USPP Orientation - Summer 2013
Welcome to Burlington and to the University of Vermont- we are all so excited to have you here! This is your schedule until the start of coursework on Monday, June 3rd.
Remember: If you have questions, ask them! You can ask your PA Team (Keyiona, Jodie and Will), Continuing Education Staff (Freda and Shilpa), and OIE Staff (Evan and Emma)! We are ALL here to help!
Saturday, May 25
All Day - Arrival at your summer bridge residence hall: University Heights South
Welcome to your home for the summer! Take this evening to get settled into your room. Introduce yourself to your roommate and Program Advisors (PAs), and try to get to sleep on time – it will help the jetlag!
Sunday, May 26
10:00 a.m.: Getting Settled Orientation
Location: UHeights South Study Room & Lounge
Meet Program Advisors Jodie and Will and Lead Program Advisor Keyiona and get tips to get settled in your first few days. They will explain where you can shop (for food, household items, electronics), and how to get around Burlington. You will also review the USPP Summer Bridge Code of Conduct and complete a Risk Management Form for the Ropes Course during this time.
12:00 - 12:15 p.m.: Overview of what to expect this week
Location: Harris Millis Dining Hall
Evan Mills, International Student Advisor will give you an idea of what to expect during this orientation week and explain how to use your meal plan.
Monday, May 27
All Day: Optional Activities with PAs
Various Locations
PAs will coordinate activities and games to help you get acquainted with one another. They will help you understand what “Circles” and “Ice Breakers” are, and help you meet some other UVM students!
- “Circles” are a way for us to connect and share information as a community. You will continue to experience “circles” in your residential community at UVM as well.
- An “ice-breaker” is “a beginning activity that relaxes a tense or formal atmosphere”. Icebreakers are designed to help us relax and get to know each other.
Tuesday, May 28
Meet in the UHS Lobby at 9:15 a.m. Bring your passport, and a way to pay for books (credit card)!
8:15 a.m.: Meet your Program Advisor for Tuesday morning activities
9:00 a.m.: Get your CatCard (UVM Student ID)
Location: CatCard Office, Davis Center
Program Advisors (PAs) will take you to the CatCard Office where you will get your photo taken for your UVM ID Card. This card is very important and is necessary for many processes (and even discounts!) at UVM and in the Burlington community. You can use this card to ride the busses in Burlington for free!
10:00 a.m.: Locate your mail box for summer
Location: Waterman Building
PAs will show you summer mailboxes. Try opening your mailbox, and share the address with your parents!
10:30 a.m.: Davis Center Tour
Location: Davis Center
Tour UVM’s student center, the Davis Center, and visit the dining options available over the summer.
11:00 a.m.: Buy Summer Bridge Books
Location: Davis Center
Pick up and pay for your summer bridge books. ** Bring a Credit Card or other valid form of payment**
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch
Location: Harris Millis
Afternoon: Running Errands
Time to go do important things to get settled. Program Advisors can give you advice on setting up a bank account, buying a cell phone, buying a computer, or purchasing any other items you might need.
Wednesday, May 29
Please make sure to bring along your: Passport, I-20, , and Immunization Forms (small yellow book). Also, know how to write your emergency contact's address and telephone number in Pinyin (English).
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Introduction to the OIE & Immigration Check-in
Location: L/L Room 216
After an Opening Circle, Meet Office of International Education Staff and learn about how the OIE can support you. We will take copies of your immigration documents during this time.
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: F-1 Immigration Regulations
Location: L/L Room 216
Office of International Education staff will review all of the important things that you need to know about the rules and responsibilities of holding an F-1 status. Pay attention – this is VERY important!
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.: Complete Paperwork and Tax Information
Location: L/L Room 216
You will fill out an “International Information Sheet” and other OIE paperwork. We will ask you to provide information for an emergency contact person at this time – please bring the name, phone number, and email address of the person or people you would like to have contacted in case of an emergency.
