Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Graduate Student Orientation expands outreach, content

Though fall semester may still seem far away, graduate students entering BGSU have already become part of the University community, thanks to the new orientation program begun this spring. A welcome email in April was just the beginning of a series of communications and support from campus sources.

Graduate Student Orientation (GSO) replaces GradSTEP and reflects a change in approach. Building on the tradition of GradSTEP, GSO provides information and professional development to all incoming graduate students and trains graduate students who will be receiving teaching, research and administrative assistantships.

“The program represents a shift in focus both in terms of timing and delivery of information,” said Dr. Lisa Chavers, assistant dean of the Graduate College and director of Project Search.

The April-August monthly email messages contain information about the campus and programs, community resources and links, guidance for completing requirements before coming to campus, and discipline-specific content.

When graduate students arrive on campus, they will participate in an information-rich, streamlined program beginning Aug. 16. Professional development opportunities for
all graduate students will continue throughout the year.

A collaborative effort, GSO is directed by the Graduate College and is supported by academic departments, Student Affairs, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Career Center, Humanities Troupe, faculty, staff and other graduate students, the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and area businesses.

“The Graduate Student Orientation program takes an expanded approach to helping graduate students take their scholarship to the next level,” Chavers said.

BGSU in the news Nontraditional students have many options - Mansfield News Journal Messer-Kruse discusses history of Champion in Toledo - The Blade

'Idol'-atry

Freshman art major Jacob Parr of Millbury and Dr. Katherine Meizel, ethnomusicology, attend the Crystal Bowersox concert May 14 at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. Meizel is wearing a T-shirt Parr designed for Bowersox’s friends and family.

Zoom News is provided as a service to BGSU faculty and staff.