Fall New Student Orientation
Welcome new Summer and Fall students! All students who began during the Summer term or are starting in the Fall will be invited to the New Graduate Student Orientation hosted on the Canvas platform as a self-guided, online resource designed to help prepare you as a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University. The orientation modules will contain valuable info about Diversity 360, Kelvin Smith Library, Access Services, Health and Counseling Services, the CWRU Police, [U]Tech, Academic Integrity, and more!
Additionally, we will host an in-person Welcome to Campus event on Tuesday, August 20 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at the Tinkham Veale University Center, where you can pick up your student ID card and RTA sticker, get a CWRU t-shirt, attend information sessions, and meet the Grad Studies staff and other students. Register here.
We will also hold a Graduate Studies Welcome Zoom Session on Friday, August 23 from 10:00am to 11:00am EDT. Register here.
For other events, check out the entire orientation schedule! In the meantime, please visit the "First Steps" Information on our website for setting up your email, finding off-campus housing, learning about community resources, and more. Also continue to complete items on the post-admission checklist.
Have questions about Orientation? Send an email to sgsevents@case.edu.
New International Students
New international students are required to check in with the VISA Office (Visa & Immigration Services & Advisors). Please check-in online via Terra Dotta (rather than in person) by completing this form. Students need to complete the process of checking in before the end of Add/Drop period on Friday, September 6.
International students are also invited to attend an in-person orientation session to meet staff from the VISA Office as well as the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) to learn about important immigration regulations, visa status, and transitioning well to studying at CWRU and in the United States.
- Thursday, August 15, 4:00pm in Schmitt Auditorium (Millis Hall)
- Tuesday, August 20. 4:00pm in Tink Ballrooms (2nd floor)
- Tuesday, August 27, 10:00am in Kelvin Smith Library LL06B/C
Academics
Congrats to Summer Graduates!
You did it! Degrees for students who completed their work during the summer semester will be awarded on Friday, August 16. Watch for announcements after the New Year inviting you to attend Commencement in May 2025.
Diplomas for August 2024 Graduates
Summer graduates, look for an email in the coming days with detailed instructions on how and when you can obtain your diploma. You will be able to pick up your diploma from the Graduate Studies office (Tomlinson 203) during normal business hours (except August 20) or email gradstudies@case.edu to designate someone to retrieve it on your behalf; photo ID is required for anyone picking up diplomas. All academic and financial obligations must be resolved for diplomas to be released.
Any diplomas remaining after Friday, August 30 will be mailed to your Diploma Mailing Address on file with the University. Please review your address in SIS, update if needed, or contact diploma@case.edu. This mailing is at no cost to you.
So please make arrangements to get your diploma as soon as possible - you earned it, you deserve it!
Waiver of Registration
Missed last semester's deadline to apply to graduate? If you've completed all graduation requirements, but did not meet the summer graduation deadline, you may be eligible to waive class registration for the fall. Here's how:
- Submit all final materials for your degree as listed here, including the Waiver of Registration form (included in the downloadable file).
- International students must have the waiver of registration signed by International Student Services (ISS).
The waiver of registration deadline is Friday, September 6. Once completed and signed, please submit the form along with all your other final graduation materials to the SGS office or by email to your program coordinator in SGS or to gradstudies@case.edu.
Waiver for Medical and Fitness Plans
Do you have health insurance? If you're already covered, make sure to waive your Student Medical Plan before the end of the Drop/Add period on Friday, September 6 to avoid being charged. Also, every graduate student is automatically enrolled as a member of One-to-One Fitness but if you are not interested you have the option to also waive this plan by September 6. If you opted to waive the Student Medical Plan and/or the One-to-One Fitness Plan in previous academic years, you must apply again if you intend to waive these plans for the Fall 2024 semester.
Please note: If you are staying on the Student Medical Plan, your coverage year began August 1.
Register for Fall 2024 Classes
Registration is still open in SIS for Fall 2024 courses. If you sign-up for your first class on or after Tuesday, August 27, a late registration fee of $25 will be charged. You will not have access to your courses on Canvas or be able to pick up your RTA sticker until you have registered. You won't be able to register if you have a hold on your account in SIS; check our July newsletter to find out how to remove holds.
You have until the end of the Add/Drop period on Friday, September 6 to make any changes to your course schedule.
Teaching Assistant Training
Graduate students who will serve as teaching assistants (TA) for the first time for Fall 2024 courses are required to participate UCITE's TA Training including registering for UNIV 400 in SIS to take the webinar course in Canvas. International student TAs also need to email our office (selp@case.edu) to schedule a Case Spoken English Test (CSET). If you have questions, please contact gtatraining@case.edu. Training must be completed by September 30.
Names, Pronouns, & Identity in SIS
We recognize that many CWRU students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Check out how to Add a Preferred Name or Personal Pronoun or Gender Identity in SIS.
Also beginning this year, students are encouraged to record your name pronunciation in SIS so faculty and staff can correctly address you on campus and in Canvas.
Considering a Career in Teaching?
Grad students and postdocs can sign up for the non-credit UNIV 401 Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching Seminar this fall to provide an introduction to pedagogical skills for future faculty. The seminar meets on Tuesdays during the fall semester; enrollment is limited to 15 students. Register for UNIV 401 in SIS and email univ401@case.edu with any questions.
English Language Presentation Skills
Spoken English Language Programs (SELP) in the School of Graduate Studies offers UNIV 402C - Presentation Skills, a semester-long course open to all international graduate students and postdocs. This free, non-credit course is designed to improve presentation skills, overall English language proficiency, and US academic and social culture comprehension. UNIV 402C meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Tomlinson 135, one section from 2:30 to 3:45pm, the other from 4:00 to 5:15pm. To enroll or ask any questions, please email Eric Moore, Director of Spoken English Language Programs. Can't participate this fall? The course will also be offered in both the spring and summer semesters.
Labor Day University Holiday
Our office and most of CWRU will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Please make sure to check schedules for campus facilities (such as dining, libraries, gyms, shuttles, etc) for the long weekend so you can plan accordingly.
