Attention Incoming Graduate and Professional Students:

Orientation 2020 includes a live program, online modules, tips from current students via a panel webinar, and online social events to help you connect to other incoming students hosted by the Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center.

Upcoming Events

• Transitions workshops – Learn about developing a strategic plan, mentoring, funding, time management, responsible conduct of research, and navigating relationships. 
• Panel: Words of Wisdom from Students and Faculty Advisors – Current graduate and professional students and faculty advisors share their thoughts, comments, and advice for incoming students embarking on their graduate careers.
• Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center – Attend a social mixer and take part in icebreaker activities to meet new and current students. All events will be online. 

Explore our Orientation Hub to learn more about graduate study at Cornell and find links to important offices, resources, and support.

We hope the information provided helps you make a successful transition to graduate school.

Please note: To view Orientation materials on Canvas, you must first activate your NetID.

Cornell, Ithaca College, TC3 Virtual Town Hall

Tuesday, August 18, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. — Zoom

Provosts and vice presidents overseeing academic, financial, and student life sectors at Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College will provide campus updates and field questions at a virtual town hall on Tuesday, August 18.

Participants may submit questions via the Q&A function the evening of August 18.

Re-entry Checklist

If you have not done so already, please enter your housing and emergency contact information on the Re-entry Checklist as soon as possible. It is essential that we have accurate information about how to reach you during the fall semester should it be necessary for contact tracing. You can update this information if your plans change. All students are required to complete the Re-entry Checklist and attest to the Cornell Student Behavioral Compact before they are able to enroll in classes.

On-Campus Parking for Students

Student parking permit sales began August 16, 2020.

Every registered student will receive notification to go to their parking portal if they wish to purchase a permit. Parking availability on campus is limited, and permits are sold to eligible students on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Find details about parking for students on the Facilities and Campus Services website.

If you don’t need to park on campus every day, consider Daily Decision Parking, a new, lower-cost option available to everyone using Parkmobile. Other short-term parking options include pay station and mobile payment lots located in all areas of campus.

New-to-Cornell students automatically receive free unlimited TCAT bus privileges in their first year; all other students enrolled in a degree program receive free, unlimited rides on all TCAT buses after 6:00 p.m. weekdays and anytime Saturday and Sunday and can purchase a discounted OmniRide student bus pass for unlimited, anytime access to all TCAT buses.

COVID-19 Etiquette: Six Common Conundrums (NPR)

How do you tell a stranger to be better at social distancing? What do you do when a backyard gathering suddenly has one too many unmasked guests? This episode walks through the new rules of etiquette.

Read the NPR article and print the pocket guide

Nominate a Postdoc for Postdoc Achievement Awards

Nominations are open for the annual Postdoc Achievement Awards. To nominate a postdoc, please complete the online nomination form by August 28.

Every year, at least one of each of the following awards will be granted to deserving postdocs:

• Achievement Award for Excellence in Leadership
• Achievement Award for Excellence in Community Engagement
• Achievement Award for Excellence in Mentoring

For award descriptions, view the nomination form.

Student Spotlight: Emily Donald

Emily Donald is a doctoral student in history from Brisbane, Australia studying modern southeast Asian history; feminist, gender, and sexuality studies; and queer history. After attending the University of Queensland as an undergraduate, she chose to pursue further study at Cornell due to its scholars, library collections, and commitment to graduate student learning.

Read the full student spotlight

Interested in what other graduate students are doing both on and off campus?

Check out our student spotlights, Q&As with current students about their research, hobbies, and experiences at Cornell.

Kudos!

Doctoral Candidate Interviewed by China Current and United Nations

Xiangkun (Elvis) Cao, a doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering, was interviewed about his background and his research by the host at China Current and the United Nations goodwill ambassador, James Chau. Watch “My Journey from Poverty to College” or “Meet Elvis | One Young World“.