SEAS Orientation 2020
Welcome to SEAS! We are so glad that you will be joining us in the fall.
Please RSVP for orientation if you are a new student.
If you have any questions about orientation, please email [email protected] or call 734-764-6453.
Quantitative Review
Quantitative Review is optional and will be offered virtually. It is scheduled August 18-21, 2020, which is the week before orientation. This workshop is intended for students that do not have a strong statistical background or have been out of school for a while and would like a refresher. It will be taught by Dr. Dana Jackman, a SEAS alum. A tentative schedule for Quantitative Review is below:
- Tuesday, August 18 - Friday, August 21, Quantitative Review with Dana Jackman
- 3 hours of class time per day, with a 1 hr break for lunch.
- 9:30 AM-11:00 AM, First Part
- 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Lunch Break
- 12:00 PM-1:30 PM, Second Part
- 3 hours of class time per day, with a 1 hr break for lunch.
Orientation Schedule
The University of Michigan plans to offer a public health-informed in-residence semester this fall. It will consist of a mixture of in-person and remote classes structured to reflect our commitment to promoting public health while fulfilling our fundamental mission of transformative undergraduate, graduate and professional education. Read the announcement about this decision here.
UPDATED 8/3/2020: Due to the recent Michigan State executive order that went into effect July 31, 2020 limiting in person gatherings to no more than 10 people, SEAS orientation will be offered in a virtual format only. Please note this change only applies to orientation. SEAS is still moving forward with plans to offer a wide variety of course formats, including in person, remote, and hybrid options. The revised, tentative virtual schedule is below.
- Monday, August 24
- 9:00 - 9:30 AM, Dean’s Welcome - mandatory
- 9:30 - 10:00 AM, Break
- 10:00 - 11:00 AM, OAP Presentation - mandatory
- 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Current Student Panel
- 12 pm-1:00 pm, Lunch Break
- 1:00 - 2:00 PM, Specialization breakouts - mandatory
- Tuesday, August 25
- 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Health and Safety on Campus - mandatory
- 10:00 - 10:15 PM, Break
- 10:15 - 11:15 AM, DEI Presentation - mandatory
- 11:15 - 1:00 PM, Lunch break
- 1:00 - 2:30 PM, Activity Breakout 1
- 2:30 - 4:00 PM, Break
- 4:00 - 5:30 PM, Activity Breakout 2
- Wednesday, August 26
- 9:00 am- 11:15 am: Wolf Wars Case Study
- 9:00 - 9:30 (30 min) - Plenary/Introduction to Case
- 9:45 - 10:30 (45 min) - Wolf Wars Stakeholder Subgroup Discussions
- 10:30 -11:15 (45 min) - Wolf Wars Full Stakeholder Group Discussion (facilitated by faculty)
- 11:45 - 12:45 PM - Lunch Break
- 12:45 - 2:15 PM, Activity Breakout 3
- 2:15 - 3:45 PM, Break
- 3:45 - 5:15 PM, Activity Breakout 4
- 9:00 am- 11:15 am: Wolf Wars Case Study
- Thursday, August 27
- 9:00 am-1:00 pm: Wolf Wars Case Study
- 9:00 - 9:45 AM - Wolf wars plenary- a reflection on stakeholders and intro to policy advisor group discussions
- 10:00 - 11:30 AM - Wolf Wars Policy Groups
- 11:30 - 12:00 PM, Lunch Break
- 12:00 - 1:00 PM, Wolf Wars Debrief
- 1:00 - 1:15 PM, Break
- 1:15 - 2:15 PM, Capstone Conversation (MS and MLA only)
- 2:15 - 2:30 PM, Break
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM, Careers Conversation (MS and MLA only)
- 3:30 - 3:45 PM, Break
- 3:45 - 4:45 PM, Virtual Resource Fair
- 9:00 am-1:00 pm: Wolf Wars Case Study
Wolf Wars
Please read the case study before orientation begins.
Wolf Wars is an organized debate where you will be tasked with taking on a stakeholder perspective. You will be assigned a stakeholder group before orientation.
The case study details an issue in the state of Michigan: whether or not to allow a public wolf hunt. You will be asked to examine the issue from opposing, nuanced perspectives, challenging your own gut reaction to the problem. Discussions will be guided by the scientific, political, economic, and social analyses included in these pages. You will actively collaborate with your classmates to uncover and synthesize facts, ultimately building a responsible, sustainable policy recommendation on Michigan’s wolf population. To prepare, simply read the case study and let it simmer. There is no need to do additional research.
Child Care Resources
University Human Resources provides a listing of child care resources. An additional set of resources also has been created for in-home care and tutoring.
Child Care Subsidy - child care expenses from any licensed child care provider will be eligible for reimbursement under the subsidy, regardless of the state, country, or agency of licensure.
