Student Affairs and Student Services

in this section:
• Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
• Office of Admissions
• Residence Life
• Office of Financial Aid
• Office of the Registrar
• Wellness Center
• Office of International Students
• Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs
• Research, Travel, and Dissertation Support Funds
• Dossier and Employment Resources
• Veterans' Benefits
• Services for Students with Disabilities
• The Child Development and Learning Center

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7400; Fax: 1-212-817-1621
Email: studentaffairs@gc.cuny.edu
Vice President for Student Affairs: Mr. Matthew G. Schoengood
Administrative Assistant to the Vice President: Ms. Ellen Burns
Director of Student Affairs: Ms. Sharon Lerner
Director of Student Services and Senior Registrar: Mr. Vincent J. DeLuca
Deputy Director of Student Services and Information Systems: Mr. Robert Nelson
Associate Director of Student Affairs and Director of Student Activities:
 Miss Elise M. Perram

The Vice President for Student Affairs has overall responsibility for the following: (1) the provision of student support services (Admissions, the Registrar, Student Disability Services, Residence Life, Wellness and Counseling, International Students, and the Child Development and Learning Center), (2) procedural student academic matters relating to incomplete grades, leaves of absence, withdrawals, program changes, satisfactory progress, and time limits for degrees, and (3) the general quality of student life at the Graduate Center. The Director of Student Affairs supervises the following areas: student activities, student disability services, the Wellness Center (Student Health Services and the Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center), and the Child Development and Learning Center. The Director of Student Services supervises the Offices of Admissions, Registrar, and International Students.

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is available to assist students with problems, to interpret policies and procedures, and to serve as om­budsperson when needed. It is also charged with overseeing the administrative resolution of disputes with regard to grades, satisfactory progress, and disciplinary matters.

The Vice President for Student Affairs serves as administrative liaison to the Doctoral Students’ Council; serves on the Student Services Committee; and is the Freedom of Information Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and 504 / ADA Coordinator.

The policy of The City University of New York and of the Graduate Center against sexual harassment appears on pages 79-84 of this handbook, together with a list of members of the Graduate Center’s Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee. Questions regarding policies on or instances of sexual or other forms of harassment may also be brought to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Information about academic policies and procedures is available in each program office, but students are encouraged to contact the Vice President for Student Affairs regarding academic issues that cannot be resolved within the program. In addition, students are invited to consult with and seek assistance from staff in the Office of the Vice President concerning any mat­ter that relates to quality of life, services, facilities, and special needs or problems.

Office of Admissions

Room 7201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7470; Fax: 1-212-817-1624
Email: admissions@gc.cuny.edu
URL: http://www.gc.cuny.edu
Director of Admissions: Mr. Les Gribben
Associate Director of Admissions: Ms. Marisa Panzani
Assistant Director of Admissions: Mr. Haslyn Miller

The Office of Admissions receives and processes all applications for admission to master’s and doctoral programs at the Graduate Center. Current students who have an admissions hold on their registration should schedule an appointment with The Office of Admissions to discuss clearing the hold prior to registration. 

Enrolled students who want to apply to a program other than the one in which they are currently matriculated are required to submit to the Office of Admissions a new application form, an applicant statement explaining the reasons for the desired change, and a $125 application processing fee. Students desiring to change program are urged to speak with the Executive Officers of both the current and the intended program. A student accepted into a new program must formally withdraw from his or her original program.

Residence Life

Room 7201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7471; Fax: 1-212-817-1625
Email: reslife@gc.cuny.edu
Coordinated by the Assistant Director of Admissions: Mr. Haslyn Miller

The Assistant Director of Admissions coordinates matters pertaining to residence life; including helping students locate affordable housing within the New York City area. The Assistant Director maintains listings of available rooms within households, apartments for rent or sublet, and spaces for students in shared lodgings; and can suggest techniques for finding an apartment. These listings are posted on the Doctoral Students’ Council website at www.cunydsc.org/bulletinbboard/.

Office of Financial Aid

Room 7201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7460; Fax: 1-212-817-1623
Email: financialaid@gc.cuny.edu
Web for students URL: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/student_web/index.htm
Director of Financial Aid: Mr. John Williams
Associate Director: Ms. Janet Speckmann
Direct Loan Coordinator: Ms. Shelley Worrell
Perkins Loan Coordinator: Ms. Jane Tartaro
Federal Work Study Coordinator: Ms. Anne Johnson

Information on estimated educational costs, detailed descriptions of the financial-aid programs, and information on application procedures and filing dates are available from the Office of Financial Aid. The Bulletin of The Graduate Center and its prospectus, “Doctoral Study,” provide an overview of financial-aid awards, including named fellowships, available to Graduate Center students. Below is a brief summary of the sources of financial support available to students at the Graduate Center.