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Tour of the Office of International Education (OIE)
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch
Location: Harris Millis)
1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Center for Health & Wellbeing and Health Insurance
Location: L/L Room 216
Ms. Jill Hoppenjans (Center for Health & Wellbeing) and Mr. Walter Brownsword (Counseling and Psychiatry Services) will explain what to do when you are sick, on-campus health service, and how to get help if you are feeling overwhelmed. Ms. Margaret Johnson will collect your immunization records and talk to you about how to use your UVM health insurance. Immunization forms will be collected.
2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Closing Circle
Location: L/L Room 216
2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Campus Resources Treasure Hunt
Location: L/L Room 216
Small teams of USPP students will go on a hunt for resources around campus. You must find important offices on campus and complete different tasks. Teams who complete the tasks win a prize, and there is a special reward for the winning team! ** OIE Staff will provide Instructions**
Thursday, May 30
8:15 a.m.: Opening Circle
Location: L/L Room 216
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: Overview of Summer Bridge
Location: L/L Room 216
Ms. Shilpa Dewoolkar and Ms. Freda Farrell of the Continuing Education Department will provide an overview of the Summer Bridge program, introduce staff and answer your questions. You will also meet the Student Services staff for your major. At the end of the summer Student Services staff will help you make your schedule for the Fall.
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Academic Standards at UVM
Location: L/L Room 216
Ms. Kim Howard, will explain academic standards at the University of Vermont. This presentation will outline what grades are expected of you to succeed and continue your studies at UVM during Summer Bridge and beyond.
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Academic Support Services at UVM
Location: L/L Room 216
Ms. Sue Dinitz and Ms. Minna Roussi will discuss the various services available at UVM to help you succeed in the classroom. They will also give tips on how to be successful in U.S. University Classrooms!
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Safety and You (with Sue)
Location: L/L Room 216
Officer Sue Roberts from Campus Safety will give you tips on staying safe and obeying laws in the USA.
12:00 p.m.: Closing Circle
Location: L/L Room 216
12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Lunch
Location: Harris Millis
1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Technology at UVM
Location: L/L Room 216
OIE Staff and PAs will show you how to use MyUVM, view your grades, check your UVM email, use Blackboard, and use Facebook.
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: USPP Presidential Reception
Location: Billings Library
President Tom Sullivan, and his wife Leslie Sullivan, host a reception to celebrate the new class of USPP Students. A group photo will be taken at this time. Dress up a bit, perhaps!
Friday, May 31
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Campus Tour
PAs will take you on a tour of the UVM campus and point out different buildings that will be important to you during the Summer Bridge and while you are a student here at UVM. You will finish at the Library.
10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.: Understanding the U.S. Classroom
Emma Swift, Assistant Director of International Student Services will talk about the U.S. classroom. Explain the differences and similarities between what students may encounter in the U.S. and in China/ their home country.
12:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.: Lunch
Location: Harris Millis
12:45 p.m.: Opening Circle
Location: L/L 216
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Academic Integrity and the UVM Code of Conduct
Location: L/L 216
Ms. Lara Scott and Ms. Deanna Garrett-Ostermiller from the UVM Center for Students Ethics and Standards Office will discuss academic integrity, FERPA, and other important policies that you need to know.
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Adjusting to Life in the USA
Location: L/L 216
OIE Staff will discuss how to make a successful transition to living in the USA, and a panel of international students will share tips for meeting Americans, living away from home, and being successful in Vermont!
3:30 p.m.: Closing Circle
Location: L/L 216
Saturday, June 1
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.: Ropes Course
Students spend the day at the Adventure Ropes Course on the UVM Campus, which consists of elements, constructed of cables, ropes and wood, attached to trees. Your day will begin with warm-up and trust activities, then move into problem-solving initiatives, and low and high challenge course elements. You will spend the day getting to know this summer's USPP Summer Bridge group in the great outdoors.
6:00 p.m.: Free Time to Discover Burlington
Program Advisors will take groups of students downtown, or show you how to get there. Try out a new restaurant, explore the stores, or visit the waterfront. Time to get to know Burlington a little bit better.
Sunday, June 2
All Day: Free Time
Spend time unpacking, relaxing, and hanging out with friends. Your PAs will let you know of any activities!
Last modified May 28 2013 01:21 PM