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Arriving at Yale

When you first get to Yale, there are several important things you need to do, and you should review the list below carefully:

  1. International postdocs must visit the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), located at 421 Temple Street.
  2. Check in with your faculty mentor and your departmental business office. Postdoctoral Fellows may receive a Benefits Health Coverage authorization form, which you should bring to the Benefits Office. Your business office will also direct you to the appropriate office to get your Yale ID (see below). Finally, in some instances you may receive a Yale email account and/or a stockroom card.
  3. Get your Yale ID card at the ID Center nearest you. See below for details.
  4. Activate your NetID.
  5. Contact the Yale Benefits Office, (203 432-5550), within 30 days of arrival to enroll in one of Yale’s health insurance plans. Bring your health coverage authorization form if you received one from your department.
  6. Attend Postdoc Orientation.
  7. Go to www.yale.edu/training to find out what training courses you need to complete.

Your Yale ID Card

A Yale ID card serves the following purposes:

  • General identification
  • Entry to secured areas and buildings
  • Access to library services
  • Use of university shuttle services.

To get your ID, you will need to visit the ID Center closest to your department:

Medical School ID Center, (203) 785-4286
333 Cedar Street, SHM Rm CE-1
M-F 8:30-11:45; 1:00-2:00

Central Campus ID Center, (203) 432-0165
246 Church Street, Rm B01
M-F 8:30-4:30

Lost, stolen, or damaged ID cards should be reported immediately to the University Security Department at 100 Church Street South, (203) 785-5555. Replacement cards are available from the ID Center. Malfunctioning or accidentally damaged cards are replaced at no charge. Lost, stolen, or deliberately damaged cards are replaced at a fee of $20.

Yale Spouse or Partner ID

Spouses and civil union partners are eligible for Yale IDs. Please bring the following documents to the ID Center:

  • Photo ID of spouse or partner
  • Proof of marriage (any ONE of the following:)
    • Copy of marriage certificate
    • Immigration visa, if passport has both spouses’ names
    • OISS Family attachment form
    • Yale Health Plan card
    • Mortgage if in both spouses’ names
    • Life insurance policy with spouse as beneficiary
    • If applying for an ID for your civil union partner, please contact the Yale ID Center (see information above).

Your NetID

Your NetID enables you to activate your yale.edu email account as well as gain access to numerous online resources. To find your NetID, go to https://veritas.its.yale.edu/findnetid/index.html and input your Social Security number and last name. Those at the School of Medicine may also visit the ITS Med Walk-In Help Desk in the Sterling Hall of Medicine (SHM Rm IE 90) Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Additional Resources

Please see the Handbook for Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates for information about moving to New Haven, finding and setting up an apartment, and shopping. Also, visit the Yale Off-Campus Housing database to find an apartment near campus.

You may also want to read the National Postdoctoral Association's Survival Guide.

Please click on the following links for Child Care and Worklife Programs.

Yale University has created a useful website for those moving to New Haven. It has housing information, school, transportation, shoping, parking, etc. Please click here for further information.

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