Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Fellows

Home / Virtual Orientation / When You Arrive / Attend Fall Orientation

Virtual Orientation

Please use this section to get settled, find support and take advantage of university services. 

Fall Orientations

1. The Graduate Student Society's "Build Your Own" orientation event (including a forms jam!) will take place on Friday, August 30, 2013, Halpern Centre, Burnaby campus.

2. The Graduate Studies reception and welcome event will take place on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 2–4 pm, Highland Pub, Burnaby campus. There will be a few welcoming remarks and discussions on hot topics for new graduate students. There will also be free refreshments and a chance for you to meet other incoming graduate students from all SFU departments.

Departmental Orientations

Your first priority should be to attend your department's orientation event. You'll meet your departmental colleagues and get to know the staff who will be helping you throughout your program.

Departmental Orientations for Fall 2013 are currently being scheduled. We'll update the list below as we get information from your departments.

You will also receive email directly from your department about your departmental orientation. If you do not receive this information, please contact your department's graduate program assistant.

  • Archaeology: Thursday, September 5, 2 pm in SWH 9152, followed by a Meet & Greet in the Museum at 3:30 pm
  • Beedie School of Business: Orientation information will be sent directly from the Program Office; please keep an eye on your email. Questions to Maria: busgrcrd@sfu.ca
  • Biological Sciences: Thursday, September 5, 1:30 pm, BISC Seminar Room B9242
  • Computing Science: Thursday, September 5, 10:15 am–12 noon, TASC1 Room 9204
    • Additional Q&A on September 12, tentative time 11:30 am–1:30 pm
  • Education: Saturday, September 7, 10 am, Saywell Hall 10041
  • English: Thursday, August 29, 9 am–3 pm, AQ 6106. Drinks and appies afterwards at Club Ilia.
  • Geography: Wednesday, August 28, 9 am–3 pm, location TBA
  • Gerontology: Wednesday, September 11, 1 pm, HC 2050 (Harbour Centre)
    • The Orientation will be followed by a Welcome Reception in HC 2065 at 2:30 pm.  All Gerontology graduate students, both new and current, are welcome and encouraged to attend.
  • International Studies / Latin American Studies: Thursday, September 5, 12:30–2 pm, HC 2245
  • Linguistics: Thursday, September 5, 11 am–12:30 pm, RCB 7201
  • Political Science: Wednesday, August 28, 11 am–1 pm, AQ 6093
  • Sociology and Anthropology has three events, all in the Ellen Gee Common Room AQ 5067
    • Grad Student Instructional Skills workshop, Friday, September 6, 1 pm
    • Departmental orientation, September 10, 2:30 pm
    • Social, September 24, 2:30–4:30 pm

When You Arrive Checklist

International Student Orientation

If you're an international student, we recommend that you also attend the  free International Orientation session on August 28, 2013.

Topics will include information on immigration, employment, health insurance, academic culture in Canada and an introduction to SFU, Vancouver and Canada. It's also a great way to meet other international graduate students from around the world.

Residence Orientation

If you have a confirmed place in the SFU Graduate Residences (Louis Riel or Hamilton Hall), visit the Fall 2013 Graduate Welcome page for info on how to sign up for an early-move in option and residence orientation.

Library Orientation

The Research Commons at the SFU Library has a Library Research Basics for Grad Students overview to get you introduced to the library, Thursday, September 12, 2013, 12:30–1:20 pm, Bennett Library, Burnaby campus. Pre-registration required.