We are so excited to start the Fall 2020 semester with you! Watch our BSIS Virtual Welcome, which took place this August 21st, 2020. In addition, we still have plenty of other activities to prepare for the semester, meet iSchool Staff, and meet other iSchool students
Presentation
BSIS Virtual Welcome Video
WELCOME
BS/IS Students,
It is my distinct pleasure to be one of many to not only welcome you to the iSchool @ Illinois but to share my excitement and appreciation for you, a group of students who can be described as “trailblazers”. To be the first group to enter a new degree takes a certain spirit, entrepreneurial mind-set, and confidence. The Information Sciences are the foundation on which we approach the solving of our world’s greatest problems and discover our most impressive inventions. The organizing, sharing, storing, accessing, and using of information are the cornerstone of any discipline and profession. You have made a choice to join an interdisciplinary degree which I promise will pay dividends to you the rest of your life.
At the iSchool my role is to support our students in their individual journey through their academic programs and to support the staff with whom you will connect with directly on a regular basis. That staff include Melissa Newell and Tony Torres, but also Rebecca Hodson (Career Services) and a host of other people who work directly with our graduate programs.
Specifically, if you have:
- joys or concerns that are impacting you as a student at the iSchool, you can share those with me.
- interest in getting involved instudent organizations (login required) or iSchool student leadership (login required). I will be sharing more information about these opportunities and can answer your questions.
- needs that go beyond iSchool resources. I can work with my colleagues at theOffice of the Dean of Students to assist you.
You are welcome to make an appointment with me https://go.illinois.edu/Meg_Advising (All Fall 2020 appointments will be virtual) and/or send me an email anytime you think I can be of service to you.
Shortly after I graduated from college, and just 6 weeks into my first professional job in Washington D.C., 9/11 happened. The world changed that day and so did I. I recognize you are starting a new degree program during a time in our world’s history, that much like the aftermath of 9/11, feels unstable and different than what I am sure you imagined this year would be. However, it is different for all of us and our commitment to you, our students, is unwavering. Our ultimate goal is that you are healthy and safe, wherever and however that looks. In order for us to help you achieve your goals, particularly this year, will require that you communicate with us when things aren’t going well so that we can work together to find a solution that is beneficial to you. I hope you will also reference the University’s COVID-19 resources.
I look forward to the day when I can meet you all in person, have you stick your head into my office to tell me something exciting you are working on, or give you a wave on one of my post-work runs through campus. Those days will return as long as we all do our part to adhere to the guidelines the University, the Champaign County Public Health District, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have put in place to keep everyone safe. The iSchool Student Affairs staff is excited to have you join us. We know you are going to accomplish great things and we look forward to supporting you step-by-step!
Please read through the information on this website, review the schedule of events, and finally, let us know how we can make your experience at the iSchool as enjoyable and successful as possible.
Meg Edwards, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
iSchool undergraduate students are welcomed to the new BS/IS program with our first ever New Student Orientation! We will begin with an introduction to the iSchool from our very own
Eunice Santos, Dean of the School of Information Sciences. Then we will go over an overview of the iSchool, our many resources, what the semester will look like, and answer any questions before the start of the semester.
Date: Friday Aug 21, 2020 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Agenda:
1:30pm | Speaker: Dean Santos
1:35pm | Melissa & Tony
Academic Advising
Tutoring/Academic Support
Career Services & Mentor Program
Alumni Resources
2:30pm | Game & Final Notes
Melissa Newell, Director of Undergraduate Affairs
Tony Torres, Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Undergraduate Affairs
Meet iSchool BSIS Undergraduate Student Affairs
Come meet Melissa Newell, Director of Undergraduate Affairs, and Tony Torres, Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Undergraduate Affairs in person. We will be located at the North Patio and passing out your t-shirt! We will be wearing masks and practicing social distancing to ensure your safety.
Location: School of Information Sciences Building, Front Patio (501 E. Daniel St.)
