SEAS Orientation 2021
Welcome to the School for Environment and Sustainability!
We are so glad that you will be joining us in the fall.
This website has information that will help onboard and transition you to SEAS. It has a schedule of quantitative review and orientation events, as well as resources to help you during your first semester at the University of Michigan. If you have any questions about orientation, please email [email protected] or call 734-764-6453.
COVID Vaccine Requirements
Read the full announcement from UM's Office of the President.
As of 7/30/21, UM is taking the additional step of requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all three campuses, including Michigan Medicine, by the start of the fall term on Aug. 30. This includes those working or learning remotely.
If you have received all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series but have not yet reported your information, please do so here. If you have already reported your vaccine, thank you. There is nothing more you need to do.
If you have received a first dose of the vaccine, report that here. You will be required to complete weekly COVID-19 testing and wear a mask indoors on campus until you have completed all doses and are considered fully vaccinated (two weeks post final dose).
The exemption process is being developed for those with medical and religious reasons for not receiving the vaccine, and that process will be communicated by Aug. 4.
University Health Service (UHS) offers the Moderna vaccine on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Patients can self schedule through their patient portal. To register through the patient portal visit: https://uhs.umich.edu/portal-register. Additional instructions on how to schedule via the portal are available here. Vaccination against COVID-19 is free, safe and highly effective.
Weekend appointments are being offered by the Kroger Health COVID-19 Pfizer Vaccination Clinic
- Saturday, August 28, 10:00am - 2:00pm (1st dose)
- Saturday, September 18, 8:00am - 12:00pm (2nd dose)
Location: Michigan League Ballroom (911 N. University Ave.; Ann Arbor). There is no out-of-pocket cost, and insurance is not required. To register, sign up at https://umich.jotform.com/211476827697875
More information about vaccine clinics on campus.
Quantitative Review
Quantitative Review is optional and virtual. It is scheduled for August 17-20, 2021, 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 17 - Friday, August 20, Quantitative Review with Dana Jackman
- 3 hours of virtual class time per day, with a 1 hr break for lunch.
- 9:30 AM-11:00 AM, Virtual class time
- 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, Lunch Break
- 12:00 PM-1:30 PM, Virtual class time
Orientation Schedule
SEAS orientation will take place in-person in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
- Monday, August 23 9:00 - 10:00 AM // Registration in Rackham Auditorium
10:00 - 11:00 AM // Dean’s Welcome, Arboretum Information, and Wolf Wars Scenario Introduction in Rackham Auditorium
11:30 - 1:00 PM // Lunch + Specialization Breakouts in The Arboretum
1:30 - 4:00 PM // Kayaking Trip at Gallup Park (buses will be provided, they leave for the park at 1:15 PM) OR Scavenger Hunt // Please note: half of the class will go kayaking while the other goes on the scavenger hunt. On Thursday, you will switch and do the event that you didn't do on Monday.
- Tuesday, August 24 10:00 - 11:00 AM // Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Event in Rackham Auditorium
11:15 - 12:15 AM // Capstone Overview (Masters Only) in Rackham Auditorium
11:15 - 12:15 PM // PhD Career Planning with Dr. Ari Renda (Doctoral Only)
12:30 - 1:30 PM // Lunch (use Blue Bucks - see MCard section below)
2:00 - 4:00 PM // Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Activity Breakouts, buses will be provided, they leave for the Botanical Gardens at 1:45 PM.
4:30 - 5:00 PM // Class Photo in the Matthaei Botanical Gardens with all incoming students
- Wednesday, August 25 9:00 - 11:00 AM // Wolf Wars Case Study: Assessing Perspectives in the Arboretum
11:00 - 12:00 PM // Lunch in the Arboretum
1:00 - 2:00 PM // Career Services Presentation in Rackham Auditorium
3:00 - 4:00 PM // Wolf Wars Case Study: Policy Considerations in Rackham Auditorium
- Thursday, August 26 9:00 - 11:00 AM // Coming Together: Wolf Wars Casey Study Debrief in Rackham Auditorium
11:00 - 12:00 PM // Lunch (use Blue Bucks - see MCard section below)
11:00 - 1:00 PM // OPTIONAL EVENT: Rackham virtual information fair - the Rackham Graduate School is hosting this event, it is not organized by SEAS.
1:00 - 4:00 PM // Kayak/Paddling Trip at Gallup Park (buses will be provided, they leave for the park at 12:45 PM) OR Scavenger Hunt
- Friday, August 27 There's no formal programming this day. However, you may want to use this day to check in with your advisor.
1:00 - 2:00 PM // OPTIONAL EVENT: Rackham Fall Welcome - the Rackham Graduate School is hosting this event.
