ThaiSA\Resources\Survival Guide\Arrival\1st Week Administration

2.2 First Week Administration

Here are the important things that you will need to do:

1. Notify others of your new address: Most of the time, the University will contact you either by email or mail. Update your current address at http://bearfacts.Berkeley.edu as soon as you have a permanent place to stay.

2. Register for classes: Once you have decided on your courses with your advisor, you can formally register but you may change it later. You are considered a registered student at Berkeley only if your fees have been paid and you have enrolled in enough classes to meet the minimum number of units required for that semester. Registration can be done either by telephone or online through a system called TeleBEARS. To access Tele-Bears you need your student ID number and also a PIN number. You will find your PIN number in your registration and orientation packet during your department orientation or from your advisor.

3. Get your Cal Photo ID: This is the card you need to have. The ID will act as a proof of your being a student at UC Berkeley. You will need it to use the various facilities-the libraries, for example-in the University campus and even get on buses for free after you have obtained the bus pass. Go to Unit 2 on 2650 Haste Street for your photo ID. The process is quick and you will have your ID in minutes. A photo of you will be taken electronically there. You will need your TeleBEARS registration letter or your student ID number, your passport and visa document.

4. Apply for a Social Security Number: In the US, the social security number is important. As soon as you arrive, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration Office on 2045 Allston Way (west of Shattuck), Berkeley. The Office's hours are Mon-Fri, 9am- 4:30pm. Allston Way is not far from the University campus. The process involves filling out a short form and an interview. You may need your passport, visa, I-20 or IAP-66 and I-94. The social security number should be available the following day and you can obtain it by phone. The social security card will arrive by mail within two weeks. For more information, visit http://www.ssa.gov/ or call 1-800-772-1213.

5. Get your bus pass: Go to the Student Learning Center on Lower Sproul after you have your university ID to obtain a bus pass. The pass allows you to use the City's bus facilities (the AC Transit) as well as the University one for free of charge. Another must-have.

6. Get a UC Berkeley email account: The University will provide you with an email account. The email ID will read as username@uclink4.berkeley.edu. Getting this email ID is simple. Go to http://bilink.berkeley.edu:10000/ and register for your new email account. Alternatively, you can stick to your existing Hotmail or Yahoo accounts. Also, some of you may have an email account from your department. But at least one email address is necessary. Email is the easiest means to get in touch with professors, teaching assistants and classmates.

7. Get your Drivers License or California State ID card: Your Cal Student ID is not generally accepted outside the campus. For this purpose, at least initially, you might have to show your passport to indicate your identity on some occasions. Later, you may apply for a State photo ID such as a California Driving License or a California State ID card (this is the ID card for non-drivers) whenever you want (the earlier the better). Both ID cards are issued by the same agency-the Department of Motor Vehicles. To apply for an ID card you will need to do the following: visit the nearest DMV office (make an appointment via phone for faster service). For more information, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/. Complete an application form (you can call the DMV office and order it), give a thumbprint, and have your picture taken. You will need to provide your Social Security Number, your passport, and I-94 card for this. Once you have done all this, your new ID will be mailed to you within sixty days. For the driver's license, the process is similar but involves passing a written test and a road test and hence will take longer than getting an ID card. Note that although having both cards is fine, you only need to have one of the cards.

8. Attend the orientation workshops: For international students, the workshops held by the Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) are the most useful. SISS is located at the International House on 2299 Piedmont Ave. (cross with Bancroft Way). Get the Welcome Package containing information on a wide range of issues and concerns. Their workshops include matters on visas, academics, money- managing, safety and even earthquakes. The workshop on the F-1 or J-1 visa is mandatory (that is, you have to attend!). You may receive many fliers about these workshops before you arrive in Berkeley. When you attend the F-1 or J-1 Staying Legal Workshop at SISS, you will need to take your passport, visa and I-20 or IAP-66 with I-94 with you. Also, each program or department will conduct its own orientation during the welcome week. This orientation is quite useful. You will get to meet the Department's faculty members and other students in your program. You might also meet and get to know your advisor and make an appointment with him for discussion on class registration.

9. Set up a bank account: This is obviously important. See the section on banking in this booklet to get recommendations from 'experts.'

10. Trip to Target: This large store sells almost all the basic things you can think of. Of course, there are many other more upscale stores. But I would say that Target is the more suitable one for university students. It is likely that one will end up with a long list of things to buy for the new place and for school. Arrange a trip to the store to solve this problem. The store is next to the El Cerrito BART station. Nonetheless, bring a car in the case of a very long-buying list.

11. Purchase textbooks: Look in the bookstores section of this booklet for the places to buy textbooks. It is cheaper to buy used textbooks. Both the new and the used books can be resold at the end of the semesters upon the stores' policies. I would advise you to buy the textbooks as soon as possible. During the first week of each semester, the stores are packed with students.

12. Become familiar with the University campus: get hold of a campus map and a City map. This way, you will be able to get to your classes and various places faster. The City is relatively well planned. In no time will you be walking around the Berkeley without maps. Once you know the campus and the City well, move on to the neighboring towns and cities, and eventually, if you want, the whole of the Bay Area.