On behalf of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh, we want to welcome you to our graduate training program! We are delighted that you have accepted our offer of admission and will be joining us in the fall. You probably have questions, and we will answer some below and any others you may have when you arrive.
When do I need to arrive?
We are asking all new students to arrive in time to attend the first of several orientation sessions organized by the Department of Mathematics and other units within the University of Pittsburgh.
- August 14, 2024: The Office of International Services (OIS) will host a Graduate and Professional Studies Student Orientation from 2P-4P.. Please be on the lookout for information from OIS about this event. (required for international students ONLY)
- August 20, 2024: The Office of the Provost will host a New Graduate Student Orientation. This event is not mandatory but is a great event to meet other students from other departments plus to learn more about the university along with the benefits you will receive as a graduate student at Pitt. More information will be sent to you about this event.
- August 21, 2004: School-wide Welcome Event 2P-4P Alumni Hall. Ice cream social, embedded clinician speech, intro to A&S and GSO. More info sent to you directly.
- August 23, 2024. The Department of Mathematics will host a welcome and general introduction to the department. More details to come. Keep an eye on your Pitt email inbox.
- August 23, 2024: The University Center for Teaching and Learning will host a New Teaching Assistant Orientation. This is a mandatory event. Even though you may not be teaching this semester you will in the future, and this is great event to learn more about the role and responsibility of being a Teaching Assistant. The in-person event is Friday, August 23 at 1-4 p.m. in the 7th Floor Auditorium and Cathedral Views of Alumni Hall, 4227 Fifth Avenue.
- The first day of classes are on Monday, August 26th!
Who should I contact regarding my Teaching Assistant appointment?
You will be assigned a specific class where you will be a Teaching Assistant (TA). You should set up a specific time to meet with the Faculty member you will be assisting prior to the start of classes on Monday, August 28th.
What classes should I take?
Before you arrive in Pittsburgh, you should investigate the course requirements for your training program.
When you meet with your faculty advisor, you should confer with them about your course selections. This discussion should also include registering for several classes that will help you prepare for your Prelim exams. You will need to register for 9 credits to be considered a full time student and receive your allocation support.
What resources are available to assist me with my move?
Pitt has an off campus living website http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/ which may be helpful in your housing search.
Some neighborhoods to consider for you would be North Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, Edgewood, Point Breeze, Friendship, Highland Park (all on a bus route).
Other helpful resources can be found in the following:
Office of the Provost at https://www.gradstudents.pitt.edu/
Graduate Studies Office at https://www.asgraduate.pitt.edu/student-life/living-pittsburgh
City of Pittsburgh has several sites: www.visitpittsburgh.com and www.coolpgh.pitt.edu
Anything else?
Yes! As an admitted student, please log into the Pitt Portal and review all the personal information you have submitted during the application process. Check your address and other contact information and make any changes necessary as soon as possible. If you have not created your Pitt email account, please do so as all communication from the department will be sent to that account.
English Language Comprehensibility Test for International Teaching Assistants/Fellows
All University of Pittsburgh international graduate students must take a university English Language Fluency test prior to being assigned any teaching duties. This includes students who have attended universities in the United States, including the University of Pittsburgh, and those who have been Teaching Assistants or Fellows at other U.S. institutions. You will be notified if you need to take the exam prior to the Fall Term.
Payroll and Building Access
Payroll Administrator: Rosalie Jones Moore - rnj8@pitt.edu
Administrative Officer: Carol Miller - cmiller2@pitt.edu
Assistant to Chair: Jason Irwin - jai48@pitt.edu
Purchasing/Travel
Business Coordinator: Dylan Knapp-Scott - dnk26@pitt.edu
Third Floor Main Office Kitchen and 7th Floor Students Lounge
You are welcome to use the kitchen and lounge at any time. Coffee, tea, water, refrigerator, freezer, toasters, and microwaves are available.
Healthcare
Please go to the website, http://www.hr.pitt.edu/benefits/student-be/graduate-s, for more information
Pitt Identification Card
The “Panther Card” can be obtained from Panther Central, located in the main lobby of Litchfield Towers. For more information visit https://www.pc.pitt.edu. Please check the website for their operating hours.
Parking
Please visit http://www.pts.pitt.edu to obtain more information about the parking and transportation options at the University of Pittsburgh.
Emergency Notification System
The University’s Emergency Notification Service is used to communicate through text, voice, and email messages as deemed appropriate in the event of an emergency. To subscribe, login to my.pitt.edu and type in or click on the “Emergency Notification”.
PittPay Bills
Every term you will receive a tuition payment reminder. You will not receive an actual tuition bill in the US mail. The University will notify you by email ONLY. Once again, important that you use your Pitt email. All tuition bills are due around the 20th of the month. You are responsible for the Graduate Student Activity Fee ONLY during each term. Please make sure you pay this fee by the due date. This is your only financial responsibility to the university as long as you are supported as a graduate student in our department.
If for some reason you complete an add/drop and receive another tuition bill, you MUST bring this to the attention of the Dean’s office to pay the tuition. Contact the Graduate Administrator, Jay Drummond, at jad432@pitt.edu so he can reach out to the Dean’s Office to make sure tuition is paid.
Class Enrollment
Every term you will be sent an email to your Pitt account to let you know when it is time to register. If you do not register by the deadline, you can be charged a late registration fee. If you do not pay your student activity fee on time, you can also be assessed a late payment fee. All late registration fees or late payment fees will be your responsibility.
Mathematics IT Issues
If you have any issues with logging into my.pitt.edu please contact the Help Desk: helpdesk@pitt.edu
Counseling Services
https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/cc/ or 412-648-7930
Ombudsperson Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
Philippa Carter: pkc3@pitt.ed
Contact
Please feel free to contact the Graduate Administrator, Jay Drummond (jad432@pitt.edu), if you have any questions or any issues arise.