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

Attending Graduate Student orientation is one of the first steps of your academic career at the University. Orientation topics include the libraries, health care, parking and transportation, advising, graduate student involvement, and academic integrity. Also, an information fair features many University departments and organizations.

We’ll help you to understand your transition into graduate school and to meet other graduate students, and we’ll provide valuable information about the University.

All incoming graduate students (except those with foreign addresses) are mailed a brochure that describes, in detail, their orientation schedule. For specific dates/times, session topics, or additional information, call 612-624-0666 or email ofyp@umn.edu. You can also visit  http://www.ofyp.umn.edu/gradstudents/index.html.

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

University of Minnesota Bookstores carry new and used textbooks, course packets, office supplies, art, and computer supplies, U of M clothing and gifts, and a comprehensive selection of academic books and research materials.

The Bookstores provide official textbook requirement information, online access to book lists and textbook ordering, and book buy back services. The Bookstores feature author and faculty discussions and special events throughout the year.

For up-to-the-minute information on course materials and other Bookstore services, or to order textbooks online, visit www.bookstore.umn.edu . The site has the latest Bookstore information, specials, and events.

Locations

The Bookstores main store is in Coffman Memorial Union.

The Bookstores have satellite stores located on the St. Paul Campus and in the Law School. The St. Paul store is located in the St. Paul Student Center and specializes in the needs of the colleges and programs located on the St. Paul campus including the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, and College of Human Ecology. The Law School store specializes in books and materials for the Law School.

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.

< previous: twin cities | next: activities >