2014 Archived BTFO Blog posts

[Author: Kate McCormick, see her on the bio page]

Hi Friends,

Part of my own transition to YDS life was obtaining a student position in the Administrative Offices of the Yale University Library (YUL.)  Basically, I’m paid to learn, know and talk about this remarkable system and I have grown to genuinely love it throughout the past year.

However, before I loved this system I was overwhelmed by it.  The YUL is housed in fifteen libraries spread around Yale’s campus and contains nearly 15 million print and electronic volumes.  Last September, I was more stressed about where to do my studying than I was about getting it done!   I’ve always been a “library person” (as I am sure many of you are) and I knew there were cozy corners in the YUL destined for me, but it took time to find the nooks meant for me.

So when Jessi and Adam asked me if I had anything to contribute to the BTFO blog this year I felt that I should offer some wisdom concerning the YUL.  If you don’t feel like reading my musings it’s totally okay but do check out the links I have included at the bottom of this post.  The YUL works hard to keep its website updated and it’s often the best place to find the answers your looking for.  The YUL Facebook page and Twitter feed are also a great sources of information and are updated daily.

Divinity School Library:

First off, our own library here at the Divinity School is a real treasure.  The Day Mission Reading Room and Collection is one of the jewels of the YUL.  Suzanne Estelle-Holmer, our Head Librarian at YDS, as well as the rest of the Library’s amazing staff will give you a thorough introduction to the Divinity Library during BTFO and throughout the year.  We have a kind and dedicated team up here on the hill and they are always here to answer your questions.  It’s a great place to study and is always full of familiar faces.  The Divinity School Library also has a website and Facebook page to help you stay connected to this essential place.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick

Sterling Memorial Library (SML):

The SML is the big “Harry Potteresque” Library downtown and I am so glad you are all coming when you are because its iconic Nave will be fully reopened following its yearlong restoration on August 25^th.  The Nave looks fantastic and is definitely a hub for the Yale community but it isn’t the only study space the SML has to offer.  Here are the other inspiring spaces you can visit down at Sterling:

·         The American Studies Reading Room – 6^th Floor, Room 608.

·         The Andrews Study Room – 2^nd Floor, Room 215.

·         East Asia Library Reading Room – 2^nd Floor, Room 222.

·         Franke Periodical Reading Room – 1^st Floor.

·         International Room – 1^st Floor.

·         Judaic Studies Reading & Reference Room – 3^rd Floor, Room 335B.

·         Middle East & Islamic Studies Reading Room – 3^rd Floor, Room 333.

·         Philosophy Reading Room – 6^th Floor, Room 610.

·         Slavic Reading Room – 4^th Floor, Room 406.

·         Southeast Asia Reading Room – 2^nd Floor, Room 214.

·         Starr Reading Room – 1^st Floor.

My favorite study space (located in SML, although not technically part of YUL) is the Babylonian Collection Reading Room located on the (3^rd floor) floor of the SML.  It was a true gift to read and write about the Prophets of the Hebrew Bible within the largest collection concerning ancient Mesopotamia in the United States. 

The SML may seem big (and it is) but it’s not too big for you to be productive in, I promise!  There are many people there to help you and I highly suggest taking some time to explore the SML before school begins.  Don’t forget your ID, you will need it before going upstairs.

Photograph by Patrick Lynch, Senior Digital Officer at Yale.

Irving S. Gilmore Music Library:

The Music Library can be accessed through the SML.  In fact, it is constructed within a former courtyard of James Gamble Rogers’ famous structure.  I enjoy spending time in this library because it has fantastic natural light.

The Gilmore Music Library is one of the largest collections of music scores, sound recordings, and music research materials in the United States.

Photograph by Anthony Ricco.

Bass Library:

Bass Library (formerly the Cross Campus Library) opened its doors in 2007 to over a thousand Yale students, faculty and staff chanting “Books! Books! Books!”  While Bass is popular with Yale’s undergraduate population, graduate and professional students are more than welcome in this sleek and laid-back environment. 

The Thain Café is located on the main floor of Bass to help fuel your brilliance and there are individual and group study rooms available for checkout.  All Yale students are eligible to checkout (really cool) media equipment from the library and are able to use the Bass’ Media Lab as well. 

Lastly, (and most importantly let’s be real) Bass has an impressive DVD collection available for student use.  Bass Library is located underneath the SML and can be accessed through the Nave or through its entrance of the Library Quadrangle on High Street.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick

Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscripts Library:

The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscripts Library was extremely controversial when it was built in the early 1960’s but has become one of Yale’s famous landmarks throughout the past fifty years.  I’ve heard it described as a “heaven for books.”  All Yale Students are invited to use the invaluable resources the Beinecke has to offer and are able to request these materials through the Library’s website. 

The Beinecke will be closed for renovation from May 2015 to September 2016, but many of the collections will remain accessible through a temporary Beinecke Reading Room in the process of being set up in the Franke Reading Room of the SML (it’s located on the left as you go in the High Street entrance).  

The Beinecke is a feast for the eyes, especially on a sunny day when the sun shines through the marble, making it shimmer. While the Guttenberg Bible and the Audubon prints, which are permanently on display, are always breathtaking sights to behold, don’t forget to check out what’s in the temporary exhibit cases.  There’s always something to see in the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library which will shake up your understanding of humankind’s history.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick

Lillian Goldman Law Library: 

The Lillian Goldman Law Library is popular not only because it is an attractive place to study but also because it has longer hours.  The Law Library is at the tiptop of the Law School and is located across the street from the SML down on Wall Street.  Don’t forget your ID if you plan to visit, as you will have to show it at the door.

Photograph from Robert A.M Stern’s Libraries of Yale.

Robert B. Haas Arts Library:

I’m just going to say it, the Robert B. Haas Arts Library is a super cool and hip place to spend some time and I feel cooler than I actually am when I go there.  It is an extremely creative atmosphere with its tangerine carpet and I highly suggest checking it out during a homework session.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick.

Classics Library:

Here at YDS we love the Classical World and it’s always good to keep the Classics Library, located above the famous Phelps Gate of Old Campus, in mind when doing research. 

Photograph by Amanda Patrick

Center for Science and Social Science Information (CSSSI):

 The CSSSI is a chic study space located on the lower level of the Kline Biology Tower.  It has later hours and is located off Prospect Street right behind the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, not too far from the Divinity School.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick.

Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library:

The Medical School and its amazing library can feel like quite a trek from the Divinity School but I think every Yale Student should go at least once.  The Cushing Center, which is located within this Library, has human brains visitors can hang out with and the Historical Library Reading Room is one of the prettiest spots on campus.

Photograph by Colleen Tichtich.

Lewis Walpole Library:

I haven’t actually been to the Lewis Walpole Library (LWL) because it’s located in Farmington, Connecticut – far from the Yale Shuttle line –  but I’m hoping to visit it before these summer days come to an end.  The LWL is situated on fourteen-acres, housed in gorgeous eighteenth-century buildings, and is dedicated to the study of British prints, drawings, manuscripts, rare books, paintings, and decorative arts from the eighteenth century.  Rumor has it that the staff occasionally plays croquet in the courtyard during their lunch breaks.  I think I would like to live there.

Photograph by Amanda Patrick.

Guess what? These aren’t all of the Libraries and Collections that are under the YUL umbrella!  I learn something new about the system everyday that amazes me and I am so excited for you all to come and use the YUL in your own beautiful work!

Always remember, the people of the YUL are extraordinary and will always help you. From the friendly security guards who patrol the halls to the remarkable Yale University Librarian, Susan Gibbons, this system is rooting for you and your wonderful minds!

See you soon!  I can’t wait to meet you inspiring people in just a few short weeks!

YUL Web Pages to Keep in Mind:

Divinity Library Webpage: http://web.library.yale.edu/building/divinity-library

Divinity Library Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ydslibrary

YUL Master Webpage: http://web.library.yale.edu

YUL Study Spaces Page: http://web.library.yale.edu/places/to-study

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yalelibrary

Twitter: https://twitter.com/yalelibrary

A quick note from our Admissions genius, Sean McAvoy:

Greetings!  Here are some fun facts about YDS’s entering class of 2014:

You come from 126 undergraduate institutions, with Yale University tied with Yonsei University being the most well-represented, with 4 of you having graduated from each.

59 of you have graduate degrees, from a wide range of schools and majors, with Yale being the most well-represented, as 5 of you have graduate degrees from here.  Up next is Duke, where two of you have taken graduate degrees.

4 of you are currently ordained, and 58 of you are planning to be ordained in your respective denominations.

You come from 31 states and 11 countries.  10 of you hold dual-citizenships.  After the United States, the most well-represented country on our campus is South Korea, with five of you hailing from there.

Your average age is 29 years and 7 months.  53 of you are aged 30 or over.

69 of you are MAR’s.  61 are enrolling in the M.Div. program, 3 are Nondegree students, and 12 of you are enrolling in the STM program.

All of you are eagerly anticipated by the YDS community.  We can’t wait to welcome you to Yale, and look forward to seeing you soon,

The Annand Program for Spiritual Formation

Dearest Divvies:

As you can tell from all of these posts, we are very excited to meet you.  My name is Charlie Knuth, and I am entering my second year of the M.Div program.  I also serve as the student assistant/spreadsheet bumbler for the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation at YDS.  I know we sent you a letter last week, but with Adam and Jessi’s blessing, I thought I would take a few lines to share some more about this really unique resource.

So, what is the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation?

Well, I’m so glad you asked!  The Annand Program is a gift open to all students of YDS, providing spiritual direction, small groups, workshops, and retreats that support the unique process of personal and spiritual growth that accompany a theological education.  

As you can imagine, divinity school provides you with many, many opportunities to ask questions about who/what God is, and the Annand Program is here to assist in creating some space for you to consider who you are in relation to the divine.

First year students have the option to join small groups in the fall semester, which are a great way to build closer ties with people at YDS.  You are about to meet a bunch of wonderful and interesting people… and all at once.  By the end of the first week, you will be very tired of explaining who you are, what you are studying, and where you are coming from.  The Annand groups give you the opportunity “to go a little bit deeper” with a random assortment of your peers who are facing similar adjustments to life at YDS.  These groups are facilitated by Annand’s spiritual directors, who will help you look into your own prayer life, and maybe introduce you to some new kinds of prayer practice.

After first semester, students may continue with their group from first semester, pursue individual spiritual direction, or another type of small group. Last semester, these small groups included a second career group, a “traditional” Bible study, and a group on Jewish spiritual practice.  I found myself in a small group focused on the writings of Julian of Norwich, which allowed me to spend more prayerful time with a theologian than I would normally be afforded in your typical survey course.

Throughout the semester, we also offer workshops (such as an “Introduction to the Enneagram” or “Drawing Mandalas for Prayer and Insight”), as well as regular Quiet Days led by monastic visitors.  And before finals in the spring semester, Annand organized a wilderness weekend at a local retreat center. 

Who can participate in the Annand Program?

You, the newly-minted theological seminarian! The Annand Program is for all YDS students. There is a common misconception that Annand is only for M.Divs or those in Berkeley/the Anglican Studies Program, but this is not true at all!  Berkeley Divinity School does fund the Annand Program, but it does so as a gift to all of YDS.  We really hope you will all make use of its resources.

How do I get connected to the Annand Program?

Well… If you are in Berkeley, we will find you!

If you are not, Jane Stickney, Annand’s Program Coordinator, will be speaking at the Spiritual Health/Self Care panel at BTFO.  She will give you some more specifics regarding program offerings and answer any questions you might have. I will be waiting in the wings with my laptop to assist in electronic sign-up for intake interviews with Jane or a spiritual director. I’ll also send out an email during that week with a link you can use to sign-up for a time.

Finally, please feel free to email me (charles.knuth@yale.edu) or Rev. Jane (annand@yale.edu) if you have any questions. 

Blessings in all of your wonderings, anxieties, and transitions.  We are looking forward to meeting you!

“A Must Read!” - random person walking down the hallway

“Thrilling. The best thing out of Yale Divinity School since H. Richard Niebuhr!” - no one

“Gripping and delightful.” - me

Our Esteemed Registrar, Lisa Huck has gifted us with this guide to many of the acronyms and colloquialisms you might encounter during BTFO and beyond! Full of insider information and Yale-quality research, this guide promises to help you navigate the linguistic landscape of YDS. 

