tickets are $5.
BC liquor laws and ID regulations are strictly enforced. Please make sure you have 2 pieces of ID on your person! The primary piece of ID must be government issued with your photo and birth date (ie. driver license, passport). Note: Student cards cannot be accepted as primary ID.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
Come out and enjoy Friday evening with a cruise along Vancouver's gorgeous skyline, as you socialize with new and returning grad students! Tickets are $20 - includes a live DJ and food! Cash bar on the boat. Boarding starts at 7:30pm, and the cruise starts at 8:00pm - the boat will not wait for you!
On the Cruise, there will be a free 1 hour Salsa lesson (for those interested) with an enthusiastic instructor. Break the ice by moving to the tunes of Latino music!
For directions and related information:
- A map to the Plaza of Nations Marina (Boat cruise boarding place) can be found here.
- You can also get directions by clicking this here, which will take you to a Google map that can be manipulated to obtain driving directions.
- If you want to take public transit, try BC's Translink. In the trip planner you can enter your address and "Plaza of Nations" as your destination.
BC liquor laws and ID regulations are strictly enforced. Please make sure you have 2 pieces of ID on your person! The primary piece of ID must be government issued with your photo and birth date (ie. driver license, passport). Note: Student cards cannot be accepted as primary ID.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
DisOrientation Party at Caprice Night Club and Lounge.
Dance your cares away and meet new friends at the Caprice, as DJs Marlon J. English and Johnny Jover spin tunes all night long! Tickets are $8 in advance, or $12 at the door. Please arrive before 10:30 pm to avoid lineups.
BC liquor laws and ID regulations are strictly enforced. Please make sure you bring 2 pieces of ID! The primary piece of ID must be government issued with your photo and birthdate, such as a drivers license or passport. Student cards are not accepted as primary ID!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Hiking Trip and picnic at Lynn Valley- BC: 11:00am - 3:30pm
Join us as we take a scenic hike around Lynn Valley. Departure time is 11:00 am from the Graduate Student Centre. Please note: Participants are responsible for their own bag lunch, and should wear comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, appropriate clothing, and bring at least 1L of water. - This is very important! The return bus to UBC will depart from Lynn Valley at 3:30 pm. Tickets are free, but availability is limited, so sign up at the GSS office to secure your place!
BC liquor laws and ID regulations are strictly enforced. Please make sure you have 2 pieces of ID on your person! The primary piece of ID must be government issued with your photo and birthdate (ie. driver license, passport). Note: Student cards cannot be accepted as primary ID.