All times listed below are in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Note: this guide is intended to be an overview. For full information please read the Student Handbook in its entirety. The Student 2024 Handbook can be found here.
Your NetID and Volmail Account
The Administrative Director will email each student their NetID and a UT ID number after the cohort have confirmed their attendance and all required paperwork is in. Please be advised that this process can take some time as we have to review the whole cohort individually.
Students will use this information to set up NetID passwords and to log in to Volmail email accounts. This is important because instructors will communicate with students via UTK Volmail email accounts. Some may even ask students to complete assignments before arriving on campus. Begin checking this email address when you have been assigned your NetID and UT ID number. Instructions on setting up your NetIDs and Volmail accounts are here (steps 1-4).
Canvas
After setting up the NetID password and logging into Volmail, please be sure to check for emails from “Instructure Canvas <notifications@instructure.com>” inviting you to participate in a course. Please be sure to accept the invitations as your course instructors will be using these sites during the duration of GSSE.
Residence Hall
All students will be living in Geier Hall. Geier is a pod style housing. Pods include several double-occupancy rooms and smaller shared bathrooms located throughout the hallway. All students will be assigned a Resident Assistant. Laundry facilities in Geier Hall are complimentary but students must provide their own laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc. Students must also provide their own towels, bed linens, and pillows. The size of beds in Geier is Twin XL. We recommend students bring cleaning supplies for their rooms as housing staff will not be cleaning rooms throughout the program.
Check-In (Sunday, June 2)
Check-in is from 11:00 – 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 2. Students that arrive after 3:45pm will be asked to check-in following the orientation which is scheduled for 4:00pm.
Check-Out (Saturday, June 29)
All students will be required to check-out of Geier and Hall between 8:00 – 11:00am on Saturday, June 29th.
Rec Center Access
GSSE students will have access to TRECS (Tennessee Recreation Center for Students), SAC (Student Aquatics Center), and HPER (Health, Physical Education and Recreation). The summer hours for these facilities have not yet been determined. To access these buildings students must use their student ID card which will be issued upon arrival.
Curfew
On Sunday-Thursday, all students must be in the residence hall by 10:00pm, and in their individual room by 11:00pm. On Friday & Saturday, all students must be in the residence hall by 11:00pm, and in their individual room by midnight. Students are free to leave their rooms each morning at 5:30am or later.
Students are advised to always travel within the GSSE boundaries with at least one other student or GSSE staff member. See the GSSE boundaries on the map on this page here.
Students are welcome to travel to Cumberland Avenue to visit restaurants and other establishments, but no students are permitted to be on Cumberland Avenue past 8:00 pm without prior approval from their Resident Assistant.
Packing List
View this packing list to help you prepare for the program.
Daily Schedule
View the GSSE daily schedule here.
Food and Dining
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided to students throughout the duration of the program. Food service will start June 2nd with dinner and end June 29th with dinner. Almost all meals will be served at UT’s newest dining hall, Rocky Top Dining. Dietary needs/preferences for all students have been relayed to the UTK dining office and will be accommodated at all meals.
Laptops
All students are required to provide their own laptop device (tablets and Chromebooks will not work). If you cannot provide your own laptop device, we have a limited supply to loan, please contact prep@utk.edu.
Classrooms
Learn where your classes will be held on the campus at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville by clicking here. This page also includes a map of campus and the campus boundaries that students will be limited to.
Academics and Course Instructors
Learn more about each course here. All students will take “STEM Skills” and “STEM in Society”. Get to know the faculty, TA’s, and RA’s on the staff page here.
College Credit Hours
Each student that successfully completes the 2024 GSSE program receives 5 credits; 3 in INPG 100 and 1 each in two different sections of INPG 200. Here is a link that explains more about the INPG credits. Whether or not another university will accept the credits is up to the institution. At UTK the credits will most likely be accepted for general elective credit only. After the completion of the program all students will be notified how to obtain a transcript for their 5 credit hours earned.
Visitors to Campus
Because of the full slate of activities/programming, no outside visitors will be admitted on campus throughout the duration of the program. Visitors are only allowed on campus during check-in and check-out times.
Leaving Campus
GSSE students will not be permitted to leave campus for a non-GSSE event or activity throughout the duration of the program (June 2 – June 29). If your student must leave for an unforeseen emergency please contact 865-974-9493 right away.
Spending Money
Students will not be required to pay for any items out of pocket while they are attending the GSSE program. With that said, we do recommend students bring a small amount of spending money for items such as souvenirs, snacks, etc. Please note that UTs campus is cashless and a debit or credit card will be required for most purchases.
Sending Mail to Students
Mail to students will be distributed by Resident Assistants. We will provide a mailing address prior to the start of GSSE.
Do not mail packages directly to the residence hall.
Medical Information
Students who need out-patient treatment (during the hours of 8:30am – 8:00pm) for a minor injury or minor illness will be taken to the Lakeway Urgent Care Clinic, 2461 University Commons Way, Knoxville, TN 37996, (865) 673-6603. After hours, or in case of a major medical emergency students will be taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center for treatment. Major medical treatment is the responsibility of each student and their parent(s)/guardian(s).
Students who need weekly allergy shots will need to contact the Lakeway Urgent Care Clinic, 865-673-6603, to get your allergy shots setup to be administered by the physicians there. Please remember, any expense is the responsibility of each student and their parent(s) or guardian(s).
Religious Services
There are many student religious centers in the general campus area. We ask that students make plans to attend virtual worship services, if possible. If appropriate religious services are not available virtually, please contact the GSSE staff at prep@utk.edu to discuss the situation to make satisfactory arrangements.
Contact Information
Contact GSSE staff by calling 865-974-9493 or emailing prep@utk.edu. Our office hours are 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday – Friday.
For non-emergency situations the UT Police can be reached at 865-974-3114. In the event of an emergency situation please dial 911.
Social Media
We encourage students and parents to follow all three of our social media accounts. We will be updating frequently throughout the program.