Thursday Aug 20, 2020 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Friday Aug 21, 2020 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sign up for a time slot for when you can come by! Time Slots (Use your Illinois email)
Online Learning Sessions
Join iSchool Instructional Support Specialists Lindsey Sharp and Whitney McComas and iSchool advisor Jessica Williams as they share helpful hints about engaging in your online courses this fall! You’ll get a brief intro to some of the systems you’ll encounter (Zoom & Moodle), some best practices for getting the most out of your online educational experience, and time for questions with your dedicated iSchool staff members. This session is encouraged for anyone who hasn’t taken an online iSchool course before. Register below:
- Wednesday, August 12, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
- Monday, August 17, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Monday, August 31, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Wednesday, September 2, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 8, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- Thursday, September 10, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Looking for a low-key, low-pressure way to meet folks in the iSchool? This event is for you!
We invite you to sign-up as a team of four or sign-up individually to be paired with others at the iSchool as you complete an informal scavenger hunt across campus.
Please sign-up individually or in teams by September 8. We will email out the scavenger hunt list to the teams of four and assign those individuals to teams of four by September 10. If you have any questions please reach out to
ischool-advising@illinois.edu!
All teams will be required to practice social distancing, wear a mask, and are asked to avoid handshakes and the use of any shared supplies.
The actual scavenger hunt will take place on September 15-17. There is no need to submit your forms, but should you photo document your experience let us know @iSchoolUI and #iSchoolUI
Meet Assistant Dean Meg Edwards through a Virtual Session to discuss how she can support you through your academic journey in the School of Information Sciences.
Sep 10, 2020, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Zoom | Registration
Additional Events
Optional Orientation Activities for iSchool Students
iSchool Stitch n' Bitch Meeting
Time: Sunday Aug 16, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Come hang out with us! The iSchool Stitch 'n Bitch group meets once a week to hang out, create, and talk. Neither stitching nor bitching are required for attending weekly events. Bring your current project, your homework or just yourself to chat and hang out!
Zoom Link: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/97343179426?pwd=NVNxM2JIZWpWUEREVUNxV0lVd0VRUT09
Meeting ID: 973 4317 9426
Password: 882148
Chinese Student and Scholar Group (CSSG) Orientation Welcome Event
Time: Wednesday, August 19 | 9:00-10:00pm CST
Come hang out with CSSG to meet current members and find out how to get involved! The group establishes strong communication and interaction between iSchool Chinese students and alumni, Chinese visiting scholars, other student groups and library communities regarding study, life and career. It also serves as a bridge between the iSchool and China in order to contribute to LIS research, practice and education in a global context. Are you interested in China? Please join us, this group is open to everyone!
Zoom link: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/91585539205
Meeting ID: 915 8553 9205
Progressive Librarians Guild (PLG) and Queer Library Association (QLA) BYO Ice Cream Social
Time: Tuesday, August 18, 7:00pm-8:00pm (US and Canada)
Join us for an informal bring-your-own virtual ice cream social! Come hang out with current PLG and QLA members to share a sweet treat, chat with fellow students and learn more about these student groups.
Zoom link coming soon!
UIUC ACM-W Happy Hour/Social Event
Time: Wednesday, Aug 19 | 4:00-5:00pm
Join us for the The Association for Computing Machinery for Women (ACM-W) Happy Hour/Social Event! Get to know current members, discover what’s in store for ACM-W this year, and find out how to get involved!
Zoom link coming soon!
Special Libraries Association (SLA) Happy Hour
Time: Wednesday Aug 19, 2020 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join us for the Special Libraries Association Happy Hour. Get to know current members, discover what's in store for SLA this year and find out how to get involved!
Zoom Link: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/96404920191
Meeting ID: 964 0492 0191
Society of American Achivists Meeting
Time: Saturday Aug 22, 2020 10:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Please join the Society of American Archivists student chapter for a virtual morning meet and greet on Saturday, August 22nd at 10:30 am CST. Brew some tea or coffee and chat with fellow student archivists, share academic or professional interests, and learn about our student chapter and hopes for the upcoming school year.
Zoom meeting link: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/95545698169
Meeting ID: 955 4569 8169
Password: 220474
View our Calendar for other iSchool and Campus Events!
