This office is responsible for the welfare of graduate students and monitors their academic status, progress, and discipline. The office also administers leave/travel applications and readmission applications.

Garth McCavana, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Holyoke Center 350
telephone: 617-495-1816

Associate Dean McCavana has general responsibility for the welfare of graduate students and monitors students’ academic status, progress, and discipline. He oversees the Student Affairs Office, GSAS Residence Halls, the Office of Student Services, and the Office of Housing Services in Dudley House. The Student Affairs Office administers the various graduate fellowship competitions and processes, leave and travel applications, intra-Faculty of Arts and Sciences transfer applications, and readmission applications. Dean McCavana represents students in disciplinary cases before the Administrative Board and advises students on sexual harassment complaints. He coordinates orientation and registration activities. He represents the interests of GSAS students on numerous University-wide committees, including the Student Health Coordinating Board.

Rise Shepsle, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Holyoke Center 350
telephone: 617-495-1814

Assistant Dean Shepsle works closely with Associate Dean McCavana and serves as a contact person and resource for the registrar, the departments, and other Faculty of Arts and Sciences and University offices in communicating and interpreting GSAS policies and in assisting graduate students in maintaining academic satisfactory progress. She coordinates the transfer and readmission process, the Exchange Scholar Program, the non-resident application process, and the JD/PhD coordinated program. She provides advice to students throughout the petitioning process including extension of incomplete petitions, part-time petitions, and add/withdrawals after the deadline. She advises international students about English as a Second Language resources and helps to coordinate the summer English Language Program for new international graduate students. Assistant Dean Shepsle also monitors the MD-PhD and HST programs and is a liaison for students, administrators, and faculty in all interfaculty programs. She assists with registration and commencement.