8-25-14: TD Notes and News
Master’s Pieces
Welcome back, me hearties. How good to see the freshmen, and how good to see the rest of you reattached to the destinarian mothership!
Upperclassmen will immediately notice the following things about our new edition of our weekly Notes & News email:
1) It’s going to come out on Monday (regular time to be determined) rather than Sunday. There are several mysterious forces which necessitate this change, whose operations I am not allowed to reveal. We’ll get used to it.
2) We’re no longer “confirming Baraboo”. This does not mean however, that we have lost our mojo.
3) You’ll find me continuing to bat leadoff with Master’s Pieces regarding upcoming TD events, but Dean M. wants to give her notes BEFORE she lays on you her mass of critical university news you can use.
With no further ado, here’s what’s coming up soon and very soon in TD:
· Monday, August 25 (tonight!) – Mott Woolley / SAC information session in the TD Common Room at 10:45 pm. Mott Woolley is our TD student council and SAC is the social activities committee. All freshmen welcome to come the Common Room and see what they’re about. Upperclassmen who want to run in the Mott Woolley elections need to submit candidacy statements to Ben Ackerman by midnight tomorrow (August 26) and the polls will open on August 27. (Freshmen rep elections will take place starting September 9; more news to come.)
· Tuesday, August 26 – TD Freshmen Dinner starting at 5:30 with the Master’s House reception and moving to dinner in the DH at 6:15. Yes, dress up some. All upperclassmen from all colleges will head to the Old Campus for a barbecue while we fête the freshmen. (That’s a French word.)
· Wednesday, September 3, 9:00 pm – Community Music Night / Pizza Welcome to the Class of 2018. A TD tradition and our favorite form of self-entertainment. If you want to perform on music night, write me by September 1 at jeff.brenzel@yale.edu. We’ll allow (almost) anything – just tell me what song, dance, poem, joke or barnyard noise you will be performing and who’s doing it with you, if anyone. FRESHMAN performers welcome! Last year, the hit group of the night were freshmen. Dean Mahurin has committed to do a country song with me, and we will not disappoint.
· Creative and Performing Arts (CPA) Awards – deadline of September 8!! Information and applications are available at http://creativeandperformingarts.commons.yale.edu/. Yale students use these awards, from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars to do many kinds of nifty things. Note that you can now apply now for any project that will conclude all the way up to March 6, the beginning of Spring Break. (Students may also wait and submit a second round application in January for a spring project.) Deadline for the fall cycle of online apps September 8 at 4 pm, no exceptions.
Dean’s Domain
Hi all (y’all), I’m thrilled to join the TD community as your new Dean, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you all! Please feel free to make an appointment to chat, or just drop in and say hello. As extra incentive, my chocolate lab puppy – Pig, whom many of you have already met – is frequently in my office.
Some of you know already that my PhD is in English; very often, I will include a passage from a novel or poem or essay that’s meaningful to me (and hopefully to you). As Mary Poppins (almost) said, a spoonful of Toni Morrison helps the medicine [the avalanche of information] go down.
“I’m me,” she whispered. “Me.”
Nel didn’t know quite what she meant, but on the other hand she knew exactly what she meant.
“I’m me. I’m not their daughter. I’m not Nel. I’m me. Me.”
Each time she said the word me there was a gathering in her like power, like joy, like fear. Back in bed with her discovery, she stared out the window at the dark leaves of the horse chestnut.
“Me,” she murmured. And then, sinking deeper into the quilts, “I want… I want to be… wonderful.”
-Toni Morrison, Sula
Onward, Timothy Dwight, this awesome collection of MEs. Be wonderful. Meanwhile, here’s a ton of important startup stuff you should scan for relevance to your own situation:
Registration Meetings for Seniors, Juniors, and Sophomores: Tuesday, August 26 in TD Dining Hall (Failure to attend incurs a fine of $50)
9:00 a.m. – Class of 2017 (Sophomores)
9:45 a.m. – Class of 2016 (Juniors)
10:30 a.m. – Class of 2015 (Seniors)
August 29: Friday classes do not meet; Monday classes meet instead.
