BTFO 1.0 Schedule

1:00pm-4:00pm

Yale Divinity ID Pick-Up

Yale Divinity School Quad

The Registrar’s office will be providing opportunities to obtain your Yale ID during the afternoon of Tuesday, August 24th.  Pickup times will be based on the first letter of your surname. With community safety in mind, these time slots have been established to regulate the flow of bodies and to reduce potential crowding.  If at all possible please try to come during your assigned slot. ID pickup will be held in the YDS quad (follow the signs) and we ask that everyone wear a mask when approaching the pick-up table.

Between 1pm and 2pm for last names beginning with A through C and L through O

Between 2pm and 3pm for last names beginning with D through G and P through T

Between 3pm and 4pm for last names beginning with H through K and U through Z

If you cannot come during your assigned time slot you may come between 4 and 4:30 pm on Tuesday, August 24th or between 8:30 and 9:00 am on Thursday, August 26th.  If none of these times work, please contact lisabeth.huck@yale.edu for an alternate time.  Cards can not be picked up prior to August 24th.

9:00am-4:00pm

Yale Divinity School Campus and Library Tours

Yale Divinity School

Use this link to sign up for YDS Campus and Library Tours! Sign ups are first come, first serve! Make sure you reserve a slot for each tour; they are separate!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4aaeae28a0fc1-btfo1 

Time TBD

Berkeley Divinity School Orientation

The Berkeley Center
363 St. Ronan Street

Incoming Berkeley Students, please look out for communication from Dean McGowan about this event. If you are interested and have not received communication, please email Jamal.

Berkeley Divinity School at Yale will host an orientation for all incoming Berkeley students at the Berkeley Center, a short block away from the YDS campus. There will be an orientation introducing incoming students to the Berkeley staff, student leaders, the worship schedule, academic curriculum as well as the ELM and Annand programs. There will be time for questions and conversation with returning students. At 6:00 PM, a community Eucharist will take place in St. Luke’s Chapel.

1:00pm-3:00pm

Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Orientation

Quad Tent

Yale Divinity School

Incoming Andover Newton Students, please look out for communication from Dean Drummond about this event. If you are interested and have not received communication, please email Jamal.

Andover Newton’s mission statement reads as follows: “Deeply rooted in Christian faith and radically open to what God is doing now, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School educates inspiring leaders for faith communities.”  This information session will help those who intend to enroll in Andover Newton Seminary’s diploma program to understand the purpose of that program and the process through which students blend it with the Master of Divinity degree program. The session will also be a great way for one who is simply curious about the program to learn more about it and about Andover Newton.

2:00pm-3:30pm

Office of International Students & Scholars Orientation

Zoom

Incoming International Students, please look out for communication from OISS about this event. If you are interested and have not received communication, please email Jamal.
 

The Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) will be holding a mandatory orientation and immigration check-in for all international students. This session will not only cover important immigration information, but also provide you with information on getting settled into New Haven. 

3:15pm-5:45pm

Institute of Sacred Music Orientation

Quad Tent

Incoming ISM Students, please look out for communication from ISM about this event.

8:30am-9:00am

BTFO Registration

Sarah Smith Gallery

Yale Divinity School Entrance

Get registered! Coffee and tea is provided.

9:00am-9:30am

Welcome to Yale Divinity School

Quad Tent

Gather in the Quad Tent for welcome and introductions from:

Hopie Randall ’11 MDiv, Associate Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid

Gregory E. Sterling, Dean of Yale Divinity School

Joyce A. Mercer ’84 MDiv, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Sarah B. Drummond ’93 BA, Founding Dean, Andover Newton at Yale

Andrew McGowan, Dean and President of Berkeley Divinity School

Martin Jean, Director of the Institute of Sacred Music

Awet Andemicael ‘10 MAR, Associate Dean of Marquand Chapel

Mary Inge ’22 MDiv, YDS Student Body President

Jeanne Peloso, Associate Dean of Student Affairs

Jamal Davis Neal, Jr. ’24 MDiv/MSW, BTFO Coordinator

9:30am-9:55am

Introduction of the Office of Student Affairs & the BTFO Leadership Team

Quad Tent

An introduction of our Staff & Team! We will go over everyone’s Hopes & Fears for BTFO, and establish Community Expectations.

