Graduate Orientation Schedule of Events

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GSC Orientation 2009 Calendar [Web Version]

Alternative Formats: [PDF] - [Google Calendar]

Last Updated August 31, 2009

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT

8/30

8/31

9/1

9/2

9/3

9/4

9/5

9/6

9/7

9/8

9/9

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9/11

9/12

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9/18

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9/20

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9/23

9/24





LEGEND

TBD

To be determined

!

Pick up tickets at the Information Booth on September 1 and 2. Beginning September 3, tickets can be picked up at the GSC office (50-220).

*

Spouses and Partners Welcome

+

Child-friendly Event


Sunday, August 30

Time

Location

Events

12pm - 2pm Ashdown House (NW35) Ashdown Brunch*+

5pm - 11pm

Thirsty Ear Pub, Ashdown House (NW35)

Thirsty Ear BBQ

Enjoy some delicious burgers and hotdogs prepared by one of our favorite campus hang outs! Meet and mingle with fellow incoming students and existing graduate students!

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Monday, August 31

Time

Location

Events

9am - 10am

26-100

Continental Breakfast

10am - 12pm

26-100

Graduate School 101: Session 1

"Introduction to Graduate School"

"Welcome from the Dean and the ODGE"

"Welcome from the GSC and the GCF"

12pm - 1pm

26-100

Lunch

Lunch provided only to audience of Graduate School 101. Ticketed event.

1pm - 2pm

26-100

Graduate School 101: Session 2

"Resources to make your life easier"

2pm - 3pm

26-100

Graduate School 101: Session 3

"Panel Q&A with current students"

4pm - 6pm

Departs from W20

Campus Police Safety Walking Tour*

8pm - 12am

Thirsty Ear Pub

Thirsty Ear Trivia Night*

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Tuesday, September 1

Time

Location

Events

9am - 12pm

10-250

English Evaluation Test

A required test for students whose first language is not English.

10am - 6pm

Lobby 10

Information Booth

Visit our Information Booth to pick up your goodie bag! Also purchase tickets to GSC Orientation events.

10am - 12pm

20 Chimneys, W20

Coffee Hour for Spouses and Partners of Grad Students *+

10am - 11am
34-101

Introduction to Energy and Greening*

Panel Discussion on Energy and Greening @ MIT

11am - onwards
Departs from 34-101

Campus Walking Tour*

Includes Greening resources @ MIT

12pm

Departs from Lobby 10

Campus Walking Tour*

12pm - 1:30pm
Mezzanine, W20

Campus Police Welcome Lunch

Come grab some lunch and get to know the MIT police. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.

1:30pm - 2pm

34-101

Graduate School 102*

Afternoon coffee & snacks

2pm - 2:30pm

34-101

Graduate School 102: Session 1*

Introduction to Student life, activities, and associations:

  • Leadership and Innovation opportunities

  • The COOP

  • Alumni Association

  • Things to do in Boston and MIT. Student activities.

  • Q&A session

2:30pm - 3pm

34-101

Graduate School 102: Session 2*

Introduction to Health Insurance @ MIT

3pm - 3:30pm

34-101

Graduate School 102: Session 3*

Computing/Information Services and Technology

3:30pm - 3:50pm

34-101

Graduate School 102: Session 4*

Introduction to MIT Libraries

3:50pm - 4:00pm 34-101

Graduate School 102: Session 5*

Housing and transportation

6pm - 9pm

Sidney-Pacific (NW86)

Rock N' Roast Orientation BBQ*

9pm - 11pm

Sidney-Pacific (NW86)

S-P Movie Screening*

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Wednesday, September 2

Time

Location

Events

10am - 5pm

Lobby 10

Information Booth

Visit our Information Booth to pick up your goodie bag! Also purchase tickets to GSC Orientation events.

11am & 1:30pm

Departing from Lobby 10

Campus Walking Tour*

12pm - 2pm
Morss Hall, Walker Memorial (50)

International Students Lunch!*

Co-sponsored by the GSC and the ISO.

