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

Week of Orientation and Welcome (WOW)
September 16-20, 2008

WOW 2008 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.

Topics and Activities Include:

Tuesday, September 16

• Fitness Ride: Bike 30 Miles with the Dean!   »  7:30 a.m. — 10:00 a.m  »  Meet in ARC Pavillion 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, Jeffery 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.
• 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 Dean of Graduate Studies, Associate Deans, 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.
• 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 17

• 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 Part II: Navigating University Funding   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.  »  Young 198
  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.
• Working Effectively With Your Mentor or Major Professor   »  2:00 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.  »  Young 198
  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.
• Ask the Grad Student   »  4:00 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.  »  Young 198
  Other graduate students can be critical resources for advice, strategies and useful anecdotes about the grad school experience. Join this panel of current UCD grad students to hear about their tips for avoiding isolation, life in Davis/Northern California, & things they wish they'd known in their first year.

Thursday, September 18

• 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. Please note that this event is limited to the first 40 participants. So sign up early.
• Library Resources for the Humanities/Social Sciences   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.  »  Young 194
  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.
• Library Resources for the Sciences & Engineering   »  10:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.  »  Young 198
  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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Building Community Dinner   »  5:30 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.  »  Cabernet Room, Silo
  Interested in improving campus life? Social justice activism? Diversity education? Peer mentoring programs? Or just want more information about these topics & connections with other students? Join the Corss-Cultural Center, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, Student Recruitment & Retention Center, and Women's Resources & Research Center at this informal dinner, & discover new strategies for creating your grad student community at UCD. Dinner will be served.

Friday, September 19

• Bike Tour of Davis   »  8:00 a.m. — 9:30 a.m.  »  Meet at UC Davis 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.
• 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.  »  Experimental College Dance Room (South Silo)
  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.
• Women Survive & Thrive in Academia   »  12:30 p.m. — 2:00 p.m.  »  Zinfandel Lounge, South Silo
  Come connect with other women faculty and grad students and build support networks to help get you through grad school. Hear about other resources for women on campus, strategies for mentoring, and more. Lunch will be served.
• Healthy Stress Reduction Techniques   »  2:30 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.  »  DeCarli Room, Memorial Union
  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 20

• WOW Service Project (all week long)   »  8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.  »  TBA
  The Graduate Student Community Service Committee is bringing together UCD graduate students, both old and new, for our second annual Week of Welcome Service Activity! Teams of 5-10 students will volunteer at various sites in and around Davis throughout the week and enjoy a free lunch together on Saturday. 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 UCD Arboretum, Davis Community Meals, the Sacramento Food Bank, and more; there will be something for everyone! Register here, on the WoW registration site, and the WoWSA directors will email you with information on how to sign up for a specific service project and the time/location of the volunteer appreciation lunch. For more information, check out the WoWSA web site at http://gscsc.ucdavis.edu/WoW2008.php or contact the event directors at wowsa-directors@ucdavis.edu.

Returning Visitors
If you are a returning visitor and wish to view your schedule, please log in.

Contact Information
For information regarding events and registration, please contact Toby Beauchamp at (530) 752-4090 or gradassistant@ucdavis.edu. For technical questions regarding this online registration system, contact Yuhang Shi at yuhshi@ucdavis.edu.