10:00am-11:20am

Small Group Break Out: IdentiTree Exercise

Quad Tent

The IdentiTree Exercise serves as a community-building introduction to some of the conversations that we’re going to be having over the course of BTFO. It’s an opportunity for us to introduce ourselves to our small groups by thinking about, discussing, and sharing aspects of our social identities, using the metaphor of a tree.

11:30am-12:00pm

Chapel

Quad Tent

Worship in Marquand often draws on a wide variety of inherited Christian traditions, with the worship of many denominations being represented. Beyond that, though, we also pay attention to the rising number of people in Western society who have a lively interest in spirituality, but feel no connection to traditional forms of church and worship. So Marquand is also actively engaged in original, creative, and experimental forms of worship, both for committed Christians and for those exploring the faith. From traditional worship to brave experiment, from ancient liturgy to post-modern praise, from the heart of America to global worship, Marquand’s mission is to be worshipful, educational, and ecumenical, and we are glad to welcome you here.

12:00pm-1:00pm

Lunch Time

Grab & Go!

A grab and go lunch will be provided to be enjoyed off-campus during transition time between in-person and Zoom programming.

1:30pm-3:00pm

Navigating Toward Your Degree:
Choosing Courses & Planning Your Path

Zoom

Lisa Huck ’88 MDiv, YDS Registrar, and Joyce Mercer ’84 MDiv, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will host a session on degree requirements, as well as discuss what is involved in taking courses in other schools at Yale, joint-degree programs, and trying to answer other questions you may have.  

The session will include a “how-to” discussion about the use of Yale Course Search and Online Course Selection in registration, as well as discuss important academic policies and deadlines. Registration will take place immediately following the conversations with Lisa Huck & Dean Mercer at 2:30pm. Lisa Huck will be present to answer any questions until 3:30pm.

3:30pm-5:00pm

Locating Ourselves: Identity Carousel &
Small Group Breakout

Zoom

There are many ways to think about our identities. As a continuation of the sharing you did during the IdentiTree and to center us in conversations we’ll have throughout BTFO, we’ll be having a larger group discussion about the ways we identify and the ways we are identified. Afterwards, we’ll have the opportunity to debrief and have a deeper discussion with our small groups. 

8:00am

Berkeley Morning Eucharist

The Berkeley Center
363 St. Ronan Street

All are welcome to attend this Berkeley Divinity School event! Every morning during BTFO, the Berkeley Center will be offering an opportunity to participate in Morning Prayer and Eucharist with the Berkeley Community. Everyone is welcome to take part.

9:00am-11:15am

Building a Community That Flourishes:
Title IX Resources & More

Zoom

This session will be led by Alison Cunningham, Director of Professional Formation and the Divinity School Title IX Coordinator, and Cristi Cantu from the SHARE Center at Yale.  In this session, we will review the resources available to you for dealing with Title IX issues.  We will also explore what will help create and sustain a healthy and respectful community at YDS. 

Please follow this link to take the required training prior to the workshop.

https://smr-training.yale.edu/introduction-video

12:30pm-3:00pm

Building a Community that Flourishes: Addressing Power & Privilege

Zoom

This session will be led by Lynn Sullivan-Harmon, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI). YDS is a diverse community that brings together people from all different backgrounds with varying levels of power and privilege. Understanding, acknowledging, and respecting these differences helps us cultivate radical collaboration with those around us. After the presentation portion of this session, we will conclude with discussion in our small groups.

10:30am-11:45am

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.  Sign up required:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAEAE28A0FC1-btfo3

12:00pm-5:00PM

Institute of Sacred Music Orientation

Quad Tent

Incoming ISM Students, please look out for communication from ISM about this event.

12:00pm-1:15pm

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.  Sign up required:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAEAE28A0FC1-btfo3

Various Times

Take Me to Church!

Various Locations

Join a current YDS Student at a church service of your choosing. You can find contact information and location of worship on this spreadsheet here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13h2O1Hjhp7W8hozXULHA651PU-3cWn4U3Scuk7Jme5Y/edit?usp=sharing

1:00pm-2:15pm

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.

2:30pm-3:45pm

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.

