Dean’s Notes 12-2-2024

December 2, 2024

TRUMBULL COLLEGE: December 2, 2024

Hope you had a restorative November Recess and hope you had fun at The Game! Congrats to our Football players! Congrats also to our Volleyball players who will be competing in the NCAA tournament later this week! Go Gigi, Chidera & Arya!

We spent half the break at my parents’ house in Southington, CT. I made our Thanksgiving meal once again, which means everyone grazes on baked veggie dip, lots of roasted veggies and pie for about five hours – it was fun. :) Sahej got a lot of attention from his grandparents and his Masi (my sister). We also took Sahej to Dave & Buster’s on Wednesday and in the process, got to see Santa at the mall!  :)

And now for the final stretch of the term! I know…the next ~two and a half weeks are going to be very busy. However, right after that, we’ll have another, more restorative break! Hang in there. As I say every term: While it is true that Yale can be particularly challenging at times, you’ve made it this far and the end of the term is in sight. You can do it!! For those of you who feel nervous, try this strategy: Repeat to yourself often, “I can do it!! I am a good test taker/I can write this paper/I can complete this project/I can give this presentation…” I know it’s cheesy, but it works!

This will be the last issue of Dean’s Notes for the fall term. Keep an eye out for End-of-term messages from me in the coming days. Please also take note of the “Upcoming Dates & Deadlines” below – we’ll send a reminder later in the week about Friday’s deadlines.

Know that I’m here to talk and so is Alice. I will have blocks of OPEN Zoom hours this week in addition to appointments (see below). Please don’t fret if you don’t see an opening in Calendly – my slots this week have nearly filled up already. This is the reason that I hold OPEN Zoom hours (see below). Please also know that I will hold office hours until the last day of finals. I’ll shift to more Zoom appointments and open Zoom hours during reading period and finals, so you know.  

Have a wonderful last week of classes! Know that I’m cheering you on!! You’re busy with assignments/exams/papers/projects – hang in there everyone! Get your rest – sleep is very important. Take care of yourselves and one another. Looking forward to seeing you at Saturday’s Holiday Dinner, too!

THIS FRIDAY: The Summer Opportunities Fair is on Friday, December 6 | 1:30-4:30PM (Presidents’ Room, Schwarzman Center). Check it out!

Meeting with me: Please take note of my OPEN Zoom hours (below)
To make an appointment, please use the Calendly scheduling tool, https://calendly.com/dean_c, or reach out to Alice with any scheduling issues.  For in-person meetings, please come to the office. We’re right here in Trumbull G104, which you can access across from Entryway A or through Entryway G. Zoom meetings (including open Zoom office hours) will be through my Zoom page: https://yale.zoom.us/my/skchandhoke.

My OPEN ZOOM office hours for each week are listed on the top of my Calendly page. When you click on the Zoom link, you will be placed into a waiting room. I will speak to students (one-on-one) in the order they “arrive.” My upcoming open hours are (tentatively) on TUESDAY, Dec 3rd (11:00am-12:30pm), WEDNESDAY, Dec 4th (1:30-2:30pm), THURSDAY, Dec 5th (9:30-10:30am), and FRIDAY, Dec 6th (10:00-11:30am & 2:30-4:00pm). Please check the little blurb on Calendly for my latest open Zoom hours.

Please note that I teach on Wednesday mornings during the fall term.

FroCo APPLICATIONS
TC’26: The 2025-2026 FroCo Application is now open. Please Save-the-date for our Trumbull FroCo Info Session: Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 @6pm in the Fellows’ Lounge (2nd floor of Entryway K).

ACADEMICS
Thinking about taking a Spring 2025 class outside of Yale College? Please take a look at these two important – and helpful! – sites:

Yale Degree Audit:  Access Degree Audit through Yale Hub.  Degree Audit displays the Yale College, major, and Certificate requirements that you have already completed and those that are still pending. You may find the “Look Ahead” feature helpful as you finetune your Spring courses; it shows you how future course enrollment might apply toward your degree. If you believe that information in your degree audit is incorrect, contact our office.

UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES (5pm unless noted)
December 6      Classes end; reading period begins.

December 6      Last day to convert from a letter grade to the Cr/D/F option for a full-term course and/or a course offered in the second half of the fall term.

