Onboarding Resources
Onboarding Resources

Orientation Schedule 2024

🌱 = Student-led activity
📌= Mandatory session
🌻= Connect, Chat or Relax

WELCOME to the NICHOLAS SCHOOL OF THE ENVIRONMENT!
9 Circuit Dr., Durham, NC

MONDAY, AUGUST 19

Academic Exploration & Meet Your Faculty/Peers

9:00 – 9:45 AM: Check-in and Breakfast (Grainger Hall & Hug Commons, LSRC)
  • Breakfast: Grab a light breakfast on the first floor of Grainger Hall. View breakfast menu on Monday. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
  • Check-in: From the first floor of Grainger Hall, walk across the breezeway to Hug Commons, LSRC, to check-in. Each new student will be given their sustainable name tag, a T-shirt, dining card, and tote bag (made from recycled cotton). 
  • Between 9:40–9:45 AM, students should transition to the LSRC Courtyard.
9:45 – 10:05 AM: Class of 2026 Group Photo (LSRC Courtyard)
  • Students will gather in the LSRC Courtyard for a group photo. The LSRC Courtyard is located just outside of Hug Commons (i.e., near the Check-in area).
10:05 – 10:30 AM: Meet your Orientation Champions🌱 (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
  • Meet your Orientation student volunteers affectionately known as Orientation Champions
  • Anisah Zarif, Energy and Environment & Business and Environment
  • Aishwarya Patankar, Energy and Environment & Business and Environment
  • Brian Mulu, Environmental Analytics and Modeling & Energy and Environment
  • Chelsea Nielsen, Environmental Economics and Policy & JD at Duke Law
  • Emily Siegel, Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments & Environmental Economics and Policy
  • Katie Maxwell, Environmental Economics and Policy & Energy and Environment
  • Lizzie Olson, Energy and Environment & Business and Environment
  • Nicholas Sommer, Energy and Environment & Business and Environment & MBA at Fuqua School of Business
  • Vinny Whatley, Environmental Analytics and Modeling & Energy and Environment
10:30 – 11:10 AM: Dean’s Welcome & Leadership Intros (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
  • 10:30 – 10:50 AM: Dean’s Welcome: Lori Snyder Bennear, Stanback Dean, Nicholas School of the Environment, will kick-off Orientation sessions officially this week and deliver welcoming remarks to MEM, MF, and DEL-MEM students.
  • 10:50 – 11:10 AM: Professional Programs Senior Leadership Introductions: Tim Johnson and Grant Murray
11:10 AM – 12:00 PM: Community, Culture & Belonging (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
  • Hear from the dean of community, culture, and belonging at the Nicholas School.
  • Facilitators: Nicki Cagle and Tessa Jackson
12:00 – 12:50 PM: Community Lunch (Orchard, Grainger Hall)
  • Join the Nicholas School community for a buffet lunch. View lunch menu on Monday. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
12:50 – 1:00 PM: Transition
  • Transition to afternoon sessions. After lunch, students will attend their Concentration sessions.
  • All students are expected to attend their Concentration Group Advising meetings.
  • Discussions will center on general course planning, program happenings and degree requirements. Students can move between sessions if they wish. Should your group academic advising session end early, feel free to hang out in the Reading Room, 2nd Floor, Grainger Hall, which will be outfitted with games, snacks, and other fun things to Connect, Chat or Relax.
1:00 – 2:00 PM: Environment Concentrations Group Academic Advising📌
2:00 – 2:10 PM: Break
  • Take a quick break. Then, go directly to your Management Concentration Session.
2:10 – 3:10 PM: Management Concentrations Group Academic Advising📌
  • Attendance is required. Locations noted below.
  • Business and Environment (BE). Professors Jesko von Windheim, Holly Emerson, & Shannon Parker
    • (Location: Field Auditorium, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Community Engagement and Environmental Justice (CEEJ). Professor Ryan Emanuel
    • (Location: Art Gallery, Second Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Environmental Analytics and Modeling (EAM). Professor Luana Lima
    • (Location: A155, First Floor, A-Wing, LSRC)
  • Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP). Betsy Albright, Jeff Vincent, and Martin Smith
    • (Location: Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
3:15 – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Happenings🌱📌🌻
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
  • Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
  • Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
  • Building Tours:🌱 Take a tour of Grainger Hall and LSRC. Start times are as follows: 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Meet tour guides outside in the Orchard, first floor, Grainger Hall.
  • Connect, Chat or Relax:🌻 Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. For this week only, we have outfitted the room with snacks, give-a-ways, meditation pillows, arts & crafts and the like. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to connect, chat or relax.
  • HR Office Hours (3:10-4:00 PM):📌Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office, at least once this week, to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Location: Suite 5110, 5th Floor, Grainger Hall

