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Graduate Student Handbook
Beginnings - The
Twin Cities - Information and
Educational Resources - Campus
Activities - Money and Jobs -
Housing, Health, and Family Needs
- Transportation - Registration
and Regulations - Further Resources and Services
- How to Get Here
Information and Educational Resources
Publications
The Graduate School Catalog, published biennially, is a primary information source. It details Graduate School regulations, requirements, and procedures; lists available financial aid, scholarships, and fellowships; and provides program and course descriptions. You can pick up a paper copy of the Catalog outside 309 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN. The Catalog is also available at http://www.grad.umn.edu/catalog/index.html.
To get the most current and accurate information on day school courses with hours, rooms, instructors, and prerequisites; registration instructions; tuition and fees; maps; final exam schedules; grading definitions; and other pertinent information visit the one stop web site at http://www.onestop.umn.edu/.
The annual Student-Staff Directory, available in University bookstores in November, lists phone numbers, addresses, and other information about University offices, faculty, and staff on all campuses. Twin Cities students are also listed. Note: The address and phone number you enter on your fall registration form will appear in the directory. Therefore, give a local address and number. It is your responsibility to report any change in address. Always verify your address when you register. If you register online, you can correct your address when you register. If you register in person, verify the address printed on your course confirmation form, and ask staff to make any corrections. You can verify and correct your address by contacting One Stop Student Services or online at: http://www.onestop.umn.edu/.
Privacy Release. In compliance with the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and Regents policy, information about your student financial account cannot be released to a third party (including your parents, spouse, or sponsors) without your written permission. You can download a Student Information Release Authorization form at http://process.umn.edu/groups/ppd/documents/form/fa857.pdf. Students also can obtain a copy of the form at the University’s One Stop Student Service Centers (200 Fraser Hall on the East Bank, 130 West Bank Skyway, or on the St. Paul campus at 130 Coffey Hall.)
New students receive a copy of the Gopher Guide, which is a campus handbook and calendar at orientation. Additional copies may be purchased at University bookstores.
The Minnesota Daily, the student newspaper, is a valuable source of information on campus happenings. Its “Official Daily Bulletin” contains announcements about courses, study opportunities, and University activities. University units use Daily ad space to keep you informed about crucial procedures. The Daily is available inside many campus building entrances.
For specific information on programs and degree requirements, go to your department office.
Campus Visits
The University provides short-term accommodations for summer visitors with University-related business or activities from mid-June through mid-August. Visit the Housing and Residential Life web site at http://www.housing.umn.edu/visitors/summerGuestHousing.shtml for information.
Information Centers
For information about campus goings-on, visit the Coffman Memorial Union web site at http://www.coffman.umn.edu.
For University directory information, call 612-625-5000, 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., seven days a week.
For information about Twin Cities social services, recreation, and other activities, call the United Way’s First Call for Help referral and information centers in the Twin Cities (651-291-0211).
Orientation
Once you have been admitted to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, there is a series of orientation programs designed to assist you in your transition to the University community. There are three types of programs: graduate student orientation, academic program orientation, and international student orientation.
The Graduate Student Orientation Program
All newly admitted Graduate School students are strongly encouraged to attend the Graduate Student Orientation Program hosted by Orientation & First-Year Programs. Many sessions have been designed to help you understand your transition into graduate school, meet other graduate students, and provide valuable information about the University. The spring semester Graduate Student Orientation Program will be held January 16-18, 2008, and fall semester orientation will be August 18-21, 2008. Information about fall orientation will be sent out in June, 2008.
Graduate students admitted for spring semester will receive orientation information from the Office of Orientation & First-Year Programs. Information on spring semester orientation also is posted on the Orientation & First-Year Programs Graduate Students Web site. For general questions, contact Orientation & First-Year Programs at (612) 624-1979 or (800) 234-1979, or send e-mail to ofyp@umn.edu.
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Academic program orientation
The academic program to which you have been accepted may require you to attend an orientation session. You should receive specific information outlining your program's expectations and offerings. If you have questions, please contact your graduate program office directly.
If you plan to be a teaching assistant (TA) for the upcoming semester, you will be required to attend a TA orientation prior to the start of school.