Online Preregistration for Introductory courses in English, Mathematics, Spanish, German, and French; for Economics 110 [freshmen only]; and Freshman Seminars. Monday, August 25, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Results will be posted later this evening.
Registration Procedures and information can be found through links available at http://yalecollege.yale.edu/new-students/transfer-students/general-academic-information/special-programs-placement-and-7
Economics (ECON 108, 110)
English (ENGL 114, 115, 120, 123, 125, 126, 127, and 129)
French (FREN 110, 121, 130, 140, and 150)
Freshman Seminar Program (all freshman seminars)
German (GMAN 110, 120, 130, 140, and 150)
Math (MATH 112, 115, and 120)
Spanish (110, 120, 130, and 140)
All departments and programs will be represented at the Academic Fair on Tuesday, August 26, from 2 to 3:30 pm. If you have questions about courses that are not addressed elsewhere, you should be able to find answers at this event.
Registration for Residential College Seminars. Applications are now being accepted for most fall-term College Seminars. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 25, at 8:00 AM. Please note that in addition to the statement of interest, some writing seminars require writing samples. A list of fall-term seminars is available on the College Seminar Program Website, and a link to the application for each seminar in included with the course’s description in Online Course Information. Admission information will be available in Preference Selection after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26.
Directed Studies Program. If you have been accepted to Directed Studies Program and have any questions, please refer them to the DUS, Kathryn Slanski at kathryn.slanski@yale.edu. All admitted students should know that they are expected to attend an orientation meeting on Tues, Aug 26, at 11 am at the WHC. Please also encourage students who did not apply or who were not admitted to attend this meeting if they wish to get on a waitlist.
Course Schedule Deadlines:
Class of 2018 Monday, September 8, 5 PM
Class of 2017 Tuesday, September 9, 5 PM
Class of 2016 Tuesday, September 9, 5 PM
Class of 2015 Wednesday, September 10, 5 PM
Schedules are handed in to Trish Cawley in the TD Dean’s Office.
The deadline is strictly enforced. A late schedule incurs a fine of $50 and a late schedule cannot elect any courses CR/D/Fail (Clerical Error on schedule: $50)
A schedule of 3 or 3.5 course credits and a schedule of 6 or 6.5 course credits needs my permission before the schedule is handed in. Schedule an appointment to see me through Trish.
On-line Course Selection: www.yale.edu/sis
1. Use the worksheet capabilities to search courses to shop during shopping period.
2. After you have settled on the courses you will take, print your final schedule.
3. Take the final schedule to your adviser for the signature. Sign the schedule.
4. Hand in your signed schedule to the TD Dean’s Office by the deadline for your class
(see deadlines above and in the Blue Book)
I remind you that (1) the program does not check for conflicts in class meeting times (that is the student’s responsibility – see “overlapping meeting times” above) and that (2) once you print your final schedule, you cannot reenter the program to make changes and print a different final schedule. Including or removing a course (after meeting with your adviser, for instance) must be hand written on the printed final schedule itself (in the Include and Remove Sections), and each change must be initialed by your adviser or me before the deadline for handing in your schedule.
Changes in Classes and their Meeting Times and Places: Course changes and courses added or deleted since the publication of the Blue Book are recorded on line at OCS. The on line list of courses is the most current one, updated as needed.
Overlapping Class Meeting Times: Class meeting times may not overlap by more than 15 minutes once a week. Required are a conversation with me before the Course Enrollment deadline, compelling academic reasons for the overlap, and with my assistance a petition to the Committee on Honors and Academic Standing.
A schedule with a course in The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (and also not listed in the Blue Book) or a professional school requires an additional form, which is available in the TD Dean’s Office and at www.yale.edu/sfas/registrar/blue_form.pdf. Hand in the completed form with the syllabus attached by the deadline for your course schedule. [Note: SOM courses cannot be added to your schedule through OCS; they must be written by hand in the “include” section on your schedule. The form (above) for those SOM courses must be handed in to my office in the first week of shopping period, well before the deadline for your course schedule, because SOM determines its class enrollments well before your schedule is due.]
