Transfer Orientation

The information presented during Transfer Orientation is directed at the concerns and needs of the transfer student. Sessions will be held on academic concerns with Dean Kevin McKenna, course selection with both Peer Advisors and Faculty Advisors, Campus Resources, and many more informative and social events.

Transfer Orientation Staff

Director of Orientation: Denise Darrigrand
Orientation Coordinator:  Elyse Saviet

Transfer Orientation Schedule 2006

An asterisk (*) next to an item on this schedule indicates a required activity for all incoming students. Your Peer Advisor will sign your registration sheet to confirm that you have completed each required activity. This completed sheet will be required in order for you to register for your fall classes. Please carry it with you and try not to lose it!

Thurs, Aug. 24 | Friday, Aug. 25 | Sat., Aug. 26 | Sun., Aug. 27 | Mon., Aug. 28

 

 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24

* 9:00am-1:00pm

New Students arrive and check-in – Higgins University Center , Information Desk
Students living in campus residence halls will receive their keys at the Information Desk, then move their belongings into to their residence spaces

ALL students officially enroll at Clark at the Higgins University Center, Information Desk

Students who are required to clear financially must do so at the Student Accounts Office, 2nd floor, 20 Downing Street.

Commuter Student Lounge – Maywood Street Hall Social Lounge
Commuter Students are invited to become acquainted with the Maywood Street Hall Social Lounge. This will be your space throughout Transfer Orientation to relax, take a break, and socialize with fellow commuters.

8:00am-1:00pm

Brunch- Higgins University Center , Dining Hall
New Clark University students are free and guest tickets cost $9.00 at the door.

* 1:00pm-2:00pm

New Students meet with their Peer Advising Groups – Higgins University Center , The Grind

1:00pm-2:00pm

Parent's Welcome Program - Higgins University Center, Grace Conference Room
Parents of transfer students will have the opportunity to meet with Denise Darrigrand, the Dean of Students, who will be able to address any questions you may have regarding your student's future experiences at Clark University.

2:00pm-3:00pm

Family Farewells

* 3:00pm-4:00pm

Transfer Welcome  - Higgins University Center , Grace Conference Room
Kevin McKenna, Associate Dean of the College, will address your academic concerns and provide important information regarding transfer credits and the course selection process.  Denise Darrigrand, Dean of Students, who will answer your questions you have about campus life.

*4:00pm-5:30pm

Transfer  Q & A - Higgins University Center , Grace Conference Room
Transfer students will have the opportunity to meet with current Clark transfer students and administrators.

5:30pm-7:00pm

Dinner - Higgins University Center, Dining Hall

* 7:00pm-11:00pm

Meeting with Peer Advisors about course selection – Jonas Clark Hall, first floor, individual time and location to be announced by your PA. Peer Advisors will meet individually with their advisees throughout the evening to answer questions and assist them in course selection.

8:00pm-11:30pm

Clark Late Night
"The Benchwarmers" Screening
– Higgins University Center , Dining Hall
Ritchie, Gus and Clark never got respect on the ball field when they were young.  They make up for it when they form a three-player team to compete against standard little league squads.Come with your roommate or neighbors for a screening of the hilarious film that roots for the little guy. The movie will be shown at 7:00pm and again at 9:30pm .

Night Games – Campus Green
Bring your friends for a game of frisbee or volleyball under the stars! The games will be held from 10:00-11:30 pm

Coffee House – Higgins University Center , The Grind
Join your friends and peers for coffee in our newly renovated Bistro and Student Lounge. Be the first to check out the new lounge and patio.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25

7:30am-9:30am

Breakfast – Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

* 9:00am-9:30am

Peer Group meeting with Faculty Advisor - See your PA for location
In this meeting, your Faculty Advisor will give you an overview of academics at Clark and discuss some general points for your consideration as you select your courses for the fall term. 

* 9:30am-2:30pm

Individual Meetings with Faculty Advisors - See your PA and/or FA for the specific time and location of your meeting
During this time you will meet individually with your Faculty Advisor and begin to select your fall courses. Your meeting is expected to last approximately one-half hour.

11:30am

Guided Tour of the Goddard Library – Library 2nd floor Information Desk
Come explore the physical and virtual Goddard Library. Prizes will be awarded to those who spend some time with us. Please meet at the information desk on the second floor.

11:30am-1:30pm

Campus Resources Fair - Higgins University Center , Dining Hall
Students will have an opportunity to meet staff members and learn about the various resources available on campus. This is a good opportunity to have some of your questions answered and to find out where to go when you need assistance or want to get involved while at Clark .

11:30am-1:30pm

Lunch – Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

*2:45pm-5:00pm

Academic Sessions on Summer Reading - See your PA for locations
Faculty members from various departments will share their thoughts on themes raised in the summer reading for Academic Orientation: Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. Following these panel discussions, small group discussions will provide an opportunity for you and your peers to explore ideas and respond to questions raised by faculty members, University staff and Peer Advisors.