“A glossary of useful Yale and YDS terminology”

-prepared for you by your friendly YDS registrar

The Apartments (Bellamy, Curtis, Fisher): Built in the ‘50s for the post-war influx of older, married students, this northern-most area of the YDS campus was once lovingly referred to as “the fertile crescent.” Now managed by Yale Graduate Housing, these buildings at 350, 352 and 354 Canner Street feature 85 apartments as well as offices and a daycare center.

Back buildings/SE Wing: The part of YDS that sits behind the chapel on the south side of the quad.  It is the home to the Center for Faith and Culture, some faculty offices, and classrooms SG54, SG58, S151 and S155.

BDS: If you’re an Episcopal student, you should already know this one: Berkeley Divinity School, one of YDS’ partners on the quad. Affiliated with YDS since 1971, it is the only Episcopal seminary to be fully associated with a major research institution.

The Bowl: The Yale Bowl that is, located to the west of campus off of Route 34. Built in 1914 and listed as a National Historic Landmark, it is home to Yale’s football team. Not to be confused with Yale Bowls – the work of a Yale Professor who handcrafts amazing wooden objects from fallen Yale trees.

BTFO: Before the Fall Orientation.  Get it? (hint: you are at a Divinity School).

Candy Bowl: If you’ve been at YDS for more than a day you probably don’t need this definition. This is the (nearly) bottomless bowl of tasty treats supplied for the YDS community by the Office of Student Affairs. Fear not: come Finals time the bowl is stocked with no Dum Dums and plenty of Smarties.

The Carts: Hankering for a really good Pad Thai?  Need a kati roll on the go? Or need your fix of good-old American BBQ? Take a walk down the hill to the food carts in the parking lot of the Yale Whale (see below).  Plentiful food, good variety, reasonable prices.  For a change in scenery another food cart community can be found near the medical school.

ClassesV2: Yale’s course management system.  You will discover all kinds of cool course resources on a course’s site in V2.  It’s a great shopping tool and you can declare your interest in a particular course by adding yourself as a shopper. Lots of course resources and course communications are delivered to registered students through ClassesV2. Keep in mind that although you can shop through ClassesV2 all course registration must happen through OCS (see below).

CLC: YDS’ Community Life Committee, a standing committee of the General Faculty.  It is comprised of faculty members, administrators, and student representatives.

Common Room: The big room on the second floor above the YDS Student Book Supply.  Home to coffee hour, receptions, just plain hanging out, and much of BTFO.

Commons: The large dining facility on Beinecke Plaza.  Though primarily for undergraduates, it is one of the four dining halls in which you can use your YDS board dollars.  In 2007 it was converted into the Marshall College library for filming one of the chase scenes for the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Dalemail: YDS’ internal email service named for our Dean of Students (from whose office dalemail is sent) Dale Peterson.  Dalemail listings should be sent to dalemail@yale.edu.

Deanery: The formal “Dean’s residence” at 459 Prospect (just next door to YDS).

Downtown: What people at the Divinity School call the rest of Yale, which is (arguably) both closer to the center of New Haven and closer to sea level than YDS.

Eli-Apps: The platform for your student email.  It can be accessed through the portal at http://its.yale.edu/services/email-and-calendars/webmail-portal .

FAS: Faculty of Arts and Sciences.  Essentially, Yale College (undergraduates) and the Graduate School.

FGS: Faculty Grade Submission.  The site that your teachers use to enter your grades. You are able to see your grades about half a day after they are entered, as long as you have completed your course evaluations.

The 50/50 rule: YDS policy states that “at least half of each term’s work must be taken in YDS.”  Exceptions are made for students whose degree (e.g. the MAR in Asian Religions) requires the study of languages and other coursework not available at YDS but these exceptions must be requested of the Academic Dean.

FSA: Faculty-Student Advising.  This is your adviser’s electronic advising tool.  You register through OCS (see below) and your adviser accesses and approves (or not) your registration worksheet through FSA. 

Full-time: YDS has defined nine credits and above as “full-time” for federal financial aid purposes.  However, in order to complete the degree in the typical time frame (1 year for the S.T.M., 2 for the M.A.R., and 3 for the M.Div.), students generally need to carry 12 credits per semester.  International students must maintain full-time status (at least nine credits) in all but their final semesters.

Graduate School/Professional School: Yale University is composed of Yale College, Yale Graduate School and the twelve Professional Schools (including YDS).  Therefore YDS students are identified throughout the University as Professional School students, not Graduate School students.  This distinction is particularly important when registering, with forms and transcript requests, and in discussions about school policies and procedures.  As a Divinity student you are subject to YDS policies and procedures regardless of the Yale course in which you are enrolled.

GPSCY: Technically called Gryphon’s Pub at GPSCY (pronounced like “gypsy”), this establishment began life in the 1970s in the lower level of the Graduate and Professional Student Center at Yale. All currently enrolled graduate and professional students are considered members.

HGS: The Hall of Graduate Studies, 320 York Street.  Home (among other things) to the McDougal Graduate Student Center and one of the four Yale dining halls where you can spend your YDS Board dollars.

ISM: Founded in 1973, the Institute of Sacred Music has grown to become a thriving community for interdisciplinary study of the Arts.  Bringing together Music and Divinity students, the ISM offers courses, weekly colloquia, presentations and events. For YDS students, courses are offered in worship, music, literature, and the visual arts and appear as part of the full YDS course offerings.

Marquand: Our beloved Chapel, named for its original benefactor 19^th Century jeweler and merchant Frederick Marquand.   It is home to daily YDS worship, an E.M. Skinner organ and a Baroque-style Taylor and Boody organ, and many concerts.

Mory’s: Abounding in a history that can be traced back to the mid-1800s, this private club is the traditional home to the Yale Whiffenpoofs who still sing there most Monday nights during the school year.  Membership is available to students for a one-time fee of $15 until graduation.

Nouwen: The Nouwen Chapel, found in the lower level of the YDS library.  This lovely stone chapel is so named for Roman Catholic priest, former YDS professor, and world-renowned author Henri Nouwen who regularly led Sunday evening worship there. The chapel is now used for private devotion, regularly scheduled worship, and preaching sections.