2pm - 3:30pm Z-center Athletics Gateway

3pm - 5pm

20 Chimneys, W20

Coffee Hour for Spouses and Partners of Graduate Students*+

Co-sponsored by the GSC and Spouses & Partners @ MIT.

5pm - 7pm

10-500

Welcome Reception Under the Dome!

Explore the inside of MIT's great dome while enjoying food and refreshments. $4/ticket. Bring valid IDs. Co-sponsored by GSC and MIT Libraries.

7pm - 9pm

Departs from Sidney-Pacific (NW86) at 7:00pm or 77 Massachusetts Avenue at 7:15pm

Prudential Skywalk & Ice Cream!*+

See Boston from the top of the Prudential Center while enjoying something sweet. $3/ticket and bring extra money for the ice cream.

8pm - 10pm

Muddy Charles Pub

Free Wings Night*

Every Wednesday during the year, come to the Muddy Charles Pub for free chicken wings and cheap drinks. 21+ only. Bring valid ID.

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Thursday, September 3

Time

Location

Events

12pm - 1pm

Kresge Auditorium

Graduate Welcome Address

The official address to welcome incoming graduate students to MIT. President Susan Hockfield and Nobel Laureates Professor Philip Sharp and Professor Frank Wilczek will speak. Pick up tickets for the Graduate Welcome Lunch at this event.

12pm - 1pm

Kresge Oval

Spouses/Partners/Families Welcome Area*+

Social event for students' families while students participate in the Welcome Address

1pm - 2:30pm

Kresge Oval

Graduate Welcome Lunch*+

Lunch provided for audience of Graduate Welcome Address only.  Ticketed event.

12pm - 2pm

Kresge Oval

Meet the Chaplains*+

MIT's Chaplains coordinate religious programming and offer spiritual support to any students who seek it. They will be serving a free PB&J lunch on the Chapel lawn from noon to 1 pm, and welcoming you to pick a duck out of the Chapel moat to win a prize from 1 pm to 2 pm.

6pm - 9pm

Morss Hall, Walker Memorial (50)

Welcome Banquet*

Enjoy a fabulous feast complete with drinks and music in Walker Memorial. Brought to you by TechLink and GSC. Read More

8pm - 12am

Thirsty Ear Pub

Karaoke Night*

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Friday, September 4

Time

Location

Events

9am - 1pm

4-270

School of Engineering TA Workshop

Know the dos, don'ts, and maybes of being a teaching assistant at MIT.

9:30am - 2pm

Departs from Sidney Pacific (NW86)

Apple-Picking Trip*+!

An amazing outing to Belkin Family Lookout Farm where you'll find a variety of apples, pears, peaches, and berries in a beautiful New England setting. $3/ticket. Food picked at the farm will be $2.50/lb.

1:30pm - 4:30pm

Kresge Oval

Health, Wellness and Community Fair*+

Get information about health and support groups on campus.

4pm - 6pm Bush Room (10-105)

Lemelson-MIT Program Reception

The Lemelson-MIT Awards honor both established and rising inventors for their ingenuity, creativity, and contribution to invention and innovation. The awards recognize the profound impact that inventors can have on economic and social well-being. Come to the Lemelson-MIT Orientation Reception to learn more about the program, the awards and prizes, and to meet with past winners and finalists. Beverages and chocolate desserts will be served. Open to new grad students and current grad students who are interested in the program. Bring a valid ID.

4pm - 6:30pm

Johnson Athletics Center

Activities Midway

If you like to knit, fight medieval-style or just hack for fun, and you like to do it in groups, this is your thing.

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Morss Hall, Walker Memorial (50)

Introduction to Graduate Student Council & 1st General Council Meeting (GCM)

Learn about the Graduate Student Council's various committees and activities and observe the first meeting of the 2009-2010 academic year. Come see if you might be interested in participating in the student government while at MIT graduate school!

