Graduate Orientation

The Graduate Affairs Committee, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, the Teaching Support Center, and the Geograd Society organize welcome and orientation activities for the incoming student cohort the week of Labour Day. Some of this is specific to Teaching Assistants while the rest applies to all new graduate students. The latter will include information on such things as: departmental offices, departmental resources, health and safety.

Some of this is self-directed (e.g., contact the Graduate Administrator to obtain office space and keys, activate computer and print accounts, get details about how to obtain ID card) while the rest involves both a meeting with your entire cohort and a full department casual "meet and greet". On the third Friday of term the cohort of incoming students go on a Graduate Retreat.

Geography's Orientation Day activities, Retreat, and Health and Safety session are mandatory for all new GeoGrad students. The Teaching Support Center's TA day is highly recommended for those of you who will be teaching assistants.

📍 Location: IGAB - Atrium
📝 Event: International Student Orientation / School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
🎯 Audience: International, Exchange, and New Students
Hosted by:International Student Services and School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

➡️ Check here for upcoming events for new and continuing graduate students
📍 Location: SSC 1004
🎯 Audience: New Graduate Students
Hosted by: Department of Geography & Environment

Time Session Speaker/ Presenter
12:00-12:15pm Welcome Message from Grad Chair Dr. Godwin Arku
12:15-12:30pm Health and Saftey
Presentation
Erika Hill
12:30-12:45pm Cartography Karen Van Kerkoerle
12:45-1:15pm Society of Graduate Students (SOGS)
Presentation
Javier Ponce de Leon Eyl
1:15-1:45pm Graduate Teaching Assistants' Union (PSAC 610)
Presentation
1:45-2:00pm Centre for Teaching & Learning
Presentation
Nassisse Solomon
2:00-2:15pm Western Foot Patrol
2:15-2:30pm GEOG 9998 - Debates in Geographic Thought Drs. James Voogt and Courtney Golkar-Dakin
📍 Location: SSC 1004
🎯 Audience: New Graduate Students
Hosted by: Department of Geography & Environment

Time Session Speaker/ Presenter
12:30-12:45pm Department Chair - Welcome Dr. Katrina Eyvindson
12:45-1:00pm Institute for Earth & Space Exploration 
Collaborative Program - presentation
Catherine Neish
1:00-1:15pm Migration & Ethnic Relations
Collaborative Program
Teresa Abada
1:15-1:30pm Environment and Sustainability
Collaborative Program - presentation
Paul Mensink
1:30-1:45pm Own Your Future Jenny Richmond-Bravo
1:45-2:00pm GeoGrad Society
2:00-3:00pm Meet and Greet All are welcome

📍 Location: SSC 1004
🎯 Audience: New Graduate Students
Hosted by: Department of Geography & Environment

Time Session Speaker/ Presenter
9:00-10:00am Grad Chair & Administrator
10:00-11:00am Tour - Weldon Library Zach MacDonald
11:00am-12:00noon
12:00noon Lunch

Date Details
Sept 3 (Wed) TA Day – Online workshop by Centre for Teaching and Learning (9am–12pm)
Audience: All Teaching Assistants
Sept 4 (Thurs) Undergraduate Classes Begin
Sept 8 (Mon) Graduate Classes Begin - Contact your course instructor if you're a TA