The DGS is responsible for informing students of the program’s academic expectations, including standards for good academic standing, and for maintaining clear and effective communication with students. DGSs should contact students immediately if, at any point, their performance does not meet those expectations.
As the primary responsible party for graduate education in the program, the DGS:
- Maintains complete and confidential academic records on all graduate students.
- Acts as a resource for program students on University and CCAS policy; contacts OGS when policy questions arise.
- Serves as the initial advisor to all new students in the program. Advising practices vary by program after initial advising is complete.
- Advocates for continuing students and for the graduate program.
- Evaluates each student’s academic progress and standing each semester and ensures that students remain informed of degree requirements and expected milestones. Ensures that students are registered for the proper number of credits according to CCAS policies. DegreeMap is a useful tool for monitoring this.
- Serves as head of graduate recruitment, admissions and fellowship decisions - or delegates such responsibilities where appropriate.
- Nominates new and current students for fellowships as applicable. Carefully tracks the program’s available awards and funding sources.
- Forwards relevant announcements from OGS or the University to graduate students.
- Alerts students of departmental, disciplinary, and professional fellowships and research opportunities, and encourages them to apply.
- Publicizes and enforces OGS rules and regulations. Please contact OGS if you are uncertain about how to interpret a specific policy.
- Ensures that program academic requirements are explicitly communicated to students, especially on the program’s website, and updates the website promptly.
- Ensures that admission requirements are updated on the program’s website.
- Works with the OGS on cases involving student complaints and grievances, student conduct, students in difficulty, and other issues.
- Transmits to OGS requests for transfer of graduate credit, advanced standing, leaves of absence, extensions of time to degree, and probationary conditions for students in academic difficulty.
- Confirms all non-course requirements (if applicable) have been met.