3:30 – 5:00 PM: Forestry and Coastal Group Academic Advising Meetings📌
  • Master of Forestry Group Academic Advising (3:30–4:30 PM)
    • Group academic advising for students enrolling in the Master of Forestry degree program (MF only and dual MEM/MF students). Facilitated by Professor Jeff Vincent
      • (Location: 1111, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Coastal and Marine Systems Small Group Advising Meetings (3:30–5:00 PM)
    • CaMS faculty will conduct small group advising meetings with new students. Students must sign up for an advising meeting on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. Check your Duke email by mid-August.
    • Facilitators: Grant Murray, Pat Halpin, and Kathleen Dunn
      • (Location: A247, Second Floor, A-Wing, LSRC)

4:30 – 5:00 PM: Assistantship Q&A (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • Cindy Peters, Student Services, will be available to answer any lingering questions from students awarded an assistantship. Attendance is optional. Stop by to get your questions answered. There will be no presentation. This time is dedicated to Q&A only.
4:30 – 5:30 PM: Social Hour: Relax and Unwind (Orchard, Grainger Hall)
  • Relax and unwind, casual atmosphere. Light refreshments and beverages.
  • The Orientation Champions will lead a ‘People Bingo’ activity during the Social Hour. 🌱

TUESDAY, AUGUST 20

Interdisciplinary Opportunities

8:30 AM: Morning Happenings
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
  • Advising (8:30-9:30 AM): Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
  • HR Office Hours (9:00 AM–1:00 PM):📌Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office, at least once this week, to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Location: Suite 5110, 5th Floor, Grainger Hall
8:45 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast (Orchard, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Grab a light breakfast before the first morning session. View breakfast menu on Tuesday. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
9:30 AM – 11:45 AM: Being a Nic School Student (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)📌
11:45 AM: Grab & Go Lunch (Orchard, First Floor, Grainger Hall)
  • Lunch for new students. View lunch menu on Tuesday. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
12:30 – 1:30 PM: Interdisciplinary Sessions (Locations noted below)
  • At Duke, you will have an opportunity to engage in several areas of interdisciplinary exploration. Now is your opportunity to begin exploring some of these opportunities.
  • The following sessions are occurring concurrently. View the format of the Interdisciplinary Sessions. Although there is a specific format, students are allowed to come and go as they please. If you miss a session you wanted to attend, most presenters will be back on Wednesday for the Explore and Engage Fair.
  • Bass Connections: Laura Howes (A156, LSRC)
  • Communications Studio: Kerry Ossi-Lupo (A155, LSRC)
  • Environmental Law and Policy Clinic: Michelle Nowlin and Ryke Longest (1111, Grainger Hall)
  • Fuqua School of Business, Dual Degree & EDGE Center: Katie Kross (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate: Abby Grubbs (2102, Grainger Hall)
  • Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability: Bryan Koen (1101, Grainger Hall)
  • Stanback Fellowship Program: Bailee Starnes (A148, LSRC)
1:30 PM: Break
  • Take a quick break before the next group of presentations start.
1:45 – 2:10 PM: Geospatial Analysis Courses & Certificate (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • Professors Pat Halpin and Peter Cada will give an overview of geospatial analysis courses and certificate requirements.
  • Permission Numbers: Immediately following this presentation, permission numbers for ENVIRON 559 will be distributed in Hug Commons, First Floor, LSRC, until 3:00 PM. If you are unable to stop by during this time, email the instructors Professors Pat Halpin and Peter Cada directly and be sure to include the lab section that you want to enroll in. Permission numbers are tied to the lab sections.
2:15 – 2:45 PM: Study Away Opportunities (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • All students, regardless of their concentration, have an opportunity to study at the Marine Lab (Beaufort, NC) and Duke Kunshan University (China) in their second year. Stop by during this time to learn about these opportunities.
  • Study Away at the Duke Marine Lab located in Beaufort, NC: Grant Murray and Kathleen Dunn
  • Study Abroad at Duke Kunshan University located in China: Jackson Ewing and Marcia Crippen
2:45 – 3:15 PM: All About the Incoming Class (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • Participate in this interactive session to learn about the incoming class. Identify commonalities and shared interests among your peers and get to know each other through a small group activity. Win prizes!
  • Facilitators: Professional Programs and Administration Team, Student Services and Environment+ Team
3:15 – 5:00 PM: Coastal Advising Meetings (A247, Second Floor, LSRC)📌
  • Coastal and Marine Systems Small Group Advising Meetings
  • CaMS faculty will conduct small group advising meetings with new students. Students must sign up for an advising meeting during this block. Check your Duke email by mid-August.
  • Facilitators: Grant Murray, Pat Halpin, and Kathleen Dunn
    • (Location: A247, Second Floor, A-Wing, LSRC)
3:15 – 5:00 PM: Afternoon Happenings🌱🌻
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
  • Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
  • Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
  • Building Tours: 🌱Take a tour of Grainger Hall and LSRC. Start times are as follows: 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:00 PM. Meet tour guides outside in the Orchard, first floor, Grainger Hall.
  • Connect, Chat or Relax: 🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. For this week only, we have outfitted the room with snacks, give-a-ways, meditation pillows, arts & crafts and the like. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to connect, chat or relax.
6:00 – 7:30 PM: Sunset Arts and Crafts🌱 (Rooftop, Grainger Hall)
  • Join the Orientation Champions for arts and crafts on the Grainger Hall rooftop. Light refreshments will be provided.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21