Wolf Wars Case Study
Wolf Wars is an organized debate where you will be tasked with taking on a stakeholder perspective. You will be assigned a stakeholder group and a policy group before orientation. We will send you the case study before orientation as a PDF.
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.
List of Helpful Resources
The content below contains resources to help you during your first semester at the University of Michigan.
Table of Contents
- Advising Resources
- Child Care Resources
- COVID-19
- Curriculum
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Housing
- International Student Resources
- Learning Accommodations
- Library Services
- MCards
- Mental Health Resources
- SEAS Student Center
- Student Organizations
- Technology Resources
- Transportation
Advising Resources
- Student and advisor shared expectations form
- Rackham's guide for getting the mentoring that you want
- Mentoring Others Results in Excellence (MORE)
Child Care Resources
University Human Resources provides a listing of child care resources. An additional set of resources have 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.
COVID-19
- Information on how to get the vaccine
- COVID-19 testing
- COVID-19 prevention efforts
- ResponsiBLUE screening check - must be completed before entering any University of Michigan building.
- Michigan Government COVID-19 site
Curriculum
- Academic calendars
- Forms, handbooks, and policies
- Note: the handbooks are going to be updated in mid-August.
- SEAS courses
- Online courses all graduate students are encouraged to take: Sexual Assault Prevention for Graduate Students and Staying Healthy in a Changing Environment for Students on Campus
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
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 they 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
- English Language Institute
- GRIN Mentoring Program
Learning Accommodations
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
Library Services
The University of Michigan Library is a system of 20 libraries that includes a specialized graduate library. With more than 11 million volumes, the University Library is the eighth largest academic library in North America and is considered one of the top research libraries in the United States.
MCards
The Mcard is your official University of Michigan identification card. You will use it all over campus to identify yourself as a member of the university community. The UMID number is the cardholder's eight digit student number or employee number. The Mcard has many uses from building access to use as an ATM/debit card. Please explore this website for additional information. You can find the online photo submission for new graduate students here.
Blue Bucks
Blue Bucks are the campus currency at the University of Michigan. You can use them for on-campus dining, books and fan gear. For lunch on Tuesday, August 24, and Thursday, August 26 you will be given Blue Bucks that will be loaded onto your MCard. We have listed below the locations that will be open for lunch, along with their hours of operation throughout the entire Orientation week:
- Dining Halls
1. Mosher-Jordan (11:30 am ‐ 1:30 pm) 200 Observatory
2. South Quad (11:30 am ‐ 1:30 pm) 600 East Madison
- Markets
1. Blue Market - Michigan Union (9:00 am - 3:30 pm) 530 South State
2. Maizie’s Kitchen & Market - Michigan League (11:00 am ‐ 4:00 pm) 911 N University Ave
3. Blue Cafe and Market – Mosher-Jordan (10:00 am ‐ 6:30 pm) 200 Observatory
- Cafes
1. Cafe 32 - Dental School (7:30 am ‐ 2:00 pm) 1011 North University
2. JavaBlu – Taubman Health Sciences Library (7:00 am - 2:00 pm) 1135 Catherine
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
- SilverCloud
SEAS Student Center
The SEAS Student Center is where you can find the student support staff including admissions, the registrar and course advising, financial aid, and career services. You can contact the staff by emailing [email protected].
Other contact information if you want to reach a particular sub-group of the student center staff:
- [email protected] - direct email to the careers services staff
- [email protected] - direct email to the SEAS financial aid staff
- [email protected] - direct email to the admissions staff
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
- 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
- SEAS Track Leaders
-
Behavior, Education, and Communication (BEC) - Bita Davoodi, Connor Roessler, and Daniela Fernandez Mendez Jimenez
-
Environmental Justice (EJ) - Faith Ashmore and Esther Woo
-
Environmental Policy and Planning (EPP) - Lauren Davis and Amanda Wheelock
-
Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM) - Analise Sala and Demetrius Calloway
-
Geospatial Data Sciences (GeoSci) - Lyndsay Zemanek and Nate Arringdale
-
Landscape Architecture (MLA) - Dallas Ford and Isabella Shehab
-
Sustainable Development (SusDev) - Chelsea Johnson and Sarah Collins
-
Sustainable Systems (SusSys) - Jack Teener, Anna Ostrander, and Michelle Black
-
Technology Resources
- Using Zoom Student Guide
- Zoom For Students Video (13 minutes)
- MPrint mobile app with FollowMe (for touchless release of print jobs on-demand)
- ITS Remote Resource Guide
- ITS Computing Sites
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.