Student Services
Harvard has a variety of programs and people in place to help students deal with any conceivable issue. A good list of the resources available is at this page: https://gsas.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/atoms/files/20190610%20Resources%20for%20GSAS%20Students%20FOR%20WEB.pdf
A few key people and places are highlighted below.
Harvard Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs (http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/current_students/student_affairs_office_3.php) is responsible for the welfare of graduate students and monitors their academic status, progress, and discipline.The Student Affairs Office also administers leave/travel applications and readmission applications.
Samuel Bersola, Dean for Student Affairs
Location: Smith Campus Center 350
Phone: 617-495-1816
Dean McCavana has general responsibility for the welfare of graduate students and monitors students' academic status, progress and discipline. He oversees the GSAS Residence Halls, the Office of Student Services, and the Office of Housing Services in Dudley House. The Student Affairs Office administers the various graduate fellowship competitions and processes, leave and travel applications, intra-Faculty of Arts and Sciences transfer applications, and readmission applications. Dean McCavana represents students in disciplinary cases before the Administrative Board and advises students on sexual harassment complaints. He also coordinates orientation and commencement activities.
Patrick O'Brien, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Location: Smith Campus Center 350
Phone: 617-495-1814
Patrick O'Brien serves as a contact person and resource for the registrar, the departments, and other Faculty of Arts and Sciences and University offices in communicating and interpreting GSAS policies and in assisting graduate students in maintaining academic satisfactory progress. He coordinates the transfer and readmission process, the Exchange Scholar Program, the non-resident applications, and the Internship Program with the Office of Career Services. He provides advice to students throughout the petitioning process including extensions of incomplete, academic and financial credit, and add/withdrawals after the deadline. He advises international students about English as a Second Language resources. He assists with registration and commencement. He represents GSAS in the Teacher Education Programs (GSAS Option). This option allows graduate students to obtain their secondary teaching certification before they graduate.
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) Student Services
Danielle Farrell, Director of Student Services
Dudley House/Lehman Hall B-2
stuserv@fas.harvard.edu
617-495-5005
In her role as Director of Student Services, Jacqueline (Jackie) Yun is the go-to-person for GSAS students. She serves in an advisory role, provides ongoing support, and makes referrals to other resources, as necessary. Whatever the issue, she is here to help.
Jackie also serves as a Title IX Coordinator in GSAS and she is available to talk to students who have any questions or concerns about sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination. In addition, Jackie supports all GSAS student clubs and organizations.
Academic Resource Center
1414 Massachusetts Avenue, Floor 3R, Cambridge, MA 02138
https://gsas.harvard.edu/student-life/harvard-resources/academic-resource-center
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) exists to help create the conditions that will empower all students to reach their full academic potential, and access the transformative power of education in an inclusive and equitable environment. The ARC takes a proactive, skills-based approach to academic engagement by directly providing academic coaching services, workshops, accountability groups, peer tutoring, and peer consultations for non-native English speakers. The ARC supports graduate students in developing time management skills, effective reading strategies, and metacognitive approaches to learning. Students consult with the ARC to learn how to apply their individual learning styles to the demands of graduate study, set goals for long-term projects, customize their semester if they are returning from leave, find and connect to support opportunities with instructors and courses, and develop habits to improve their academic lives and ensure balance.