Home » Future Students » Week of Orientation and Welcome (WOW)

Week of Orientation and Welcome (WOW)
September 17-22, 2007

WOW 2007 offers a week-long series of workshops, presentations and activities designed to introduce you to the resources and services available for new and continuing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UC Davis. All events and activities are free of charge (with the exception of rafting).

Topics and Activities Include:

Monday, September 17

• Core Fitness   »  12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.  »  Experimental College Dance Room
  This class focuses on muscular movements that flow from the body's core. These movements take place standing, on stools, on the floor, and on mats. We streghten and open up our bodies with curves, contractions, arches and spirals of the spine. The class also includes balancing exercises, stretching, and African dance. For directions, please visit experimentalcollege.org.

Tuesday, September 18

• Campus Bike Tour   »  9:00 a.m. — 10:00 a.m  »  Meet in front of Shields library
  Bring your own bike and helmet and take a tour of campus.
• Introduction to Graduate Studies   »  11:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.  »  1100 Social Sciences
  The Office of Graduate Studies is an incredibly valuable resource. Unfortunately, most graduate students stumble across this too late. Here's your chance to meet the Associate Dean, and Graduate Studies staff and find out what they can do for you.
• Cowell Student Health Services   »  2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.  »  1100 Social Sciences
  Listen to representatives from the Cowell Student Health Center explain the graduate student health insurance plan (SHIP) and services offered by Cowell. Learn how to navigate referrals and what to do when you're out of town and need a doctor. Take this opportunity to ask questions and gather information on all of your health care needs.
• Welcome Reception & Resources Fair   »  4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.  »  ARC Pavilion
  This reception is an opportunity to socialize with fellow incoming and continuing graduate students, graduate studies staff, and representatives of various campus organizations and services. There will be a resource fair in order to gather information and ask questions about campus services and opportunities.
• Graduate Student Association (GSA) BBQ   »  5:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.  »  Rec Pool Lodge
  Come and unwind after a long day learning about the UC Davis campus resources with free food, fun games and great company at the Graduate Student Association BBQ. This is an opportunity to become familiar with the organization that represents you.

Wednesday, September 19

• Bike Tour of Davis   »  8:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.  »  Meet at UCD Bike Barn
  Find out why Davis is known as the bike capital of the world. Take this guided, low- intensity, bike tour of the town including its user-friendly green belts, various points of interest, and amenities. Be sure to bring a good bike, helmet, and lots of water.
• Introduction to Graduate Studies Part II: Navigating University Funding   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.  »  Young 184
  Graduate school can be a penny-pinching experience, but the funding experts in Graduate Studies can help make it easier! Hear about the incredible number of funding opportunities, both internal and external, available to students from a wide range of disciplines. Meet and ask questions of the individuals that will prove invaluable during your tenure as a graduate student.
• Core Fitness   »  12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.  »  Experimental College Dance Room
  This class focuses on muscular movements that flow from the body's core. These movements take place standing, on stools, on the floor, and on mats. We streghten and open up our bodies with curves, contractions, arches and spirals of the spine. The class also includes balancing exercises, stretching, and African dance. For directions, please visit experimentalcollege.org.
• Ice Cream Social   »  12:30 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.  »  Women's Resources and Research Center
  The Women's Resource and Research Center (WRRC) is hosting this terrific (and yummy) event that will include ice cream and all the fixings! Get a chance to talk with WRRC staff and become familiar with their wide array of services and resources. The WRRC is an excellent personal and academic resource for graduate students and students they TA.
• Working Effectively With Your Mentor or Major Professor   »  2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.  »  Young 184
  Successfully negotiating relationships with faculty mentors and advisors is essential to a satisfying graduate experience. However, these relationships are not always easy. Come hear faculty and fellow graduate students share their experiences on issues including choosing a major professor, clarifying expectations, getting the most out of these relationships, and what to do should things start to fall apart.

