Resources and Support for GSAS Student-Parents
We’re aware of the many complexities that parents and expectant parents face as they try to balance their lives as graduate students with their new responsibilities as parents. We’re aware of the financial challenges and of the potential obstacles to your degree progress. We want to do everything we can to help you navigate the resources and options available to you.
Policies around parental support and accommodations for graduate student-parents are described in Chapter XIV of the GSAS Handbook. Here is a summary, in the form of frequently asked questions.
What accommodations will GSAS offer if I have a child?
Your department can hold the department G-clock — which measures your progress as a graduate student — for one year to accommodate childbirth and other major, family-related events.
How should I go about requesting this adjustment in my G-year?
Talk with your advisor, the director of graduate studies in your department, or with your graduate student coordinator/department administrator. Your department will make the adjustment to your record in the Student Progress Database and then notify GSAS of the change. (Note that the Registrar’s calculation of G-year begins at the time of a student’s admission and continues until graduation or withdrawal, including leaves and other absences. It is the departmental G-year clock — the one that signals your progress to your department — that is adjusted in this accommodation.)
Is this hold offered only to the mother?
No. Either parent can request the accommodation.
Must I go on leave to take advantage of this?
No, you don’t have to go on leave to request that your clock be held. (Note that if you are considering going on leave, you should consult University Health Services for information on health coverage policies for students on leave.)
What is expected of me during this hold period?
When you department adjusts your G-year, it will take the new clock into account when planning your deadlines and assessing your degree progress. Expectations will vary and should be discussed and mutually agreed upon with your department and advisor. This is really an individual conversation between a student and her department. GSAS is very aware of this process and stays in touch with departments so that progress is well-coordinated.
What other accommodations can be made?
We urge you to speak with your department about other accommodations, including the allocation of private space for breastfeeding and pumping, flexible scheduling, and resources for child care. There may be a variety of steps your department or advisor can take to help you meet individual goals and needs.
What if I have a second child?
You may request a second hold on your departmental G-year clock. Holds are not limited to a single child.
Why doesn’t Harvard do more for graduate-student parents? Some of our peers offer better options for family health coverage and more uniform policies around leaves and funding.
GSAS is acutely aware of these issues. Supporting graduate-student parents is among Dean Allan Brandt’s top concerns. Along with the entire GSAS Dean’s Office, he is working to advance these issues within the administrative structure of FAS and the University. At a time of continuing fiscal restraint, however, when resources for new initiatives are scarce, our emphasis now is on helping students meet their needs by making sure we are fully exploitingexisting resources and by opening robust lines of communication with departments.
Check the GSAS Handbook (Chapter XIV) for complete information about family support and benefits.
Also see the Harvard Graduate Women in Science and Engineering's information on Family and Childcare at Harvard.