ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

Monday, September 14, 2009
9:00 am to 6:30 pm

All new international students must attend the orientation program coordinated by Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) on Monday, September 14, 2009. This orientation will provide you with important information about immigration and visa regulations as well as SISS services. The orientation program also helps acquaint international students with the educational and cultural environment at UC Davis, the town of Davis, and provide an opportunity to meet other new international students.

9:00 am to 10:00 am Welcome - Please join the staff of Services for International Students and Scholars for coffee and tea.   
1100 Social Science & Humanities Courtyard

10:00 am to 10:30 am  International Student Orientation Welcome- International students will be welcomed by various campus officials.   
1100 Social Science & Humanities

10:30 am to 12:00 pm  F-1 and J-1 Regulations

Immigration 101 – As an international student you are responsible for your F-1 or J-1 status. This workshop will provide you with an overview of U.S. immigration regulations pertaining to your student status.   
1100 Social Science & Humanities and 194 Young

Employment Overview and Options - Employment experiences can be an important part of your learning experience in the U.S.  Work authorization procedures for international students can be confusing.  This workshop will provide you with an overview of work authorizations options for F-1 and J-1 international students.   
1100 Social Science & Humanities and 194 Young

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Lunch Break and Information Fair
1100 Social Science & Humanities Courtyard
Lunch provided by Services for International Students and Scholars

1:30 pm to 2:00 pm Getting Settled in Davis. Suggestions for making Davis your second home.
1100 Social Science & Humanities

2:00 pm to 2:30 Questions and Answers about the English Examination. English requirements will be explained and instructions given for the English examinations.
1100 Social Science & Humanities

2:30 to 3:00 pm Essential Information for Living and Succeeding at Davis – Listen to various campus services provide valuable information on living in the U.S. and Davis as well as being a UC Davis student.  
1100 Social Science & Humanities

3:00 pm to 3:15 pm Break

3:15 pm to 4:00 pm Your Rights and Responsiblities at UC Davis and in the U.S.
1100 Social Science & Humanities

4:00 pm to 4:30 pm Survival Tips and Resources for Graduate and Undergraduate Students – Hear from helpful department resources and fellow peers on their experiences.
1100 Social Science & Humanities and 194 Young

4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Memorial Union Games Social for New International Students and SISS Student Volunteers  $5 entry fee for all access to bowling, arcade games, and billiards.
Memorial Union Games Area

SOCIAL SECURITY PROCESSING
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
SISS - University House

If you work on campus, you must have a social security number. The social security card is issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Representatives from the Sacramento Social Security Administration will be present to assist you with your applications.  Please take advantage of the opportunity to process your social security application at this time. These representatives will only be on campus one time. Please bring the following information with you to University House anytime between 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

You must bring the original as well as a copy of the following:

1. SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019 (bring the original and ONE COPY)
2. Passport with your U.S. Visa (bring the original and ONE COPY)
3. I-94 Card front and back (bring the original and ONE COPY)
4. Social Security Application
5. Social Security Verification letter from SISS
1. Letters will be prepared in advance for students who have on-campus assistantships.  For students without departmental support, but who have on-campus jobs, please visit SISS to request a Social Security Verification letter.
6. Job offer letter

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT LIBRARY TOURS
Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 am OR
Thursday, September 16 at 2:00 pm
Shields Library Lobby

The General Library of the University of California, Davis, is a major educational and scholarly resource. There are many resources available to help students meet their goal of academic success. Shields Library has arranged special tours for new international students.  This will be a valuable opportunity to learn about the services and resources available. Please report to the lobby of Shields Library at one of these designated times noted above.

LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDENTS
Thursday, September 17 at 10:30 am to 12:00 Noon
198 Young Hall

Save yourself time and grief and learn how to use library services now! This particular session is designed to help those in the sciences learn about library resources and meet library specialists. This session will also help you become more familiar with the library's web site. 

LIBRARY RESOURCES FOR HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES GRADUATE STUDENTS
Thursday, September 17 at 10:30 am to 12:00 Noon
194 Young Hall

Save yourself time and grief and learn how to use library services now! This particular session is designed to help those in the sciences learn about library resources and meet library specialists. This session will also help you become more familiar with the library's web site.

EAP STUDENT ORIENTATION
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
10 College Park, International House (NOT University House)

The staff of the Education Abroad Center and SISS will provide information specific to EAP reciprocal students.  Topics will include course registration and EAP program regulations.

INTERNATIONAL SPOUSE RECEPTION
Thursday, October 1, 2009
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS), University House
email sissevents@ucdavis.edu to register

This orientation is intended for newly arrived or "returning" spouses of international students and scholars at UC Davis. Staff from SISS and campus units, as well as members of the Davis community, will provide information specific to spouses of international students and scholars.

