Nominate Faculty for Diekhoff Awards!
Be a part of a 45-year CWRU tradition to recognize graduate faculty for their exemplary contributions to the education and development of students.
Do you know a faculty member who is an outstanding teacher or mentor to graduate students? Nominate them for the prestigious John S. Diekhoff Awards. Up to four Diekhoff Awards are given annually to faculty members nominated, interviewed, and selected by students. The winners will be recognized at the School of Graduate Studies Award Ceremony at the end of the Spring semester and presented their awards during commencement in May 2025.
Learn more about the awards and nominee eligibility.
Submit your faculty nomination for outstanding faculty by Tuesday, December 31, 11:59 PM EST. Questions? Email diekhoff@case.edu.
Academics
Last Day to Register for Spring Classes
What's worse than the cold? Forgetting to register for spring classes! Make sure you enroll before Tuesday, January 14 to avoid the $25 late-registration fee. The final day to register or make any changes to your schedule for the Spring semester is Friday, January 24.
Student Medical Plan Waiver
Do you have health insurance? If you're already covered, make sure to waive your Student Medical Plan before the end of the drop/add period on Friday, January 24. Already waived your Student Medical Plan in the Fall? No need to waive it again, the waiver applies to the Spring semester as well!
Please note: If you are enrolled in the Student Medical Plan, make sure to register for your Spring courses early to ensure no lapse in your coverage. If you have coverage this Fall it will continue until January 12, 2025 at 11:59pm EST. If you are taking classes in the Spring and enrolled in the medical plan it will begin on January 13, 2025 at 12:01am EST. If you register after January 24 (the end of Drop/Add), your plan will only become effective on the date you register (not earlier).
Waiver of Registration
Missed this semester's deadlines to graduate? If you've completed all graduation requirements, but did not meet the fall graduation deadline, you may be eligible to waive class registration for spring. Here's how:
- Submit all final materials for your degree as listed here, including the Waiver of Registration form (included in the downloadable file).
- International students must have the waiver of registration electronically signed by VISA Office (ISS).
The waiver of registration deadline is Friday, January 24. Once completed and signed, the form and all your other final graduation materials should be emailed to your program coordinator in SGS directly or to gradstudies@case.edu.
Diplomas for Fall 2024 Graduates
Degrees for Fall 2024 graduates will be conferred (awarded) on Friday, January 17, 2025; information on how to obtain your diploma will be emailed to you on or around that date. As there is no Fall semester Commencement ceremony, January graduates will be invited to participate at Commencement in May 2025. Watch for details in the first few months of the new year.
Tech Access After Graduating
Please review how access of University technologies will change after graduation so you can make plans now to ensure your work will be still available. For 180 days after your graduation date, students will retain access to Google Workspace (Gmail, drives, etc), Microsoft 365, Qualtrics, and GitHub. Access to Adobe products will expire on July 1. Access to Zoom (including recordings and whiteboards) ends immediately upon graduation.
Grad Teaching Assistant Training
Graduate students who will serve as teaching assistants (TA) for the first time for Spring 2025 courses are required to participate in UCITE's TA Training including registering for UNIV 400 in SIS to take the webinar course in Canvas. International student TAs also need to email our office (selp@case.edu) to schedule a Case Spoken English Test (CSET). If you have questions, please contact gtatraining@case.edu. Training must be completed by February 17.
Considering a Career in Teaching?
Grad students and postdocs can sign up for the non-credit UNIV401 Advanced Professional Development for University Teaching Seminar in the Spring semester to learn effective teaching strategies useful across major disciplines. Register for UNIV401 in SIS and email univ401@case.edu with any questions.
Fellowship Courses
Take a course for FREE! Sign up for an art class, study poetry or learn about nutrition. Fellowship courses are a great way to broaden your academic portfolio. The fellowship course cannot be used to fulfill degree requirements. Click here to find the Form and see the full Fellowship Tuition Policy.
Winter Break
Campus Closure
The School of Graduate Studies and the University will be closed for Winter Break starting Monday, December 23; we will reopen 8:30am EST on Thursday, January 2. Many buildings, offices, and facilities on campus (such as KSL, dining, gyms) may have altered or limited hours between now and when classes resume, especially during the break. Before making plans, check schedules or call to confirm hours and accessibility.
Changes to Campus Shuttles
With less activity on campus in the coming weeks, many of the shuttle routes through Greater University Circle will have reduced service. Some routes will have fewer buses, others combined, and some discontinued until the start of the spring semester. See University Circle's shuttle page for more details (scroll to near the bottom) and use the TransLoc app for real-time shuttle tracking so you're not left out in the cold!
Safety on Campus
With much of the campus population gone during the winter break and nightfall early this time of year, please review these tips for staying safe:
- Be observant of your surroundings.
- Bundle against the cold, but make sure you can see and hear clearly.
- Always carry your student ID and keys; some buildings normally open may be card-access only.
- Inform CWRU security if you're working in a building after hours or on a day the University is closed.
- Install the Spartan Safe smartphone app and sign-up for CWRU Alerts.
- Use campus shuttles, Safe Ride, or request a security walking escort.
- Watch for ice!
Also review these safety tips on walking on or riding around campus after dark. For additional safety tips, click here.
Safety while Traveling
- Power off appliances and electronics before leaving.
- Secure and lock all doors and windows.
- Make plans in advance for any pets or houseplants.
- Remember to pack prescription medication.
- Take care of food that may not last while you're gone.
- Dispose of trash and recycling.
- If leaving it here in Cleveland, find off-street parking for cars if possible.
- Review airline/bus/train policies for luggage size and contents.
- Remember chargers/batteries for all mobile devices.
- Always tag your luggage in case it is lost.
- Share your travel itinerary with friends or family; check in with them.
- If traveling out of the country, double-check you have all your documentation, review current policies and conditions, and be prepared to spend extra time at customs when returning.
Whether you're traveling or staying here in Cleveland, please continue to stay safe but have happy and fun holidays!
Welcome New Students!
Welcome to our new students beginning in Spring 2025! We are hosting an in-person Welcome to Campus event on Friday, January 10 in Thwing Student Center. New students can pick up CWRU ID cards and RTA stickers, get a free CWRU t-shirt, enjoy lunch, and meet the Grad Studies staff and other students. For those who can't make the in-person event, register for a Welcome Session on Zoom earlier in the week on Wednesday, January 8 at 10:00am EST.
Spring Orientation will be held online in Canvas; new students will receive an email when the modules are open.
New students should continue to complete Post-Admission Checklist including submitting a photo for their student ID. See more information for new students and send any questions to sgsevents@case.edu.
New International Students
New international students are required to check in with the VISA Office (Visa & Immigration Services & Advisors). Please check-in online via Terra Dotta (rather than in person) by completing this form. Students need to complete the process of checking in before the end of Add/Drop period on Friday, January 24.
International students are also invited to attend an orientation session to meet staff from the VISA Office as well as the Office of International Student Resources and Engagement (OISRE) to learn about important immigration regulations, visa status, and transitioning well to studying at CWRU and in the United States.