December 6      Last day to withdraw from a full-term course and/or a course offered in the second half of the fall term.

December 12    Reading period ends, 5pm; Final examinations begin, 7pm

December 12    Deadline for all course assignments, other than term papers and term projects. This deadline can be extended only by a Temporary Incomplete (TI) authorized by the student’s residential college dean.

December 18   Final examinations end, 5:30pm; winter recess begins.

December 18   Deadline for all term papers and term projects. This deadline can be extended only by a Temporary Incomplete (TI) authorized by the student’s residential college dean.

December 19    Residences close, 12pm (noon)

December 19    Spring term registration closes for all GSAS & YC students, 5pm; waitlists close

TUTORING
Advising Resources:  http://advising.yalecollege.yale.edu

Sc/QR Tutoring:  https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/stem-tutoring-programs

Language Tutoring:  https://cls.yale.edu/programs/language-tutoring

Yale College Writing Center:
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/undergraduate-writing-and-tutoring.  The Yale College Writing Center offers a variety of resources available to all students looking for support as they complete writing tasks during their time at Yale:

  • Adam Reid Sexton is the Trumbull College Writing Tutor.  His office is in room Basement 29.  Adam teaches three courses in the English department (The Craft of Fiction, Reading and Writing the Modern Essay, and Writing About Music) and is a Critic in the graduate School of Art.  During summer 2022 he taught Writing About Music for Yale in London.  Adam is also a writer; his next book, Difficult Listening, is due to be published soon.
    To meet with Adam, please reserve a half-hour by logging on to https://www.yalewco.com/index.php, and be sure to share a Google doc of the material you want help with by 7am on the day of your appointment.  Include the instructor’s prompt, your focus for the meeting, and when the paper is due.  Adam looks forward to working with you!
  • Writing Partners are Yale College or graduate school students selected for both their writing skills and their ability to talk about writing. 
  • The Writing Advice webpage offers a range of information and resources related to writing in Yale College. It includes sample student essays from a wide range of disciplines, allowing you to read good models as you learn to write in a new field, and also features extensive advice about writing with Turnitin.

Yale Academic Strategies Program/Office of Educational Opportunity:
https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/PoorvuAcademicStrategies/club_signup
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/academic-strategies-program

Our mission is to help all Yale undergraduates be active, empowered learners at Yale. Through peer academic mentoring, interactive workshops, and connections to resources, we hope to provide you with the tools that can propel you towards your goals.

STEM Navigators.  Want to learn the best practices for succeeding in introductory STEM Courses? Join STEM Navigators, a mentoring network that provides you with information, events, and support to guide you through these crucial first courses. Sign up via this link: STEM Navigators sign up

Disability Peer Mentorship Program.  DPMP pairs students with peers of similar backgrounds to create networks of support for people with disabilities at Yale. The diverse experiences of disability in our community include physical & mobility disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses & psychiatric disabilities, neurodiversity & learning disabilities (including ADHD, dyslexia, autism), sensory disabilities & processing disorders (including vision impairments, blindness, and d/Deafness), and other conditions. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to participate. Disability Peer Mentors help individual students develop critical self-advocacy skills, connect them to institutional resources, and find community around disability identity. Request a DPMP Mentor. First-year students can also request mentorship and guidance about Student Accessibility Resources through the SAS Peer Liaison Program.

Meet with our Learning Specialist.  Have a learning difference or other condition that affects how you accomplish your academic work? We can talk with you about new approaches for meeting Yale’s academic challenges. Contact Geoffrey Canales (geoffrey.canales@yale.edu) for an appointment.

Individual Mentoring.  Get organized for the semester by meeting with an Academic Strategies Mentor. Mentors will help you develop a weekly study routine, offer strategies for approaching complicated readings and p-sets, and help you develop a plan for prepping for those first exams. Our online mentoring schedule is live. If you’d like to schedule a meeting before then, please email us at academicstrategies@yale.edu. 

Workshops.  Our famous workshop sessions are available in person and online! Register via the YaleConnect links below. FYI: Poorvu CTL M104A is upstairs from the York Street Entrance to Sterling Memorial Library. Poorvu CTL 120 A, B, C, and 121 are the classrooms on the first floor. Questions? Contact us at academicstrategies@yale.edu.

