August 30 – August 31, 2021
Must-haves at Orientation: Face covering, laptop and charger, and a reusable water bottle.
Day One
TIME | AGENDA ITEMS | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 AM | Registration & Optional Building Tour | Rotunda |
| 9:05 AM | Orientation Opening | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 9:15 AM | Welcome from Dean Patricia Márquez | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 9:25 AM | Faculty Introductions | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 9:45 AM | You in a Nutshell! MSCMR MAPJ - Part 1 | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 10:20 AM | Break | |
| 10:30 AM | You in a Nutshell! MAPJ-Part 2 MASI | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 11:25 AM | Peacemaker Postcards: How I Will Remake the World | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 11:55 AM | 2021 Cohort Group Photo | Garden of the Sky |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch | Garden of the Sky |
| 1:30 PM | Navigating Resilience: Harnessing the Power of Curiosity, Connection and Community With Lu Hanessian, MSc | Peace and Justice Theatre |
| 4:00 PM | Welcome Reception | Garden of the Sky |
| 5:00 PM | Day one of Orientation Ends |
Day Two
TIME | AGENDA ITEMS | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Registration Opens | Conference Rooms CD |
| 9:30 AM | Kroc School Writing Workshop | Conference Rooms CD |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch Break and USD Familiarity Game | On Your Own |
| 1:30 PM | USD Library Services Introduction | Conference Rooms CD |
| 2:15 PM | Kroc School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation | Conference Rooms CD |
| 2:30 PM | Closing and USD Familiarity Game Award | Conference Rooms CD |
| 3:00 PM | Orientation Ends |
Session Descriptions
Day One
Building Tours
Arrive early for a mini tour of the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) Building! The informal tours will start around 9:00 am and depart from the check-in table in the Rotunda.
Dean’s Welcome
Orientation will start with a speech by Dr. Patricia Márquez, Associate Provost for Academic Planning and Innovation; Dean & Professor of Social Innovation at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.
You! In a Nutshell
Sit back and enjoy the premiere of the “You in a Nutshell!” Video series for the 2021 Kroc School Cohort. Feel free to stand and/or wave when your video is presented.
Peacemaker Postcards
Students will be led through a moment for personal reflection. While knowing you are surrounded by your Kroc School community, envision for yourself how you would like to remake the world. Write a postcard to your future self with your current intentions and visions for your time in your academic program and beyond. How will you play your part in remaking our world?
The Kroc School will mail this postcard to you toward the end of your academic program, and we will hold faculty-led reflection sessions in which we look back at these postcards. Please input the address where you would like your postcard to be sent when you graduate.
2021 Cohort Group Photo
Gather in the Garden of the Sky for a group photo of the 2021 Kroc School Cohort.
Lunch
Incoming students will be joined by faculty for a welcome lunch. When possible, students will be seated with their assigned faculty advisor.
Navigating Resilience: Harnessing the Power of Curiosity, Connection, and Community
Day One of Orientation will culminate in a special interactive workshop on the generative power of cultivating personal and collective resilience through strengths-based inquiry, the interdependence of self-care, and the science of belonging.
Lu Hanessian is an award-winning journalist and twenty-five year veteran former television anchor turned neuroscience-based consultant, conflict resolution facilitator, researcher, and trauma-informed, resilience-centered educator, trainer, adjunct professor, working across multiple sectors with companies, non-profits, educational institutions, and the public sector.
Welcome Reception
Students, both returning and incoming, are invited to join faculty and staff at the Garden of the Sky for a small welcome reception. Light refreshments will be served.
Day Two
Graduate School Writing Workshop
Cogent, compelling writing is a crucial tool for ensuring success in graduate school and beyond. Led by Professor Topher McDougal, this general overview session aims to position matriculating Kroc students well to achieve their writing goals. It will introduce students to key distinctions, strategies, and techniques for effective critical reading and writing at the graduate level. Students will also gain familiarity with specific writing approaches (e.g. grant writing) and tools (e.g. EndNote citation software) they may wish to explore in greater depth in future Kroc and/or USD workshops.