Attendance is required for both the large group panels and the small group discussions. Please take your enrollment form to both sessions to have it signed by your PA.

5:00pm-7:00pm

Dinner - Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

5:30pm-7:00pm

Welcoming Shabbat with Hillel – Grace and Lurie Conference Rooms, Higgins University Center, 1st Floor, behind the Information Desk

Join Clark Hillel, the student organization that celebrates Jewish culture, identity, pluralism, and community, for a brief student led Sabbath service, social gathering, and an oneg (free, delicious kosher food).  All are welcome, no prior experience or knowledge of Hebrew or the liturgy is required.  Multiculturalism at Clark means stretching your boundaries and trying something new and unfamiliar.  Check it out.

7:00pm-9:30pm

“Toto We're Not in Kansas Anymore” - Atwood Hall, Daniels Theatre
We are caught in times of political correctness, where "saying' the right things are worlds away from "doing" the right thing. Considered one of the most inclusive sessions on diversity, participants will explore race, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic class, religion, ability, and size discrimination in an interactive format. By using this approach, we can build coalitions, not blame, with groups who never thought they had anything in common with one another.

10:00pm-11:30pm

Black Light Dance-Tilton

Dance the night away with your fellow classmates.  This will be one of the HOTTEST dances of the year. There will be blacklights, lasers, strobe lights, and lots and lots of glow paint!  Bring your white shirts so that your friends can sign your shirts with glow paint and markers… WARNING: YOU WILL GLOW!!!

10:00pm-12:00am

Friday Night Flicks presents “V for Vendetta” –  Higgins University Center, Dining Hall
Dancing not your thing?  No problem!  Check out this week’s late-night movie – “V for Vendetta”.  In the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, a mysterious freedom fighter known only as “V” ignites a revolution and finds an unlikely ally in a seemingly mild-mannered young woman.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

7:30am-9:00am

Breakfast - Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

* 9:30am-

New Students meet with their Peer Advising Groups - Locations listed in the back of your schedule (Look for your Peer Advisor's name)
During this PA group meeting, there will be a follow-up discussion of Spin the Bottle and all first year and transfer students will be asked to complete the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) survey of incoming college students.The CIRP survey is the nation's largest and oldest empirical study of higher education.More than 11 million incoming students at 1800 colleges and universities across the country have participated in this annual survey since its inception in 1966.

*10:30am-12:00pm

Clark 101 – Atwood Hall
Chief Goulet from University Police will discuss how to be safe on an urban campus. Chief Goulet will also describe for you the services and programs that UP offers throughout the year.

Worcester Scene and Unseen: A presentation that will show you the cultural and social opportunities in Worcester and enable you to learn more about the nationally-recognized neighborhood revitalization effort called the University Park Partnership. Professor Douglas Johnson from the Geography Department will open the session with an architectural and historical perspective on the buildings in the neighborhood and at Clark . Jack Foley, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs, will speak about Clark 's partnership with the community and the opportunities for students. Kay Bassett, Special Assistant to the President and Professor Tina Zlody from the Department of Visual and Performing Arts will offer a virtual tour of some of the cultural and social gems in Worcester . Bus tours that will provide more detailed encounters with these topics will run today from 1-3 p.m.  from outside Atwood Hall.

The Bon Appetit staff will introduce you to our dining services and discuss the meal plan options.

Looking ahead to life after Clark ? Career Services will provide information about the services they offer which will help prepare you for finding a career once when you graduate.

Representatives from The Clark Fund will introduce the GOLD program.

The Student Leadership and Programming Office will provide an overview of the many activities available on campus.

The Office of Intercultural Affairs is here to support our diverse communities.  The will familiarize you with the resources they provide.

12:30am-1:30pm

Lunch – Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

1:00pm-3:00pm

Worcester , Scene and Unseen: Navigating the Worcester Landscape – Meet Outside Atwood Hall
Feeling Disoriented? Slightly lost in Clark 's campus and neighborhood space?Then meet outside Atwood Hall and learn to “read” the Worcester scene!Two tours are available:

Bus # 1: Gettin' Culchah! Join Kay Bassett and Tina Zlody for an introduction to where culture, high and pop, is found.See where the artists hang out.Find the hot spots to go for jazz and more.Discover cool places to take your parents where YOU will have a good time!

Bus # 2: Changing Worcester ! Tour Worcester 's neighborhoods and back streets with Jack Foley (Community Affairs) and Douglas Johnson (Geography).Learn more about Worcester 's signature three deckers.Visit the site of Clark 's new soccer field.Watch Worcester 's central city change.Find out the why and where of all- night diners.Travel to “ Coney Island ” for a dog and drink.

Sign up after the morning Clark 101 session for guaranteed space on the buses or take your chances on a first come, first served basis!

1:00pm

Guided Tour of the Goddard Library - Goddard Library
Come explore the physical and virtual Goddard Library. Prizes will be awarded to those who spend some time with us. Please meet at the information desk on the second floor.