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International student orientation
If you are an international student, go to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in 190 Hubert H. Humphrey Center on the West Bank when you arrive at the University. You will have your documents checked and will sign up there for an international student orientation session.
Documents
Bring your passport and other documents (listed below) indicating your United States legal status. A visa adviser at ISSS will examine these documents, create a file for you, and allow you to register for your first term.
- I-94 card
- Current University of Minnesota and any previous I-20 or DS-2019 forms (including pages one and three)
- Any Employment Authorization Document
- Any documents related to your sponsorship if you are a sponsored student
- Letter of admission to the University
- Passport
- Dependent I-20 or DS-2019 form, if applicable
- Dependent I-94 card, if applicable
Orientation
After you have your documents checked at International Student and Scholar Services, you will sign up for their orientation program. At the orientation program, you will receive essential information about the following topics:
- maintaining your legal status
- living in the United States
- studying at the University of Minnesota
Once you have completed the session, you will be authorized to register for future terms.
For more information, contact ISSS:
U Card
The U Card identifies you as a student, staff or faculty member on the Twin Cities campus. Your first U Card is free and can be obtained at the http://www1.umn.edu/ucard/. Bring your driver’s license, state ID or passport and be prepared to have your picture taken.
The U Card is your key to all sorts of campus services and facilities. Your U Card can also be used as your ATM card and your calling card! Please check the U Card Office web site for more details. Since the U Card never expires, you should hold on to it even after you leave the University. If you ever return as a student, staff or faculty member, your card will still be valid.
Council of Graduate Students
The Council of Graduate Students (COGS), 405 Johnston Hall (612-626-1612), is the official student college council representing graduate students on the Twin Cities campus. COGS provides opportunities for graduate students to participate in University policy decisions. Graduate students in each degree-granting program elect one representative to serve on COGS, which also recruits student representatives for University committees such as the University Senate and The Graduate School’s Policy and Review Councils. COGS disseminates information through meetings held twice a semester, through the Gradletter, and through an e-mail list, and helps students with issues relating to graduate education, including referral to the Student Dispute Resolution Center when needed. See www.cogs.umn.edu.
Libraries
The University of Minnesota–Twin Cities Libraries contain more than 6 million catalogued volumes. In addition to books and periodicals, the libraries have substantial holdings of government documents, manuscripts, archives, computer files, and audiovisual materials.
Humanities and social sciences collections: The main humanities and social sciences collections are in Wilson Library on the West Bank and include American studies, anthropology, art, business, education, film, geography, history, language, library science, literature, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, and women’s studies. The collections in design, vocational education, family social science, rural sociology, social work, and textiles are in the Magrath Library on the St. Paul campus.
Science collections: The main science and technology collection, including chemistry, engineering, geology, and physics is housed in the Science and Engineering Library in Walter Library. The health science collections, including allied health, dentistry, medicine, mortuary science, nursing, pharmacy, and public health are in the Bio-Medical Library in Diehl Hall. The agricultural and biological sciences collections, and associated reference services, are in the Magrath Library on the St. Paul campus.
Many subject collections are in other buildings. Call 612-624-0303 for locations of materials in horticulture, architecture, entomology, fisheries and wildlife, mathematics, forestry, plant pathology, law, journalism, maps, music, government publications, East Asia, and South Asia. Special collections exist for children’s literature, social welfare, history, and other areas.
Reference and research service points are located in major library buildings: for humanities and social sciences, Wilson Library, first floor; for business, Wilson Library; for government publications, Wilson Library, basement; for biomedical subjects, Diehl Hall, third floor; for science and technology, Walter Library and the ground floor of Magrath Library. Requests for reference and information service can be submitted at www.lib.umn.edu (click “Ask Us”).
Specialized services of University Libraries include in-depth reference service, library instruction, computer-literature searching, inter-library borrowing, and photocopying.
A current University ID card is needed to borrow materials. Call the U Card office at 612-626-9900 for information or go to http://www1.umn.edu/ucard/ .
For libraries information, see www.lib.umn.edu. Call 612-624-4552 for hours; call 612-624-0303 for collections and catalog information.
Bookstores
You can purchase your textbooks, study and reference tools, office supplies,
and other course materials at the University of Minnesota Bookstores.