Housing
The links below may be helpful to you as you begin your housing search. Additionally, this link to a specific Facebook group for the SEAS incoming class. Please join to get in touch with potential room/house-mates, discuss courses, and just generally get in touch with current and incoming students.
Off-Campus Housing - The University of Michigan offers an off-campus housing bulletin that may be helpful as you secure housing for the fall.
A lot of apartments/houses in Ann Arbor are run by management companies instead of individual landlords. One of the easiest ways to search these is to check out the companies' websites:
Here are some general sites that have a lot of rental options (particularly for non-management company landlords):
Facebook groups for finding housing - some are a part of the "Michigan Community" groups so require confirmation of an @umich.edu email
- Ann Arbor Roommates & Housing - public
- Housing, Sublets, and Parking (Official) - access for @umich.edu only
- Housing - access for @umich.edu only
On-Campus Housing - Information relating to on-campus housing can be found here.
Munger Graduate Residences - There is a graduate residence on campus that may also be of interest to you. You can find information about Munger Residence, here.
Signing and Understanding Apartment Leases - Student Legal Services can help you read through your lease and make sure you understand it. To make an appointment, call them at (734) 763-9920.
International Student Resources
Pre-Arrival Guide for New International Students
COVID 19- International Student Scholar Advising
COVID-19 FAQ for International Students
Learning Accomodations
We want to make sure that you have an environment that you can thrive in. If you wish to register with Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office, please start by filling out the Student Intake Form and reviewing the registration process on their website. Students already approved for accommodations through SSD will continue to receive their accommodations. Additional resources to be aware of:
- Tips for Academic Success in the Current Learning Climate
- Academic Innovation's Adjusting your Study Habits during COVID
- Wellness Coaching
MCards
New students should have submitted their photos online ahead of time and received an email regarding how to schedule an appointment to pick up their Mcard.
Those that did not submit photos ahead of time can visit the Mcard Center. They reopened 8/17 and are asking people to check out hours and operations ahead of time. http://www.finance.umich.edu/treasury/mcard/get-your-mcard/id-stations
Mental Health Resources
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is still offering virtual appointments through the pandemic. You can make an initial consultation request here.
- CAPS stressbusters app
- Online mental health screening
- Relaxation videos
- Mental health resources for graduate students
- CAPS Anxiety Toolbox
- Mental health resources by JC Garcia
- SilverCloud
Misc. Helpful Resources
- A list of grocery stores near campus
- SEAS Courses
- SEAS DEI contact information
- Office of Academic Programs contact information
Student Organizations
Hundreds of student organizations enrich your experience outside of the classroom. The most popular among SEAS students are listed below. Visit Maize Pages for a full student org directory.
- SEAS Student Government
- PGMENT (People of the Global Majority for the Environment)
- American Society of Landscape Architects student chapter
- Graduate Rackham International (GRIN)
- Students of Color at Rackham (SCOR)
- Sustainability Without Borders
- Art and Environment student group
- Ross Net Impact
Technology Resources
Zoom For Students Video (13 minutes)
MPrint mobile app with FollowMe (for touchless release of print jobs on-demand)
ITS will be reopening some of the printing and computing sites on campus. They will release details about that reopening.
Transportation
The university provides campus bus service 360 days a year with roughly 60 buses serving 12 routes and offers vanpools and other alternative transportation options to the campus community. Learn more on the Parking & Transportation website. In addition, the U-M campus and Ann Arbor, in general, are extremely bike-friendly.
Bicycle Resources
Flying
If you are flying to Ann Arbor, the closest airport is Detroit Metro (DTW).
To get to campus from DTW, the cheapest options will be airBus or AirRide.
Buses
- University Bus Routes - These are the blue buses that offer free transportation around campus. On this site are maps of the routes as well as hours of operation.
- MAGIC Bus - A website that provides GPS location and E.T.A. for some buses.
- Ann Arbor Transportation Authority - Routes around Ann Arbor & Ypsilanti (free with your Mcard!)
- Greyhound Buses - Budget transportation to popular locations like East Lansing
- Airbus - A cheap and easy way to get back and forth from the Detroit Airport during school breaks
- Michigan Flyer - A cheap and easy way to get back and forth from the Detroit Airport
- Paratransit - Transportation Services offers curb-to-curb Paratransit services for students, faculty and staff that are pre-qualified through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
Student Driving
- Michigan Drivers License and Plates Learn how to get a Michigan driver license or state I.D.
- Michigan Parking and Transportation Services - University parking information.
- Parking in Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor parking information, including fines, permits, and different structures.
Tuition Refund Insurance
This insurance plan significantly extends and enhances the university's published withdrawal policy. The plan provides funds that can help to pay back loans, grants and scholarships for students who must completely withdraw from a term due to a physical or mental health illness or injury. For 0.6% of tuition, you can protect your financial investment for the entire academic year.