Student Life

Your Fellow Doctoral Students at The Graduate Center
Should you decide to take the road of doctoral study at the Graduate Center, you will join some 4,000
others, all of them competitively selected from a large pool of qualified applicants. This student body, in the heart of New York City, has a remarkable range of backgrounds and interests. Evenly divided between men and women, it is one of the most diverse student bodies found in any American graduate institution, whether classified by age, ethnic background, or socioeconomic profile. Some arrive after years of professional experience, others are freshly minted graduates of public and private colleges throughout the United States and about eighty foreign countries.

Diversity
Student diversity is encouraged to open up the top levels of academia to students from ethnically varied backgrounds. In particular, the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs (OEODP) offers social, academic, and financial support to historically underrepresented students. The office recruits locally, regionally, and nationally, consults with the Executive Officer and admissions committee of each
doctoral program, and confers with the Financial Aid Office in efforts designed to increase access to doctoral studies at CUNY for students from underserved populations. If you would like more information on the Graduate Center's diversity programs, contact OEODP at 1.212.817.7540 (voice); 1.212.817.1630 (fax); email: oeodpmail@gc.cuny.edu; or visit our website at http://web.gc.cuny.edu/oeodp.

International Students
The Graduate Center community is enriched by the presence of over 900 students from about eighty foreign countries. These students in turn benefit from study at a distinguished American university in the midst of one of the world’s most international cities. The Office of International Students provides information and assistance to students from outside the United States. This office issues Certificates of Eligibility for student immigration status and advises students regarding immigration regulations for F and J immigration status. Admissions candidates must submit completed Eligibility Forms and financial support documentation (see the downloadable packet for international students on the website). Prospective international students may contact the Office of International Students for information or assistance: 1.212.817.7490 (voice); 1.212.817.1626 (fax); email: intstu@gc.cuny.edu.

Students with Disabilities
The Graduate Center serves the needs of a growing number of students with disabilities. Student disability services are provided through the Office of Student Affairs. It is the policy of the Graduate Center to provide auxiliary aids and services and to make appropriate academic accommodations needed by students with disabilities. Among the services available at the Graduate Center are adaptive equipment and computer software, readers, sign-language interpreters, note takers, scribes, and other auxiliary aids and services as needed. For information and advance planning, contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs – 504/ADA Coordinator for persons with disabilities: 365 Fifth Avenue, Room 7301, New York, N.Y. 10016-4309; 1.212.817.7400 (voice); email: disabilityservices@gc.cuny.edu. Inquiries from applicants and prospective applicants are encouraged and will be kept confidential upon request.

Housing
The Assistant Director of Admissions coordinates matters pertaining to residence life, including helping students locate affordable housing within the New York City area. Entering students interested in obtaining housing information and assistance should contact the Assistant Director of Admissions at: reslife@gc.cuny.edu.

Child Development and Learning Center
This facility provides high-quality and inexpensive care for children of students. The program is licensed by the New York City Department of Health and is staffed with certified early childhood educators. The daily hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday. The center observes the Graduate Center calendar, but a June program is also available. Enrollment is limited.

Medical Coverage
All students are strongly advised to have some form of health and accident coverage, as medical costs in the U.S. are high. International students still living overseas are urged to arrange for insurance in their home countries to provide coverage in the U.S., at least until an alternative plan can be arranged. The University furnishes information to help students choose an insurance plan either to continue coverage or provide new coverage. Limited health services are available to all registered students through the Wellness Center, located at the Graduate Center. Doctoral students who are employed as Graduate Assistants and adjunct instructors are eligible for low-cost health insurance through the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) if they meet the eligibility criteria. Please check our website for NYSHIP guidelines: http://web.gc.cuny.edu/provost/doctoral_students/health.html.

Wellness Center
The Wellness Center provides Student Health and Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Services. Student Health Services is staffed by a nurse practitioner licensed to provide free diagnosis of simple conditions, episodic treatment, screenings, referrals, and general health and wellness programs. Students are seen by appointment or on a walk-in basis. The Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center, through its staff of licensed psychologists and psychological interns, provides free-of-charge counseling and short-term psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and referral service. The center also provides workshops and group activities and has a library containing recorded and printed information on health concerns.