DEAN: On behalf of our entire faculty and staff, I want to extend a very warm welcome to all of the London School of Economics’ new undergraduate students. We are extremely honoured that you have chosen to pursue your higher education at our institute, and will do our very best to ensure that your experience here meets, and hopefully even exceeds, your expectations.
Today I want to provide you with a few pieces of information that will make your first days with us a bit smoother. I’m going to direct you to some key people you’ll be in contact with, tell you what administrative tasks you’ll need to attend to in the next couple of weeks, and give you an overview of the major events and activities that will take place especially for your incoming class. You may also obtain any of this information on our website, or by calling the Student Services Centre.
Speaking of Student Services, one name you will become quickly familiar with is Anne Sastry. Anne is the Student Services Director and has been working with our university for over 20 years. She knows all the ins and outs of our school, and leads a well-trained staff of counsellors who are available to assist you with any aspect of life here on campus, whether it is personal or academic.
Karl Clayton is another important person for new undergraduates. He’s the Head Academic Adviser, and will work with you to develop a plan for your academic career. He and his team of advisers will help you with, you know, choosing majors, registering for classes, and figuring out requirements for graduation. You may also need his advice if you are having troubles in a class or with a professor. The best way to get in touch with him is by e-mail: karlclayton@lse.uk.ac.
Now, aside from getting in touch with Anne and Karl, there’re a few things we need you to take care of in the first two weeks of your semester. The most important is to get your student ID card. This card gives you access to libraries, student halls, and school recreation centres. You’ll also need it to receive discounts on transportation cards, cafeteria meal plans, and other such things. Just bring your student ID number and one form of identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, to the registrar’s office. It’s open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Secondly, pay up any remaining balances on your student accounts within 10 days of the start of the semester. And that’s tomorrow, don’t forget. After that time, any students who have not paid their fees and tuition in full will not be allowed to attend classes and will be withdrawn from their program.
One last thing... All enrolled students are required by law to register for health insurance. You have the option of choosing our school health care plan, or sticking with your own private insurance. Either way, proof of health insurance must be submitted to the campus medical centre as soon as possible.
But we don’t want your first weeks on campus to be all work and no play, so we have planned a few fun events for newcomers. Tomorrow there will be a first-year welcome barbecue at the Saw Swee Hock Students’ Centre. It is free of charge, and is a great opportunity to get to know your classmates. Then on Friday there will be an Extracurricular Fair, where newcomers may visit booths of student interest groups for everything from sports to photography to activism. If I remember right, that will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the John Watkins Plaza. And finally, there will be free pizza for all London School of Economics students at Clare Market from 7 p.m. onwards.
That’s about all I have to say for today, so I’ll wrap this up and let you get settled in before dinner. Again, we warmly welcome you to campus and promise to do all we can to make these next few years some of the best of your life.