Thursday, September 20

• Arboretum Nature & Bird Walk   »  8:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.  »  Meet at Mrak East Flag Pole
  Take this opportunity to check out the abundance of plant and wildlife right here on campus during the cool hours of the morning. Alison Kent from the Wildlife Health Center and docents from the Arboretum will guide this leisurely stroll along the Arboretum Trail. Bring good walking shoes, comfortable clothes, water, and binoculars if you have them.
• Library Resources for the Humanities/Social Sciences   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.  »  Young 184
  Save yourself a lot of time and grief and learn how to use library services now! This particular class is designed to help those of you in the Humanities and Social Sciences learn about library resources and meet your specific library specialists. This class will also help you become more familiar with the library's website.
• Off and Running: A Head Start on Your Graduate Career   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.  »  Young 198
  As you enter your new career as a graduate student, you may wonder how you can make the most of this experience while preparing for your eventual career either in academia or beyond. The first portion of this workshop explores ways to connect your graduate school experience with your future career goals, explore opportunities unique to the graduate school experience and strategies to build your career and career options while still in graduate school. The second part gives practical tips on how to develop your professional portfolio and curriculum vitae.
• Library Resources for the Sciences   »  1:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.  »  Young 184
  Save yourself a lot of time and grief and learn how to use library services now! This particular class is designed to help those of you in the Sciences learn about library resources and meet your specific library specialists. This class will also help you become more familiar with the library's website.
• Off and Running: A Head Start on Your Graduate Career   »  1:30 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.  »  Young 198
  As you enter your new career as a graduate student, you may wonder how you can make the most of this experience while preparing for your eventual career either in academia or beyond. The first portion of this workshop explores ways to connect your graduate school experience with your future career goals, explore opportunities unique to the graduate school experience and strategies to build your career and career options while still in graduate school. The second part gives practical tips on how to develop your professional portfolio and curriculum vitae.
• Work/Life Balance   »  3:30 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.  »  Young 198
  Wondering how to maintain a life outside of grad school? Want to find out how making time for yourself/friends/family will actually help you become a more successful grad student? At this workshop a panel of students and professionals will discuss strategies for maintaining healthy relationships, and keeping your sanity while managing the time and financial challenges of grad school.
• Finding Community   »  5:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m.  »  MU II
  Facilitators from campus programs, such as the Cross-Cultural Center (CCC), the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC), and the Womens Resources and Research Center (WRRC) will provide strategies for building your graduate student community on campus.

Friday, September 21

• Fitness Ride: Bike 30 Miles with the Dean!   »  7:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.  »  Meet in ARC Pavilion parking lot
  This is a great opportunity for all you avid bikers to show your stuff and take in the beauty of the surrounding area at the same time. Join the Dean of Graduate Studies, Jeffrey Gibeling, for a 30 mile, moderately paced bike ride through farmlands to Winters and back. Participants should be in good physical condition and have their own bike. Bring water and a small snack. Helmets are required.
• Coffee, Bagel, Donut Day   »  9:00 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.  »  GSA Office (South Silo)
  The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is famous for their weekly Coffee, Bagel, Donut Days (CBDD). This is an informal opportunity to mingle with graduate students from other departments, network, and munch all at the same time. Feel free to drop by any time between 9:00-11:00 during this year's kick off CBDD to meet both new and continuing students as well as GSA Executive Council members.
• Self Defense Workshop   »  11:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.  »  ARC
  Speak up and defend yourself! This workshop teaches strategies to increase awareness and assertiveness, as well as provide simple self-defense techniques designed for women of all ages, body types and physical abilities. This course will enhance confidence, increase security, and help you to realize your own power. Taught by a certified self-defense instructor from the Women's Resources and Research Center.
• Core Fitness   »  12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.  »  Experimental College Dance Room
  This class focuses on muscular movements that flow from the body's core. These movements take place standing, on stools, on the floor, and on mats. We streghten and open up our bodies with curves, contractions, arches and spirals of the spine. The class also includes balancing exercises, stretching, and African dance. For directions, please visit experimentalcollege.org.
• Brown Bag Lunch   »  12:30 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.  »  Women's Resources and Research Center
  Come connect with other grad women of color and build support networks to help get you through grad school. Hear about other resources for women of color on campus.
• Healthy Stress Reduction Techniques   »  2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.  »  TBD
  Stress is part of graduate school. There's no way to avoid it - but there are healthy ways of dealing with it. Participate in one of several break-out sessions run by Counseling and Psychological Services professionals to talk about what stresses you're likely to encounter and the various successful and creative ways of coping with these issues.

Saturday, September 22

• WOW Service Project   »  8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.  »  
  Week of Welcome Service Activity (WoWSA) Contact: Becky Milczarek, Event Director Description: Join dozens of new and continuing UC Davis graduate students for a day of service and fun! Teams of 5-10 students will volunteer at various sites throughout Davis in the morning and enjoy a free lunch together in the afternoon. Here's your chance to give back to the community, meet people outside your department, and get some free food - all at the same time! Partner organizations for the service projects will include the Yolo County Short Term Emergency Aid Committee, Worldwide Book Drive, Citizens Who Care, and more; there will be something for everyone! There are two ways to register - you must do *both* to participate. 1. Sign up here, on the WoW registration site. 2. Email the Event Director at rmilczar@ucdavis.edu with WoWSA"" in the subject line. This event is sponsored by the Graduate Student Community Service Committee. For more information"," check out the WoWSA web site at http://gscsc.ucdavis.edu/WoW2007.php."

New Visitors

You may fill out the form below to register for WOW activities and receive your online schedule — check back here soon. There is no cost to attend any WOW event (unless otherwise noted).

Contact Information

For information regarding events, please contact Kara Thompson at (530) 752-4090 or gradassistant@ucdavis.edu. For questions regarding this online registration system, contact Bryce Grant at (530) 752-1950 or bcgrant@ucdavis.edu.