Checklist for New Graduate Students
These tasks pertain to your transition to graduate studies in the Department of Physics. Everyone's circumstances are different, and you may have tasks in addition to the items listed here, but this is a good general overview of the beginning steps you will need to complete. Consult materials sent to you from the Graduate College Admissions Offices for more information, if applicable. International students should consult materials sent from the International Student and Scholar Services Office, if applicable. Check off each task as you complete it:
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
____ Check in at the International Student and Scholar Services Office, 610 E. John St. http://www.ips.illinois.edu/isss/
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PERMANENT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
____ Apply immediately for a permanent social security number (The staff at the International Student Office will assist you with this process). It may take several months to receive a number so please apply for one as soon as you have the opportunity to do so. In the meantime, you should be assigned a temporary social security number when you get your University ID card.
____ Come to Room 227 Loomis Lab to complete the I-9 employment form. Please be sure to bring your passport and visa related materials with you as we must have these to complete the form.
NOTE: After you complete the tasks above, we will send you instructions via e-mail about NESSIE (Net-driven Employee Self-Service and Information Environment) in order for you to complete the required web based forms that have to be filled out for us to pay you. Please be sure to begin checking your UIUC e-mail right away (you will receive e-mail activation information upon your arrival).
____ Log on to NESSIE by following the instructions we sent to you via e-mail, fill in all required fields, and SUBMIT the information so we can finalize your pay appointment. BE SURE TO FILL IN ALL INFORMATION AND TO CLICK ON THE SUBMIT BUTTON.
You will need to complete the W-4 tax form at the Payroll Office after you have a permanent social security number and after your pay appointment has been added to the system. This should be done after September 10, 2009.
ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS:
____ Complete all required fields on the NESSIE Employment System and SUBMIT the information (students will be e-mailed payroll instructions upon arrival). BE SURE TO COMPLETE ALL OF THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND TO CLICK ON THE SUBMIT BUTTON.
____ Bring your driver's license/passport/social security card documentation to Room 227 Loomis Lab so you can complete your I-9 employment form.
NOTE: Fellowship recipients should follow instructions from the Fellowships Office.
____ Find your mailbox
____ Obtain student identification card: http://www.icard.uillinois.edu/
____ Obtain computer-user information from 227 Loomis Lab.
NOTE: This information is needed to access the web, your email, and registration information through the UI computer system.
____ Attend course advising appointment (you should have received an e-mail with your advising date/time/location).
____ Register for courses on UI Web for Student System before the department deadline of 5:00pm on Friday, August 14. (We have an earlier deadline than the University because we use registration information to make TA section assignments that day.) You will need to give us your schdule so that we can make the section assignments. You need to enter your schedule here: https://my.physics.illinois.edu/grad/taprefs/
Instructions for registration are on the web at http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/registration/
____ Attend Department of Physics Mandatory Orientation program on Friday, August, 14 at 10:00 am in Room 144 Loomis Lab.
The following items will be completed when you first arrive and officially check in with the staff in 227 Loomis:
_____ Have your picture taken
_____ Complete employment forms
_____ Obtain office assignment and office key
TEACHING ASSISTANTS (there are separate orientations for those who will have classroom assignments and those who will have non-classroom assignments such as Grading):
____ Attend TA orientation programs and workshops.
*For those who will have classroom teaching assignments, attend the workshops on August 17 and 18 (Monday & Tuesday) in Foellinger Auditorium from 8:30am-3:30pm. For those who will have a non-classroom assignment, such as grading, attend the the workshop on August 19 (Wednesday) in Room 141 Wohlers Hall from 8:15am-3:15pm. If you are unsure of which orientation program you should attend, ask the staff in the Physics Graduate Office..
Check the following link for locations, dates and times: http://physics.illinois.edu/current/graduate/newgrads/schedule.asp
NOTE: Department policy: TA office hours are held in the TA Commons, Room 279 Loomis.