Orientation Schedule 2022

The updated Graduate Orientation video modules will be live in early September. You may access the videos in the "Orientation Modules" tab. Please plan to have watched all videos by the end of the day Friday, September 23, 2022.

All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Current conditions dictate that events will be synchronous via Zoom, or in-person in small groups. Mandatory participation is indicated by an asterisk(*).

Beckman Auditorium

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

iBegin@Caltech - International Student Orientation

Required for all incoming international students. See the full schedule of events here.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | LIBRARY SERVICE FAIR – Sherman Fairchild Library

All incoming graduate students are invited to stop by the Sherman Fairchild Library's Services Fair to learn about our resources and pick up some free swag! Resources like dissertation help, 3MT, 3D printing lab, bookable study rooms, software workshops and so much more!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | CONVOCATION – Beckman Auditorium

Caltech's annual convocation ceremony offers a warm welcome and introduction to the Institute for new graduate students, new undergraduate students, and new postdoctoral scholars. The program includes greetings from President Thomas F. Rosenbaum, and a brief introduction to student life at Caltech by Kevin M. Gilmartin, Vice President for Student Affairs. A recording of Convocation may also be watched here.

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | ACADEMIC OPTION PROGRAMMING* – Various Locations

Each academic option will provide option-specific orientation programming for new graduate students.

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | HUMAN RESOURCES CHECK IN – Center for Student Services Lobby

All students receiving a stipend (assistantship or fellowship) are required to complete Employment Authorization (Form I-9). Please be sure to bring appropriate identification with you and allow up to 10-15 minutes wait time. Human Resources staff will be available to help you complete all of the forms necessary to receive your first paycheck, and answer any questions you may have about direct deposit or tax forms.

6:00 PM | DINNER – Avery Courtyard

Avery Courtyard

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

8:30 AM – 9:50 AM | NEW GRADUATE STUDENT ORIENTATION CHECK IN – Beckman Lawn Tent

Check in with the Graduate Studies Office, enjoy a breakfast bar with waffles and coffee, and pick up a Caltech swag bag!

10:00 AM | GRADUATE STUDIES OFFICE WELCOME* – Beckman Auditorium

David Chan, Dean of Graduate Studies, will offer words of welcome, and introduce you to the Graduate Studies staff as well as leaders from the Graduate Student Council (GSC).

11:00 AM | CALTECH CENTER FOR INCLUSION & DIVERSITY* (CCID) – Beckman Auditorium

Meet the members of the CCID staff and learn about the resources, programs and services they provide for graduate students at Caltech.

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | LUNCH – Avery Courtyard

Join your assigned Grad Orientation Leader for lunch and breakout group conversation.

2:00 PM | FACULTY PANEL* – Beckman Auditorium

Dean Chan will moderate a panel of esteemed faculty members representing each of the six academic divisions at Caltech.

Elizabeth J. Hong, Assistant Professor of Neuroscience; Chen Scholar
Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE)

Scott K. Cushing, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (CCE)

Wei Gao, Assistant Professor of Medical Engineering; Ronald and JoAnne Willens Scholar
Engineering and Applied Science (EAS)

David Hsieh, Professor of Physics
Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA)

Alexander V. Hirsch, Professor of Political Science
Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS)

Diane K. Newman, Gordon M. Binder/Amgen Professor of Biology and Geobiology
Biology and Biological Engineering (BBE) & Geological and Planetary Sciences (GPS)

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | CALTECH EQUITY AND TITLE IX OFFICE PRESENTATION* – Beckman Auditorium

Caltech fosters a safe and inclusive community to promote student success in and outside of the classroom. Join the Equity and Title IX Office to learn how Caltech is ready to support you during your graduate tenure. In our presentation we will discuss how we all can keep Caltech's campus culture welcoming and safe. We will also review your rights and obligations as graduate students at Caltech, discuss boundary setting and clear communication strategies, and make clear campus policies and resources related to discrimination, sexual misconduct and unlawful harassment. We want everyone at Caltech to feel they are understood, supported, and have full access to educational opportunities. This will allow everyone greater confidence in building healthy professional and personal relationships at Caltech and beyond. Please bring your smartphones to enable your full participation in polls and quiz questions! Presented by Hima Vatti, Assistant Vice President Equity, Equity Investigations and Title IX Coordinator.

6:00 PM | DINNER – Avery Courtyard

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | TEACHING CONFERENCE* – Check in at Dabney Garden of Associates The Teaching Conference is a required component of Graduate Orientation and fulfills your mandatory training should you ever be a TA at Caltech; it is also a valuable professional development activity whether you will formally teach at Caltech or not, as it addresses aspects of professional teaching, mentoring, and communication that are more broadly applicable. All incoming graduate students should plan to participate in all components of the Teaching Conference, including both the online pre-Conference module and the in-person Conference.

Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Learning & Outreach (CTLO)

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | DINNER AT THE PRESIDENT'S RESIDENCE GARDEN – 415 S. Hill Ave., Pasadena

Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum and Professor Katherine T. Faber invite all incoming graduate students to an outdoor dinner at their home featuring Mediterranean cuisine. Be sure to bring your name tag!

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | REFRESHMENTS AT THE RED DOOR – Red Door Café

Join us for coffee and dessert at one of the most popular hangout spots on campus!

8:30 PM - 11:45 PM | GSC PUB CRAWL

You are invited to join the GSC and visit several of the local watering holes and haunts most frequented by Caltech grad students! Meet at Beckman Mall (lawn south of Beckman Auditorium to obtain your wristband and drink tickets before walking to three pubs in Old Town Pasadena.

Red Door Café

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

10:00 PM – 3:00 PM | CALTECH GRADUATE STUDENT COUNCIL (GSC) AND LIBRARY ORIENTATION WORKSHOPS – use the online links below

Come join the Caltech Library and the GSC for learning topics that are helpful for incoming first-year graduate students: We ask that interested students register in advance, if possible. If not, there will be an opportunity to register at the beginning of each workshop.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Citation and Data Management

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/81906383539?pwd=dlZ1YXlWaWlkcWJFR21VU2JHeEk3QT09

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Intro to Python

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/82136671191?pwd=MnVaSWsyd3BUQ0hiTmc5eWlPVTk4UT09

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Intro to Pandas

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/88158442659?pwd=d0ZyTGpSWmFWU2FLVWhxekNPZlBudz09

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Intro to Git

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/89728313953?pwd=R1VpQ3F4VlU4aTEwSkxrTkFicC9jdz09

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | OPEN HOUSES AND WELCOME FAIR EXPEDITION - Pick up your passport in the lobby of the Center for Student Services Building (CSS)

Visit some of the campus spaces you haven't gotten to see yet! Speak with representatives from various campus offices and collect helpful information and giveaways, don't forget to have your passport stamped by each area you visit.

Center for Student Services Building (CSS)

Bursar's Office - CSS -1st floor, room 120
Caltech Center for Inclusion and Diversity – CSS – 2nd Floor, room 255
Career Advising and Experiential Learning Center (CAEL) – CSS– 3rd Floor, room 310
Equity and Title IX Office– CSS – 2nd Floor, room 205
Hixon Writing Center – CSS – 3rd Floor, room 360
International Student Programs (ISP) - CSS - 2nd Floor, room 250
Registrar's Office - CSS - 1st floor, room 125
Undergraduate Deans' Office – CSS – 2nd Floor, room 210
Graduate Studies Office – CSS – 2nd Floor, room 230

East campus (Hill St.)