Exploring Academic & Social Resources

7:00 – 10:00 AM: Morning Happenings🌻📌
  • 7:00 AM: Tier Two Course Registration Begins: 📌All students can enroll in up to 16.5 credits in DukeHub. Course registration and advising resources are available in Duke Box.
  • Keep in Mind: Before coming to campus, please eat breakfast. Breakfast/coffee service will not be provided on Wednesday morning.
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
    • Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
    • Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
    • Connect, Chat or Relax: 🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. For this week only, we have outfitted the room with snacks, give-a-ways, meditation pillows, arts & crafts and the like. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to connect, chat or relax.
    • HR Office Hours (9:00 AM-1:00 PM): 📌Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office, at least once this week, to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Location: Suite 5110, 5th Floor, Grainger Hall
10:00 – 11:00 AM: Peer-to-Peer Student Panel🌱 (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
  • The Orientation Champions have reserved this time to share their tips and advice on life in Durham, student organizations, wellness activities, social spaces and more. Stop by during this time to hear from your peers.
11:00 – 11:15 AM: Break
  • Take a quick break before the Honor Code Orientation.
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Honor Code Orientation, Mandatory (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)📌
  • All incoming students must attend the Honor Code Orientation.
  • Presenters: Professors Grant Murray and Tim Johnson
  • After the Honor Code Orientation, all students must submit the Honor Code Statement by Friday, August 23. Do not submit the Honor Code Statement prior to the Honor Code Orientation. Early submissions will not be accepted. Blocks will be placed in DukeHub for students who do not submit the Honor Code Statement prior to the start of classes on Monday, August 26.
12:15 –1:00 PM: Grab & Go Lunch w/ LocoPops (Orchard, Grainger Hall)
  • Lunch for incoming students. Grab lunch and a LocoPop on the first floor of Grainger Hall. View lunch menu on Wednesday. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
1:00 – 2:00 PM: Create the Career You Want (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)📌
  • Do you want a great job after graduation? Do you want to learn how to prepare? The Nicholas School’s Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) is here to partner with you to make your professional goals a reality! In this interactive presentation, we will offer tools and steps to make consistent investments in career development while in graduate school. We encourage you to take advantage of the many career-related resources Duke has to offer.
  • Career Team: Allison Besch, Courtney Sullivan, and Bailee Starnes
2:00 – 2:15 PM: Office of Development and Alumni Affairs (Love Auditorium, B101, LSRC)
2:15 – 3:30 PM: Explore & Engage Fair (Hug Commons, LSRC)
3:30 – 4:15 PM: Afternoon Happenings🌻
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
    • Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
    • Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
    • Connect, Chat or Relax:🌻 Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. For this week only, we have outfitted the room with snacks, give-a-ways, meditation pillows, arts & crafts and the like. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to connect, chat or relax.
4:30 – 6:00 PM: Graduate and Professional Students Welcome Reception (Washington Duke Inn)
  • Duke’s reception to welcome all new graduate and professional school students. The reception will be held in the President’s Ballroom, Washington Duke Inn. Sponsored by the Office of the University President. Register in advance to attend. Check your Duke email, for a message from dukeceremonies@duke.edu, for the RSVP link. Parking details will be provided to those who RSVP.
  • Light refreshments will be provided at this event.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 22

