Dean’s Notes 2-10-2025

February 10, 2025

TRUMBULL COLLEGE: February 10, 2025

Hope you enjoyed the Superbowl last night and spent time in the snow yesterday! Sahej, my sister and I had fun playing in the snow at my parents’ house before our yummy Superbowl spread. We also went to the Yale-Harvard Women’s Hockey game on Saturday afternoon, and it was awesome – all three goals were scored by Trumbullians! Shoutout to Anna & Stephanie!! Moorah!!

I know many of you suddenly have midterms/papers/projects/thesis work in full swing.  I wish you the very best with your work.  You can do it!! Scroll down to see upcoming Academic Strategies workshops – some of them are particularly timely. And remember, self-care is very important!  For some of you, get well soon – for everyone else, stay well!  Here is my once-per-term reminder that orange juice is a great source of Vitamin C (I also love Vitamin C gummies)!

Again, I want to draw your attention to upcoming non-academic deadlines:

In the “Other” section at the end of Dean’s Notes, there are a bunch of job opportunities including OEO Mentors and CCEs – please scroll down for more info on these February deadlines! Again (from last week), the applications for Summer 2025 Residential Staff Positions for YSS and FSY are due on Friday, February 14th @5:00pm. I served as Head of Summer Colleges pre-pandemic for a couple summers and loved working with the staff. Dean Galindo (Branford’s Dean) is the current HoC (and she’s awesome).

Have a good week and take care. :)

Meeting with me:
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 on WEDNESDAY, February 12th (11:30am-12:30pm) and FRIDAY, February 14th (10:00-11:30am). Please check the little blurb on Calendly for my latest open Zoom hours.

ACADEMICS
Double credit:  If you are interested in petitioning to earn double credit in a single-credit course, please read the relevant section in the YCPS, and then consult with me. The deadline to submit this petition is Midterm, but I recommend that you do so well before that date.

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. Check out the “Look Ahead” feature helpful as you plan future courses or the “What If”  to see what would happen if you changed your major, added a Certificate, etc.  If you believe that information in your degree audit is incorrect, contact our office.

UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES (5pm unless noted)

February 26 (Wed)  Last day of courses offered in the first half of the spring term

February 26 (Wed)  Last day to withdraw from a course offered in the first half of the spring term

February 26 (Wed)  Last day to convert from a letter grade to Cr/D/F option for a course offered in the first half of the spring term

February 27 (Thur)  Courses offered in the second half of the spring term begin

March 4 (Tues)         Applications for 2025 Non-Yale Summer Abroad close, 11:59 pm

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.

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.

So You Don’t Feel Like Doing Your Work.  Have trouble staying focused and on task? Learn how to get motivated and keep engaged with your work while giving yourself the time you need to be healthy and grounded.  Monday, February 10, 4-5pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

Organize Your Time.  When’s the last time you asked yourself, “how am I going to get all of this done?” You are not alone! This interactive workshop offers evidence-based strategies and the opportunity to start figuring out what will work best for YOU. You will not only learn about ways to make the most out of your time, but also do some actual work toward your own scheduling and planning needs.  Monday, February 10, 7-8pm, Poorvu CTL Room 120A

Senior Thesis Power Hours.  Time for seniors to set goals and work together on their theses!  Monday, February 10, 7-9pm, Poorvu CTL Room 118A

Exam Study Strategies.  Reduce exam stress by learning new strategies for preparing and studying for midterms and finals. This workshop offers suggestions for preparing for and taking problem-based, short answer, and essay exams.  Tuesday, February 11, 4-5pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

Autism Discussion Group.  Join our autism discussion group, a supportive space where you can share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs with fellow students who understand. connect, learn from one another, and build a community that celebrates neurodiversity.  Wednesday, February 12, 5-6pm, Poorvu CTL Room 118A

STEM Navigators & OCS: How to Use LinkedIn for STEM Students.  How do I prepare my LinkedIn profile? You’re in luck, because STEM Navigators is partnering with Yale’s Office of Career Strategy to teach you exactly how you can start, perfect, and present your LinkedIn profile, which is important for future job searches - or for future employers to recruit YOU!  Thursday, February 13, 4-5pm, Poorvu CTL Room 120C

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, February 14, 2-3pm, Poorvu CTL Room M104A

