New Student Orientation
Welcome to Northwestern!
The Graduate School (TGS) will launch a virtual New Student Orientation via Canvas on Monday, August 21, 2023 for you to complete at your own pace. We will email a link to the virtual orientation to your Northwestern email address once the course has launched.
Please complete this virtual orientation prior to the start of the Fall Quarter on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Plan approximately 90 minutes to complete all the modules.
Please note that all aspects of TGS New Student Orientation are suggested, not required.
The virtual orientation features four modules:
- Essential information from key campus partners;
- Important resources and services provided by TGS;
- Information about graduate student organizations and campus resources;
- Tips for living in the Chicago area (for students who will be on campus).
Please email tgs@northwestern.edu with any questions.
TGS Resource Fair
TGS will host an in-person resource fair on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, from 1:00–3:00 PM on the second floor of Norris University Center. The purpose of this fair is to connect incoming TGS students with the community of support at Northwestern, including a wide variety of campus partners and graduate student organizations.
Giveaways will be provided (while supplies last), and registration is preferred, but not required. However, students who pre-register for the fair by Wednesday, September 6, will be entered into a raffle to receive one of 25 credit vouchers for $50 to the Norris University Bookstore.
Register Here for the Resource Fair
We also invite you to explore the resources and support available to you from our TGS-affiliated student organizations & campus partners.
Q&A Session with the Office of Fellowships
Designed for all graduate students to learn how to seek out and apply for external fellowship awards.
The Q&A Session with the Office of Fellowships was held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 12:00–1:00 PM CDT.
Q&A Session with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services
Designed for all international graduate students to ask questions regarding support services available to you, such as immigration services, advocacy, and outreach.
The Q&A Session with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services will not be recorded.
Q&A Session with Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS)
Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's mental health clinical services, consultations, and educational workshops.The Q&A Session with Counseling and Psychology Services was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT.
Q&A Session with TGS Student Funding Team
Designed for PhD and MFA students who will receive stipends from TGS. Note: The funding team is unable to provide tax advice.
The Q&A Session with the TGS Student Funding Team was held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 from 1:00–2:00 PM CDT.
Q&A Session with NU Health Services, Pharmacy, and NU-SHIP
Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's health services and student health insurance requirement.
The Q&A Session with NU Health Services, Pharmacy, and NU-SHIP was held on Thursday, September 7, 2023 from 1:00–2:00 PM CDT.
Q&A Session with Current TGS Students
Designed for all incoming graduate students to ask questions of current TGS students. Topics may include the first-year experience, the adviser/advisee relationship, cultivating mentors, strategies for self-care and mental well-being, extracurricular activities and/or student organizations, living in Evanston and Chicago, and more.
The Q&A Session with current TGS students was held on Friday, September 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CDT.
Q&A Session with AccessibleNU
Designed for all graduate students to answer questions regarding Northwestern's academic accommodation, determination, and coordination process for students with disabilities.
We regret that this webinar had to be canceled. Please visit the AccessibleNU website to learn more about the academic accommodation determination and coordination process for students with disabilities and email AccessibleNU with any specific questions or inquiries. You can also meet AccessibleNU in person at the TGS Resource Fair on Wednesday, September 13.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion Welcome Reception
Attend The Office of Diversity and Inclusion's annual Welcome Reception on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 4:00–6:00 PM in Scott Hall's Guild Lounge. Join incoming and continuing graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of underrepresented and marginalized (URM) populations for an evening of networking, feasting, and fellowship.
Theater Delta Presents: Proaction
The Graduate School's Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) will host an interactive mentoring training for all TGS students with Theater Delta on Friday, September 15 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM CDT at the McCormick Auditorium in Norris University Center.
