Welcome to the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University!

 

 

As a part of the Orientation Committee, we are interested in making your transition into graduate school and relocation to the East Lansing area as enjoyable as possible.  The Committee members are students from many areas in chemistry and are in various stage of the graduate program.  Because getting to know people in the department is an important aspect of orientation week, we have planned several opportunities to meet and interact with other graduate students, faculty, and staff.

 

Sunday begins orientation week with a pizza party for incoming graduate students only, giving you a chance to meet the orientation committee and the other incoming students.  Also, this will allow you to familiarize yourself with the Chemistry building and on-campus parking before the placement exams on Monday morning.

 

On Monday following the placement exams, you will have a chance to meet members of the Orientation Committee and get a tour of the building.  We will be available to answer any questions and assist you in acquiring building keys, parking passes, student ID’s and any other campus errands you may need help with.  The lunch break gives you another opportunity to get to know your fellow classmates and the orientation committee.  We will be organizing groups to go to local restaurants (you will be responsible for your own meal), or if you would rather bring a lunch there will be a group that will stay at the chemistry building.

 

Tuesday is designed to answer many of the questions you might have about the program requirements and give you an opportunity to learn about the facilities, groups, and benefits associated with being a graduate student in Chemistry.  Also on Tuesday, yearly department photos will be taken for display in the main office and on the department website.  Again, we will be organizing groups for lunch.

 

On Wednesday morning the Younger Chemists Committee is sponsoring a welcome breakfast.  This will be an opportunity to meet other graduate students and become acclimated with one of the departments’ clubs.  The majority of the day on Wednesday is devoted to advising appointments and course enrollment.  Since each student will have an individual advising appointment with a faculty member in the corresponding area, there will be no group sessions.  Wednesday will be a good day to complete personal errands (i.e. getting a student ID, financial aid) or exploring campus and the local area.   On Wednesday evening, we have organized a social night, with some support from the Younger Chemists Committee.  This event will be your best opportunity to meet some of the current faculty, along with other grad students in a relaxed atmosphere.  This is a great opportunity to speak with other faculty and graduate students about why types of research are going on in our various areas.

 

On Thursday, you will receive your teaching assignment as well as some general guidelines for teaching.  There will also be a chance to meet with former and current TAs to prepare you for your specific course.   

 

The formal portion of the week will wrap up on Friday morning with safety training.  In the evening on Friday the orientation committee will be hosting a wine and cheese night at the chemistry building.  This will be a way to celebrate the end of the orientation process with the members of the orientation committee.

 

 The finale of orientation week will be a picnic at Nancy Moore Park in Okemos on Saturday afternoon.  This picnic is an annual event that is well attended by faculty, current graduate students, and their families.  The afternoon will include food and beverages, fun and games, and a raffle of prizes from local businesses.  Raffle tickets will be available throughout the week from Orientation Committee members.

 

Please feel free to contact either of us if you have any questions regarding orientation week.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Cassie Fhaner                                                                Larry Morris

Orientation Committee Co-Chair                                    Orientation Committee Co-Chair                   

patte368@chemistry.msu.edu                                         morri425@chemistry.msu.edu