ABSTRACT
Most graduate departments offer entering students an orientation session, but if the author former department’s approach is typical, the meeting is too often a lost opportunity. Most newcomers arrived unsure or even apprehensive, but all were eager to understand more fully the situation they faced. The chair started by inviting the newcomers to introduce themselves and indicate their specialty. Subsequently the faculty were asked to describe their current scholarly work. The audience listened attentively, nodding as if comprehending every word while struggling to understand any of what was said. Next, the students were invited to ask about the program but, being unfamiliar with it, did not have much to contribute. Instead, the session concluded early, when the chair announced that the essentials had been covered and the time had come for wine and cheese.