2:30pm-3:30pm

Passing on Plagiarism - Academic Integrity Program
To cheat or not to cheat, that is the question.  The answer may appear straightforward but avoiding the pitfalls of plagiarism requires being well equipped with an understanding of the consequences for your actions and the tools available for making other choices. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to make choices that will help protect you from inadvertently violating Clark's academic integrity policy. Focusingon learning as the richest aspect of a college education, we will discuss challenges to fulfilling this goal and strategies for succeeding in your academic career.

* 3:30pm-5:00pm

Spin the Bottle - Atwood Hall, Daniels Theater
Join your PAs and Jason Zelesky, Associate Dean of Students/Wellness Outreach Coordinator for a video and discussion on how alcohol and other drugs affect college life.

5:15pm

AlcoholEdu
Clark University is one of hundreds of institutions nationwide taking a new approach to alcohol education. Clark requires every member of the first-year class to complete AlcoholEdu for College – a science-based course taken by tens of thousands of students each year. The course aims not to preach but rather to educate you about alcohol and its effects on the mind and body. Whether or not you drink, AlcoholEdu for College empowers you to make well-informed decisions and better cope with the drinking behavior of peers.AlcoholEdu must be completed by September 12, 2006 .

5:15pm-6:00pm

PA Group Meeting - See your PA for location
Follow-up group discussion about Spin the Bottle and AlcoholEdu.

6:00pm-7:30pm

BBQ Beach Party – Campus Green (RAIN LOCATION: Higgins University Center, Dining Hall)
Join your Peer Advisors, Resident Advisors and fellow students in an outdoor dinner and evening of volleyball, water games, food and fun in the spirit of a beach party.

7:30pm-9:30pm

“Issues on Stage” - Atwood Hall, Daniels Theatre
Your RAs will be in the spotlight as they perform skits designed to raise issues that you may encounter as a university student. Your RAs appreciate your support – they ask only that you applaud them wildly. Discussions with your floor mates and your RA will follow. **Commuter students will meet for their discussion in the Commuter Student Lounge, Maywood Street Hall. Students who have MAD Scholar or Global Scholar Orientation during this time should review the materials from Issues on Stage with their Peer Advisor and/or their Resident Advisor following the program, and your MAD Scholar or Global Scholar Orientation Coordinator should sign your clearance sheet.

10:00pm

Social Event

12:00am

Hillel Bagel Brunch ­– Higgins University Center, The Grind
Incoming students are invited to join returning students for a Hillel Bagel Brunch, one of Clarks most popular late night snake break. Sponsored by Hillel.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 27

AlcoholEdu – Now available online at http://college.alcoholedu.com/login.asp
AlcoholEdu must be completed by September 12, 2006 .

9:00am-12:0pm

Online Course Registration

Students can register for courses from computers in their own rooms. Students who need a computer may use a computer in Jonas Clark Hall, room 103. Students who are experiencing username or password problems or who are unable to register for a particular course may obtain assistance in Jonas Clark Hall, room 105. Detailed instructions for online registration will be sent via email during Week One, so be sure to check your Clark email account frequently.  Orientation staff, Residence Hall staff, and ITS staff will also be available in the residence halls to lend assistance.

10:00am-1:30pm

Brunch - Higgins University Center , Dining Hall

10:00am

Guided Tour of the Goddard Library – Library 2nd floor Information Desk
Come explore the physical and virtual Goddard Library. Prizes will be awarded to those who spend some time with us. Please meet at the information desk on the second floor.

11:00am-12:00pm

Fifth Year BA/MA Program – Sackler Science Center, Johnson Auditorium, Room 217
Learn about the fifth-year accelerated BA/MA degree programs.

1:00pm

Guided Tour of the Goddard Library - Goddard Library
Come explore the physical and virtual Goddard Library. Prizes will be awarded to those who spend some time with us. Please meet at the information desk on the second floor.

3:00pm-4:00pm

Commuter Chatter - Dana Commons Den
This reception will be an opportunity for commuter students to gather and meet. It will also be a great place to ask any questions you might have about Clark and commuting.

4:00pm-5:00pm

Transfer Talk - Dana Commons Den
This reception will be an opportunity for transfer students to gather and meet.  It will also be a great place to ask any questions you might have about Clark and transferring in.

5:00pm-7:00pm

Dinner - Higgins University Center, Dining Hall
Please bring your Student ID to this meal, as the meal plan has begun!

7:00pm

Clark Cougar Crawl – Dolan Athletic Center
Be sure to arrive early for this event – there will music and fun at this pep rally to meet the fall sports teams and contest to win a chance at FREE TUITION for the Fall semester! Don’t forget your Student ID – all Clark events require it for admission! Be sure to wear your Clark Crazies t-shirt to be eligible for other raffle prizes.

11:00pm

Social Event

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MONDAY, AUGUST 28

Classes Begin – Follow a Monday Class Schedule

Fall Convocation will be held on August 31st in Atwood Hall.

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