Graduate Symposium &
Graduation Dinner

Friday, April 18, 2008
6:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Community Room of
the Christopher Center Library

For more information, visit
the Symposium website.

Graduate Student Orientation


To increase your chance of successful graduate study, the Office of Graduate Studies conducts a special orientation for new graduate students. Mark your calendar for Monday, August 25th. The Graduate Student Orientation will take place in the Community Room of the Christopher Center Library from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm.

This orientation includes distribution of relevant University and Graduate Division publications and will help you make a smooth transition to graduate study by ensuring that you have all the necessary tools (student ID, library access, computer account, email, application for candidacy, etc.). Included is a dinner where you will have the opportunity to meet and greet faculty and other students in your program.

IMPORTANT: All new graduate students including those who have completed undergraduate study at VU must attend this orientation. As a first time graduate student at VU you will need to confirm your registration at this session to remain enrolled in your fall coursework. Confirmation after this date results in a $40 late fee.

Please RSVP your attendance with the Office of Graduate Studies & Continuing Education by Thursday, August 21, 2008 at 219.464.5313, toll free at 1.800.821 .7685 or email us at Graduate.Studies@valpo.edu.

For more information about resources to help you with your transition to VU, please check out the following website: Graduate Studies Student Resources. For a listing of housing options in Valparaiso, click here to view our housing listing.


Spring 2008 Graduate Student Orientation Itinerary
Date Monday, August 25, 2008
Time 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Location Community Room of the Christopher Center Library
RSVP by Thursday, August 21, 2008
Itinerary of Sessions 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm: Obtaining your Student Photo ID & Parking Stickers
(For students who do not currently have a VU student ID card or who need a parking sticker).

Pictures will be taken for student ID cards. You will receive your ID card before leaving orientation.

PLEASE NOTE: Parking stickers may be obtained at the VU Police Department anytime during the first week of classes. They are open 24 hours a day for your convenience. You will be required to have your vehicle registration with you, and the cost of the sticker will be $90 for the entire year. It is advisable to have this done before attending orientation.

5:00 pm – 6:15 pm: Welcome and VU Policies and Services
This session advises you about various policies and procedures important for successful graduate study. It informs you of your rights and responsibilities as a graduate student at VU, and tells you where and how to resolve problems. In addition, opportunities for enhanced professional success and personal enrichment are covered. Important University publications and resource directories will be distributed during this session.

6:15 pm – 7:15 pm: Dinner with faculty and students
During this session you will complete your application for candidacy (for MALS, ICP and SA students only).You will also meet faculty and fellow students in your program over dinner. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, network with other students, and exchange phone numbers and addresses.

In addition to the required general Graduate Division orientation, those students accepted into the following degree programs should note that each specific program has an additional required orientation (which will take place during dinner). Non-degree students preparing for a degree program may join their respective program orientations. Other non-degree students will lunch with Graduate Office staff.
  1. Nursing
  2. Education
  3. MALS/English Studies & Communication
  4. Sports Administration
  5. Community Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  6. International Commerce & Policy
7:15 pm – 8:30 pm: Introduction to Library and Computer Services
During this session, you are provided with hands-on experience regarding the learning and information resources available through the library, particularly those relevant to graduate study. In addition, using your VU username and password (provided at the session), you will log onto the computer network system and briefly learn about how to access software such as Word and Excel, to use your email account, access the web and to use DataVU and Course VU.