This document provides an overview of resources, policies, and contacts for graduate students at the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It outlines essential resources like the graduate catalog and MyISU portal. It describes the Graduate Student Association and advising process. It also summarizes requirements and procedures for theses/dissertations, graduation, research clearance, and lists key office contacts for various student services and support.

1. College of Graduate and Professional Studies

2. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Outline Essential Resources GSA Advising Theses and Dissertations Graduation Research: IRB/IACUC Student Resources Contacts

3. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Essential Resources All forms, policies, and deadlines are published on the College of Graduate and Professional Studies (CGPS) website. These materials are regularly updated at graduate.instate.edu The Graduate Catalog is located on-line. The catalog is the official policy document of the CGPS and contains all essential academic information. The catalog is located at http://catalog.indstate.edu/index.php. Be sure to select the correct catalog and year of entry into the program. MyISU. The ISU portal, known as MyISU, serves as a “one-stop” resource for most student services. The portal is used for on-line registration, accessing a searchable schedule of courses, viewing academic calendar, and accessing your student account (including financial aid). Please note that to protect your privacy and to keep you informed, the CGPS will communicate electronically using only the official indstate.edu email.

4. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Graduate Student Association GSA is a student organization that works in partnership with student government (SGA) As an advocate for students, GSA has representation on university committees including Graduate Council and Faculty Senate GSA holds regular meetings and these meetings are announced via ISU’s daily global email The organization also hosts social events http://www.indstate.edu/gsa/

5. Academic Advising Your academic advisor (likely the same person as your thesis or dissertation advisor) will be responsible for coordinating your “plan of study” aka “contract of study” The “contract” or “plan” maps out which courses you will take in fulfillment of the program requirements as outlined in the graduate catalog Beginning if Fall 2010, all programs will be able to use DARS Your academic advisor can assist you with course selection, petitions/waivers, transfer credit, and other curricular processes College of Graduate and Professional Studies

6. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Theses & Dissertations: Resources Writing Support CGPS supports two assistantships to assist students with thesis and dissertation writing issues The Writing Center will assist students for whom English is their nature language The LLL Language Lab is able to assist non-native speakers Format CGPS provides a formatted MS Word template for use by students that conforms to the approved handbook. Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation Beginning in Spring 2010, CGPS will accept only electronic theses and dissertations. The instructions and policy are located on line at http://www.indstate.edu/sogs/Students.htm

7. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Theses & Dissertations Steps in the Process Identify a chair (aka advisor) and form a committee Propose the research, defend the research, and process the approval of proposal form Establish an appropriate defense date based on the published critical dates and notify CGPS at least one week prior to the public defense Defend the final document, route the approval form, and submit for format review to CGPS Submit final approved ETD copy For in-depth information, please review the “steps” document http://www.indstate.edu/sogs/forms/steps_complete_thesis_dissertation.pdf All students completing a thesis or dissertation are expected to review and understand the responsibilities of students

8. Graduation College of Graduate and Professional Studies All students must apply for graduation no later than the first month of the intended graduating semester The deadline for filing an application for graduation is posted on the College of Graduate and Professional Studies website The graduation application and commencement materials are located at http://www.indstate.edu/sogs/gradandcommencement.htm

9. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Research: Human Subjects (IRB) & Animals (IACUC) All graduate students performing research that involves human subjects and/or animals are required to complete Institutional Review Board or IACUC training Training is provided by the Office of Sponsored Programs through CITI All graduate students must have their research and associated protocols approved by either the IRB (humans) or IACUC (animals) Students completing a thesis or dissertation that requires IRB/IACUC review will not be permitted to graduate without evidence of IRB/IACUC approval

10. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Contacts: Key Offices Affirmative Action Office 812.237.8954 http://www.indstate.edu/aao/sjohnson65@isugw.indstate.edu Affirmative Action provides students with a variety of professional training opportunities. The office is responsible for the oversight and investigation of complaints of harassment or discrimination prohibited under law. Financial Aid 812.237.2215 http://www.indstate.edu/finaid/finaid@indstate.edu Financial Aid is responsible for coordinating federal, state, and campus funded aid programs. Center for Instruction, Research & Technology 812.237.2676 http://www.indstate.edu/cirt/cirt@indstate.edu CIRT provides professional development opportunities in the area of teaching and delivers a variety of technology workshops. CIRT also coordinates a mini- grant program. Center for Public Services and Community Engagement 812.237.2334http://www.indstate.edu/publicservice/cpsce@indstate.edu CPSCE provides campus and community programming as well as opportunities to engage in community-based research. Bursar’s Office 812.237.3535 http://www.indstate.edu/bursar/index.htm The Bursar’s Office is responsible for tuition and fee billing and maintaining all student accounts. International Affairs Center 812.237.2440 http://www.indstate.edu/iac/iac@indstate.edu The IAC coordinates campus programs (including international travel grants) and works with international student issues including immigration. Office of Diversity 812.237.8513 http://www.indstate.edu/diversity/ The Office of Diversity is responsible for coordinating a variety of campus-based activities and programming as well as works with the campus community to build capacity and promote diversity. Office of Sponsored Programs 812.237.3088 http://www.indstate.edu/osp/osp@indstate.edu OSP provides support for the IRB, IACUC, and grants/contracts. Additionally, OSP sponsors grant writing workshops. Office of Registration and Records 812.237.2020http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/regemail1@isugw.indstate.edu If you are having significant issues with your academic or university record or need a transcript, ORR is the appropriate office to contact.

11. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Contacts: Distance Support Distance Learning 812.237.8080 http://www.indstate.edu/distance/ Distance learning supports distance education at ISU. If you are experiencing difficulties, please feel free to contact this office directly. OIT User Services. 812.237.2190 http://www.indstate.edu/oit1/userservices/ithelp/it-help@indstate.edu If you are experiencing technical difficulties including accessing the portal, the OIT help desk can provide assistance on-line, through live-chat or over the phone. Additionally, the user services website contains a variety of trouble- shooting tips and FAQs that are useful for students.

12. College of Graduate and Professional Studies Contacts: CGPS Nita Alexander, Student Services Admissions & Curricular/Transfer Questions Helen Hoffa, Student Services Graduation check out, theses/dissertations, and commencement Pam Allison, Administrative Assistant graduate assistantships and student research awards Sandy Harris, Student Services General Q&A

13. Questions College of Graduate and Professional Studies If you have any additional questions concerning any of the policies or procedures outlined in this session, please contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies via email [grdstudy@isugw.indstate.edu]or phone 812.237.3005