This interactive theater performance equips graduate students with strategies to maximize relationships with their mentors. Students will observe three distinct interactions between a graduate student and her mentor over the course of her first year, asking questions of both characters and participating in a facilitated discussion with a nationally-acclaimed researcher and storyteller. Explore how to establish expectations and healthy boundaries, manage time and competing responsibilities, communicate proactively and effectively, address power dynamics, and build strong, meaningful relationships with a mentoring network.
Fall 2023 Welcome Events
Many student organizations and campus partners will be hosting welcome events this fall quarter. Check back here later this summer for a list of planned events and activities.
- Fall Quarter Academic Kickoff – First-time graduate student TAs and instructors are invited to register for the Fall Quarter Academic Kickoff on Thursday, September 14 from 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM at Norris University Center. Event sessions will feature campus partners and interactive teaching sessions led by experienced graduate students. Please register here by Wednesday, August 30 (space is limited).
- Graduate Library Orientation and Welcome (GLOW) – Hosted by the University Libraries, GLOW prepares graduate students for their first year of library research at Northwestern. Attend the virtual session on Thursday, September 14 from 10:00–11:45 AM CDT, and the in-person session on Monday, September 18 from 9:15 AM – 3:15 PM. Please email Steven Adams, Librarian for Graduate and Postdoctoral Initiatives, with any questions. Learn more and register here.
- Jewish High Holidays with Hillel – Celebrate Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur with Northwestern Hillel – the center for Jewish life on campus! Register on the events platform – the Northwestern Hillel Hub – to join Northwestern Hillel for songful and soulful High Holiday services, delicious meals, as well as fun and meaningful programming to kick off the year just right. Reform and Conservative Services will all take place at Norris University Center and meals will all be at the Friedman Center for Jewish Life at Fiedler Hillel (AKA Hillel) on Foster Street. Hillel is also seeking volunteers to be part of their High Holiday services. Register here to volunteer.
- Chinese New Student Orientation – Meet with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) on Sunday, September 17 from 2:00–5:30 PM. Please email cssa@u.northwestern.edu for more event details.
- Open Democracy Project's Fall Welcome Social – The mission of the Open Democracy Project (ODP) is to train the next generation of social justice activists to get involved in real campaigns in the local community such as Participatory Budgeting (PB Evanston) and on-campus through organizations such as Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT) and Northwestern University Graduate Workers (NUGW-UE). Join ODP for a fall welcome social event on Thursday, September 21 from 5:00–6:00 PM to learn how to get involved! Location details forthcoming. Register here.
- International Student and Scholar Welcome Picnic – Join the Northwestern chapter of the Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) campus ministry on Thursday, September 21 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Centennial Park for a welcome picnic open to all international students and scholars. Enjoy BBQ and vegetarian options, yard games, and soccer! Please fill out this registration form to RSVP and indicate if you have any eating restrictions.
- Native American and Indigenous Welcome Reception – Join the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern (CNAIR) on Friday, September 22 from 12:00–2:00 PM at 515 Clark Street. Learn about Indigenous initiatives across campus and meet with CNAIR staff, students, and faculty. Enjoy free lunch and interactive games on the CNAIR lawn. Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chairs. No registration is required.
- Northwestern UBF BBQ Cookout – Come and enjoy a BBQ cookout on Friday, September 22 at 5:30 PM at 2043 Sherman Avenue hosted by Northwestern University Bible Fellowship (UBF) at their ministry house to kick off the new school year.
- Graduate Christian Fellowship's Welcome Back BBQ – Join Graduate Christian Fellowship (GCF) on Saturday, September 23 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Clark Street Beach for a Welcome Back BBQ! Graduate students are invited to savor delicious food and engage in uplifting conversations. Connect with fellow students to kick off the fall quarter together. No registration needed.
- Fall Welcome and Worship – Hosted by Canterbury Northwestern, Fall Welcome and Worship will be an open-house event held on Sunday, September 24 from 5:00–7:00 PM. Gather for dinner and evening prayer at our newly renovated house at 2010 Orrington Avenue. Please fill out this registration form to RSVP and indicate if you have any eating restrictions.