USD Familiarity Game
Using the map and corresponding checklist found in your folder, familiarize yourself with the USD campus and where to find resources. To participate in the game, take a selfie in front of/at the locations on the checklist and post on your Instagram story with with the tag #KrocOrientation — you may also tag @krocschool. You are encouraged to team-up to compete (but all participants must post their own pics). All participants who complete the challenge will be entered into a drawing for a prize!
Library Services Introduction
Helen K. and James S. Copley Library has resources and dedicated librarians for all of your research needs. Alma C. Ortega, PhD, is the Kroc School of Peace Librarian Liaison and will introduce to you the library’s online resources, including the Kroc School’s library research guide. She will also demonstrate some search strategies to facilitate your research process for future assignments and projects.
Kroc School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Presentation
The Kroc School and the University of San Diego are committed to creating an inclusive community that fosters equity, understanding, and respect among our students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The Kroc DEI Working Group, made up of current students, staff, faculty, and alumni, will present their initiatives and explore ways for incoming students to participate in their efforts.
Closing and Familiarity Game Award
Orientation will close with awarding a participant from the USD Familiarity Game. Staff will be available to address any remaining questions or concerns about the Kroc School.
FAQs About Orientation
Will there be remote access during orientation due to travel-enforced quarantine?
Yes, for our international students in travel-enforced quarantine, we will make a Zoom link available for you to participate synchronously during orientation. If you haven’t already, please email Hilary Beggs at hbeggs@sandiego.edu to request access.
What is the face-covering policy for orientation?
USD requires face coverings in indoor spaces for everyone. Please keep your mouth and nose covered by your face mask at all times. We kindly ask for you to consume any meals or snacks outdoors, where you do not need to wear a face covering. For more information on USD’s health and safety updates, please review the COVID-19 Campus Action Plan.
What is the suggested attire for orientation?
Attire for all orientation events is casual. Please bring layers as room temperatures cannot be changed.
Should I bring my Reusable Water Bottle?
Yes! Please bring a reusable water bottle — no water will be served during orientation. We encourage our students to refill their water in the multiple bottle filling stations in the building.
What devices do I need?
Students will need their laptop during both days of orientation to participate in workshops. Please be sure your laptop is charged and you bring your power cord. Power strips will be available if you need to re-charge during orientation. You will need to connect to the USD wifi, eduroam, to participate.
What should I expect for parking at USD during orientation?
Parking will be limited during orientation due to the undergraduate dorm move-ins. Please allow ample time — we suggest at least 20 minutes ahead of the start time — to search for parking and to take the USD Tram Service to the Kroc IPJ Building. We suggest parking in the West Parking Structure and either walking up the hill or taking the USD Tram. Note special reserved spots are available on campus for those who carpool, are displaying a valid ADA placard/license plate, motorcycles, or have an electric vehicle.
I’m riding my bike to campus — where can I lock it up?
USD worked with Park-a-Bike to install new bike racks as a two phase upgrade to increase bike parking and bike safety on campus. The increase in bike parking spaces is to encourage students and staff to commute to campus through cycling and alternative transportation. You can also check-out a bike for free from the USD Bike Library! Review bike safety tips before you ride.
Where can I find more information about alternative transportation?
Student and employee commuting comprises 27% of USD’s total carbon footprint. There are multiple modes of transportation that can help contribute to reducing USD’s impact on the environment. Please visit USD’s Office of Sustainability Programs website for more information.
Where will orientation be held?
All official orientation events will be held in the Kroc IPJ Building. Please visit USD’s interactive maps for more detailed directions.
What if I have special accommodations?
Please contact Hilary Beggs at hbeggs@sandiego.edu to be sure your needs are met.
What if I have a food or beverage allergy?
Meals and refreshments served during orientation will include vegan and gluten free options. If you have a specific dietary need or allergy, please email Hilary Beggs at hbeggs@sandiego.edu by Friday, August 20 to be accommodated.
Will breakfast and coffee be served?
No, only the meals identified in the agenda will be served during orientation. Please bring your own coffee, or visit the limited auxiliary services opened during orientation. If you bring breakfast or a snack, we kindly request that you enjoy your food outdoors since a face covering is required indoors.