New Graduate Students, I hope you are having a great summer!

This letter includes important information about

UofL and getting ready for the Fall 2020 semester. It is important to make plans to be available for these
important activities starting on Friday, August 7, 2020.

Below you will find a list of things that will happen prior to classes beginning on Monday, August 17. The
exams will be completed by the week before classes begin. Details on when and how the exams, orientations
and auditions will be administered will be forthcoming.

For all incoming graduate students:

 New Graduate Student Orientation (sponsored by the Graduate School)
 Music History Entrance Exam
 Music Theory Entrance Exam
 Introduction to the Music Library
For incoming students with GTA awards:
 School of Music GTA Orientation
 Graduate School GTA Orientation (sponsored by the Graduate School)
For incoming students with GSA or Service awards:
 School of Music Service Award Orientation
For incoming students with an emphasis in Jazz:
 Jazz Theory Entrance Exam
 Jazz Piano Proficiency Exam
 Jazz History Entrance Exam
For incoming international students:
 International Student “Get Connected and Resource Fair”

Monday, August 10, 6:00 PM (via Zoom) School of Music New Graduate Student Welcome Meeting

Friday, August 14 – Sunday, August 16

TBD (School of Music) Choir Placement Auditions
Saturday, August 15 – Tuesday, August 18
TBD (School of Music) Band Placement Auditions

Saturday, August 15
TBD (School of Music) String Placement Auditions

Sunday, August 16
2:00pm-6:00pm (School of Music) Jazz Placement Auditions

Monday, August 17
Classes Begin

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Information on Entrance Exams
The tests are diagnostic tools to assure a standard level of preparation for academic class work and to establish
a shared core of knowledge that faculty can expect of all students. Incoming graduate students are strongly
urged to prepare carefully for these exams in the summer. The study guides for these exams will be
forthcoming.

Music history and music theory entrance exams are given to all incoming graduate students before you begin
classes. Passing both exams will exempt you from taking the no-credit review classes (Music Theory in the Fall
and Music History in Spring).

In addition, all Jazz graduate students must take the Jazz Theory, Jazz Piano Proficiency, and Jazz History
Entrance Exams.

Notes and Other Important Information

1. Advising is a mandatory requirement prior to registering for classes. Advising and registration will
take place during the week of August 10.

2. Your Graduate Advisor will contact you in August to schedule an advising appointment. Once you
have been advised, you will then be cleared to register.

3. If you recently graduated, please make sure to send the Graduate School an official, final transcript.
Your degree must be posted on your transcript for it to be considered a final transcript. You will not
be allowed to register for classes until we have received your final transcript.

4. Prior to logging into ULink, you will need to activate your account. Please do this at your earliest
convenience. Directions on how to activate your account can be found online at:
http://louisville.edu/admissions/activate.

5. Once you have been advised and cleared to register by Dr. Land, you will be able to register through
ULink online at: http://ulink.louisville.edu.

6. Once you have been advised and have registered, you will need to buy any required textbooks. The
University Bookstore is in the Student Activities Center and their website is:
http://louisville.edu/contractadmin/bookstore/.

7. Once you are advised and have registered, you will need to get your Cardinal Card, which is your
student ID. The Cardinal Card office is located in the Houchens building. The website is:
http://louisville.edu/cardinalcard/.

8. If you require campus parking, you will need to visit the Campus Parking Office on Floyd Street to get
the appropriate parking permit. Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) will need to take a copy of the
GTA appointment letter in order to be issued a blue faculty/staff permit. The Campus Parking office's
website is: http://louisville.edu/parking.

9. You will need to update your address(es) and phone number(s) in ULink. All your official notices via
email and/or mail will be sent to your UofL email and mailing address on file. Any time you change
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 your address or phone number (especially if you leave Louisville for the summer); you will need to
remember to update your contact information in ULink.

10. You can find some general information about UofL email online at: http://louisville.edu/email/.
Make sure to check your UofL email account regularly, starting now. We do not send any email to
personal email accounts beginning August 10. You may forward your emails to an outside email
account, but it is your responsibility to do so.

