Graduate Student Orientation

The staff of GSO and the BGSU Graduate College are happy to have this opportunity to extend a warm welcome to you. Your first few weeks in Bowling Green are going to be busy and exciting as you get settled in. GSO week is designed to help make this transition as smooth as possible whether you are just beginning your graduate degree, returning to college, or coming to BGSU as one our international students. No matter what your current level of education we believe that you will find our program very helpful to you as you prepare to take the next step in pursuing your educational goals.

Students receiving an assistantship will need to bring two forms of identification for personnel purposes. Recommended IDs are a current passport OR a valid drivers license AND an original social security card or original birth certificate. Photocopies will not be accepted!

1st DEPARTMENTAL MEETING

Most departments will have their first meeting with incoming students on Monday, August 19 at 7:30 a.m.  After June 1st you will be able to check your Departmental Programming to check when and where your department's first meeting is scheduled.  Please note that some departments may require their students to be on campus prior to GSO week to attend training so please review your departmental programming schedule carefully.  These meetings are not optional.

OPENING SESSION - All graduate students with a first-time assistantship must attend

Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 8:30-9:00 a.m. in Lenhart Grand Ballroom at Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

UNIVERSITY MANDATED SESSIONS

There are two online training modules that all participants must complete: "Preventing Workplace Harassment" and "Preventing Employment Discrimination" . Additionally, research assistants and graduate students from some departments must complete RCR training. These online modules are easily accessible from any home or campus computer and should be completed prior to the start of orientation week.  See the Mandatory Training page for complete details.

DEPARTMENTAL PROGRAMMING

August 19, 22, and 23, 2013. Contact your Development Leader if you have not received information about your Department's schedule by July 1st.

GRADUATE STUDENT SENATE (GSS) GRAD BASH

Tuesday, August 20, 2013, from 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in Lenhart Grand Ballroom at Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All international students (including students from Canada) are required to arrive a few days earlier in August for the International Graduate Student Orientation which will take place the week before the orientation week. 

If you have any questions for us during GSO, the staff will be available in 121 Olscamp Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Wednesday.  After Wednesday, you can contact our GSO Staff at 419-372-2824 or by email at gso@bgsu.edu.