Sources of Financial Assistance

Financial support is available to full-time doctoral and master’s matriculants at the Graduate Center through a program of fellowships (both service-connected and non-service-connected), grants, assistant­ships, tuition assistance, loans, and work-study assignments. Minority-group students may be eligible for assistance both through departmental funds and through funds offered by the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs. In addition, a select number of awards each year are made to students under the Minority Access / Graduate Networking (MAGNET) Program.

Financial-aid awards are determined on the basis of the twin criteria of need and merit, with need determined in accordance with federally ­approved procedures. Each student applying to the Graduate Center for financial assistance must complete the Graduate Center’s general Application for Finan­cial Aid and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid by the February 1 deadline.

On the basis of the program’s nomination, the Office of Financial Aid sends an award letter to the student and collects the documents needed to pay the award.

Please note that criminal convictions for crimes related to controlled substances may result in the unavailability to a student of federal financial aid.

Students holding the title of Graduate Assistant A, B, or C should be aware of the Professional Staff Congress (PSC)-CUNY contractual workload limits. For specific contractual information, students may contact the personnel office at the campus from which they are receiving the assistantship.

A number of fellowships funded by the Graduate Center, by federal and state governments, and by private donors are available on a competitive basis. Competitive fellowships include the CUNY Graduate Center Dissertation Fellowships for third-level students and other fellowships to support either research, the writing of the dissertation, or course work.

Office of the Registrar

Room 7201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7500; Fax: 1-212-817-1627
Web for students URL: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/student_web/index.htm
Director of Student Services and Senior Registrar: Mr. Vincent J. DeLuca
Email: registrar@gc.cuny.edu
Associate Registrar: Ms. Diane Forst
Assistant Registrar: Mr. John W. Anspach
Assistant Database Manager: Ms. Carmen Walters-Deale

Students should consult this office with respect to all matters involving registration and student records.

For information regarding registration and academic record keeping, students should consult the “Academic Policies and Procedures’’ section of this handbook, pages 54-71.

The Director of Student Services and Senior Registrar, Mr. Vincent DeLuca (Telephone: 1-212-817-7500), is the Veterans’ Certifying Officer for Graduate Center students. He can provide information on selective service and veterans’ educational benefits.

Wellness Center

The Wellness Center provides students with Student Health and Psychological Counseling and Adult Development services.

Director of Student Health Services: Ms. Adraenne Bowe
Director of Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center:
Dr. Daniel Rothenberg
Administrative Coordinator: TBA

Student Health Services
Room 6422; Telephone: 1-212-817-7020

Staffed by a nurse practitioner licensed to provide medical care (diagnosis, treatment, prescription-writing, etc.), Student Health Services provides episodic treatment, screenings, referrals, and general health and wellness programs. Students are seen by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Among the specific types of services available are basic physical examinations as well as gynecological and male health examinations and screenings (PAP smears; HIV and other STDs; cholesterol). Note: Lab costs for students without health insurance may be partially subsidized up to 70%. Also, under some student health insurance programs, the deductible may be waived or partially waived when first consulting with the nurse practitioner. For further information about any services, or for an appointment, please contact Student Health Services.

Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center
Room 6422; Telephone: 1-212-817-7020

The Psychological Counseling and Adult Development Center staff is comprised of licensed psychologists and postdoctoral and predoctoral fellows. The center provides counseling and short-term psy­cho­therapy, group counseling, crisis intervention, and referral services to Graduate Center students. Confidentiality is assured. Workshops that address the challenges and stresses of graduate student life are also offered. All center services are provided free of charge.

Office of International Students

Room 7200; Telephone: 1-212-817-7490; Fax: 1-212-817-1626
Email: intstu@gc.cuny.edu
Director: Mr. Douglas Ewing
International Student Counselor: Mr. Paul Croser
International Student Counselor: Ms. Bei Zhang

I. General Information

The Office of International Students provides advice and assistance to students from outside the United States, particularly with regard to ­immigration issues relating to
F-1 student status and J-1 Exchange Visitor student category. Each semester, the office conducts an orientation session for international students. The office also assists students in understanding American cultural behavior and in interpreting various bureaucratic procedural requirements, including non-resident alien taxation.

Upon their arrival in New York City, new international students should contact the Office of International Students as soon as possible so that the office can record their immigration documents and verify status.

The U.S. government regulates the immigration status of international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). International students are personally responsible for complying with all govern­ment regulations that relate to their F-1 or J-1 immigration status. Therefore, all students are urged to familiarize themselves with the regulations and procedures that apply to their specific immigration status. Students should keep copies of all documents relating to their immigra­tion status and bring original passport, I-94, and current Form I-20 or DS-2019 whenever contacting this office.