11. Know important UofL deadlines. Some important ones can be found online at:
http://louisville.edu/calendars/academic/

New Graduate Student/GTA Orientation

All graduate students are encouraged to attend, but please note all GTAs are required to attend. If GTAs do
not attend orientation, they may not be allowed to hold their GTA positions. Out-of-state and international
students should arrange their travel schedules accordingly. Details for this will be forthcoming.

International GTAs
The University of Louisville requires all international graduate teaching assistants (IGTAs), with the exception
of those teaching a foreign language, to demonstrate proficiency in the English language before they begin
their teaching assignments as graduate teaching assistants. The English proficiency evaluation consists of a
20-minute teaching demonstration typical of a teaching assignment for a class which you are to teach. The
evaluators may ask you some questions, so you should be prepared to explain or further clarify. You may want
to consult with your GTA advisor in selecting your topic. You must schedule your teaching demonstration by
making an appointment with the IESL office. Please email the IESL office at: [email protected] or call
502.852.5901 to schedule your interview in August. You can find more information online at:
http://louisville.edu/internationalcenter/isss/news-and-events/graduate-teaching-assistantship-gta-
evaluations. Questions may be directed to the Intensive English Language Program (IESL) office at 852-5901.

New Graduate Student Welcome Meeting

There will be a New Graduate Student Welcome Meeting on Monday, August 10 at 6 PM. At this time you
will meet some School of Music faculty and staff, and receive important information concerning your graduate
studies. The meeting will be via Zoom and we strongly encourage all new graduate students to attend.
Information about this session will be forthcoming.

Human Resources (HR) Onboarding and Orientation (GTAs)

As a GTA, you will be paid in 10 monthly payments with the first payment received on August 31, 2020. The
hiring process will begin in early summer for your hire date of August 1, 2020. Incoming GTAs will be required
to attend a ½ day HR Orientation. Information about this session will be forthcoming.

For 1st year GTAs, notification emails will go to the email address you submitted with your
application. Business Ops is our resource on campus that will assist you with the hiring process. Emails will be
sent to you explaining what is needed. The hiring process will include online completion of paperwork, a
criminal background check and completion of I-9 verification.

The I-9 verification must be done on campus, but you will have time to complete that piece once you arrive.
The university will be doing scheduled signup appointments this year in response to COVID so please read your
Business Ops email for details. All forms must be completed by August 12, 2020 to ensure no delay in getting
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your first paycheck. If you are unable to fill out your I-9 by August 12, 2020, contact Business Ops at
502.852.7549 to find out if there might be another university near you where you can process your I-9. If you
have any questions at any time during the hiring process, again you may ask Business Ops (502) 852-7549 or
[email protected] or reach out to Chris Dye (502) 852-4708 or [email protected]

Ensemble Auditions
You should receive information about ensemble auditions from the appropriate director in late July/early
August. Auditions will take place the weekend prior to classes beginning through the first week of classes.
The ensemble directors are:
 Dr. Frederick Speck, Director of Bands ([email protected])
 Professor Kimcherie Lloyd, Director of Opera and Orchestral Studies ([email protected])
 Dr. Kent Hatteberg, Director of Choral Activities ([email protected])
 Prof. Jerry Tolson, Jazz Studies ([email protected])

UofL Departments
Some important offices on UofL's campus to be familiar with are:
 The Registrar’s Office is located in the Houchens building. Their website is:
http://louisville.edu/registrar/.
 The School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies (SIGS) is located in the Houchens building. Their
website is: http://graduate.louisville.edu/.
 The Bursar's office is in the Houchens building. Their website is: http://louisville.edu/finance/bursar/.
 The Financial Aid office is in the Houchens building. Their website is: http://louisville.edu/financialaid.
 The International Center is located in Brodschi Hall. Their website is:
http://louisville.edu/internationalcenter.

We look forward to seeing you in August! If you need anything, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Sincerely,

Dr. Reese Land

Director of Graduate Studies
Associate Professor of Trumpet
University of Louisville
School of Music, Room 337
502-852-7857 (office)
[email protected]
Follow UofL School of Music on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram! @UofLMusic

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