Advising Guides
The advising guides for research and professional students address advising and mentoring relationships, roles, and responsibilities.
Office of Academic Affairs
The Graduate School Office of Academic Affairs works with faculty and graduate students on issues related to:
- academic policy and programs
- academic integrity and misconduct
- the grievance process
- responsible conduct of research
- petitions requesting exceptions to Graduate School policy (Code of Legislation)
- student academic progress
Educational Opportunities Off Campus
In Absentia
You may register in absentia to conduct approved research or study 100 miles or more away from the Cornell campus while still under the guidance of your special committee. This status is available to students whether registered in Ithaca (including Geneva) or Cornell Tech.
To register for in absentia status, submit an In Absentia Petition with a study plan approved by your special committee outlining how you will accomplish your degree requirements. Petitions must be received by June 15 for fall in absentia and November 1 for spring in absentia. Approval by the Graduate School is required. In absentia students are charged $200 tuition/semester.
When you are in approved in absentia status you are eligible for fellowships, assistantships, the student health plan, and educational loans as in on-campus registration status. The same limitations on employment apply for in absentia students as for on-campus students; time away from campus is expected to focus on making academic progress.
See the in absentia policy page for full details.
Exchange Scholar Program
If you’re a doctoral candidate, you may participate in a variety of exchange programs with the recommendation of your advisors. These include one or two semesters in residence at another major research university participating in the Exchange Scholar Program (Berkeley, Brown, Chicago, Columbia, Harvard, M.I.T., Princeton, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, or Yale). To be eligible, you should have completed at least two registered semesters. Applications must be submitted to the Graduate School a minimum of two months before your intended period of study.
You may also attend a course or two at a nearby college or university to fulfill an academic requirement that cannot be met at Cornell. For information on these programs, contact the Graduate Student Services Office in Caldwell Hall, call 607-255-5820, or download the PDF application on our Forms page.
Finding Administrative Help
Directors of Graduate Study (DGS)
The faculty members in each field appoint one of their faculty as a director of graduate studies (DGS) to represent them to the Graduate School and coordinate activities of the field. The DGS is the primary liaison between the field and the Graduate School. He or she helps establish academic priorities and allocate resources for graduate students. The DGS strives to enhance the quality of graduate education and general student welfare.
These individuals also oversee the admissions process and may be the most familiar with you when you arrive. It is important to establish a relationship with your DGS as you will need to have your DGS sign any documents required by the Graduate School. The DGS will be a key source of academic information for you as you progress in your academic journey and can also advocate on your behalf.
If you do not know who your DGS is, you can find contact information for your field in the Fields of Study catalog.
Graduate Field Administrators (GFA)
The graduate field administrator (GFA) in your individual department or program helps students, faculty members, and the DGS in many ways. The GFAs serve as liaisons between students and faculty members. They are familiar with program requirements, campus resources and can answer many questions about the degree process.
Your GFA also can help you with paperwork and clarify your student status. They fill a critical role in your student experience.
If you do not know who your GFA is, you can find contact information for your field in the Fields of Study catalog.
Graduate School Contacts
In addition to your GFA and DGS, the staff of the Graduate Student Service Office are available to assist you. If you have questions, contact the Student Service Office (gradstudserv@cornell.edu).
You should feel free to {contact the Graduate School staff [add link to new contact page]}with problems that members of your special committee are unable or unwilling to help you solve. If you feel you have a special problem, please make an appointment to see an associate dean as soon as possible.
The dean is responsible for promoting the quality of graduate education and the well-being of graduate students. Associate deans of the Graduate School are academic administrative officers who assist the dean and act as the principal administrative officers of the Graduate School in the dean’s absence.