- Casual Worship & Welcome BBQ – University Christian Ministry (United Methodist and Presbyterian) hosts casual worship for students on Sundays at 5:00 PM in the ministry living room at 1834 Chicago Avenue. UCM promotes an authentic community of radical inclusivity. First worship will be followed by a Kick-Off BBQ to be held on Sunday, September 24 from 5:00–7:00 PM at 1834 Chicago Avenue. No registration is necessary.
- CGSA Ice Cream Social – The Chicago Graduate Student Association (CGSA) will host an ice cream social on Wednesday, September 27 from 3:00–6:00 PM at the Method Atrium in the Tarry Research & Education Building (please note: the location has changed from the Ryan Family Atrium). Enjoy free ice cream (including dairy-free options), meet your fellow Chicago-campus graduate students, and learn about CGSA! Register here.
- SPOT Evanston Campus Kickoff – Join Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT) on Thursday, September 28 from 4:30–6:30 PM at the Evanston Lakefill Firepit for their 2023 Evanston Campus kick-off! Come meet other graduate students who are passionate about advocating for science and scientifically-sound public policy while you enjoy a bonfire and free food (including s'mores)! Open to all academic disciplines; no RSVP required.
- Back to School with SPIE – Join NU Photonics, the student chapter of the Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), on Friday, September 29 from 3:30–4:30 PM at Francis Searle Building 3220. Connect with current and prospective members of SPIE, build your own back-to-school study snack pack, and learn about Northwestern's chapter of the International Society for Optics and Photonics. Register here.
- Northwestern UBF Student Welcome – Northwestern University Bible Fellowship (UBF) is hosting a welcome meeting on Friday, September 29 at 7:00 PM in Annenberg Hall Room G15 for all interested students to learn more about their ministry. Enjoy delicious food and singing performances with their praise team, and connect with current members to learn what worship services and events UBF has planned throughout the academic year. Register here.
- Ombuds Day Open House – The Office of the Ombudsperson invites the Northwestern University community to celebrate Annual Ombuds Day on Thursday, October 12 from 9:30–11:30 AM at 555 Clark Street - Suite 209. Learn about the role of ombuds and the wide variety of services that ombuds provide. Breakfast will be served at 9:30 AM followed by a short presentation about ombuds services. Feel free to come by anytime. You do not need to stay for the full duration or arrive at the beginning of the event. Reach out to ombuds@northwestern.edu with any questions.
- Native Seed and Plant Swap Social – The Northwestern Graduate Student Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration wants to help you begin or expand your own native plant garden! Everyone in attendance will leave with plant seeds but consider bringing native plant seeds to the swap. We will also screen a 60-minute documentary titled “Native Seeds: Supplying Restoration.” All are welcome regardless of whether you are an experienced native plant gardener, or brand new to native plant conservation. Light refreshments will be served. Please register here by Tuesday, October 10. Please email ser.nu.studentchapter@gmail.com for more event details.
- GradSWE Fest – Hosted by Northwestern's graduate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE). Come to meet other women in graduate engineering programs, eat some pizza, and play yard games! Please email nuswe.grad@gmail.com for more event details.
Human Resources Office Hours
Northwestern's Office of Human Resources holds regular office hours, no appointment is necessary.
- Evanston Campus:
1800 Sherman Avenue, Suite 1-100- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Chicago Campus:
710 N Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall Room 150- Wednesdays, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
- Thursdays, 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM
These office hours are designed to assist students with completing their Form I-9, setting up their direct deposit and W-4 in myHR, and answering any payroll-related questions. HR staff members also can assist students who are foreign nationals with reviewing documentation, completing the I-9 process, and providing FN tax documentation.
Follow the guidelines on the TGS New Student Onboarding webpage to set up your financial information and email askHR@northwestern.edu with any questions. Note: HR staff members can assist with technical questions related to W-4 tax forms, but they are unable to provide tax advice.