9pm - 1am

Sidney-Pacific (NW86)

"Summer Breeze" Dance Party

Dress to impress. Don't forget to bring valid photo IDs. Snacks and refreshments are provided while you party away. 21+ only.

Please note: this event was formerly advertised as "Return to Lythion" Dance Party.

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Saturday, September 5

Time

Location

Events

2pm - 5pm
Courtyard, Westgate (W85)
Westgate Welcome Party*+

Come to meet your fellow graduate students and enjoy the relaxed Saturday afternoon. Light music and food will be provided.

3pm - 9pm

Johnson Athletics Center (W34)

Orientation Olympics*+

The olympics is chock full of sports and fun for all graduate students. Participants will be teamed up to battle in a variety of activities.

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Sunday, September 6

Time

Location

Events

12pm - 2pm

Sidney-Pacific (NW86)

Sidney-Pacific Brunch*+

5:00pm - 9:30pm

168 Seaport Blvd, Boston (World Trade Center T Station on the Silver
Line)

Boston Harbor Cruise Party!*

Enjoy a breezy fall evening around Boston Harbor with your new friends, a live band, the moon, and the stars. Dress to impress. Bring valid IDs. No food will be served on board. $10/MIT student and $12/guest.

Ticketholders, please meet at 5 pm in front of the MIT COOP (outside the Kendall/MIT T stop).  The event organizers will meet you there and take you to the pier.

The boarding will be at 5:45 PM and the event is scheduled from 6 to 9:30PM
.

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Monday, September 7

Time

Location

Events

1pm - 4pm

Departs Kendall T Station

Freedom Trail Walking Tour!*+

Get to know Boston's rich history as a colonial tour guide takes you to many landmarks that dot the city. $4/ticket.

8pm - 10pm

Ashdown House (NW35)

Seven Deserts Dessert Night*

8pm - 12am

Muddy Charles Pub

Students' Welcome Night*

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Tuesday, September 8

Time

Location

Events

6pm - 8pm

Rainbow Lounge (50-005)

LBGT Welcome*

An official welcome by one of the five MIT Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgenders student groups.

8pm onward

Departs from Thirsty Ear Pub

Cambridge Pub Crawl*

Become familiar with Boston nightlife as you sample soem of Boston's best pubs. Remember to bring a valid ID (U.S driver's license or passport.) Be sure to arrive at the Thirsty Ear no later than 8:15pm, when we head to the next stop.

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Wednesday, September 9

Time

Location

Events

3pm - 5pm

Bush Room (10-105)

Ice Cream Social for International Graduate Student Spouses*

4pm - 6pm

W20-429

Student Art Association Open House*

8pm - 10pm

Muddy Charles Pub

Free Wings Night*

Every Wednesday during the year, come to the Muddy Charles Pub for free chicken wings and cheap drinks. 21+ only. Bring valid ID.

9pm - 10am

Sidney-Pacific (NW86)

Sidney-Pacific Special Coffee Hour*

Enjoy some snacks and refreshments during a special coffee hour meant to welcome you to MIT!

[return to calendar]


Thursday, September 10

Time

Location

Events

1:15pm - 2:30pm

W11

Free Conversational English Class*

5pm - 6pm 4-145

Technology and Culture Forum Discussion

"What matters to me and why - a personal look at ethical issues": Four scholars explain why they care deeply about a particular issue, followed by open conversation about the responsibilities of engineers and scientists to society. Discover how Technology and Culture Forum will address these issues in the year ahead and how to get involved. Hors d'oeuvres will be served.

6pm - 8pm

La Sala (W20)

International Mentorship Dinner

6pm onward

Departs from Rainbow Lounge (50-005)

LBGT Orientation Dinner

9pm - 10pm

Ashdown House (NW35)

Ashdown Special Coffee Hour*

Enjoy some snacks and refreshments during a special coffee hour meant to welcome you to MIT!