OCE: Online Course Evaluation.  Students enrolled in YDS courses, and in many other schools and programs at Yale, evaluate their courses electronically.  The evaluation period usually begins on the last day of the semester and lasts for one month. YDS students are not able to see course grades until they either complete, or decline to complete, the course evaluation.  OCE is accessed through SIS (see below).

OCI: Online Course Information.  It’s located at http://students.yale.edu/oci/ and can be used to search for courses in many different Yale schools, departments, and semesters.  You can also use it to search for courses taught by a particular faculty member or which meet on a particular day or time. There are some courses (in Law and Drama for instance) that aren’t shown in OCI because they are not available to other students.  OCI is always open, but course information for a coming academic year is usually not available until mid-July.

OCS: Online Course Selection.  How students at YDS and many (but not all) other parts of the University register for courses.  It’s accessed through SIS (see below) and looks just like OCI.  You will not be able to access OCS until the appointed time (usually 9AM) on the first day of online registration for each semester as listed on the Academic Calendar.

OISS: The Office of International Students and Scholars.  All international students should check in with OISS upon arrival at Yale.  OISS not only offers resources about immigration matters, but also to support the transition to American academic and social life.

Old Common Room: Accessed by the door down the driveway just to the east (left) of the main YDS entrance, this large function space was the pre-renovation YDS Common Room.

Old Refectory: The pre-renovation dining space for YDS located in the north-east wing. 

OMSC: The Overseas Ministry Study Center, YDS’ neighbor to the north on Prospect Street. Through its residential program OMSC creates a vibrant community of visiting missionaries and international church leaders.

PSC: The Professional Studies committee.  With both faculty and student members, this committee hears matters of academic integrity and a wide variety of student petitions. 

Refectory: Another word for “dining room” in many religious settings like seminaries and monasteries.  Currently undergoing renovation, ours is located on the second floor down the hall from the Chapel.

SBS: YDS’s very own Bookstore.  One of the very few remaining independent theological bookstores, the Student Book Supply was created as a student co-op in 1938 and has been in continuous existence ever since.  Make sure you check out their fabulous membership (discount) program, and shop SBS first!

Science Hill:  The long hill of Prospect Street, home of many of the Sciences at Yale (e.g. Kline Biology Tower and Sterling Chemistry Lab), atop which sits (strangely or fittingly, depending on your perspective) the Divinity School.  Students are encouraged to go “down the hill” or get “off the hill” by taking courses in other parts of the University or participating in one of the many forms of engagement with the city of New Haven. Not to be confused with “The Hill” which is a neighborhood in New Haven.

SDQ: Sterling Divinity Quad.  Basically, the YDS campus. Built in 1932 and renovated in 2003, the campus was designed by famed early-20^th century architect William Adams Delano.  If you are familiar with Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia campus you will see some similarities and a notable difference: at YDS, the highest point of the quadrangle is not the library but the Chapel.

Seabury: Each of the pavilions along the quad is named for a different figure in American Christian history. Seabury Hall is named for Samuel Seabury, the first American Episcopal bishop. First floor Seabury is the home of many of the student services functions (admissions, academic affairs, financial aid, registrar, and student affairs).

SFAS: Student Financial and Administrative Services - which includes the FAS (see above) Registrar’s office, Student Financial Services (the fine folks to whom you make your tuition and other payments), the Yale Dining Services, the ID Card Centers, and Associated Student Agencies.  Most of the these offices, at least the ones you will need to deal with in person from time to time,  are located at 246 Church Street.

SIS: Student Information Systems.  Located at http://www.yale.edu/sis/, it is the portal for most of your important student information and services: paying your bill, checking your grades, updating your personal information, evaluating your courses, and ordering pizza (Not really, I just wanted to check to see if you were still reading.  But that would be awesome).

SML: Sterling Memorial Library.  Yale’s main library (which houses about 4 million volumes) built in 1930 and currently undergoing renovation. One of several buildings at Yale that looks like a Gothic Cathedral (strangely, the gym is another).

SOM: Yale’s School of Management, once our neighbor on Prospect Street and now re-located into the big glass building on Whitney Avenue.

StuCo: Div-speak for the YDS Student Council.  Check out the YDS Student Handbook for the full constitution of the Council.

The Whale: a.k.a. the David S. Ingalls Rink, so nicknamed because of its distinctive, whale-like, roofline.  Designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen and constructed in 1959, it is the home of the men’s and women’s varsity hockey teams and a number of other hockey and skating groups. 

Yale College: The undergraduate school at Yale University, founded in 1701 by a group of clergymen “wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences [and] through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”  So, new YDS student, welcome to your place in the three hundred year tradition of religious education in America!

An exciting note from our Childcare Coordinators:

Camp BTFO 2014 at Yale Divinity School

The BTFO Coordinators are happy to announce that childcare will be provided during all 2014 BTFO sessions!

Program Description:

“Camp BTFO” takes place during the daytime running parallel with the programming of Yale Divinity School’s Orientation.  Though on some occasions, children will take part in the large group activities, for the most part, the programming is designed to allow parents to be fully present in their orientation. Camp BTFO will immerse children of incoming students in the life of YDS in age appropriate and fun ways!  More than just childcare, during Camp BTFO, participating children will get to explore, play indoors and out, create arts and crafts, story-tell, garden and more!  Programming will be planned to include high energy time as well as downtime and opportunities.  While parents and caretakers are taking the much deserved time to prepare for this exciting new venture in New Haven and at YDS, children will be safe in the care of Camp BTFO coordinators Sierra-Marie Gerfao, Alissa Kretzmann, and their assistants.  Sierra-Marie is a parent herself and both Sierra-Marie and Alissa are experienced in child-care and the coordination of day-camps and children’s programming.

Who Can Participate?

Children ages zero through twelve years are welcome to participate in Camp BTFO.  Children older than twelve who need childcare may be registered on a case-by-case basis. Most exciting, youth age thirteen plus are eligible to assist as volunteer Junior Camp Counselors!

Why Shouldn’t I Just Send My Kids To Regular Childcare?

For some folks, childcare at BTFO is a critical need. However, some of you may already have a childcare program in which your children could participate for the week (or have a “stay-at-home” parent). We encourage you to bring them to Camp BTFO anyway!  Here are a few things to consider in making your decision…we do hope you’ll decide to have your children join us!

