July 31, 2012
Dear New Student:
We’re looking forward to seeing you soon. Here are a few reminders and action items to complete before your trip to Durham in a couple of weeks.
ORIENTATION
See attached schedule (also available on the DEL-MEM Information Wordpress Site). This schedule may change slightly by the time you arrive on campus; however, the start and end times for the week are final. Please arrange transportation appropriately. Attendance at all sessions is required. Please note: Orientation is an intense week, so expect long days and minimal free time. During orientation you will have many opportunities to help you get to know your classmates, the faculty, returning DEL-MEM students, as well as the DEL staff.
Orientation Locations
Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708-0328, USA · t: 919-613-8082 · f: 919-613-9002
www.nicholas.duke.edu/del
Monday – Wednesday:
Classroom: Nicholas School of the Environment
Located at the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC), A-Wing, Room A158
Physical address:
308 Research Drive, Durham, NC 27708
Group Hotel: Washington Duke Inn
3001 Cameron Blvd.
Durham, NC 27705
Direct 919-313-2160
www.washingtondukeinn.com
Wednesday (evening) – Friday (morning):
Duke University Marine Lab (DUML)
135 Duke Marine Lab Road
Beaufort, NC 28516-9721
Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708-0328, USA · t: 919-613-8082 · f: 919-613-9002
www.nicholas.duke.edu/del
Please take note of the transportation options to and from campus. Monday and Tuesday morning you can take the short walk to the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC) or you can take the Duke Campus Bus Service (PR-1, bus stop is located across from the Washington Duke Inn). Be sure to arrive early if you take the Duke bus. The agenda includes a map of the bus stop locations and schedule). If you are staying at the Washington Duke Inn, you could also arrange a ride with their shuttle, however, it must be coordinated ahead of time, space is limited, and you may have to make multiple stops prior to reaching the Nicholas School of the Environment.
Duke University has an app for iPhone, Android and Blackberry that allows you to access real-time location data on Duke buses. The app is TransLoc. Select Duke University for the location.
On Wednesday morning, you will check-out of the hotel, bring your luggage with you and board the shuttle provided by DEL (Greenways Shuttle) at the main entrance of the Washington Duke Inn. The shuttle will depart the Washington Duke at 7:45 a.m. Once at the LSRC, you will remain on the shuttle as the second year students depart; you will be continuing on to the Duke Forest for the morning.
Note about Parking on Duke Campus: Parking in fire lanes and handicapped spaces is prohibited—Duke likes to tow! After 5:00 p.m. and on weekends almost all lots are accessible to students with a valid Duke ID card. For visitor parking, visit http://www.parking.duke.edu/parking/visitor_parking/index.php. Suggested parking locations include Parking Garage IV, Bryan Center Pay Lot (meters), and meter lot at the intersection of Circuit Drive and LaSalle Street.
On our return ride back to the Washington Duke Inn late Friday afternoon, we will stop at the RDU airport if you would like to be dropped off then.
See below for campus map and Orientation locations. Campus maps are located at: http://maps.duke.edu/.
ORIENTATION CHECKLIST
We know, you’ve been given a lot of information over the summer to help prepare you for orientation and the start of the semester! To make sure you are prepared, please be sure to review the Orientation Checklist. The current version is available on the DEL-MEM Information Wordpress site.
DUKE ID
URGENT: A number of you have NOT yet completed the online submission form for your student ID via the DukeCard Office website: http://dco3.auxserv.duke.edu/myfirstdukecard/. We will not have time to do this when you are here in August, so please take advantage of their online process! This was due July 27. To ensure you will have a Duke ID when you arrive, please complete this no later than Wednesday, August 1st.
You must enter your Duke NetID and password to begin your request so make sure you have activated your Duke NetID. We will give your ID card when you arrive on campus for Orientation.
ENV 960: ORIENATION FIELD TRIP BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Please visit Sakai (sakai.duke.edu) to access information on our Orientation fieldtrips to the Duke Forest and the Coast (under Resources).
PLEASE, take the time to review these documents before arriving on campus.
ORIENTATION PRE-READING
You have a number of things to review/read prior to Orientation. Please be sure to stay on top of these assignments. The DEL-MEM Information Wordpress site, includes a table of all the assignments in summary format. If you have any questions about accessing the online resources or you are missing a book, please let us know ASAP.
DEL PROGRAM SITE via WORDPRESS
In addition, to courses information on Sakai, you should become familiar with the DEL-MEM Information Wordpress site – your online student resources.
Please explore this site now; we will also review during Orientation.