Making Connections

Optional activities occurring on this day. Join in the activities that are of interest to you.

8:30 – 11:00 AM: Morning Happenings📌🌻
  • Keep in Mind: Before coming to campus, please eat breakfast. Breakfast/coffee service will not be provided on Thursday morning.
  • The following activities are occurring concurrently. Students can move between these activities.
  • Advising: Students should schedule time to meet with their advisor during this time.
  • Assistantship Interviews: Students who were awarded an assistantship should use this time to participate in assistantship interviews.
  • Connect, Chat or Relax: 🌻Stop by the Reading Room on the second floor of Grainger Hall. For this week only, we have outfitted the room with snacks, give-a-ways, meditation pillows, arts & crafts and the like. Feel free to stop at any time during the week to connect, chat or relax.
  • HR Office Hours (9:00 AM-4:00 PM):📌Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office, at least once this week, to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied. Other times are available throughout the week. Location: Suite 5110, 5th Floor, Grainger Hall
9:00 – 10:30 AM: West Campus Tours🌱
  • Take a guided walking tour of West Campus. Plan to Attend? Sign-up Here!
  • Please try to arrive 10 minutes early if you can.
  • Location: Meet tour guides in Hug Commons, LSRC
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Making Connections: Multiple Small Group Activities🌱
Mid-day: Grab Lunch on Campus
  • Grab lunch on campus. Students will receive a Duke dining card at check-in on Monday. Duke dining cards are accepted at the Brodhead Center and other on-campus eateries. To help us reduce waste, please bring reusable water bottles, cups, and flatware if you have them.
1:30 – 2:30 PM: International Student Mixer🌱 (Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • NSOE is excited to invite students to this start-of-the-year event as a chance to connect with your peers and welcome the new semester together. Before the Mixer, there will be a presentation and icebreaker activity that gives an overview of important topics and resources, advice on how to acclimate to campus life and culture, and much more. All students are welcome to attend. You do not need to be an international student. However, this event is highly recommended for international students.
  • Facilitators: Orientation Champions and the NSOE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office
3:00 – 4:00 PM: Afternoon Happenings
  • The following sessions will start at 3:00 PM and occur concurrently. Students will have an opportunity to attend only one.
  • Master of Forestry Info Session: Learn more about the Master of Forestry degree program. Session will be led by Professor Jeff Vincent.
    • (Location: Field Auditorium, Grainger Hall)
  • Library Tour: Take a tour of Bostock and Perkins Libraries, West Campus. Learn about the suite of library resources you’ll have access to while at Duke. Register in advance. Facilitators: Jenna Strawbridge and Jodi Psoter
    • (Location: Meet librarians at the walkway outside of Perkins and Bostock libraries)
  • Master of Business Administration Info Session: Are you considering the MEM/MBA or MF/MBA dual degree? Duke’s Fuqua School of Business is one of the world’s best business schools, preparing students to excel in global leadership careers. Read session overview to learn more information. Register in advance. This session will be facilitated by Sharon Thompson.
    • (Location: Fourth Floor Conference Room, Fuqua School of Business, West Campus)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

Prepare for the Start of the Semester

Take the day off and enjoy your weekend! Classes start on Monday, August 26 at 8:30 AM.

Most NSOE staff, administration, and faculty will be away from their offices for the afternoon starting around 12:30 PM for a School faculty and staff plenary. Please plan accordingly.

Students with assistantships must stop by the Human Resources Office, at least once this week, to complete the payroll process and have their documents photocopied📌Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Location: Suite 5110, 5th Floor, Grainger Hall