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Orientation program for grad students debuts

Aug. 23, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's first general orientation program for graduate students is 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, in the Bernhard Center's East Ballroom.

The program is open to all incoming full- and part-time graduate students, regardless of whether they are enrolled at the main campus in Kalamazoo or one of the University's seven branch campuses. The Graduate College, which is sponsoring the event, previously only offered a Graduate Assistantship/Doctoral Associateship Training Program for graduate students who obtain assistantships or associateships--scheduled Aug. 23-25 for domestic students and Aug. 23-27 for international students. The new Graduate Student Orientation Program will annually acquaint an additional 1,500 graduate students with WMU and the services and resources it offers to help them successfully complete their master's or doctoral degrees.

The event begins Saturday with a continental breakfast followed by a welcome from President Judith I. Bailey at 8:30 a.m. and informational sessions throughout the day that will address such topics as financial aid, the library system, career planning, and theses and dissertations. Afternoon activities include a student services fair from 3 to 4:10 p.m. Fair participants will have the opportunity to talk with representatives of some two dozen University offices and departments and learn more about everything from research policies and information technology resources to Bronco athletic teams as well as cultural, health and fitness programs. Graduate students also may take a tour of campus and attend a welcome picnic sponsored by the Graduate Student Advisory Committee at 6:30 p.m. near the Goldsworth Valley Pond.

For more information, contact Kevin Vichcales at (269) 387-8208 or <kevin.vichcales@wmich.edu>.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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