Identify the issue: University resources
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Learn about the graduate student resources available at most universities.
Most graduate students have various issues that come up for which they would like some direction, advice, or resolution. In almost every case, your first stop will be your own department and college. Subsequently, the Graduate College at your university is the unit dedicated to graduate students with faculty and staff who have answers or can refer you to other resources, people, and units.
Every university has its own structure of units, offices, and administrators responsible for developing and implementing university policies. In this module we provide information about the types of issues that come up and where you might go. The names and titles may be different where you are.
Graduate College – Graduate Student Academic Services
A resource for everything related to graduate academic needs, funding, assistance with policies and procedures, support, Program of Study information, and questions about graduation.
Graduate College—Graduate Student Financial Services
A resource for information about teaching and research assistantships, awards and fellowships, national and disciplinary scholarships.
University Student Employment Office
A resource for information about hourly, work-study, and stipend positions on and off-campus.
University Student Financial Aid Office
A resource for information about tuition and fees, need-based scholarships, grants, and loan options.
Graduate Student Affairs Office
A comprehensive resource for information and advice regarding benefits available to graduate students, initiatives across the university, and support for graduate students.
Graduate College
A comprehensive resource for information, advice, and referrals to other university resources.
Office of Institutional Equity
Named differently at many universities, this office supports and fosters a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion through programming, leadership, hiring, consultation and training.
Ombudsperson Office
The Ombudsperson is a university official who serves as a dispute resolver. Their job is to see that students, faculty, and staff are treated equitably. Any individual at the university can seek advice from the Ombudsperson Office. The Ombudsperson is an impartial and confidential service to all university affiliates.
Office of Research Integrity
Organized under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the ORI creates and implements policies on biomedical and behavioral research conduct.
Graduate College
A comprehensive resource for information, advice, and referrals to other university resources.
Office of Research Integrity
Organized under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the ORI creates and implements policies on biomedical and behavioral research conduct.
Ombudsperson Office
The Ombudsperson Office serves as a dispute resolver. Their job is to see that students, faculty, and staff are treated equitably. Any individual at the university can seek advice from the Ombudsperson Office. The Ombudsperson is an impartial and confidential service to all university affiliates.
Graduate College
A comprehensive resource for information, advice, and referrals to other university resources.
Graduate Student Affairs Office
A comprehensive resource for information and advice regarding all aspects of graduate student life for students as well as their families.
Dean of Students
Administrative unit that houses a range of services and has responsibility for many issues pertaining to students. In most cases, the Dean of Students addresses undergraduate matters whereas the Graduate College is the primary point of contact for graduate students.
Office of Students Rights and Responsibilities
An office that promotes a safe and inclusive environment that fosters the intellectual, personal, social, ethical development of all students. In some universities, this office investigates allegations of student misconduct and determines whether a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has occurred.
Student Code of Conduct
Typically found at your university’s student life or student affairs Web page, this document details the responsibilities of undergraduate and graduate students and defines student misconduct.
University Registrar Office
Maintains student information system including registration, residency status, and official transcripts.
Disability Resource Office
Coordinates and monitors campus compliance with requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, coordinates with faculty regarding disability accommodations, and offers access to assistive learning technology and other resources.
Medical Services/Student Health Center
Provides medical care, pharmaceutical services, laboratory and X-ray services, referrals to community health-care providers, health education, and the maintenance of clinical records.
University Counseling Center/Psychological Services
Offers individual, couples, and group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric consults, and consultations regarding friends, roommates, and family.
University Career Services
Offers testing support for graduate student entrance exams, career interest testing, assistance with resume and interview preparation, career advising, and connections with employers and alumni.
Also see Sexual Harassment
Resources may be named differently by each university but generally include the following:
University Dean of Students
If a student is alleged to have violated policy
Campus or Local Police
Report the incident and be connected with a Victim Advocate
Employee Assistance Office
If faculty or staff have allegedly violated a policy
Title IX Coordinator
Responsible for handling reports of sexual harassment
Office of Student Advocacy and Assistance
Support resources and information available with or without a formal complaint
Office of Human Resources
Primary resource for university employees and handles employee complaints.
Campus or Local Police
Provides campus safety and protection of property.
International Student Office
Conducts orientation programs for new students and offers assistance with administrative concerns, immigration advisement, and personal counseling, including providing information on student visas.
Graduate Student Affairs Office
A comprehensive resource for information and advice regarding all aspects of graduate student life for students as well as their families.
Also see Family Friendly Policies
Office of Family Resources
Provides resources to university families, advocates for the needs of families, collaborates with departments in the development and delivery of programs/services.
Office of Family Resources
Provides resources to university families, advocates for the needs of families, collaborates with departments in the development and delivery of programs/services.
Multicultural Student Center
Provides a central location for multicultural, biracial, and multiracial students to access services designed to help them with their academic success.
Graduate and Professional Student Organizations
Most universities offer comprehensive listings of women’s, graduate, cultural, and international student organizations online. Information about groups or organizations can also be obtained from the Graduate Student Affairs Office.
Graduate Student Affairs Office
A comprehensive resource for information and advice regarding all aspects of graduate student life for students as well as their families.
Faculty Women’s Association
Every university has organizations that represent and provide programming targeted for women faculty but open for all. Graduate and post-doc students are generally welcome to participate. Members of the Faculty Women’s Association may be or have ideas about finding mentors.
Also see Online Resources and Supports
Is the Effort Worth the Outcome?
Explains when to confront a problem and when it may be better to maneuver around it.
Observations on Women’s Safety (Part 1)
Discusses necessary precautions to take as a female student working late nights on campus.
An alternative way to approach being the only woman in a given situation.
How being unaware of being the only woman was advantageous to program success.
Urges students to seek multiple campus resources for support.
How to make friends with colleagues to encourage a supportive environment.
Notes the challenges of a dual career marriage and the obstacles in fighting for tenure and balancing a relationship.
The importance of sharing stories of sexual harassment with others and realizing that you are not alone.