Graduate Student Guidelines

Graduate Student Success

The success of every graduate student in EAS depends on the individual effort of the student, and the effectiveness of the student-advisor partnership. To ensure that student-advisor interactions are as productive as possible, EAS provides general guidelines below.

These guidelines embody many of the best mentoring practices used by other institutions and professional societies. They are intended to provide principles for establishing an effective and productive student-advisor relationship that relies on trust, courtesy, clear communications, and shared expectations. These guidelines supplement the IU Student Code, which addresses primarily formal academic matters, by attending to the faculty’s role in the student’s research process.

Graduate Students should:

1. always act in an ethical, professional, and courteous manner toward other students, staff, and faculty, respecting the value of their time and responsibilities.

2. recognize that you bear the primary responsibility for the successful completion of your degree.

Recommendation:

proactively ask for meetings with your advisor and committee when needed. Be familiar with requirements in the EAS graduate handbook. Follow milestone guidelines set by the University Graduate School and those in the EAS handbook.

Read the Graduate Handbook

3. complete all tasks assigned by the department, including teaching, grading, and other assistantship responsibilities.

4. know the policies governing graduate studies in the department and the graduate school and take responsibility for meeting departmental and graduate school deadlines.

Recommendation:

Consult the IU EAS graduate handbook often.

5. be proactive in communicating with the advisor and research committee about progress and challenges associated with research and program trajectory, paying particular attention to any apprehension about fieldwork.

6. be proactive in responsibly educating yourself of any anticipated risks involving fieldwork including clear communication about limitations.

Recommendation:

Review the following paper.

Safe fieldwork strategies for at-risk individuals, their supervisors and institutions

7. recognize that in addition to your role as a student, you have rights and responsibilities as employees of the university, and expect that these are clearly conveyed to you.

Recommendation:

keep track of the hours spent on AI/RA duties to ensure that you do not exceed, on average, ~20 hr/wk.

8. clearly communicate with your advisor(s) regarding your career preferences and any changes to those preferences during the course of your program.

9. be proactive about improving research skills, including written and oral presentation.

10. be proactive about teaching professionalization and preparation through exploring workshops and training opportunities.

Recommendation:

The IU Center for Innovative Learning (CITL) frequently runs workshops.

Go to CITL

11. seek out appropriate professional service opportunities and take advantage of career planning support in the Walter Center for Career Achievement.

Recommendation:

Schedule a one-on-one meeting with the graduate career counselor at the Walter Center in their first year.

Visit the Walter Center

12. participate actively in departmental activities such as Earth and Atmosphric Graduate Student Association (EAGSA), colloquia, brown-bags, reading groups, etc. The department colloquium schedule is posted on the EAS calendar each semester.

Recommendation:

Attend the weekly departmental colloquium and become involved in EAGSA.

EAGSA Officers:

President of Graduate Life – Kirsten Hawley
President of Activities – Allison Nelson
President of Faculty Relations – Danny Peltier
President of Finance – CJ Salcido

13. seek mentoring and support resources beyond your faculty advisor(s), including other faculty members and peers as well as individuals external to the university.

14. obtain outside help from ombudspersons, graduate chairs, or other faculty if conflicts arise with your advisor.

15. be aware that if you feel compelled to change advisors or research direction, you have options and should consult with your advisor, other mentors, or department officers, recognizing that such options may include changing programs.

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

The Role of Graduate Students

Graduate Student Guidelines

Graduate Student Success

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The College of Arts & Sciences

The Role of Graduate Students

Graduate Student Guidelines

Graduate Student Success

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Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences social media channels

The College of Arts & Sciences