Academics
Congrats to Winter Graduates!
You did it! Degrees for students who completed their work during the fall 2021 semester will be awarded on Friday, January 14. There is no ceremony at this time but all winter graduates will be invited to attend Commencement on Sunday, May 15.
Around this time, look for an email sent from our office with detailed instructions on how to acquire your diploma. You earned it!
Waiver of Registration
Missed last semester's deadline to apply 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 International Student Services (ISS).
The waiver of registration deadline is Friday, January 21. Once completed and signed please email the form along with all your other final graduation materials to your program coordinator in SGS directly or to gradstudies@case.edu.
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 21. Already waived your Student Medical Plan in the fall? No need to waive it again, the waiver applies to spring semester as well!
Please note: If you are currently enrolled in the Medical Plan your coverage for the spring semester began on January 10.
One-to-One Fitness Plan Waiver
Is your New Year's resolution to get fit? Then you're in luck! Every graduate student is automatically enrolled as a member of One-to-One Fitness which includes numerous online programs. However, if weight training, pilates, and cycling aren't your thing, you also have the option to waive this plan by Friday, January 21 for the spring semester. If you did waive in the fall you must do so again this semester. If you do not have a One-to-One membership, you will still have access other athletic facilities and gyms on campus.
Apply for May Graduation
You're almost there and it's already time to for graduation! The deadline to apply to graduate in May is Friday, February 11. You can find graduation packets with detailed requirements here. Remember, if you plan to attend Commencement, you must also register for the ceremony beginning in March. Be on the lookout for details on the Commencement Ceremony which will be held on Sunday, May 15.
Please note: If you applied to graduate in fall 2021 but did not complete all requirements you must apply again this semester.
Campus Community
Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT)!
We are planning the very first Three Minute Thesis competition at CWRU! 3MT celebrates the exciting research conducted by grad students around the world. This competition cultivates students' academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Presenting in a 3MT competition increases your capacity to effectively explain your research in three minutes, in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience.
Register to attend a research communication workshop this month: virtual on January 20 or in-person on January 27. Also view the slides from an info session last semester to learn more. The deadline to register for the competition is Friday, January 28.
Required Testing
All students are required to participate in COVID-19 surveillance testing once-a-week for the first two weeks you are on campus. Testing kits are freely available in vending machines across campus (see this map). You must register your saliva PCR test on myhealthconnect.case.edu before returning your sample to a drop box. See more information.
Diekhoff Committee Members Needed!
Be a part of a 41 year CWRU tradition to recognize graduate faculty for their exemplary contributions to the education and development of students through advising, mentoring, and classroom teaching.
We are looking for motivated Graduate Studies students interested in contributing to the selection of this year's John S. Diekhoff Award winners. This group will interview and select the recipients of these distinguished graduate teaching and mentoring awards, presented annually to two CWRU faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and two who have done so in mentoring. Learn more about the awards here.
If you are interested in joining the committee, please fill out the student committee application form by Monday, January 24. Questions? Email diekhoff@case.edu.
Grad Student & Postdoc Coaching Program
Apply to be coached in three free one-on-one sessions this semester by a professional certified coach! You'll be able to work on with your coach how to identify values, strengths and gaps; identify a personal board of directors; draft a personal vision; obtain feedback; and create an action plan. Watch this information session and apply by Wednesday, January 26. If you aren't able to participate this spring, the program runs every semester to keep watch for more info!
Policy on Events
Until at least January 24, all in-person events at CWRU both on and off campus with more than 10 people attending must be pre-approved by the University's COVID-19 Operations Team. Please plan accordingly and request approval for in-person gatherings. Use this form to make a request for pre-approval. Also, when possible, please continue to have online events. See more information.
FSM Grants for Women-Identified at CWRU
Women-identified individuals at CWRU in underrepresented fields and researching feminism or women and gender equality can apply for grants from the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women to support professional development and research. Applications are open until Friday, February 11. See the latest FSM newsletter for details or contact the Mather Center for more information.
Grad Assistants for ResLife Needed!
Residence Life is in need of graduate students to join their team for the 2022-2023 academic year as Assistant Residential Community Directors! The ARCD is a 10-month live-in position to support the creation and facilitation of an integrated residential learning environment for several hundred undergrad students. Applications and recommendations are due February 2.
Child Care Resources
As the pandemic continues, options for child care continues to be a concern for many. Students and postdocs can schedule appointments for 3 hours of drop-in child care at One-to-One Fitness or Next Level Fitness. Space at any given time is limited per location to ensure adequate supervision and social distancing. You can also review additional child care resources from the University.
Winter Weather Alerts
Adverse weather could strike anytime. Make sure you're signed up and your contacts are up-to-date for CWRU's Rave Alerts so you'll be immediately informed of cancellations due to weather, street closures, emergencies, and other important notifications.
Join GSC University Committees
If you would like to help shape the campus experience and boost your resume consider joining a Graduate Student Council committee this semester. The workload is very reasonable and can help you connect to professors and faculty on campus. Read more about the possible committees and to apply or for more information please email the GSC Director for Advocacy Ashley Mueller.
Upcoming Events
Join Grad Studies for an interactive Diversity 360 session on Friday, January 21 at 9:30am where you can engage with your peers!
D360 is a campus-wide diversity education program for students, faculty and staff developed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and facilitated currently by OMA and the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity.
Diversity 360 has been implemented and customized into modules for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff that will assist the campus community in advancing its efforts to be a welcoming, inclusive environment for learning, leading, and innovation.
Based on research from higher education and the corporate sector about cross-cultural competency and on results from university climate surveys, the modules will engage participants in learning to:
- Increase capacity to recognize and engage in dialogue across the breadth of differences;
- Deepen understanding of how affiliations in privileged and marginalized groups impact treatment on campus, campus climate and productivity;
- Deepen awareness of types of microaggressions and how they affect experiences on campus and in the local community; and
- Discover ways to become a change agent and diversity champion with new knowledge, ideas and resources about university policies, programs and best practices
Prior to joining, please watch this D360 pre-session video and review handouts for the session.
Social Justice can be artful and creative! Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs for Social Justice Paint and Snack on Wednesday, January 26 at 5:30pm for an evening of self-guided painting focused on themes like liberation, justice, freedom, and community while connecting with fellow graduate and professional students to discuss what those themes look like to us.
This event is open to all grad and professional students and postdoctoral scholars. Canvases, art supplies, and snacks will be provided by OMA with gracious support from the MLK Celebration Fund.