Courses at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and at a professional school cannot elect the CR/D/Fail option.
Credit for these courses on your transcript: When you put a Graduate or Professional School course on your schedule, zero (0) course credits are recorded for the course until you hand in to my office the form for graduate school courses (syllabus attached) and the registrar’s office determines the course credits for that course after that. Some courses earn 1 course credit in Yale College and some earn .5 course credits (most commonly in SOM and EPH).
Independent Studies (Directed Reading, Directed Research, etc. as listed by most departments). There are limits on the number that a student can enroll in during a given year and over four years. See YCPS (Blue Book) page 41. Enrolling in an independent study requires the additional permission of a Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Note that independent study courses, other than senior essays or projects, will no longer be evaluated by means of letter grades. Rather, they will be graded on a Pass (“P”)/Fail (“F”) basis with the additional requirement that the instructor of record submit a substantive report that both describes the nature of the independent study and evaluates the student’s performance in it. Certain independent study courses may be exempted upon petition from the department (not the student) and with approval from the Committee on Honors and Academic Standing.
There has been an important change in the deadlines for end of term work. The latest date that an instructor may set for a term paper or term projects is now the last day of the final examination period (this term, that date is 17 December). The last day of the reading period continues to be the latest date a faculty member may set as the deadline for all other course assignments, with the exceptions of finals and take home finals administered during the final examination period. As always, only I as your residential college dean can extend these end of term deadlines based on the reasons provided by the dean’s excuse rules.
Deadline to apply for a Fall-Term Leave of Absence: Friday, September 5. See me if you are thinking about requesting a leave of absence for this fall term.
FRESHMEN
Calendar of Opening Days http://yalecollege.yale.edu/new-students/class-2018/getting-started/calendar-opening-days-college-class-2018
Freshman Year Distributional Requirement: At the end of the freshman year (after two terms of enrollment) the student’s record must record enrollment in at least one course credit in two of the three skills categories (WR, QR, and foreign language). For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
SOPHOMORES www.yale.edu/yalecollege/sophomore
You must hand in the form to select a sophomore year adviser if you have not done so. I cannot approve your schedule until you hand in the form, due no later than the day your schedule is due. If you need suggestions for potential advisers, I am available. The form is available at the sophomore web site (www.yale.edu/yalecollege/sophomore) at the Advising tab and from my office.
Sophomore Year Distributional Requirement: At the end of the sophomore year (after four terms of enrollment) the student’s record must record enrollment in at least one course credit in each disciplinary area (Hu, Sc, and So) and at least one course credit in each skills category (WR, QR, and foreign language). For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
Sophomore web site; www.yale.edu/yalecollege/sophomore. Among other information and advice for sophomores, listed on the site are seminars for sophomores and departmental information meetings, which are updated during the term. As for other information about majors, at the web site you can search alumni by their major in Yale College and learn what they do now. And at www.yale.edu/facebook you can search other undergraduates by major and even by major in your own college.
Sophomores are invited to attend the Academic Fair on Tuesday, August 26, 2-3:30 PM. Almost all departments participate in this fair, held in LC and WLH. It is a good occasion to ask about majors, including their prerequisites and requirements. A list of departments and their meeting rooms is available at WLH and LC on Tuesday afternoon.
JUNIORS
Junior Year Distributional Requirement: At the end of the junior year (after 6 terms of enrollment) a student’s record must show successful completion of all skills requirements: two course credits in QR, two course credits in WR, and foreign language). A course completed CR cannot count toward a distribution requirement. For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
SENIORS
Distributional Requirement for the degree: Successful completion of two course credits each in WR, QR, Hu, So, and Sc and completion of the foreign language requirement. A course completed CR cannot count toward a distribution requirement. For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
Office Career Strategy http://ocs.yale.edu/
Center for International and Professional Experience (CIPE)
Join staff members from the CIPE for a fair on Tuesday, August 26, 2:00-3:30 pm to learn more about the many programs and resources available to Yale students. CIPE will most likely be in rooms WLH 001 (Career Services) and WLH 002 (Fellowships, Study Abroad, and Yale Summer Session).