[return to calendar]


Friday, September 11

Time

Location

Events

7pm - 10pm

Bush Room (10-105)

Diversity Social Hour*

Chat with your fellow incoming and current students about life as a graduate student on campus over snacks and beverages.

9pm - 1am

Edgerton House (NW10)

Edgerton Strobe Light Party*

MIT's Doc Edgerton was known for "stopping time" with his amazing strobe photography.  We're celebrating his achievements using the strobelight in his honor.  Come eager to explore the cash bar, music, snacks, and visuals. Bring valid IDs.

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Saturday, September 12

Time

Location

Events

8:30am - 9am

W20 Lobby

Graduate Student Volunteer Day (GSVD) Breakfast & Introduction*

9am - 2pm

Various Locations

GSVD*

Help out the local community by participating in this volunteer event. If possible, please sign up online to let us know of your enthusiasm!

3pm - 5pm

Kresge Pits

GSVD Appreciation BBQ*

9pm - 1am

Ashdown House (NW35)

Ashdown Dance Party*

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Sunday, September 13

Time

Location

Events

7:30am - 10pm

Departs from Ashdown House (NW35)

Hiking Trip to White Mountains!*

We will be taking two buses up to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. One bus will be going to the popular Franconia Notch region, while another will be heading to the Sandwich Range mountains on the southern fringe of the Whites. Each bus will be split into six hiking groups of approximately eight people. We will split people into groups depending on ability - whether you're new to hiking, or a complete expert, we'll have a trip for you.

3pm - 7pm
Tang Hall (W84)
Wii Olympics Event*

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Monday, September 14

Time

Location

Events

8pm - 12am

Muddy Charles Pub

Muddy Monday (Cultural Night)*

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Tuesday, September 15

Time

Location

Events

4pm - 6pm

Lower Atrium, List Visual Arts Center (E15)

Grad Arts Explosion*

Mix and mingle with graduate students from across the institute while learning about the broad range of arts offerings at MIT.

Formal program begins at 4:30.

Then go upstairs and see the amazing selection of artworks from the Student Loan Art Collection you can borrow for your living space, if you are one of the lucky 400 to win the lottery!

5pm - 7pm

Upper Atrium & Gallery, List Visual Arts Center (E15)

Reception for Student Loan Art Program Exhibition & Lottery*

6pm - 9pm

Departs from Lobby 7

Explore Boston*

Attend a jazz/salsa event at Ryle's, a popular hotspot in Inman Square.

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Wednesday, September 16

Time

Location

Events

8pm - 10pm

Muddy Charles Pub

Free Wings Night*

Every Wednesday during the year, come to the Muddy Charles Pub for free chicken wings and cheap drinks. 21+ only. Bring valid ID.

[return to calendar]


Thursday, September 17

Time

Location

Events

1:15pm - 2:30pm

W11

Free Conversational English Class*

6pm - 9pm Departs from Lobby 7

Explore Boston*

Go on a student-led Newbury St. shopping tour!

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Sunday, September 20

Time

Location

Events

12pm - 3pm

Eastgate BBQ Lawn

Eastgate Orientation BBQ*

6pm - 9pm Depart from Lobby 7

Explore Boston*

Attend a dinner and concert in Boston.

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Sunday, September 22

Time

Location

Events

7:30pm - 9pm

W11

From Womb to Tomb: Cultural and Religious Practices of Life Cycle Events among World Religions*

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Thursday, September 24

Time

Location

Events

4:30pm - 6:30pm Brown Living Room, McCormick Hall

Grad Women's Welcome Reception

For more information contact ypatta@mit.edu

9pm - 2am

Tequila Rain, Boston

BU-MIT Joint University Party*

The first ever BU-MIT Orientation Party, the hottest party in town. Come meet graduate students from the BU community. This event is likely to reach capacity so please come early. For information, email bu@mit.edu

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