Senior Thesis Power Hours.  Time for seniors to set goals and work together on their theses!  Monday, December 2, 7-9pm, Poorvu CTL Room 120A

Yale FGLI In Law.  The FGLI Community Ambassadors and Yale Law School are happy to announce the Yale FGLI In Law Event! Come join us in the Sterling Law Building Room 124 with current Yale Law School Students and Yale admissions officers on Dec 3rd 4-5pm!  Tuesday, December 3, 4-5pm, Sterling Law Building Room 124

Approaches to Your Leave of Absence.  Our workshop provides advice for connecting with mentors as you transition into and out of your leave of absence, and for creating a purposeful leave of absence that provides meaning and personal satisfaction.  Tuesday, December 3, 7-8pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

Imagining Your Summer for Student Athletes (with Fellowships and Funding).  Interested in summer study abroad, fellowships, or internships, but don’t know how to get started? Hear from students who have done these things to help you identify some possible summer opportunities. You will leave with a clearer idea of what is possible and the resources you can access to make your vision happen. Now is the perfect time to start planning!  Tuesday, December 3, 8-9pm, Online Event (register for link)

Procrastination: How to Work Through It.  We all procrastinate. When your procrastination habits get in the way of your goals, however, it’s time for a change. This workshop offers strategies for identifying the sources of procrastination and pursuing productive habits that can get you back on track.  Wednesday, December 4, 4-5pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

Wait–Someone Will Pay Me to Do That?!  Oh, the places you’ll go! Dr. Seuss might well have been talking about YOU if you come to this session. This workshop aims to demystify undergraduate fellowships/funding for Arts and Humanities students. You will learn from other Yale students about some of the big resources for Arts/Humanities funding, and together discuss how to find opportunities, how to talk with faculty and staff about your dreams; and why to make this a part of your Yale education.  Friday, December 6, 2-3pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

FGLI Thrive: Feel Good Fridays.  Unwind and recharge at our weekly Feel Good Fridays! Drop in for a laid-back afternoon of board games, crafts, and connections with fellow FGLI students. Whether you want to relax or chat with FGLI mentors, this is your space to build community and take a well-deserved break.  Friday, December 6, 3-5pm, Poorvu CTL Room 121

CAREER STRATEGY
The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) offers career advising, professional school advising, employment and internship opportunities, and career development resources. The office works with students and alumni to clarify career aspirations, identify opportunities, and offer support at every stage of career development. Check out OCS events, opportunities, and services at https://ocs.yale.edu/channels/student. You can even tailor a weekly OCS newsletter to match your interests.

OCS LinkedIn Photo Booth.  OCS is excited to offer Yale College students the opportunity to reserve the LinkedIn Photo Booth at 55 Whitney Avenue, 3rd Floor. This is your opportunity to have a private, 30-minute session to take professional photos. The room is outfitted with a ring light, backdrops, and a tripod for your phone. OCS provides tips about how to Build Your LinkedIn Profile, including advice on your LinkedIn profile photo. The booth is currently available to reserve every Wednesday and Friday from 10am – 4pm when classes are in session. Requests are required by the day before to be considered. If you need to reserve it for another weekday, please email lisa.blees@yale.edu with the subject line: OCS LinkedIn Booth.

OCS Upcoming Events
Connect with Current FAO Schwarz Fellows.  Each year a new cohort of FAO Schwarz Fellows begins paid, two-year assignments with leading nonprofit organizations in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia. Attend this online info to meet current Fellows and learn about the Fellowship experience. Find out how host organizations select Fellows and what we’re looking for in a candidate. You’ll hear directly from current FAO Schwarz Fellows, alumni Fellows, and Executive Director Priscilla Cohen. Wednesday, December 4, 3-3:45pm, Online Event (register for link)

YANA Student Chapter Event: Tea Chat with David McCullough III (YC ’17).  In 2019, Co-founder and CEO David McCullough III (YC’17) helped launch the American Exchange Project (AEP), an innovative program designed to foster cross-cultural connections among recently graduated high school seniors. AEP aims to bridge divides across class, culture, race, and geography, fostering greater understanding and empathy nationwide.  Cohosted by YANA and STAY.  Thursday, December 5, 5-6pm, Rose Alumni House, 232 York Street