1. Divinity School is going to be a major part of your life for the next two or more years. Kids benefit from feeling like they are a part of this huge new thing that will contend for your attention. Camp BTFO kids will learn that Yale Divinity School is their school too!

2. BTFO is a place where friends are made, whatever your age! Participating in Camp BTFO is truly an unmatched opportunity to connect with other Yale Divinity School Families. Kids not only connect with other kids, but parents get to connect with each other!

3. If you are moving in order to attend school, even though you might have someone who can care for your children at home, your loved one might actually appreciate a little down time before you start school. In the past, many people have used this time for activities such as unpacking and otherwise settling in, getting work done, filling out job applications, taking naps, and participating as “partners” in the parts of BTFO that are helpful to them.

4. Camp BTFO is a helpful and fun way for families to adjust to life in New Haven and at YDS together!

Further Considerations:

Part of the programming will include snacks, and in order to accommodate for allergies and food restrictions, we will give you an opportunity to notify us in advance of these things on the Registration Form so that we can plan for a safe and healthy week with your children.

Additionally, whenever meals are served during BTFO we eat as an intergenerational community, children and adults alike.  Therefore, please note that this means that parents are responsible for their children during meal times.  This allows parents to have some time with their children while also attending closely to their own specific food related needs.

Registration:

If you are considering registering for Camp BTFO please send an email to sierra-marie.gerfao@yale.edu and alissa.kretzmann@yale.edu indicating:

1. Child(ren)’s name(s)

2. Child’s age

4. Child’s t-shirt size

A more formal Registration and Release form will be sent to you soon via email.  We really hope that you consider this great and FREE opportunity for both you and your children to begin to settle into this special place.  If you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach us via email at any time!

With Enthusiasm,

Alissa and Sierra-Marie

“How am I going to pay for all these books I want/have to read?”

“How am I going to have enough money to go eat out at all of the amazing New Haven restaurants?”

“How will I afford to pay rent in the crazy-expensive Northeast?”

I imagine these are some of the questions your excited and angst-ridden mind is asking as you prepare to move to the Elm City.
Well, I come bearing good news: There are a lot of jobs to be had in this city, and especially at this university.
Here’s what you need to know:

Getting jobs at the Div School: First you should scope out what interests you in terms of jobs up here on the quad. There’s the Admissions office, Financial Aid, Library (a big employer!), Student Book Supply, Alumni affairs, and a whole slew of odd jobs that I can’t think of right now. The process of landing one of these jobs is both exciting and maddening, depending on what kind of person you are. None of the Divinity jobs are listed on the general university hiring site because they are reserved for only div students (so back off, everybody else!). This means that you’ll need to go around to all of the departments you’re interested in and strike up a conversation about potential jobs. Do this sooner rather than later because the 2nd and 3rd years have already snatched up a lot of jobs. It’s not as awkward as it sounds.
I suggest talking with Jen DellaCamera about any job-related questions because she seems to know everything there is to know about our school. Her office is right next to the candy bowl (you’ll learn where that is soon – hint: it’s by Niebuhr hall).

Getting jobs with the rest of the University: This is the route I took because the Div school job hunt seemed to nebulous to me when I first arrived. I also think having a job “downtown” (that means anywhere on campus other than YDS) is a great way to integrate with the rest of the university. All you need to do is visit this website: https://www.yalestudentjobs.org, click on Student Control Panel, sign-in with your fancy-shmancy net ID, and then click “Search for a job” under Tools. Then you get to dream big and scroll through lots and lots of possible campus jobs. Applying is super easy – you just list some basic info and you’re done! You could even do this right now. Today. Do it!

Getting jobs in New Haven: You’re pretty much on your own here. There are tons of amazing non-profits you can connect with, or a plethora of small boutique shops if you want to do some good old-fashioned customer service. But I recommend going around door-to-door at the businesses you’re interested in to get applications. 

Odd Jobs: Read the Dalemails. What are Dalemails? You’ll get acquainted with them really fast – it’s basically YDS’ way of inundating your inbox every few hours with everything and anything related to our community life. But there’ll be emails where you can learn about odd jobs like babysitting, helping professors move, guest preaching at local churches, and occasional gigs for musicians (if you’re one of those).  Dalemails can be a pain but I really suggest reading them (not just for jobs).

I hope this helps y’all feel more at ease about your job prospects! Once you get to campus you should come visit me at the Blue Dog Café at the Hall of Graduate Studies (320 York St). I manage the café, and it’s a great place where you can use your meal points to get coffee, tea, cookies, and other yummy treats. We’ll open in mid-September for the semester.

I wish you the best on your job hunt! You can do it!

Author: Jessie Gutgsell, 2nd-yr M.Div. 

[A picture of Jessie with her harp!]

ATTN: incoming students

URGENT MESSAGE FROM: the student book supply a.k.a. the bookstore @ yds
RE: important thingz
TO WIT: stuff and the like

The Student Book Supply, or SBS, is pretty dang happy to send you this digitally prepared bienvenue, nayak, lali, kuq xeq, ant chukoa, wilkommen, dobro, or plain old “WELCOME!” 

No doubt, you are eager to spend all your hours indoors, not talking to anyone new whilst reading books.  Well, that’s why we’re here to help: the Student Book Supply exists to keep you internally focused, academically selfish, untanned and pasty, poor, and generally curmudgeoned.  How are we able to do this, you ask?  EASY!: by charging you exorbitant prices for paperback books on relatively obscure topics that bring you migraine-like symptoms due to lugubrious toil in desolate settings.  Feeling welcome yet?  You should be!

Hey, it’s me, Micah Luce, the SBS Manager, and I’m here to rescue you from any unmitigated fears of the bookstore at YDS being “just another college bookstore.”  Does the previous paragraph make you fear to the point of wetting the bed?  Fear, and wet, no longer!  The above is just an example of how your initial nervousness, fear, and hesitations about graduate school are soon going to be a distant memory.  This place is great.  I’ve been here 9 years now (3 as a student, 6 as an employee), so I’m happy to answer any questions you have in the days to come.  But for *this* day, let me make a general introduction to the SBS.

