1. Graduate Council: Graduate Orientation Spring 2013-14

2. Graduate Council Purpose, Role, and Position Current Undertakings Important Reminders Latest Undertakings Conclusion

3. Institutional Purpose Facts – AUB offers more than 50 Masters and 9 PhD programs – 1261 graduate students in academic year 2012-13 37% graduate assistants 16% of the student body The expansion of graduate education at AUB and the growing number of new graduate programs require enhanced graduate governance. The Graduate Council has been established to elaborate, build, and carefully operate graduate governance structures in order to enhance academic and research processes.

4. Institutional Role Facilitate and coordinate graduate education in the following ways/ areas : Follow up to ensure the uniform implementation of policies governing graduate work Support graduate recruitment programs Provide information about graduate admissions Encourage the development and success of students Provide mechanisms for quality control for all aspects of graduate education

5. Institutional Position Report to the Provost Implement policies approved by Board of Graduate Studies (BGS) and the Senate Operate in consultation with Faculty Graduate Studies Committees (GSC) Work alongside other units at AUB – Office of Admissions – Office of the Registrar – Faculties – Office of Student Affairs (SAO) – Office of International Programs (OIP) – Others

6. Current Undertakings Monitoring and Coordinating Graduate Admissions Improving GA Allocations, Financial Aid and Fellowships Addressing Graduate Student Issues

7. Graduate Student Issues Actively participate in recruitment and orientation programs Provide helpful information through web site Help oversee annual publishing of Graduate Catalogue

8. Graduate Student Issues Advise students on general university graduate policy Otherwise, serve as a general reference point – Academic Advisor and Department Chair are the primary reference in matters related to your program of study – In matters not within our scope of operation, refer students to the appropriate individuals and entities

9. Graduate Student Issues Through reminders, help students to – Comply with regulations – Meet deadlines Propose enhancements to graduate student life – Based on own analysis – Based on feedback of students, faculty, and staff Never trash our emails We never trash yours

10. Important Reminders Degree Progress Maximum Residency/Leave of Absence Change of Major Transfer of Credits Thesis Deadlines

11. Degree Progress We encourage students to complete their degree as early as possible and to be registered every semester. Masters students are encouraged to be enrolled full-time and to finish within 2 years. Maximum Residency: Masters: 4 years PhD Regular Track: 5 years PhD Accelerated Track: 6 years Going beyond maximum residency requires an extension.

12. Joining the traveling circus for a year? Unacceptable Leave of Absence (LoA) For special/extenuating circumstances that require students to put their studies on hold. Absence is excused (i.e. not part of maximum residency) Legitimate reasons and documentation required. Can apply for a maximum of 2 regular semesters at a time Allowed a total of 4 regular semesters of LoA Absence of four consecutive semesters (including Summer term) requires student to re-apply for admission. DOCUMENTED MEDICAL CONDITION? Acceptable

13. Change of Major Within the Same Faculty Petition the Department to which you want to transfer Abide by the admissions deadlines To Other Faculties/Schools Within AUB Undergo the Admissions process

14. Transfer of Credits (Masters) Into a Masters Degree Program Beyond requirement of Bachelors degree GPA of 80 in undergraduate courses of major/related field From One Masters Degree to Another Approval of department/academic unit concerned No more than 9 credits are transferable* Grade of 80 or above GSC Approval Internship, thesis, and practicum courses excluded *Kindly check with faculty for exceptions. In Both Cases…

15. Transfer of Credits Into a PhD Beyond requirement of Masters degree GPA of 85 in graduate courses of major/related field Grade of 85 or above No more than 6 credits are transferable GSC Approval Graduate Council Approval – Internship, thesis, and practicum courses excluded

16. Masters Thesis Deadlines For Masters candidates Graduating in Summer 2012-13*Fall 2013-14Spring 2013-14 Deadline for approval of thesis topic and committee June 3, 2013September 9, 2013January 3, 2014 Deadline for thesis defenseSeptember 30, 2013January 3, 2014May 9, 2014 Deadline for thesis deposit at library October 11, 2013January 15, 2014May 21, 2014 Summer 2013-14 dates published in 2014-15 Graduate Catalogue. Latest deadlines always available at: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf EMAIL REMINDER WILL BE SENT

17. PhD Thesis Deadlines For Masters candidates Graduating in Summer 2012-13*Fall 2013-14Spring 2013-14 Deadline for approval of thesis topic and committee February 4, 2013May 10, 2013September 9, 2013 Deadline for thesis defenseSeptember 30, 2013January 3, 2014May 9, 2014 Deadline for thesis deposit at library October 11, 2013January 15, 2014May 21, 2014 Summer 2013-14 dates published in 2014-15 Graduate Catalogue. Latest deadlines always available at: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Documents/thesisdeadlines.pdf EMAIL REMINDER WILL BE SENT

18. Latest Undertakings 2 nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB Opportunity to familiarize potential candidates with – Masters and PhD degrees currently offered at AUB – Available student scholarships – Application process Consisted of presentations, reception, Q&A, and faculty tours Around 200 attendees from local, regional, and international universities and companies Held in the 2 nd or 3 rd month of each Fall semester

19. 2 nd Annual Open House for Graduate Studies at AUB

24. Latest Undertakings Enhancing Graduate Life Assisted in the establishment of a student-led, student-run Graduate Student Society GSS is now functional If you are interested in joining, please pass by the GSS Ask Me Booth in Common Room, West Hall Proposed enhancements to graduate academic life: – Research forums and events – Workshop series – Graduate space Graduate Student Life Working group has been established to get a pilot underway in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

25. Latest Undertakings Partnering with University Libraries Research is especially relevant to your graduate experience. Graduate Council informs graduates regarding useful workshops and related activities. Latest offering from University Libraries: Search & Cite Workshop – Location: Jafet Library/E-Classroom DateTime Option 1Wednesday, February 5th10:00 AM Option 2Wednesday, February 5 th 4:00 PM Option 3Thursday, February 6 th 10:00 AM Option 4Thursday, February 6 th 4:00 PM Option 5One-on-one session (call ext. 2621/2629 or email libinfo@aub.edu.lb)

26. Conclusion The Graduate Council exists to enhance AUB graduate studies and graduate life. Coordinate, facilitate, and advise Introduce uniformity to graduate studies governance Serve as a point of reference to graduate students Propose enhancements to the graduate experience Open to input from the AUB community

27. Welcome to AUB! Please feel free to visit us at College Hall 432/434 and on the Web at http://www.aub.edu.lb/graduate_council This presentation will be in the Student Resources section of our site: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Pages/resources.aspx

28. Team Members Contact Info/Biographies: http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Pages/team.aspx http://www.aub.edu.lb/units/graduate_council/Pages/team.aspx