WHAT TO BRING TO ORIENTATION
Dress:
Please dress comfortably while you are here on campus – business casual/comfortable for most events while on campus. Our classroom temperature fluctuates, so layers are always good!
On Wednesday we will be going to the Duke Forest in the AM, so please dress accordingly (open-toes shoes might not be the best as we do have ticks and mosquitoes in NC!). Bug spray is also a good idea..and even an umbrella!
While at the Marine Lab, please dress casual. We’ll be on a boat (need closed-toe shoes) and walking around on the beach. We will have a nice seated dinner at the DUML, but again, dress is casual. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and suntan lotion.
The Washington Duke Inn has a pool and we will have time to swim in the ocean on Thursday, so bring a swimsuit if you’d like.
During field days (Wed-Fri), be prepared to walk! Also, be sure that you bring clothing appropriate for field work (shorts, t-shirts, pants, long-sleeved shirts, hat, raincoat or jacket, comfortable walking shoes and/or hiking boots). Check the weather ahead of time .
Housing & Meals:
Coed dormitory style student housing will be provided at the Beaufort campus. There will be 2 people per room with shared bathroom facilities (separate facilities for male and female). For Wednesday – Friday, bring your own personal hygiene items, such as soap, shampoo. Bring closed toe shoes for the boat trip (you will get wet – sandals are not permitted on the boat). Bring a travel alarm clock (or a cell phone with an alarm). Bed linens & bath towels are provided by the DUML.
Please bring cash. Some meals are provided by DEL (All other meals are no-host). See the agenda for details.
A note about dinner on our way to the DUML: We will be eating at Craven 247 and it is no-host…the menu is available at http://www.247craven.com/Dinner-Menu.html so you can get an idea of prices and what you might want to try. We will collect your main entrée order on Monday so we can pre-order our food. The Restaurant is small and serves local food, so they want to be prepared. Rest assured, they will not cook our food until we arrive at the restaurant!
Additional items you may want to bring include:
· Notebook, pens, pencils, etc for note-taking
· Suntan lotion (we’ll be spending about 1 full day on the beach)
· Bug repellent (we’ll be in the woods and on the beach)
· Hat, sunglasses
· Camera
· Water bottle
· Umbrella
· Jacket/Sweater (A158 can be cold)
· Swimming gear (beach towel, if you desire)
· Toiletries
You will be receiving a laptop while on campus, so it may be best to leave your person laptop at home. Your laptop will come with a DEL laptop carrying sleeve. Plan accordingly and leave room in your suitcase; we cannot ship items back for you. You can however, stop at a local shipping company and do so if needed.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR …
Adobe Acrobat Connect Training Session
Remember, we are holding a training session to prepare you for using Adobe Acrobat Connect for webconferencing. This tool is vital to your learning experience and it pays to learn how to use it!
Adobe Connect Training Session: Thursday, August 23rd, 2:00-2:30 PM ET (new date)
Please review the Adobe Acrobat Webconference document available at the DEL-MEM Information Wordpress site. It includes information on requirements, how to join a meeting, meeting etiquette, and troubleshooting. These training sessions will go a lot faster if you review these and are prepared ahead of time!
For this training session, the meeting URL is: http://nicholas.adobeconnect.com/orientationdemo/
Please be sure to complete the following steps prior to the training:
· Test your computer at http://nicholas.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm. Install plug-ins the system requests as a result of running this test.
· Plug-in your USB headset (and webcam if external) to your computer PRIOR to turning on your computer.
· Log into the meeting ahead of time: http://nicholas.adobeconnect.com/orientationdemo/
· Enter as a Guest by typing your first and last name and clicking Enter Room.
· Configure Audio/Video and Connection Speed:
o From the Meeting menu select Audio Setup Wizard... and follow the instructions. You may be prompted to Allow Access, click Allow.
o From the Meeting menu select Manage My Settings > My Connection Speed and select the option that matches the connection test report speed.
WE’RE ON LINKED IN and FACEBOOK!
The DEL Program has LinkedIn Groups (Duke Environmental Leadership Master of Environmental Management Program and DEL-MEM: Leadership Development) for you to stay networked with your peers and instructors, post questions, and start discussions.
Also, you can join our Facebook Page and send a request via Facebook to join our closed group, Duke Environmental Leadership.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Sincerely,
Sherri Nevius
Director, DEL Program
Duke University, Box 90328, Durham, NC, 27708-0328, USA · t: 919-613-8082 · f: 919-613-9002
www.nicholas.duke.edu/del