Financial Life After Yale.  Questions about budgeting, saving, investing and taxes? Need rules of thumb? For a pair of 8pm informal chats (choose dates from identical pairs of sessions), join Branford Resident Fellow Steve Blum and his fellow alumnus John Caserta ‘01 for “Financial Life After Yale.” Started 11 years ago, more than 200 of these sessions have attracted ~ 4,000 Yalies. Want to attend? Register for your preferred time for each virtual session; this month’s options are:
Budgets, Rules of Thumb, 401Ks & IRAs: Monday, December 9, 8-9pm, Online Event (register for link)
Investing & Taxes:  Wednesday, December 11, 8-9pm, Online Event (register for link)

FELLOWSHIPS AND FUNDING
Meet with an Outreach Coordinator! Interested in learning more about fellowships and career resources, but unsure where to start? Meet with one of our Outreach Coordinators! OCs are Yale students with first-hand experience and knowledge of fellowships and career opportunities available at Yale. OCs hold office hours in all residential colleges on biweekly basis. Check out the Office of Fellowships Instagram for locations!

Summer Fellowships and Funding:  Start Planning Now!
Yale College fellowships that fund summer experiences typically have application deadlines in early spring - February & March (check actual deadlines for specific awards on the SGD). However, the application process takes time.  Here are some steps to take during the fall semester to help you prepare:

Fellowships & Funding Upcoming Events & Deadlines
[DEADLINE] Yale-China Fellowship.  This program immerses recent graduates in a Chinese community, offering unique opportunities to build real-world experience and develop professional skills. Teams of four Fellows live and work at one of three host schools located around southern China. Visit https://www.yalechina.org/ycf for more information and the application.  Round One Application Deadline:  Monday, December 2, 11pm (Eastern)

How to Write a Great Fellowship Research Proposal (STEM).  Attend this Yale College Science & QR Center information sessionon on how to write a research proposal in STEM disciplines at Yale. Tuesday, December 3, 5-6pm, Online Event

Imagining Your Summer for Student Athletes (with Poorvu).  Interested in summer study abroad, fellowships, or internships, but don’t know how to get started? Hear from students who have done these things to help you identify some possible summer opportunities. You will leave with a clearer idea of what is possible and the resources you can access to make your vision happen. Now is the perfect time to start planning!  Tuesday, December 3, 8-9pm, Online Event (register for link)

Light Fellowship Information Session #7 (LAST SESSION).  The Richard U. Light Fellowship Program fully funds Yale undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students pursuing intensive language study in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for terms ranging from a single summer to a combined summer plus academic year. Attending a Light Fellowship Information Session is a requirement to be eligible for the Light Fellowship. Visit https://light.yale.edu for more information and the application.  Thursday, December 5, 1:30-2:30pm, 55 Whitney Avenue, Room 369

2025 Summer Opportunities Fair.  Learn about all the opportunities available to Yale College undergraduates this summer! Stop by the annual Summer Opportunities Fair to learn about hundreds of amazing internship, study, and funding opportunities in the U.S. and abroad for Summer 2025. Drop by at any time during the fair to chat with staff, faculty, and students to find experiences that are right for you.  Friday, December 6, 1:30-4:30pm, Schwarzman 2nd floor.

STUDY ABROAD
Thinking about studying abroad? Head to the Get Started tab to search programs that fit your personal and academic interests, check application deadlines, review costs and funding options, get advice on your plans, and more. Learn about fulfilling distributional and major requirements with study abroad coursework.  The Study Abroad Office is here to support you through the process from start to finish, and it’s never too early to begin planning.

Don’t wait to ensure you have the necessary travel documents! Even if you are not yet sure that you will study abroad, you should have a valid passport at least three months in advance, if possible. As a point of reference, the current estimated processing time for a U.S. passport  is 6-8 weeks. International students should research passport renewal for their country of citizenship and be aware of how renewal may impact their U.S. student visa. Visit the Study Abroad Office Travel Planning & Logistics for additional information.

Study Abroad Upcoming Events & Deadlines
2025 Summer Opportunities Fair.  Learn about all the opportunities available to Yale College undergraduates this summer! Stop by the annual Summer Opportunities Fair to learn about hundreds of amazing internship, study, and funding opportunities in the U.S. and abroad for Summer 2025. Drop by at any time during the fair to chat with staff, faculty, and students to find experiences that are right for you.  Friday, December 6, 1:30-4:30pm, Schwarzman 2nd floor.

