ePack #6

Topics Featured: Assistantships, Connect & Chat, International Students, Orientation, and Summer
Check-in

Welcome to the sixth summer ePack!
Orientation begins on Monday, August 18, and we are excited to welcome you to campus as you start
your graduate career. Exciting times are ahead!

Tier One course registration continues through August 20 at 6:59 AM (ET). Then, Tier Two course
registration starts on August 20 at 7:00 AM (ET). During Tier Two registration, you can enroll in up to 16.5 credits. For more details, check out the registration guides for new students.

Summer exam testing continues in Canvas through Friday, August 8. The second testing window for the
diagnostic exams occurs August 15-19. If you are eligible to test, no sign-up is necessary.

If you missed one of the earlier ePacks or want to view it again, ePacks are posted on the Onboarding Resources site after distribution.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!

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ORIENTATION

Orientation is one of our favorite times of the year, and it is our opportunity to welcome you to the Nicholas School of the Environment and the Duke University communities. While important, academic sessions and course registration matters are just a part of the Orientation experience for new students. Orientation also allows students to build community within the first-year cohort, connect with returning students, and establish relationships with faculty advisors and staff administrators. As the semester unfolds, students can explore everything the university and the Nicholas School have to offer.

We expect new students to attend and participate fully in Orientation Week, Monday, August 18 – Thursday, August 21. All sessions are in person and will not be recorded.

At the beginning of Orientation Week, faculty Program Chairs will lead group academic advising meetings by Concentration. Then, students will meet with their advisor on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Academic advisors will hold individual appointments, small group advising meetings, or office hours with their advisees. Advising assignment letters will be shared by Monday, August 11 and will include the advisor’s name and contact information. Feel free to reach out to your advisor directly. CaMS students will meet with the faculty Program Chairs for advising. A link to sign up for an advising meeting is linked in the Orientation Schedule.

Schedule of Events

Preparing for the Week

• Dress comfortably and casually. The weather is likely to be hot, so plan accordingly. Stay hydrated, use sunscreen, and bring sunshades.
• You will likely move around often, so take a break when needed.
• Students must park in their designated parking space during Orientation. The school will not provide parking. Be sure to purchase a parking permit before you come to Durham, should you need one. The Parking and Transportation Office will mail you a permit in advance. The university offers many alternative transportation options to help you reduce your carbon footprint.
• To help us reduce waste, please bring a reusable water bottle and flatware if you have them. Compost, recycling, and trash bins will be available. Please dispose of waste properly.
• Always carry your Mobile DukeCard. You will need your Mobile DukeCard to access certain Duke buildings and for other purposes.
• Student Health will host an immunization event to help students meet immunization requirements; see the Orientation Schedule for details.
• The Honor Code Orientation occurs during Orientation, and participation is mandatory. Students must submit the honor code statement after this session.
• We will not be printing copies of the Orientation Schedule to save paper. Please bookmark the link to the orientation schedule.
• Share your orientation photos and have fun!
• Additional tips are linked at the top of the Orientation Schedule.

Orientation Champions

Prior to Orientation, we will divide the incoming class into small groups led by an Orientation Champion to encourage broader engagement beyond your academic and professional interests. Look out for a ‘welcome message’ over the next two weeks.

Remember, the Orientation student volunteers want to be a resource for new students and to help make your transition into graduate school as smooth as possible. We hope you will use this opportunity to build community within your cohort and with students in the second-year class.

SUMMER CHECK-IN

By now, you should have completed the following or have a plan to finish these things soon.
1.  Secure housing arrangements and touch base with your roommate (if you have one)
2. Confirm parking and identify alternative transportation options 
3. Confirm your health insurance plan
4. Submit immunization records
5. Upload official proof of completion of your undergraduate degree and prerequisites
6. Take the diagnostic exams and complete prerequisite courses
7. Upload your photo and download the mobile app for your Duke Mobile ID Card
8. Connect with your Buddy (over the next few weeks)
9. Register for classes in Tier One
10. Review tips for ‘Moving to Durham’

ASSISTANTSHIPS

Merit-based assistantships have been awarded to a select number of professional degree students during their first year of study. It is expected that students will work for eight hours a week throughout the first academic year. Recipients are encouraged to review the overview and expectations on the onboarding site and watch the following pre-recorded resources. Topics featured: how to apply for positions, expectations, the payroll process, and more.

• Overview of the Process (recording & slide deck)
• Payroll Instructions (recording & slide deck)

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All F-1 students are required to register with the Duke Visa Services Office (DVS) before the start of classes. Due to the large number of students reporting for registration and the time required to complete the registration process, the Duke Visa Services Office has created an electronic registration process. To access the F-1 E-Registration, log in with your Duke NetID and password. Questions should be sent to visahelp@duke.edu.

Entry into the U.S.: A valid visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has the power to deny entry, even to valid visa holders, for a variety of reasons that can change without notice. Students and their electronic devices may be subject to search when entering the United States. Duke can verify your enrollment at the university if a CBP agent asks. Please contact Duke Visa Services or the Dean on Call if you need to connect with someone from Duke while entering the US. After business hours, the Dean on Call can be reached 24/7 at +1-984-287-0300 to help connect you with Duke Visa Services. Between 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (ET) Monday-Friday, we recommend calling Duke Visa Services at +1-919-681-8472.

CONNECT & CHAT

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Additional sessions will be scheduled throughout the summer. Please refer to the ‘Upcoming Dates’ section and ‘Onboarding Schedule’ for updates.

• August 8: Diagnostic exams summer testing window closes
• August 14-16: Immunization Event, Student Health Center, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, Penn Pavilion, West Campus
• August 15-19: Diagnostic Exams second testing window
• August 18-21: Orientation Week!
• August 18-21: Immunization Event, Student Health Center, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM, Penn Pavilion, West Campus
• August 20: Tier One: Course Registration ends at 6:59 AM (ET)
• August 20: Tier Two: Course Registration begins at 7:00 AM (ET), enroll in up to 16.5 credits
• August 20: Fuqua course request deadline (available courses & enrollment instructions)
• August 22: Immunization Event, Student Health Center, 9:00 AM-2:00 PM, Penn Pavilion, West Campus
• August 25:  Fall classes begin at 8:30 AM (ET)

Should you have trouble accessing any of the information on the Onboarding Resources site, please contact me directly.

Welcome to the Nicholas School and Duke University communities!

Erika Lovelace-Young | MSc | Registrar and Director of Professional Programs and Administration
Office of Student Services
Nicholas School of the Environment
e.love@duke.edu