Orientation
New graduate student orientation is held just prior to the first day of instruction. Orientation takes place in person, typically in the morning, for the fall semester and via ZOOM for the spring semester.
Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistant (TA) orientation takes place prior to the beginning of a semester. TA orientation is required for all graduate students who have a TA assignment for the first time. For details regarding the TA orientation, select the informational link provided.
All international students are required to take and pass a speaking test, also called the EPI exam, prior to becoming a teaching assistant if their TOEFL spelling score is below 24.
All students, both domestic and international, are required to attend all sessions of orientation before teaching.
Informational Links
CASE / Culture(C) Awareness(A) and Speech(S) Enhancement(E)
Purpose of the group: We are an organization aiming to help its members develop the skills to communicate with the public and build a platform to enhance the connection between various research labs. Our members, with diverse academic experience and culture backgrounds, will have a chance to exchange ideas in both academic and personal areas and their lives. We believe that communication is the footstone to future success for everyone.
Established: In 2000 the organization was established by Professor Vernon L. Snoeyink. As the originator, Vern is still involved in the organization’s weekly activities and presentation sessions.
Schedule: The presentation time for this semester is 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. each Friday in 3218 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory. We welcome anyone interested in communication to participate in the discussion and give comments on our presenters.
Membership: Graduate students and postdocs in environmental or civil engineering may be a member. However, all students may be involved as an audience participant.
How to register: Please send an email to Vern: snoeyink@illinois.edu and CC Yurui: yuruili2@illinois.edu to express your interest in becoming a member. Registration takes place one week before the start of each semester allowing time to consider personal schedules before developing the CASE presentation schedule. You can also email us anytime during the semester, but a presentation position and time will not be guaranteed.
Student Organizations
4th Floor Graduate Student Advisory Council (Instagram)
CEE Graduate Student Advisory Council
Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Council
Graduate Engineers Diversifying Illinois
Illinois Student Senate
Campus-wide Registered Student Organizations
Safety & Security
The University Division of Public Safety’s website provides safety related information and links related to police services, crime stats and information, emergency management, and Clery Act Compliance. A safety manual is also available to download.
Building Access
For Newmark Lab and Yeh Center access, I-Cards will be activated for card swipe access to buildings, conference rooms, and the 4th floor laboratory. The Facility Manager will issue office keys as need and activate I-Cards.
Environmental Laboratory Access (4th Floor Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory Building)
The Environmental Laboratory is located on the 4th Floor of the Newmark Laboratory building. Access to the 4th floor is restricted. Online and on-site training is required for access. Your Advisor and/or Principal Investigator will contact your Office Manager to request access for their students. Students will receive email instructions to begin safety training.