Our bookstore has been alive and kicking since 1938.  That’s a long time.  In these days of online book selling (“The A-word.com,” which I won’t use), students often choose to shop the internetz for textbooks.  This is, in our opinion, an unsustainable, un-green, and generally un-good way of purchasing your books.  Through our membership program ($30/year for a 15% discount on everything in the store, sale items not included), we have made our prices as competitive as possible with other avenues of purchase you may find.  We recognize book costs have increased in the past several years, and this is of great concern to us.  It’s not cool to pay $52 for a 200-page paperback.  Yes, that happens, and we don’t like it either.  We have done, and will continue to do, all that we are able to organize, advertise, and sell you your textbooks as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

Did you know that Princeton, Harvard, Andover Newton, Hartford Seminary, and many others, have all CLOSED their brick-and-mortar theological bookstores in recent years?  But through the determined help of YDS deans past and present, as well as the faculty and staff of YDS, the Student Book Supply trudges along.  We are able to fulfill special orders, provide officially licensed YDS clothing and merchandise of all sorts, sell you textbooks AND thousands of other theologically and biblically and ethically and philosophically and more related books, and even ship packages for you.  So, please, come by and meet our friendly staff for the 2014-2015 year (yes, our employment slots are filled for the year, sorry!).  We hope that all of your fears are diminished and all your textbook dreams come true.  Oh, and also, if you have textbook dreams, you probably need to see a counselor.

Visit us here:
http://divinity.yale.edu/sbs-main

and do that little “like” thing here:
www.facebook.com/studentbooksupply

[Author: Micah Luce, SBS Manager]

[Author: Green Bouzard, second-year Lutheran MDiv]

Cycling in New Haven: The Dos and Don’ts of Biking in Elm City

Are you interested in using a bicycle for transportation when you move to New Haven? Whether you’re an experienced bike commuter or it’s been a few years since you’ve pumped up your tires, you CAN bike in New Haven. Read on to find out the “Dos” and “Don’ts” of riding in Elm City.

DO: Ride your bike! New Haven is a relatively small city which has significantly improved its bike infrastructure with bike lanes and share the road signs thanks to advocacy and awareness from cycling organizations like Elm City Cycling, who also put out a free cycling map (updated yearly) that you can download from their website or pick up from one of the bike shops downtown. The more people on the road on bikes, the more drivers pay attention–so get out there!

A word of warning: if you are coming from cycling in cities in the Midwest or West Coast like Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, Seattle, or San Francisco, be aware that biking in New Haven is different. There tend to be more road obstructions (glass, debris in the bike lanes and gutters) and in general drivers are more aggressive (whether you are on a bike or in car!). Thus, I want to stress that the importance that you…

DO: Bike assertively. Bike toward the center of the lane, do not weave in and out of parked cars, and always make your SAFETY a priority, whether that means getting in front of a car at the front of a line that is stopped or hopping off your bike and walking a block.

DO: Remember that you are a vehicle, and ride as such on the road. Signal turns and stops. Obey traffic signals as much as possible, unless it is safer for you not to. Again, prioritize your own safety ALWAYS, even if that means doing something you shouldn’t normally do (like biking on a sidewalk).

DON’T: Bike the wrong way on a one-way (there are many in New Haven), ride on the sidewalk (unless it is an issue of your own safety), or weave in and out of parked cars. I see a lot of cyclists here trying to bike as close to the side of the road as possible, and going around parked cars. This not only lessens your visibility to moving cars, but also leaves you susceptible to broken glass or other hazards in the gutter and to getting doored by someone in a parked vehicle. See here and here for information on common accidents with cyclists and motorists and how you can avoid them.

DO: Use lights if biking at night, and take well lit streets.

DO: Be sure to lock your bike. See this great series of graphics from the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition for how to properly lock your bike with a u-lock. Do not leave your bike outside for multiple days; find a secure, indoor location to store your bike at night.

DO: Visit The Devil’s Gear bike shop if you need a tune up, cycling gear and supplies, free Elm City Cycling maps, or just general info about biking around New Haven. Devil’s Gear is a great business that does a lot of work to improve cycling in the New Haven community.

DO: Use the Farmington Canal Trail up to Sleeping Giant State Park (or further!) if you’re looking for a lovely longer ride.

DON’T: Be afraid to bike. As long as you prioritize your safety and ride assertively and confidently, cycling can be a great, healthy, cheap, and efficient way to get to know New Haven and make your way around town.

There are many students at YDS who bike as their main transport. DO ask for advice, support, and to go for a ride!

The moment you’ve been waiting for…

Elliott Munn is a rising third-year M.Div.student discerning ordination in the United Church of Christ. Born and raised in the foothills of western Maine, his favorite pastimes are alpine skiing in the winter and water sports in the summer. Since his move to New Haven, he has become an amateur foodie touring the city’s restaurant scene and dabbling in canning–folks say he makes a mean green tomato relish. His favorite late night hangout is GPSCY, the grad bar downtown, where he digs working the dance floor and the karaoke machine.

Elliott will be serving as one of two food coordinators for BTFO.

Friends!

I’m the fabulous Nicole Perone, and I am one of the fine folks facilitating the feeding frenzy of this fun BTFO with some finger-lickin’ feasting for when you’re famished.  I am a fierce New Jersey female and a friendly second-year Catholic MDiv, focused on a future in Church administration and leadership. I am fond of Pope Francis, animal print, and all things Italian; further, I favor Ignatian spirituality, as a former Loyola University Maryland frequenter. I also enjoy frolicking with phrases, as is fully flourishing herein.  

Looking forward to fraternizing with and feeding you all!

Hey, y’all:

My name is Will Stanley and I’m very excited to serve as the Social Coordinator for your BTFO next month! In this capacity I’ll  have the high privilege of introducing y’all to a few of the wonderful and quirky establishments here in New Haven where many of us hang out when we take much-needed breaks from reading, writing, preaching and presenting. But more on those specifics in the fullness of time. In the meantime, here’s a little bit about me:

At YDS I’m a third-year M.Div. student who is also part of Berkeley Divinity School–which around here translates that I’m an Episcopalian and, specifically for me, on the ordination track in the Episcopal Church sponsored from the Diocese of Atlanta–and the Institute of Sacred Music–which around here translates that I sing a fair amount and dabble a little with the organ. I grew up in Washington, DC and lived there until I went down to Tennessee for my college years at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. I graduated from Sewanee in May of 2012 and came up to YDS that fall. As I said, I’m on the ordination track in the Episcopal Church and, at the moment, feel most called after I leave this place in May to learn the rhythm and life of a priest in parish ministry, which will most likely be at a parish in the Atlanta area.