8:00am

Berkeley Morning Eucharist

The Berkeley Center
363 St. Ronan Street

All are welcome to attend this Berkeley Divinity School event! Every morning during BTFO, the Berkeley Center will be offering an opportunity to participate in Morning Prayer and Eucharist with the Berkeley Community. Everyone is welcome to take part.

9:00am-9:30am

Welcome from Dean Gregory Sterling

Zoom

9:30am-10:15am

Supervised Ministry, Internship, &
Professional Formation

Zoom

Join us to learn about portfolios, internships, and the support that you can find in the Office of Vocation and Leadership.

Vocational discernment – that is, figuring out why you are here, and what you are going to do after you leave… and with the rest of your life – is an important part of the YDS experience. Your own process of discernment should begin now, and continue throughout your time here. Come and hear Bill Goettler, Associate Dean for Ministerial and Professional Leadership,  Jenny Davis, Director of Supervised Ministries, and Alison Cunningham, Director of Professional Formation, people you want to get to know, and who will introduce you to ideas about building a network of mentors, exploring internships and leadership opportunities while you are in New Haven, and making a plan for next things.

They will stay in the Zoom room to answer questions between 10:15 and 10:30.

10:30am-11:00am

Partners on the Quad

Zoom

Meet our Partners on the Quad: Andover Newton Seminary, Berkeley Divinity School and the Institute of Sacred Music. 

Learn about the programs they offer to all YDS Students:  

The Annand Program -The Annand Program is a spiritual formation program that operates through Berkeley Divinity School, but any YDS student can be a part of it! 

ELM - the Educational Leadership and Ministry program, provides the academic and field work experiences for students interested in careers in schools and colleges, whether as chaplains, educators or administrators. Sponsored by Berkeley Divinity School, ELM is available to students of all denominations. Jere A. Wells is the program director.

The Institute of Sacred Music offers eight choral ensembles and an opportunity for lessons for YDS students.

1:30pm-3:00pm

MAR: Degree Program Chat

MDiv: Community Q&A

MAR- Zoom

MDiv- Quad Tent

All MAR Students will be meeting on Zoom to have a chat with their program and fellow students! You will receive communication from us discussing details.

All MDiv Students will be meeting on the YDS Quad to have a Community Q&A and discuss the program!

9:30am

Coffee & Tea

Quad Tent

10:00am-11:00am

Final Small Group Breakout

Quad Tent

11:00am-12:00pm

Closing Appreciation: Tappy Circle

Quad Tent

A final opportunity for us to express our gratitude and appreciation for one another!

12:00pm-1:00pm

Meet the Yale University Chaplains!

Quad Tent

Join us for a talk from and a chat with the Yale University Chaplains.

This is a limited event. Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/EChuGLb22E881617A. 

Grab & Go Lunch will be provided afterward!

We will hear from: 

Sharon Kugler, University Chaplain

Ian Oliver, Senior Associate Chaplain for Protestant Life & Pastor of the University Church in Yale

Omer Bajwa, Director of Muslim Life

Ahsa Shipman, Director of Hindu Life

Maytal Saltiel, Associate University Chaplain

Jenny Peek ’17 MDiv, Associate University Chaplain

Sumi Loundon Kim, Coordinator of Buddhist Life

4:00pm

Convocation

Quad Tent

The official, ceremonial start to the academic year, service is attended by all of the YDS community, including returning students, faculty, and staff. You are encouraged to dress a little less casually than normal. Some students have even been known to wear their national costume!

5:00pm

Reception

Grab & Go!

Food will be provided for you to take home!

Various Times

Take Me to Church!

Various Locations

Get a list of Sunday Worship/Churches with 2nd and 3rd year contacts!

1:00pm-2:15pm

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.  Sign up required:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAEAE28A0FC1-btfo3

2:30pm-3:45pm

Yale University Tour

Meet at Ingalls Ice Rink

Join Max Clayton MAR ‘19, and current Yale University PhD student in American Studies, for a walking tour of the 

Yale University campus. Meet in front of the “whale,” or Yale’s Ingalls Ice Rink on Prospect and Sachem five minutes 

prior to the tour start.  Sign up required:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AAEAE28A0FC1-btfo3