SEVIS requires immediate reporting to the Office of International Students of any changes in an international student’s personal or academic information.

In particular, this includes the following:

“United States Immigration Regulations and Procedures,” a brochure providing general information on immigration regulations for individuals holding F-1 and J-1 immigration status, is available from the Office of International Students.

International students with any questions regarding any aspect of the immigration regulations or their stay in the United States should consult an adviser in the Office of International Students.

International students must consult this office for information on the following:

International students must consult the Office of International Students:

With regard to academic policies and procedures, students should con­sult the Vice President for Student Affairs, Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7400. Questions on degree requirements should be directed first to the Executive Officers or subprogram heads of an individual student’s academic program.

II. Specific Regulations and Policies

A. Full-Time Enrollment / Leave of Absence

International students are required by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regula­tions to enroll in a full-time course of study in order to maintain proper immigration status. It is essential that students who are considering requesting a Leave of Absence from the Graduate Center obtain a clarification of the effect on their immigration status from the Office of International Students before sub­mitting a request for a Leave of Absence.

B. Full-Time Enrollment / Withdrawal from Course(s)

International students are required to enroll in a full-time study and/or research program and also to complete a full-time course of study or research program each semester. Students who are considering Withdrawing from a course should consult the Office of International Students first to determine the effect of such a Withdrawal on proper maintenance of their F-1 or J-1 student status.

C. Employment

D. Taxes

ALL international students are subject to taxation on all U.S. source income and must file annual reports (“tax returns”) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regardless of whether or not they received any income. Although the Office of International Students is not able to provide income tax advice, it does make available appropriate information concerning federal (U.S.) tax requirements as well as New York State tax returns. CUNY requires all international students to register in GLACIER to determine their tax status before they may receive any money. CUNY also makes the CINTAX on-line software available for students to help them prepare their annual U.S. tax returns.

III. A Word of Caution

Suggestions or advice concerning immigration, employment, or taxation that are made by other students, or advice and/or permissions given by an administrator or faculty member, DO NOT constitute authorization for, or compliance with, U.S. government immigration regulations. The only authorized interpretation of immigration regulations pertaining to your student immigration status at the Graduate Center is from an International Student Counselor in the Office of International Students at the Graduate Center.

Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs

Room 8306; Telephone: 1-212-817-7540; Fax: 1-212-817-1630
Email: oeodpmail@gc.cuny.edu
URL: http://web.gc.cuny.edu/oeodp
Executive Officer: Dr. Donald Robotham
Assistant Director: Ms. Faythe M. Weaver

The Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs has been established to expand efforts to increase the representation of historically underrepresented students in the Graduate Center’s doctoral programs. The Executive Officer of the office is responsible for initiating recruitment targeted at recent college graduates and for helping the doctoral programs increase their diversity. In addition, the OEODP office initiates and supports grant efforts to enhance recruitment, retention, and academic progress of historically underrepresented students. This includes managing such Graduate Center-based programs as MAGNET and CUNY Pipeline. The Executive Officer of the Office of Educational Opportunity and Diversity Programs works closely with the Executive Officers of the doctoral programs and reports to the Provost.

Research, Travel, and Dissertation Support Funds

The Sue Rosenberg Zalk Student Travel and Research Fund
The Ph.D. Alumni Association Dissertation Support Fund

Funds are available for limited support of specific activities of full-time matriculated students who are registered during the semester for which the funds are requested. Applicants for these stipends must be registered and submit between May 1, 2008, and April 30, 2009 (for activities between June 1, 2008, and May 31, 2009). The “Application for The Student Travel and Research Fund Award and Ph.D. Alumni Association Dissertation Support Fund” is available from the Doctoral Students’ Council or on the webpage of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/admin_offices/student_affairs.htm

Applications should be submitted during the semester in which your activities are planned.

These funds provide reimbursement for the following purposes based on presentation of original receipts:

(A) Registration and travel expenses for presentations at professional conferences (must include CUNY Graduate Center as affiliation in conference program) may be reimbursed to a maximum of $300.

(B) Research-related travel costs and travel costs for attending professional conferences may be reimbursed to a maximum of $200.

(C) Costs of research materials as well as subjects and dissertation-related expenses such as typing and duplication may be reimbursed to a maximum of $200. (Personal computers and printers are not included.)

Note: This fund does not cover reimbursement for Graduate Center diploma fees or fees for dissertation microfilming, binding, and copyright.

A student may submit more than one application during the award year (June 1 - May 31); for a combination of A, B, and/or C to a maximum of $300.

Awards for dissertation-related activities are made possible by funding provided by the Ph.D. Alumni Association; stipends for general student travel and research are funded jointly by the Graduate Center and the Doctoral Students’ Council.