In my “spare time” I try my best to take advantage of the great value that is the student rate at Yale’s own golf course as often as the weather allows and I also enjoy hanging with friends over a few beers. In many ways, it’s crazy to think that my friends and I are now in our last year at this place; time flies fast ‘round these parts! BTFO was such a pivotal experience for me and many others…and I look forward to helping us all have some fun next month!

See you in August.

Alissa Kretzmann, Childcare co-coordinator:

I very vividly remember BTFO last year, where I was beginning a journey at a place and time that I had never imagined for myself.  Now, as a 2nd year MDiv student, I am excited to be a part of your new beginning as we strive to offer you a hospitable welcome to this beautiful gathering of people!  During BTFO I’ll be serving as one of the Co-coordinators of “Camp BTFO.”  I grew up living on the grounds of a summer camp, have worked at a preschool and even now I’m “babysitting” my way through Divinity School.  In addition to hanging out with children though, I enjoy traveling, writing and being in conversation with others.  Recently I’ve been most interested in reflecting on the intersections between Church, society and spirituality.

Children entering this space are a pretty great image for how new students tends to enter this place; excited, anxious, grieving, celebrating, quiet and loud.  However you or your children show up, I look forward to meeting you as we enjoy this YDS journey together.

Hey all - Adam here.

Notthatyouneedtoknowbut: It’s already hot and muggy here in New Haven at 7:15am. So I sit on this sticky faux-leather office chair writing to the droning sounds of my window AC unit, always not-quite-cold-enough… #TMI

In any case, I hope you are enjoying your midsummer weather and whatever activities it brings (Calendar check: It’s one month and a day till we kick this BTFO thing off, eek!)

You may have gathered that Jessi and I are the two main co-coordinators of BTFO. We do our job with a host of help, not least from faculty and staff, but mainly from other student coordinators. Below you will find the first wave of (two) introduction blogs. These people are only the most amazing and wonderful, which is why they are helping take care of you this BTFO. 

We’ve asked them to introduce themselves - here’s what they’ve said:

Hi, y’all!  My name is Jordan Trumble and I’m a third year Episcopal/Berkeley MDiv originally from West Virginia.  When I’m not at YDS, I’m the Summer Program Coordinator at Peterkin Conference Center, a small Episcopal camp in West Virginia, where I spend my days and nights protecting kids from rattlesnakes, going ghost-hunting in nearby Civil War trenches, and singing songs about chimichangas and alpacas (if you wonder how these songs go, I will happily sing one for you when I meet you in August!).  My favorite things to do in New Haven include pretending I’m a better photographer than I actually am by taking an excessive number of pictures at the Yale University Art Gallery (best filter: Rise); pretending I still live below the Mason-Dixon line by eating food from Sandra’s Next Generation, and going apple picking (#applecrispfordays).

This year, I’m the BTFO Logistics Coordinator, which basically means that I keep Jessi and Adam happy and caffeinated (with raspberry passion tea lemonade and black coffee, respectively) and ensure that all the little details of BTFO work out.  Essentially, this job lets me do three of my favorite things: meet new people, organize stuff, and talk up YDS!  I’m excited to welcome all of you to campus in August, and wish you all the best as you transition into life on the SDQ! 

Hi!  My name is Emilie Coakley.  I am a third year MAR in Music and Religion and come from the historic town of Lexington, MA.  In addition to enjoying all things coffee–including studying in coffee shops and chatting during coffee hour–I love baking and cooking with whatever is in my cupboard.  After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 2011, I spent a year teaching at an Islamic boarding school in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, before coming to YDS and the ISM to study the intersection of ethnomusciology and worship.  As a practicing Roman Catholic interested in music and mission, I have reveled in the ecumenical environment of Yale Divinity School and look forward to leading the YDS Evangelical Fellowship in the year to come.  I am thrilled to be involved with the International Student Orientation this year and can’t wait to learn about the aspirations, experiences, and stories that you will bring with you to your time at YDS and BTFO!

Hello friends!

My name is Kate McCormick and I am honored to be serving as an International Student Coordinator this year. I was raised in East Peoria, Illinois and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. You will be seeing (and hopefully consuming) many of my corn bread concoctions throughout the year. I am an M.DIV candidate and am not pursing ordination.

I first noticed the beauty of the international community as a terrified nineteen-year-old who was desperately lost in Tokyo, Japan. Over the course of seven hours, nine individuals hailing from six continents (and a researcher based in Antarctica) compassionately reunited me with my group. The following year, I traveled to Taizé where I learned that my enthusiasm for International Relations had deeply theological origins; this realization ultimately brought me to YDS.

I have made many mistakes while living within cultures that are not my own and have been inspired by the kindness I have received around the world. There is no question too simple as you begin your time in New Haven my friends and I look forward to helping you with this transition.

I am so excited to meet all of the remarkable admitted students of 2014! See you soon!

My name is Sierra-Marie Gerfao, serving as a Childcare Coordinator for BTFO. I am a third year part-time MDiv candidate. I will join those of you who are graduating in 2017!  Aside from being an MDiv Candidate, I’m a joint-degree student working toward my MSW through YDS’s partnership with the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University in New York City.

I’m married and the mother of two wild & crazy/funny/adorable/strong-minded young people (ages 8 and 9) who you will definitely meet during BTFO. For work, I do parent education and supervise visitations between kids in foster care and their parents (ask me about this if you are looking for work). My wife manages a New Haven coffee shop (ask me about this if your significant other is looking for work). Prior to this, I worked over twelve years in lifespan faith development and family ministries.

Hi All!

Registration is now up and running for Before the Fall Orientation (BTFO)! BTFO begins on Tuesday, August 19th and runs until Friday, August 22nd

International Students have an extra day of orientation on Monday, August 18th.

Registration is electronic and can be found here. Kindly submit the form as soon as possible to ensure that we are prepared for your arrival!

A couple of FAQs:

Do we have to go?

BTFO is not mandatory, but know that full-time students are charged an activity fee of $175 regardless of attendance. Historically, BTFO is extremely well attended.