FGLI Fridays @ The MENA Suite.  Take a break, unwind, and recharge at FGLI Fridays! Hosted by FGLI Thrive, this weekly hangout rotates between different campus partner locations. Stop by for a chill afternoon of board games, crafts, snacks, and great company with fellow FGLI students. Whether you’re here to relax, get creative, or connect with FGLI Ambassadors, this space is all about you—building community and taking the break you deserve. See you there!  Friday, February 14, 4-6pm, The MENA Suite

STEM Navigators Sunday Study Hall.  Snacks? While studying and meeting peers? Come complete your p-sets, study, and meet your peers in your STEM courses. Snacks and peer mentors are here to help you with any questions about majors, summer opportunities, or classes to take in the future! NOTE: Tutoring NOT provided by mentors.  Sunday, February 16, 2-3pm, Poorvu CTL Room 120A

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. Mark your Calendar for these Spring Semester Career Fairs and Networking Events!

OCS Resource Spotlight:  CareerShift.  You may be familiar with OCS’s vast database of jobs and internships, Yale Career Link. But did you know you also have access to CareerShift, a job aggregator licensed by OCS?  CareerShift is a powerful tool for searching internship and full-time positions posted across thousands of employer websites and other public sites. It also allows the job seeker to find millions of contacts for networking (including Yale alumni) and find recruiters for various companies or by industry.

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!

OCS Upcoming Events
STAY Alumni Tea - Law and Entertainment.  Want to chat with an award-winning Yale Alum with a fascinating life-and-career path at, after, and back to Yale? Join Students and Alumni of Yale (STAY) and Marcie Cleary ’10, widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading entertainment lawyers. Registration required.  Monday, February 10, 4-5:15pm, Rose Alumni House, 232 York St

Worldpackers Summer Internships Info Session.  Worldpackers seeks to foster the development and transformation of the world into a more socially and environmentally sustainable place. Join us for a casual virtual information session, where we will cover our global Internship destinations, placement process for all majors, funding process, and how to apply!  Tuesday, February 11, 4-5pm, Online event (register for link)

Cove Hill Partners Virtual Information Session.  Several Cove Hill private equity associates & analysts will debate the benefits of pursuing a consulting vs. banking career and which best prepares you for a PE associate job. Cove Hill Partners is $5bn private equity firm focused on partnering with outstanding management teams to build market-leading technology companies.  Wednesday, February 12, 5:30-6:30pm, Online event (register for link)

Greater New Haven Chamber (GNC) Internship & Career Fair.  The Greater New Haven Chamber (GNC), along with our university partners, will bring together college students, soon-to-be graduates, postgraduates, and regional talent for job and internship opportunities. The goal of this event is to not only empower individuals to kick-start or advance their careers, but to also contribute to the growth and success of our regional workforce.  Thursday, February 13, 1-4pm, Canal Dock Boathouse, 475 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven

Yale Career Panels: A Candid View of the Biotech Profession.  This event is the 65th in a series of events covering different professions and career issues. Biotech is an important industry that has been responsible for the invention and thousands of new drugs, vaccines, and novel treatments for many diseases. We have assembled a panel that has the experience to comment on careers in the biotech industry in a comprehensive and candid manner that will be helpful if you are contemplating a career in biotech.  Thursday, February 13, 7-8pm, Online Event (register for link)

Looking for something else?  You can tailor a weekly OCS newsletter to match your specific interests. 

FELLOWSHIPS AND FUNDING
The Office of Fellowships and Funding helps students identify funding opportunities to support activities such as research, study abroad, low-paid/unpaid internships, independent projects - and navigate the application process. Visit https://funding.yale.edu to learn more.

Planning to request the International Study Award (ISA)? Subscribe to the ISA newsletter for important ISA information. 

Fellowships & Funding Upcoming Events & Deadlines
[DEADLINE] Fox International Fellowships.  Support for one academic year of independent research at partner universities around the world. Application. Application Deadline = Friday, February 14, 1pm (Eastern)

STUDY ABROAD
Yale Study Abroad helps students choose from hundreds of study abroad options including Yale Summer Session Abroad, Non-Yale Summer Abroad, and Year or Term Abroad.

Applications are now open for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Academic Year 2025-2026 Study Abroad! Apply by the deadlines below (11:59pm Eastern). Visit the Study Abroad website for more details and list of designated programs.

