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Graduate Students in the Academic Community
As a graduate student, it is important you recognize and prepare
for the new academic milieu you are entering. Effective communication,
professional cooperation, and efficient time management are vital
components of success. Below are some specific suggestions that
will ease your transition into graduate school:
- Communicate with your departmental chair and
the faculty members with whom you will be working. Introduce yourself
and explain your goals and expectations. The beginning of a new
term is a busy time for faculty and administrators as well for
students, so keep your initial meeting brief, unless invited to
stay longer. Use your time wisely to set the professional tone
and reputation which will mark your whole program.
- Meet fellow graduate student as soon as possible.
Talk to the graduate assistants and student in your department.
They can advise you on many departmental requirements and procedures.
Graduate education should be at its best a a cooperative rather
than a competitive intellectual adventure. Start immediately to
develop a mature and professional attitude toward colleagues as
well as the skilled of your discipline.
- Familiarize yourself with course expectations.
Review before the first class meeting any assigned texts, materials,
and types of examinations for the courses in which you've enrolled.
If it is available, examine the syllabus, and benefit from an
advance start on the work for the term.
- Prepare work thoroughly and in a timely fashion.
Whether preparing for a formal class or an individual study meeting,
be ready to discuss the assignment, explore any questions that
have arisen, examine problem areas, know your own areas of strength
and weakness. Anticipate doing more than the minimum. Accept responsibility
and make the effort to undertake duties cooperatively.
- Manage time. One of the major differences between
undergraduate and graduate work is time management and personal
discipline. Even part-time graduate work can require an extraordinary
time effort. This may be particularly true during the first and
second semesters of graduate work. National university guidelines
generally indicate a minimum of two to three hours of preparation
for each hour of classroom contact. For example, a class of three
hours a week might take six to nine hours of preparation. Although
some disciplines require considerably more preparation than others,
recent surveys indicate that few disciplines require less concentrated
time management. One of your initial assignments, a demand place
upon yourself, should be a commitment to budget your time wisely.
- Remember that you are a full time partner in
you education. You share the burden in each class with the faculty
member and with fellow students for the successful completion
of the work. Although a faculty member will structure a direct
a graduate class, student bear much of the responsibility for
the course work undertaken. Resolve to be an active participant,
to be prepared, enthusiastic, as well as thoroughly courteous
and professional.
Shared Authority: Faculty and Graduate Students
As an apprentice and colleague who is preparing for his or her role
as a professional, questions about divisions of responsibility may
arise. In particular, students who become teaching assistants or
laboratory supervisors may work closely with faculty and undergraduates.
At all times, a cooperative and collegial relationship between you
and your faculty is imperative for the goals and the missions of
the university to be fulfilled.
At times you may feel you are caught in the middle. Realistically,
however, you may find yourself in a situation where a faculty member,
a departmental head, a supervisor or a fellow student is not as
understanding, supportive or clear about details as you would prefer.
As in any strong relationship, effort, determination, courtesy,
and communication will enable you to work well with others. If there
is a problem, set aside time to resolve the matter. Never substitute
talking or complaining to other graduate students for a sincere
and frank discussion with the faculty or student concerned. Unfortunately,
on occasion, you may hear of a potentially serious problem, explicit
or perceived racial or sexual bias or a threat of physical danger,
for example, in which you may have a responsibility to act quickly.
Talking immediately to the departmental or division head in a balanced
way, avoiding personalities and honoring confidences is necessary,
and may prevent more serious difficulties. There is, of course,
a defined hierarchy within the academic community. Understanding
its existence and utilizing it effectively in a dignified manner
to resolve problems and disputes will maintain a healthy and stimulating
academic climate. Moreover, such an approach will rightly earn you
the respect of peers and signal an emotional maturity that is admirable.
Graduate Representation
Graduate students are an integral part of the higher education
system throughout the United States, and there are many ways in
which graduate students are represented and participate in the life
of the university.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is composed of 10 elected and appointed graduate
faculty members, providing each college with at least one faculty
representative on the council and includes one graduate student
as an active member representing a constituency of the graduate
student body. Additionally, there are three appointed ex officio
members, including the registrar, and the director of the Ralph
W. Steen Library. The council constitutes the primary advisory
body for graduate education at the university and makes recommendations
on all aspects of graduate education throughout the university.
These faculty members represent not only their individual departments
and colleges but also serve as important contacts and sources
of information for both faculty and graduate students. Members
of the council serve a three-year term. Also see the council
roster and meeting minutes under Information for Faculty.
Graduate Student Association
As a graduate student, you are automatically a member of the GSA.
This organization proides students with opportunities to meet
and interact with graduate students from all programs on campu.
The Association meets from time to time to discuss topics of interest
to graduate students. The GSA is also used to provide input to
the Graduate School on issues relevant to graduate education.
University Committees
Other university committees include graduate student representation
at the departmental and college level. The chair of each department,
as a chief administrative officer, is responsible for the overall
supervision of teaching assistants as well as for the well being
of the entire graduate program within the department.
Graduate Advisors
In larger departments, chairs commonly delegate some of these
duties to one or more faculty members. Graduate advisors generally
have primary contact with graduate students. Such advisors assist
with graduate registration, course changes, help structure degree
plans and maintain records of graduate progress. In addition,
a faculty advisor frequently serves as a mentor and advisor and
often represents graduate student interests and concerns to the
chair or to departmental and college committees. Although a student
reaching the stage of admission to candidacy for a graduate degree
will have a committee constituted to supervise the process of
thesis or dissertation or examination work for final completion
of a degree, the original graduate advisor can be a tremendous
source of strength for a student. Thus, a student should be aware
that a graduate advisor often plays a key role not only in program
development but also in career and professional advancement.
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