The week is full of helpful information and opportunities to meet fellow classmates, but it is possible to pick and choose which sessions and events that you would like to attend. The schedule is forthcoming and will be posted on the blog.

Who is putting all of this on?

As co-coordinators, Adam and I are charged with planning all facets of BTFO. Our goal is to create an orientation that is informative, but not overwhelming. Our hope is that BTFO meets individual needs while making space for our community to take shape. 

In order to put this event on, we are joined by an amazing team of returning students and supported by the Office of Student Affairs.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out!

Warmly,

Jessi and Adam

Hey all,

Adam here to give you the word on the street about transportation. I hope this post will give you a better idea of the ways to get around New Haven. I will take the Divinity School as my primary point of reference. The two main streets you need to know for YDS are Prospect St (which runs roughly North-South toward everything downtown) and Canner St (which provides access down to the East Rock neighborhood). NB: The Yale Transportation website is also quite useful for figuring out all manner of transportation thing.

Walking:

 This is my primary mode of transportation all year around. Approx. 1.2 miles from the YDS to the center of the Green downtown, a brisk walk straight down “the hill” on Prospect St will get you pretty much anywhere in the downtown area in about 20 minutes (and it’s good for your health!). Be careful walking downtown, some people are pretty aggressive and not very mindful of pedestrians. Going East, you can get to the shops and restaurants on State street in just about the same amount of time with a casual walk through the East Rock neighborhood. 

Biking:

New Haven is a pretty bike-friendly place with many streets that have lines delineating a biking route. Though the city is friendly to bikes, bike locks are still quite necessary. Unfortunately the Divinity School is at the top of a hill and if your not a serious biker, expect to be a bit out of breath by the time you get up Prospect street. Also, don’t try to bike up Canner St, my apartment window provides a nice viewing area for the struggle and defeat of many bikers by the steep Canner gradient. Anyway, I hear you can basically bike around all of New Haven in like 45 mins. If you’re looking for more of recreational ride, there is a bike path that runs for quite a few miles to the Northeast (The Farmington Canal Greenway) and is plagued by the New Haven traffic. [Check out our cool local bike shop The Devil’s Gear]. If you don’t own a bike and just want to rent one, you can opt in for the Yale bike sharing program.

Busing: 

If you need to get to and from downtown for classes or other activities, the Yale Transit system is pretty great. It is totally FREE and is very reliable. 

The Divinity School enjoys a Blue Line bus stop right in front of the quad on Prospect St and a Red Line just across the street. Just hop on and hop off wherever you need to - no ID or anything required. It also helps that almost all the bus drivers are really nice and if you don’t know which stop to get off at for your destination, they’ll be glad to tell you.

 The city also has a bus system that is centered around the Greens downtown, so if your headed further out of town, you can hop on a CT bus for $1.50 (exact change required) per ride. 

Driving: Driving is pretty simple in New Haven, but parking can be stressful. Yale owns most of downtown and many of the small lots are reserved for faculty and staff who work there, so don’t be deceived by a lot that looks half empty at lunchtime. Street parking is usually available in the blocks around wherever your destination is, but the pervasive 1-way streets can get tricky. Once you’ve found a spot, all the meters take credit cards and coins, though smartphone users should definitely get this ParkMobile app that allows you to plug the meter remotely (especially helpful for the 1 hour meters). If you don’t have a car and still need to drive somewhere, check out the Yale Transportation page for info about the Airport shuttles and ZipCar.

Did I miss something? Feel free to chime in or ask questions!

Hi All!

As someone who just signed a lease last week for my move on July 1^st, I figured it would be helpful to say a word or two about housing in New Haven. I am sure many of you have already secured housing, and some have gone through the Graduate Housing process already to live on campus. For those that are still in the process of securing housing for the fall, I hope these resources are helpful.

1.     There is a brand new website: http://yale.offcampuslisting.com/ that allows apartments and landlords to be rated. The site requires a NETID login, and it is a really informative and helpful way to learn about specific locations, apartments, and landlords.

2.     Elm Campus Partners is another one of Yale’s housing options. ECP is a local property management company that manages Yale owned properties. These properties are exclusively available to Yale students and affiliates, and they tend to have relatively cheap rent. They also have excellent customer service. They will ask you to submit a form of preferences and then they will let you know when units matching your criteria become available, and then it’s first come, first served in terms of securing an apartment. They are very accommodating for students who are out of town and aren’t necessarily able to come visit different places.

3.     Craigslist was incredibly helpful, and it was how I found my apartment. Craigslist is a wonderful resource and one you should definitely use, especially if you don’t see anything you like listed on the Yale housing website. A lot of Yale students and affiliates advertise on Craigslist for new roommates, but this is where you will find the most non-Yale landlords and tenants. Many landlords have a lot of experience renting to students. Lots of listings pop up over the summer, even as late as July. There are many options close to the divinity school as well.

No matter where you look for a place there are two things you should check out:
 

1. The Yale Shuttle schedule, to see if you are going to be on their regular route which can be nice sometimes, although I know plenty of students who never use it.

2. The WalkScore for the residence, based on eateries, entertainment, and transportation that is within easy walking distance of that address.

Neighborhoods and Roommates

As you will discover by looking through listings. There are quite a few neighborhoods in New Haven. The most popular neighborhood for Yale graduate students, and Div students in particular, is East Rock, named for its proximity to East Rock Park. This area tends to have decent rent prices, is within reasonable walking distance (1-1.5 miles) to campus, and has some great cafes. If you live Downtown (including Wooster Square) you will be much closer to Yale University’s main campus, the New Haven green, lots of restaurants, shops, and bars. If you live on Mansfield, you will be just west of the YDS campus and within easy walking distance.

If you plan to bring a car and foresee yourself driving to school every day then you shouldn’t feel limited to New Haven. Hamden is a great town, too!  
 

I know personally that it was in my best interest to have roommates, and some of you may be feeling the same way. Looking for people seeking roommates on Craigslist or on the Facebook group is a good place to start. If current students end up looking for new roommates or want to help their landlords fill their apartments, we will definitely let you know.

Also, Adam and I lived in the divinity apartments this year. If anyone has any questions about the ins and outs of living in the divinity apartments, let us know!