  Summer 2025
  Credit for Non-Yale Summer Abroad:  March 4
  Petition for Summer Programs not on Yale’s Designated List:  March 4
  Application for Yale in London Summer Courses:  March 4

  Fall 2025 Abroad
  Credit for Fall Term Abroad:  April 1
  Petition for Fall Programs not on Yale’s Designated List:  April 1

  Full Year 2025-2026 Abroad
  Balliol College, Oxford University: Junior Year Abroad Program for Yale English Majors:  April 1
  Credit for Full Year Abroad:  April 1
  Petition for Full Year Programs not on Yale’s Designated List:  April 1

London School of Economics Summer School.  Thinking of studying abroad this summer at the London School of Economics? Before you apply, read the LSE Program page on the Study Abroad website. It has valuable information about which courses can transfer back to Yale, how to select courses, and more!

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
CET Shanghai: Study Abroad Information Session.  Dive deeper into your China studies with an engaging semester or summer in Shanghai. Take on English-taught electives that help you understand China and explore the city around you. And to top it off, Chinese language classes and a local roommate help you make the most of your time in this globalized city where East meets West  Monday, February 10, 4-5:45pm, Online Event (register for link)

CET Jordan Information Session.  CET Jordan offers unparalleled Arabic language instruction and a curriculum tailored to your interests for your summer study abroad. Choose one academic concentration to guide your summer (Intensive Language or Research), then take on engaging courses, out-of-class learning, and even a housing setup designed for round-the-clock immersion. This session will cover the following: academics, housing, excursions and trips, immersive components, language acquisition, research possibilities, and life in Amman. Registration Required. Wednesday, February 12, 4-5pm, Online Event (register for link)

Summer Institute of Hispanic Studies (SIHS) Information Session.  Come and learn about SIHS from its founder and director, Santiago Tejerina Canal. SIHS is a five-week summer program of study in Spanish language, literature, art, and culture. The primary goal of the SIHS is to immerse students into a Spanish-speaking environment and integrate them as fully as possible into Spanish life and culture.  Thursday, February 13, 3-4pm, 55 Whitney Ave, 3rd Floor, Room 305

Summer Institute of Hispanic Studies (SIHS), Program Director and Past Participant Meet-and-Greet.  Come to meet SIHS founder and director, Santiago Tejerina Canal, along with Yale alums of SIHS in the beautiful Trumbull Room of Branford College (located inside the college just below Harkness Tower). Drop by anytime between 6 – 7:30pm to chat informally about SIHS programming, hear first-hand accounts from past participants, and to learn about what it’s like to study abroad in Spain! Thursday, February 13, drop by 6-7:30pm Branford College, 74 High St

OTHER
Spring Break Opportunity:  Join the Chaplain’s Office for Spring Break New Have. New Haven is a beautifully diverse and fun city. In many ways New Haven’s history mirrors U.S History—its best and its most troubling. Throughout the week we’ll consider what it is to be a neighbor and community member—exploring how religious communities, restaurants, maker & artisan spaces, libraries, community centers, non-profits and more shape the places we call home. Join us for the good food, new friends and the chance to get to know New Haven in a whole new way.

  • Who: Open to all Yale undergrad, grad, and professional students
  • When: Sunday, March 9th at 6pm – Friday, March 14th at noon
  • Where: Here in New Haven!
  • Cost: $50, full scholarships available.  Meals and transportation provided.

Apply at bit.ly/SBNH2025 by Monday, February 10

Job Opportunity:  Apply to become an OEO Mentor!  Consider applying for a role as an Office of Educational Opportunity mentor for 2025-26. Current sophomores, juniors, graduate students are eligible to apply. Most mentors work 3-6 hours per week for 2 or more of our programs: Academic Strategies, STEM Navigators, FGLI Thrive, and Disability Peer Mentors. Undergraduates earn $20.50/hr.  Apply at https://forms.gle/CteqaVb3ot9de3Wt7 by Monday, February 17 (5PM)

Job Opportunity:  The CCEs are Hiring!  The Communication and Consent Educators (CCEs) are a diverse, creative group of undergraduates drawn from across campus to foster a more positive social and sexual climate. Through workshops, programs, and conversations, they collaborate within their own communities to build a culture of respect and support. The CCEs are paid employees of the Yale College Dean’s Office, working 5-10 hours per week, with longer hours during training periods in August and January.  Apply at https://tinyurl.com/CCEApp2025) by Friday, February 28 (5PM).  Questions?  Email gcc@yale.edu.