Notice of an award is given after a complete application is reviewed by the Vice President for Student Affairs. Applications are reviewed upon receipt, between May 1 and April 30, until all funds have been awarded.

Original receipts for expenditures must be presented within two weeks of being incurred. Upon presentation, award amounts are finalized and paid.

Guidelines and award amounts are subject to change. Please check the current application form

Dossier and Employment Resources

The Graduate Center has partnered with a company named Interfolio to provide online dossier services. As is now common practice, student portfolios can be placed online in an Interfolio account and accessed 24/7. The student works directly with Interfolio to establish a portfolio that can include letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae, writing samples, dissertation abstracts, teaching certifications, student evaluations, and more. The Interfolio system accepts and stores almost any type of information. Interfolio is an excellent way to store and deliver materials to an academic search committee or for further study. Robust technological safeguards keep documents private and safe. Once you sign up and upload your documents, the process for sending out materials becomes as simple as telling Interfolio where you want to apply and when.

The Graduate Center will pay for a three-year membership for currently registered students in addition to subsidizing mailing credits. For more information, visit http://www.gc.cuny.edu/current_students/index.htm or www.interfolio.com. The Office of Student Affairs will no longer be sending out dossier materials by mail.

For listings of part-time positions, consult the Office of Financial Aid, Ms. Anne Johnson, Work Study Coordinator. Other full-time job listings are available for review in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Veterans’ Benefits

The Veterans’ Certifying Officer is Mr. Vincent DeLuca, Director of Student Services and Senior Registrar, Room 7201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7500. Each semester, in order to receive educational benefits, veterans must contact the Registrar’s office.

A useful CUNY website for veterans may be found at www.cuny.edu/veterans. Also, please refer to the Special Provisions for Student in the Military section of this Handbook for additional information about registration and tuition and grade policies for students in the military.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The 504 / ADA Coordinator for persons with disabilities is Mr. Matthew G. Schoengood, Vice President for Student Affairs, Room 7301; Telephone: 1-212-817-7400. The Vice President for Student Affairs also serves as the chair of the 504 / ADA Committee for Persons with Disabilities. 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. A few examples of such possible academic accommodations are extended or divided time for taking an examination, as might be required for a student who has a learning disability or for whom physical stamina is reduced (for example, because of AIDS); use of a computer or other auxiliary aid during an examination; taping of classes. Students who wish to request accommodations or have questions about Graduate Center facilities, auxiliary aids and services, or any Graduate Center academic matters should consult with Ms. Sharon Lerner, Director of Student Affairs, Miss Elise M. Perram, Associate Director of Student Affairs, or the Vice President for Student Affairs. Discussions and information regarding a student’s disability will be kept confidential unless a student requests otherwise. Appropriate documentation to obtain accommodations is required to be provided to the Student Affairs office. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs to discuss present and future needs to facilitate effective planning.

Adaptive equipment and computer software are available at the Graduate Center. Computer users have access to screen-character enlargement, text-to-speech, and optical-character-recognition scan-and-read software, a closed-circuit television and voice-recognition software. For students with hearing impairments, the Graduate Center has available a personal FM listening system (for use on an individual basis for classes and meetings). The auditoriums are equipped with infrared equipment to assist those with hearing impairments. The Graduate Center provides readers/library assistants, sign-language interpreters, notetakers, scribes, and other auxiliary services as needed. Contact Ms. Lerner or Miss Perram in the Office of Student Affairs to request accommodation and for additional information about facilities and services available to students with disabilities.

The Mina Rees Library can provide students with disabilities with such services as staff assistance in catalog searches and location of books and jour­nals.

Students with disabilities should register with the Office of Security and Public Safety (Room 9117; Telephone:1-212-817-7761) so that provision may be made for their safety should an emergency arise.

Users of TDD (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf) within New York state should call the Telecommunications Service at 711 or at 1-800-662-1220. Users of TDD outside New York state should call their local Telecommunications Service.

The Child Development and Learning Center

Room 3201; Telephone: 1-212-817-7032
Director: Ms. Linda Perrotta

Committed to providing a high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education, The Child Development and Learning Center is open to preschool children of students enrolled in the Graduate Center. The center provides a warm, nurturing environment that encourages each child’s natural curiosity and fosters a love of learning. Play and exploration are valued as two of the most important means by which learning takes place. The emphasis on all projects and activities is on the process of interacting with the materials and integration of knowledge rather than the acquisition of specific academic skills. The center also serves as a lab school for faculty and students doing research pertinent to preschool children.

The program is licensed by the New York City Department of Health to serve 27 children between two-and-a-half and six years old, 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 teaching staff helps parents to develop individualized schedules that meet the specific needs of each child and family. The center observes the Graduate Center calendar, but a June program is also available.