Resources and Assistance
Student Services
The Office of Graduate Studies and Research, via the Graduate College of Education, allocates to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction a very small number of graduate assistantships. (Assistantships with other departments are posted at http://www.umb.edu/hr/employment/search.html.) Five hour/week assistantships pay $1625 per semester and carry a tuition waiver. The waiver covers 25% of the activities, curriculum and other fees. Assistantships, once awarded, are renewable for up to, but not more than, three semesters. To hold an assistantship, a student should be enrolled in at least six credits of graduate work (two or more classes) and must maintain a satisfactory average.
Under the conditions of the Assistantship, the student is responsible for 5 hours of work per week from the first week of classes through to the due date for submission of final grades as defined by the academic calendar, unless a different term of employment is identified. No work is expected during spring break and intersessions (see details of contract with graduate student union). If you're working in another job, studying, and attending to the usual ups and downs of life, this commitment may be hard to fulfill. Faculty members are usually flexible, but please think seriously about competing demands in your life before taking on a GAship. It complicates your student-teacher relationships if you let professors down as a an assistant.
The duties of assistantships range from office support, teaching assistance in the core courses, and research assistance. To apply for an assistantship, complete the application form and send it to the CCT Program Coordinator with a CV or resume indicating your skills, time availability, and the classes you hope to be taking. A copy will be forwarded to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, which makes the final decisions about assistantships. It is imperative that you get this material in as soon as possible before the semester in which you need the assistantship. April 15 is a safe target date for the next academic year.
The awarding of an assistantship is based on a student's academic achievement and qualifications in relation to the needs of the Department, as well as financial need. If you are awarded an assistantship, the Program Coordinator will informally notify you of the decision, and you will receive official notification from the Office of Graduate Studies. When you receive notice, check with Graduate Studies about paperwork required. Once the semester is about to start check with them at regular intervals until you receive your checks, because, from past experience, it is possible for the process to get stalled.
Student Services
A Student ID is a photo identification card given through the university and are available from the Student Life office (Campus Center, 3rd floor, Room 3401 In The Student Activities & Leadership Office). You must show a valid picture ID ready (license, passport, etc) or three printed proofs of address (utility bills, university correspondence, etc) to obtain a student ID. Your first ID is free; however replacements cost $15. With your ID, you have access to all UMass Boston computer labs and can take advantage discounts offered through Student Life (such as museum and movie discounts). To use your ID for Healey Library resources, you must have a valid library bar code, which can be obtained at the library Circulation Desk.
WISER is UMass Boston’s on-line system for student accounts; all registered students are issued a WISER account. Students logging-in for the first time can go to the following link for step-by-step instructions: http://www.umb.edu/it/info/wiser/documents/InitialWISERSign-inv3.pdf.
Additional information about WISER can be found at http://www.umb.edu/it/info/wiser/index.html.
UMass provides a free, web-based e-mail service for students that is (in theory) available for life. To use the student e-mail, connect to https://webmail.umb.edu and enter your user name and password. If you do not know your user name and password contact ITservicedesk@umb.edu.
The University will notify students regarding University business through this e-mail system. If you choose not to use your student account as your primary e-mail, you can arrange to have messages forwarded from the UMass account to the account you prefer. For additional information on student e-mail visit http://www.umb.edu/students/webmail.html.
Workshops and Individual tutoring are available free of charge for UMass students. Students who want to develop their writing process, research skills, and/or an understanding of the general expectations associated with graduate study may sign up for individual tutoring. Generally, students meet with their tutor for weekly one-hour appointments over several weeks. (Note: Students have to sign up. There is often a waitlist after the semester gets started. The tutors are not allowed to work on final projects. Online students cannot be helped unless they can come for face2face meetings.)
Academic support is located on the first floor of the Campus Center in room 1-1300 and can be reached at 617-287-6550. (Campus
Center offices typically close by 6pm.) For more information about the Graduate Writing Center visit http://www.academicsupport.umb.edu/graduatewritingcenter.htm.
The University's Library has a number of physical and electronic resources available, including books, computer labs, interlibrary loans, electronic course reserves, and extensive on-line database, among other resources. A valid student
ID and barcode (barcode obtainable at the Circulation Desk) are required to use most services off campus. Details on Healey Library resources can be found at http://www.lib.umb.edu/services.
The University's IT department, with Help Desk located on the third floor of the Healey Library, can assist students with a range of issues and questions, including but not limited to help with Student e-mail and WISER accounts, connecting to the UMass Boston wireless network, and software problems. IT manages an accessible on-line help platform at http://www.umb.edu/it/index.html and provides workshops for students. For a list of current IT workshops visit http://www.umb.edu/it/tech/workshops.html.
The Adaptive Computing Lab and the Center for Disability Services make available auxiliary aids and related support services for students with disabilities such as sign language interpretation, note taking, testing accommodation, advocacy, adapted computer equipment, and counseling. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 offer guidelines for curriculum modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities. If applicable, students may obtain adaptation recommendations from the Ross Center (617-287-7430). The student must present and discuss these recommendations to each professor within the first few weeks of class, preferably by the end of the Drop/Add period. The Ross Center provides additional information at http://www.rosscenter.umb.edu/.
UMass Boston does not provide campus housing; however, a housing referral service is offered by the Office of Student Housing. Their office is located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center in Room 3400, or you can consult their website at http://www.umb.edu/students/housing/ or call 617-287-6011.
The Graduate Student Assembly (using fees from students) offers these grants to "assist with the economic burden of attending academic and professional
conferences. This is a post travel reimbursement program. Approval occurs prior to travel. " more details and forms