Staying in Touch

Most graduate students are happier and more successful when they keep in touch with the department's graduate apparatus. You will keep current on the paperwork and regulations that are inevitable in complicated MA and PhD programs. Staying in touch should also help you feel better connected - advised, mentored, and befriended - through the difficult years of graduate study.

The Graduate Director will be available at regular hours throughout the school year to field questions about programs, courses, and careers. This senior faculty member also chairs the department's policy-setting Graduate Committee, which includes a graduate student representative.

The Graduate Advisor is a full-time staff member who knows many things, including what forms you need to file and how to file them. All paperwork should go through the Graduate Advisor.

Your advisor or committee on studies will be useful for intellectual and degree-oriented support. Regular meetings with faculty mentors will keep you focused on immediate and long term goals.

The English Graduate Listserve will keep you current on many matters, including bureaucratic and social announcements.

EGSA (English Graduate Student's Association) holds regular meetings where you can learn about what's happening from your peers.

Bulletin boards on the second floor of the Humanities Building will have postings of colloquia, meetings, job offers, and the latest developments.

Graduate student events are held throughout the semester and are an excellent way to meet peers and socialize. These events include professional colloquia, happy hours and other social gatherings.

Your file in the Graduate Advisor's office should be kept up to date, with copies of all forms you file as well as evidence of your accomplishments.