CHECK-IN REQUIREMENT

In order to comply with immigration regulations, all new international students must report their arrival on campus to SISS.  See our orientation calendar for scheduled check-in dates and times. Check-in takes about 15 minutes. SISS is located at University House.

Check-in times and dates to be announced.

When checking in with SISS, please bring:

1. SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
2. Passport with your U.S. Visa
3. I-94 Card

VERY IMPORTANT! Please make sure you have updated SISWEB with your U.S. residential mailing address in Davis at sisweb.ucdavis.edu

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) EXAM

The English exam is an enrollment requirement for new International Graduate Students, Education Abroad Program and Limited Status students.  Please check your admissions information to verify whether you have to take this exam. For more information, contact the Linguistics Department at (530) 752-9933 or refer to the weblinks below.

September 16, 2009
9 am - 11:30 am
ESL Exam for Graduate and EAP Students
1100 Social Science and Humanities
Call 530-752-3464 if you have questions

September 22, 2009
8:30 am - 12 noon
Analytical Writing Placement Exam
ONLY for first-year undergraduate students in degree programs
1100 Social Science and Humanities
Call 530-752-3464 if you have questions

NEW STUDENT CHECKLIST

• Check in at SISS and update your US residential mailing address in Davis in SISWEB at sisweb.ucdavis.edu
• Attend the International Student Orientation on Monday, September 14, 2009.
• Take the English Examination:  The English exam is an enrollment requirement for new International Graduate Students, Education Abroad Program and Limited Status students.  Please check your admissions information to verify that you have to take this exam. For more information, please contact the Linguistics Department at (530) 752-9933 or visit the office at 108 Sproul Hall (http://esl.ucdavis.edu)
• Register and enroll in classes. You will register for courses via the Internet (SISWEB) once you have a UCD email account. You may purchase the “Class Schedule and Registration Guide” and the “UC Davis General Catalog” from the UCD Bookstore in the Memorial Union or look up the schedule of classes on the UCD website. Class Schedule and Registration Website is at: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/csrg/
• You are not considered registered for a quarter until you pay your fees.  Please be sure to check the UC Davis Registrar website for important dates: http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/
• Read "Preparing for Medical Needs at UC Davis." The UC Davis Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is mandatory for all enrolled students, and will be automatically billed to your account.  If you already have health insurance coverage and do not wish to pay for the SHIP, you must apply for a waiver of SHIP from the Student Health Center.
• Make housing arrangements for the academic year if you have not already done so. See Housing section of SISS website. 
• Get your UC Davis Photo Identification Card, Office of the Registrar, 12 Mrak Hall.
• Purchase textbooks for classes.  New and used textbooks may be purchased at the UCD Bookstore in the Memorial Union or at Davis Textbooks (on A Street & 3rd Street).
• Apply for Social Security Card and/or California Identification or Driver License.
• Open a checking and/or savings account at a bank or credit union. 
• Purchase a Bicycle. If you decide to purchase a bicycle you must register it with TAPS, the Transportation around Parking Services.  Visit http://www.taps.ucdavis.edu/for more information.
• Join Services for International Students and Scholars’ Facebook group for updates on upcoming events and connect with other international students and scholars. www.facebook.com
• Subscribe to our "Visitor Bulletin", the SISS e-mail list.
  
  

CAMPUS EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER

Week of Welcome (WOW Week)
September 15 - 19, 2009
Workshops and events for graduate students.
http://gradstudies.ucdavis.edu/wow/index.cfm

Orientation for new Teaching Assistants (TA's)
September 21 & 22, 2009 (Depending on your department)
8:30 am-4:00 pm, with an optional UAW/ASE orientation to follow until 4:30

All new TAs (including experienced TA's new to the Davis campus) are required by the Office of Graduate Studies to participate in UCD's campus-wide program. For more information see the Teaching Resources Center web site.

Fall Welcome
September 21-25, 2009
Welcome events for all undergraduate and graduate students.
fallwelcome.ucdavis.edu

Downtown Davis Block Party
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Downtown Davis throws out the welcome mat for UC Davis's newest students with an all-evening music, food and fun event! More information...

UC Davis Fall 2009 Convocation
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts
This year's theme is "UC Davis’ Sustainable – and Transformative – Second Century." The keynote speaker will be Chancellor Linda Katehi, and all students are encouraged to attend. There will be a reception following in the Corin Courtyard and Sconyers Plaza facing the Mondavi Center.