Incoming Graduate Students

Orientation Information

First Name

Last Name

ND Email Address (@nd.edu)

Birthdate (this helps us match your information in our system)

Attending Orientation?

The Graduate School and Student Affairs have prepared a robust schedule of activities and presentations designed to help you

Navigate your transition to campus as a graduate student
Get to know the on-campus resources that will be helpful to you
Learn how to find your way around campus and South Bend
Meet other grad students, including ones outside your discipline!

All events are free unless a cost is listed. Guests, including kids, are welcome where indicated by [guests welcome].

For planning purposes, we need to collect a guest count for each of the Orientation events. Please complete the form below so that we can ensure plenty of seats and food are available!

A schedule will be emailed to you after your form is submitted.

Monday, August 17

Mass - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. [guests welcome]

Join us for Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a beautiful gem at the heart of campus. The Basilica has provided a place of prayer, celebration, and quiet contemplation for people of all ages, faiths, and cultures for more than 125 years. Its art & architecture include 44 stained-glass windows, 56 painted murals, a 218-foot bell tower with a 24-bell carillon, and an organ with 2,929 pipes. Most importantly, the Basilica is the spiritual heart of Notre Dame, and a welcome place of sanctuary for all.

Including yourself, how many guests will be attending mass?

Lunch - 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. [guests welcome]

Trivia and Take-out: Join a team for a quick round of trivia over lunch. Cost: $8 - to be paid in advance (a separate email will be sent for the payment in early August)

Including yourself, how many guests will be ordering lunch?

If other, please explain:

Dean's Welcome & Campus Resource Fair - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. [guests welcome]

Dean of the Graduate School, Laura Carlson, welcomes you to campus to kick off your academic studies at the University of Notre Dame. Walk through the Compton Concourse and talk one-on-one with staff from around campus who provide support for graduate students. (Many of these resources will be new to Domers, too!) Enjoy some snacks and a drink at the cash bar in O'Briens overlooking the ice rink.

Including yourself, how many guests will be attending the Dean's Welcome & Campus Resource Fair?

RecSports - Free for All 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. [guests welcome]

Get to know fellow grad students during a sports free-for-all at Rolfs Sports Recreation Complex! Join in a game of kickball, basketball, soccer, badminton, or ping pong or see if a fitness class is right for you. Familiarize yourself with the free fitness offerings on campus during this private event at Rolfs open only to grad students and their guests!

Including yourself, how many guests will participate in the RecSports Free for All?

Children are welcome to attend this event! Parents need to complete a waiver for their children when you arrive at Rolf's.

Dinner Downtown - 6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. [guests welcome]

Take over the town as we head to South Bend for grad-student specials at some of some local favorite restaurants. Get downtown via the Transpo bus (free to students), a walking tour, or your personal vehicle. Each restaurant location will be hosted by South Bend community members, including Mayor Pete, so you'll have a chance to ask questions about the city. Cost: varies by restaurant but generally $8-$20

Including yourself, how many guests will participate in Downtown Dinner?

Transportation preference:

(Optional) If you could ask Mayor Pete one question at dinner, what would it be?

River Lights with Mayor Pete 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. [guests welcome]

Chat with Mayor Pete and other South Bend community members to learn the inside scoop on your new city. Watch the interactive River Lights display from a unique vantage point on Island Park located in the East River! Includes snacks and a cash bar.

Including yourself, how many guests will attend River Lights with Mayor Pete?

If you have a time conflict that prohibits you from attending any events on Monday, please indicate it below.

I'm unable to attend any of Monday's events

No conflict

Monday's session was created based on feedback from other incoming graduate students (including former ND undergrads). It was designed to introduce resources unique to graduate students, to offer opportunities to meet students outside of your home discipline, and to acquaint you with popular South Bend activities, including interactions with the mayor. If you can rearrange your schedule to attend Monday's session, we highly recommend it!

Tuesday, August 18

Mandatory Session: Title IX, Disability Services, & Univ. Policies | Professional Development and Diversity & Inclusion 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

These sessions cover mandatory and essential information for your studies at Notre Dame.

Are you attending the mandatory session?

Yes

No, I'll need to attend the make-up session offered in September

You'll be emailed about the make-up session details in late August. If your schedule on Aug. 18 changes and you are able to attend this session from 1:00-3:30 p.m. after all, please feel free to join us.

Customized Break-out Sessions, Football Ticket Giveaway & ND Welcome from Father Jenkins 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Attend three sessions of your choice covering academic and Grad Life topics, get entered to win football tickets, and a receive a special welcome from Notre Dame President Fr. John Jenkins.

Will you be attending the break-out sessions, ticket giveaway, and Fr. Jenkins' welcome?

Yes

No

Dinner with the Dean 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Join Dean Carlson, current grad students, and your fellow incoming grad students for a dinner in Sports Heritage Hall surrounded by photos, trophies and memorabilia from the beginning of Notre Dame Athletics.

Will you be attending Dinner with the Dean?

Yes

No

If other, please explain:

Campus Walking Tours 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. [guests welcome]

Participate in a campus walking tour to get a historical and social overview of life at Notre Dame. Most tours will include visits to the Grotto, Main Building (the Golden Dome), and the Hesburgh Library (“Touchdown Jesus”). The tours are walking tours, taking approximately an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half covering approximately two miles of campus.

Including yourself, how many guests will participate in Campus Walking Tours?

It is the policy of the University of Notre Dame to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities. If you or your guests have a disability and require accommodations for Orientation, please let us know how we can best provide them for you.

If you or your guests have any disabilities for which accommodations are needed, please let us know how we can best provide them. Disability information will be kept confidential.