The University of Minnesota operates a comprehensive, full-service bookstore to meet your University needs including:
- new and used textbooks
- your instructor's customized course packets
- reference books and study guides for all academic areas
- academic, scientific, medical, and general interest book titles
- Gopher clothing and gifts
- University of Minnesota Marching Band and School of Music CDs
- office, computer, and engineering supplies
- specialized art, drafting, and architectural materials
- access to millions of titles through Books in Print (both in-store and online)
- convenient services such as book buy-back, photo processing, special orders, and online ordering—and even your cap and gown at graduation time
Use your U Card to charge bookstore purchases to your student account. If you are a University student, you already have a student account. Just bring your U Card to any U of M Bookstores location. They will swipe your card, just like a credit card, and you will be billed along with other tuition and fee charges.
Visit the University of Minnesota Bookstores Web site for access to:
- online textbook ordering
- online Gopher apparel and gift ordering
- hours, events, and important student information
- convenient links to other key University resources
- author book signings and discussions
The University of Minnesota Bookstore at Coffman Memorial Union carries course materials for all University undergraduate, graduate, professional school, and distance learning courses. The Coffman Store offers the largest selection of academic, scientific, reference, and scholarly literature in the region. For more information, including hours and services, call the store at (612) 625-6000, or visit the University of Minnesota Bookstores Web site.
The University of Minnesota Bookstores Law School Store carries materials for courses offered by the Law School, including related reference titles and gifts. For more information, call the store at (612) 626-8569, or visit the Law School Bookstore Web page.
The bookstore at the St. Paul Student Center carries materials for courses offered by the colleges located on the campus in St. Paul. These include the College of Biological Sciences, the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. For more information, call the store at (612) 624-9200, or visit the University of Minnesota Bookstores Web site.
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Online orders
You can order your textbooks online from the University of Minnesota Bookstores at any time. The textbook ordering system is linked directly to your registration records and your instructors' textbook requisitions, so you don't have to worry about selecting books for the wrong class or ordering the wrong edition or materials. Gopher Books Online allows you access to all of our services including:
- a campus return system that doesn't require you to pack and mail your books back
- access to thousands of used books
- the ability to get course packets, tapes, and other custom materials
- quick delivery time
- a book buy-back service at the end of the semester
- the latest information on the status of your book order
- online convenience and security
For more information, visit the Ordering Your Textbooks Web page.
Copying Services
Copy machines and services are available in all major libraries, most smaller ones, and many other locations on campus. Copies on Campus centers throughout campus offer low-cost full-service and self-service copying. Several copy services are located in Dinkytown and Stadium Village or visit the Copies on Campus web site at: http://www.printing.umn.edu/CopyCenters.htm
Computer/Information Services
Academic and Distributed Computing Services (ADCS) provides computer and Internet support to the University. Services include account initiation and password change, consultation for purchasing/trouble shooting computers, training, distance education, multimedia, and Web design/development. For help, call the Technology Helpline 612-301-HELP or visit 190 Shepherd Labs. For hours and more information, see http://www1.umn.edu/adcs/.
Statistics Help
The Statistical Consulting Service, 146 Classroom-Office Building (St. Paul, 612-625-3121) and 390 Ford Hall (East Bank, 612-624-7859), http://www.stat.umn.edu/~kb/clinic/, helps students with research problems, statistical analysis methods, and experimental and survey design, and directs users to appropriate computer packages.
International Study
The Office of International Programs, 645 Heller Hall, 612-624-5580, www.international.umn.edu, coordinates international educational programs and policies and provides information and advising on financial aid for graduate study, research, travel, and teaching abroad.
The Learning Abroad Center, 230 Heller Hall, 612-626-9000, www.umabroad.umn.edu/, offers services for international travel, including passport photos, international student ID cards, Hostel memberships, rail passes, maps, guidebooks, and insurance. The center has a library with reference materials about working, volunteering, and teaching abroad.
International Students
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS), 190 Hubert H Humphrey Center 612-626-7100, www.isss.umn.edu, provides information and counseling to foreign nationals about immigration, legal, career, financial, academic, personal, and family matters, as well as issues of cross-cultural adjustment and professional integration upon returning home. ISSS provides training and programs on cross-cultural and international issues.
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