Nominations Open:  Yale Alumni Association Public Service Awards.  Nominate a fellow Yalie (or yourself) for this prestigious individual service award, which is presented annually to recognize sustained public service that is individual, innovative, impactful, and inspiring. The recipients are three Yalies - a Yale College student, a graduate or professional school student, and a member of the alumni body - all of whom have demonstrated service that draws on the Yale community and benefits the world beyond Yale. For more information including names of recent and past winners, please visit the YAA website. Nominations are due no later than February 28, 2025!

Juniors:  Apply for the 2026 Senior Exhibit Fellowship at Yale Library. This fellowship provides one rising senior with training in curatorial skills and culminating in the production of a library exhibition (opening in the spring of their senior year) based on the student’s senior essay topic using materials from the Yale Library collections. Fellowship duration is from Summer 2025 (five-week research fellowship) through Spring 2026 (senior year research and production).  Key Dates:

  • Submission portal is open now
  • Information Sessions:  Monday, February 10, 12-1pm & Tuesday, February 11, 4-5pm
  • Proposals due: March 7, 2025 
  • Selected students are notified: Week of April 21, 2025 
  • Summer internship: Curator selects five consecutive weeks between June and September 2025 
  • Exhibition development and production: September 2025 – April 2026 
  • Opening reception: April 2026  
  • Exhibit on view: May – October 2026 

More information:  https://library.yale.edu/news/summer-fellowship-library-invites-rising-seniors-create-exhibition & library.yale.edu/sml-exhibition-committee/students

The Adrian Van Sinderen Book Collecting Prizes for Seniors and Sophomores.  In order to encourage undergraduates to collect books, build their own libraries, and read for pleasure and education, Adrian Van Sinderen (YC 1910) established two prizes —one for seniors and one for sophomores— in 1957. The Senior Prize is $1,000, and the Sophomore Prize is $700. For more information, including instructions and the application form, visit http://vansinderen.yale.edu. Selected collections will be examined by appointment before spring break: please be prepared to show the judges the most significant portion of the collection.  Application materials are due on Monday, February 24th (5pm)

Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy: Summer Internships.  Do you believe clean energy can advance racial, economic, and environmental justice? We do too! The Yale Center for Business and the Environment (CBEY) is thrilled to begin accepting applications for the next cohort of our Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy summer internship program. Selected students will each receive a $10,000 stipend for the summer, receive supervision and guidance, and share and learn from peers in weekly meetings as a cohort. Learn more and apply by February 20th (11:59pm)

From YC3
Drop-in Chair Yoga.  Join Ricky from YC3, through a guided seated yoga exercise for 45 minutes, that can help relive physical and emotional tension, stretch and lengthen the spine, and promote a healthy body and mind. You do not need to register, but it is recommended.  Monday, February 10, 1-1:45pm, GLC Lounge in Schwarzman

Wellness Wednesday: The Season of Rest! Join YC3 for Wellness Wednesday! This month we are focusing on rest. We will explain the science behind this topic and help you craft substantial differences you can make once or twice a week that prioritizes your well-being. Our furry friend Heidi will be joining us for some V-Day week photos and joy. Stop by anytime between 2-4pm & grab a snack and free giveaways! Wednesday, February 12, drop by 2-4pm, GLC Lounge (Room 205) in Schwarzman

From the Yale Library
Any student who attends at least 3 library workshops this semester will be eligible for a Yale Library tote bag! Learn more about the Workshop Incentive Program. Browse all upcoming Library Workshops at https://schedule.yale.edu/calendar/instruction

YC’26 Information Session on the SENIOR EXHIBIT FELLOWSHIP. One rising senior (Yale College 2026) will be selected to receive a $4,200 stipend to support a summer research fellowship, mentoring, and exhibit production support over the course of nine months to create and curate a professional-quality exhibit. Learn tips for creating a successful exhibit proposal and about what goes into creating a physical exhibition.
Monday, February 10, 12-1pm, Online Event (register for link)
Tuesday, February 11, 4-5pm, Online Event (register for link)

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.  Thursday, February 13, 7-7:30pm, Online Event (register for link)

Hidden Treasures in Sterling Library.  Join a fellow Yale student to learn tips & tricks and find hidden ‘gems’ inside the 16-story Sterling Library stack tower!  Friday, February 14, 4-4:45pm, Sterling Memorial Library

Zotero Intensive for Senior Essays.  In this hands-on session we’ll guide you through using Zotero - for your specific needs for your Senior Essay - to make your bibliographies a breeze. Juniors and Seniors in Yale College are welcome to attend.  Friday, February 14, 4-5pm, Bass L06A

Type: 
Dean's Notes