CIPE Photo Contest: The Center for International and Professional Experience is looking for photos from students who participated in a CIPE program or received a Yale College-administered fellowship over the past year to create the second annual CIPE Calendar. We are seeking your best photo and caption that reflect a meaningful aspect or idea from your experience. The top 12 photographs and captions will be featured in the CIPE Calendar. The contest opens on Tuesday, September 2 and the deadline to submit an entry is Wednesday, October 1. Read about eligibility and submission information and terms and conditions.
Study Abroad: Study abroad staff members will begin regular advising hours on Wednesday, August 27. Schedule an appointment and learn more about the application process. October 15 is the deadline to apply for Yale credit for spring 2015 study abroad programs.
Career Services: Walk-in hours will be extended this year to accommodate more students. Walk-in advising for quick questions (15 minutes each) will be offered Monday-Thursday from 10:00am-4:00pm at 55 Whitney Avenue and 10:00am-4:00pm at a location to be announced on central campus. Walk-in hours will begin the week of August 25.
Fellowships deadlines for graduating seniors
- Yale application timeline, checklist, forms, and helpful advice have been updated for this year, and the Yale Student Grants Common Application for Endorsement and official application systems are all live.
- Campus application deadline: August 20, 1:00pm – for those who met the August 4 deadline for the request of letters and Deans’ reports; applicants must submit their materials by this deadline, but letters and Deans’ reports may arrive after this.
- Information on other UK fellowships
- Yale College application timeline, checklist, forms, and helpful advice have been updated for this year, and the official application system is live.
- Preliminary campus deadline: August 22, 1:00pm – you must meet the requirements of this deadline to receive advice and an official evaluation from the campus committee. This is also the deadline by which to submit drafts, if you want feedback before the campus application deadline.
- Campus application deadline: September 10, 1:00pm
- See the official website for details
- Campus application deadline: September 22, 1:00pm (See the Student Grants Database for information about the Yale application process.)
Explore other options for graduating seniors via our handout for seniors or the Yale Student Grants Database. (Though most deadlines shown currently are for 2013-14, they should be similar for 2014-15.)
Arrange an appointment with a Fellowships adviser to discuss questions, get feedback on drafts, etc.
Center for Language Study (CLS)
The Center for Language Study invites you to participate in our Language Fair on Thursday, September 4, 1-3pm in the Center for Language Study (Dow Hall, 370 Temple St). Come explore the foreign languages that are taught at Yale, meet language faculty and students learning new languages, learn about courses and discover many programs to enrich your language and cultural skills, including opportunities for international travel and study abroad.
Other
Yale in China Association Open House on FRIDAY, September 5, 2014, 3:00pm-6:00pm, 442 Temple Street (corner of Trumbull Street). Learn about Yale-China’s 113-year history of U.S.-China work. Sign up to receive invitations to Yale-China’s events for the community. Meet and connect with individuals in the Yale-China community, including U.S.-China experts, Yale-China Fellows from China, overseas Chinese, past program participants, and event attendees. Explore fellowship and volunteer opportunities. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by September 1st to yale-china@yale.edu or here or 203-432-088
Center for Language Study. Yale undergraduates… Do you speak a foreign language? Want to earn $15/hr helping Yale students learn your language? Become a Yale Foreign Language Tutor. For more information, and to apply, please visit us at http://cls.yale.edu/foreign-language-tutoring.
Global Health & Innovation Conference at Yale is the world’s largest and leading global health conference as well as the largest social entrepreneurship conference. For those interested in presenting at the conference, we are currently accepting abstracts for oral and poster presentation. The first abstract deadline is August 31, and the final abstract deadline is September 30. Global Health & Innovation Conference. Presented by Unite For Sight, 12th Annual Conference. Yale University, Saturday, March 28 - Sunday, March 29, 2015
http://www.uniteforsight.org/conference