OTHER
Have fun and help make a difference in New Haven, Summer 2025!  The Yale University President’s Public Service Fellowship seeks outstanding Yale students not in their final year to work with organizations that promote economic growth, human development, and neighborhood vitality in New Haven. For the summer of 2025, placements can be for any consecutive period of eight to eleven weeks between May 27 and August 8.  The taxable pay for undergraduates for a 40-hour work week will be $750 per week.  Application Deadline:  Friday, January 17, 2025. For more information and application materials, log on to the PPSF website or contact Karen King.

Are you looking to make a real difference and have an unforgettable week of your summer? Camp Kesem Yale is a student-led organization that offers a free, week-long summer camp for kids whose parents have been affected by cancer - and they are looking for passionate volunteers to join! Kesem volunteers have the opportunity to create joyful memories through incredible camp experiences and traditions. It’s an incredible chance to grow as a leader, build lasting connections, and positively impact the lives of families affected by cancer. If you are at all interested in joining Kesem in spreading the Kesem magic, please fill out this interest form.  

Crafting Hour. De-stress and paint with us! Join the Chaplain’s Office for a crafting hour! We will do a painting activity with the option to do your own project with our craft materials. Tea and treats will be provided. We can’t wait to see you there!  Wednesday, December 4, 4:30-5:30pm, Breathing Space, basement of Welch Entryway C

From YC3
Wellness Wednesday: Finals Survival Guide!  Come join us for our monthly Wellness Wednesday. Drop by any time to spend time building a self-care kit with supplies and goodies to help you get ready for finals and also explore what you can do for yourself for ease and comfort so you can avoid burn out this season.  Wednesday, December 4, 2-4pm, GLC Lounge (Room 205) in Schwarzman

Drop-in Meditation.  Join Ricky from YC3 for a 30-minute guided meditation during this busy and hectic time as a way to slow down and do something for your well-being. There will be essential oils to smell at the end of the session!   Thursday, December 5, 1-1:30pm, GLC Lounge (Room 205) in Schwarzman

Seated Yoga.  Join Ricky from YC3 for guided seated yoga to relieve tension, stretch & lengthen the spine, & promote a healthy body & mind. All students are welcome to join; please contact goodlifecenter@yale.edu if you require an accommodation or service to fully participate.  Thursday, December 5, 2-2:30pm, GLC Lounge (Room 205) in Schwarzman

From the Yale Library
Anyone who attends at least 3 library workshops in one semester will be eligible for a Yale Library tote bag or water bottle! Learn more about the Workshop Incentive Program.

Advanced Search Techniques.  In 30 minutes, learn skills to research like a librarian, including how to use advanced search techniques to find books and articles in Quicksearch.  Monday, December 2, 7-7:30pm, Online Event (register for link)

First Steps with Zotero.  Learn how to manage your research, take notes, and create a bibliography with Zotero. Yale users can create a free account with unlimited storage!  Monday, December 2, 8-8:30pm, Online Event (register for link)

Latte with a Librarian.  Meet with a librarian for a drop-in research consultation. Any student who asks a library or research-related question will receive a FREE Yale Library mug!  Tuesday, December 3, 1-2:30pm, Bass Library, Thain Café High Table (register if you want a reminder)

How to Find Scholarly Articles.  Are you ready to find articles thoroughly and efficiently – without relying on Google Scholar, while also avoiding paywalls ($$)? Learn strategies to find the best possible scholarly articles from Yale Library.  Tuesday, December 3, 7-7:30pm, Online Event (register for link)

Next Steps with Zotero.  Learn how to get the most out of Zotero advanced research management features for your unique needs, including removing duplicate citations, filtering citations with tags, creating annotations, and integrating Zotero with Microsoft Word and Google Docs.  Wednesday, December 4, 8-8:30pm, Online Event (register for link)

RECHARGE During Reading Week.  From raffles and therapy dogs to Cookies & Questions… Yale Library is here to support you with wellness events and giveaways to help you recharge during Reading Week. Find a study break Friday, December 6 - Thursday, December 12: https://guides.library.yale.edu/RECHARGE

Type: 
Dean's Notes