Academic Resources (Part II)

DEREK BOK CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Science Center 318, 617-495-4869

The Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning coordinates a variety of activities that help people who teach undergraduates at Harvard to improve their teaching skills. Consultations are available to individuals who wish to discuss teaching issues privately, with others in the same course, or in groups with specific concerns. The Center provides videotaping and consultants to those teachers who want to examine their classroom performance. The Center recommends that all new teachers arrange to have a class videotaped for subsequent viewing with a consultant. Most of the Center’s tapings occur in two classrooms in the Science Center and are scheduled during normal class meeting times, yet some tapings can be arranged in other Harvard classrooms. All videotapes of classes and practice sessions are strictly confidential, as are the discus­sions that take place between instructors and teaching consultants.

In addition, the staff tailors programs to specific needs of individuals, courses, and departments. Special programs include the Menschel Program for new faculty, a network for head teaching fellows, roundtable discussions on teaching in particular departments, workshops on professional development issues, a series of seminars on teaching in the American classroom (for international teaching fellows), workshops on classroom communication skills (for non-native speakers of English), and sessions for graduate students on issues such as grading and leading class discussions.

The Center also provides forums for exchanging ideas about teaching such as the fall and winter teaching conferences (just before the beginning of each term), a seminar on discussion-leading skills, a graduate writing fellows program, a Depart­mental Teaching Fellow program, and a seminar on Web pedagogies. The Center also presides over the distribution of Certificates of Distinction in Teaching.

The Center’s library, open to all Harvard graduate students, includes books and journals on pedagogy, tip sheets and handouts (many of which are available online), and a series of videotapes produced by the Center and available on loan. Publications by the Center in conjunction with teachers at Harvard include The Art and Craft of Teaching, Voices of Experience: Observations from a Harvard Teaching Seminar, Teaching American Students, Teaching Fellows Handbook, and The Torch & The Firehose.

OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES

54 Dunster Street, 617-495-2595
Mon.–Fri., 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Robin Mount, interim director of career services
and director for GSAS and PhD advising
Laura Malisheski, assistant director for GSAS and PhD advising
Amy Sanford, assistant director for GSAS and PhD advising

The Office of Career Services (OCS) offers assistance to GSAS students and alumni preparing for academic and non-academic careers. Through individual counseling, workshops, guest speakers, study groups, and extensive library and alumni resources, the office provides information about career opportunities and instruction in the process of self-assessment, career exploration, and the job search.

The GSAS counselors work with students individually and in groups to guide them through the career development process. Academic job-search panels and workshops are held both at OCS and in some academic departments. Interview training is available for those preparing for professional meeting interviews, campus visits, or non­academic jobs. The online OCS Dossier Service keeps letters of recommendation from professors on file and sends them out on request, and is available to all GSAS students applying for academic positions, postdoctoral positions, or fellowships.

Students considering non-academic careers can explore options by talking with a GSAS counselor and by attending workshops and programs such as the annual Career Options Day, Career Transition Work Group, and the Business Management Study Group. Students may also make use of extensive resources, job listings, and recruiting opportunities including Crimson Compass (an online database of alumni who have volunteered to talk to students about their career fields), the annual Career Forum, and the On-Campus Recruiting Program.

The programs and opportunities, developed by the office, are announced in the GSAS Bulletin and are listed on the OCS website. Students may also subscribe to e-mail distri­bution lists to receive timely information related to academic and non-academic careers by going to the OCS and GSAS web pages. To learn about drop-in hours, or to make an individual appointment, students should call the front desk at 617-495-2595.

In addition to administering the major GSAS fellowships competitions and the Fulbright programs, Cynthia Verba offers individual counseling and other services to assist students with a variety of issues related to fellowships and professional devel­opment: how to write a polished fellowship proposal, how to prepare a curriculum vitae, how to approach professors for letters of recommendation, how to make effective use of both the formal and informal graduate advising process, how to engage in profes­sional activities such as colloquia, delivering papers at professional meetings or publishing articles, and how to finish the PhD degree in a timely fashion. For appoint­ments, call the above telephone number. Counseling on these issues is comple­mented by workshops and publications. The following publications are available to all GSAS students at the GSAS website. 

1) Scholarly Pursuits: A Practical Guide to Academe, with samples of winning applica­tions; it is also available in paper version free of charge to GSAS students at Holy­oke Center 350.

2) The Graduate Guide to Grants

3) The Harvard Guide to Postdoctoral Fellowships

Detailed information on Fulbrights and major Harvard fellowships is also available on the GSAS fellowships website.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) Information Technology provides a variety of computing services and facilities to the students, faculty, and staff of FAS and its affil­iates. Most services are distributed via the FAS Network, a high-speed, fiber-optic data network that connects student residences, faculty and administrative offices, libraries, laboratories, and public areas. FAS Information Technology has specialists dedicated to providing for the needs of instruction, student communication, faculty interaction, and research.

FAS Information Technology offers laboratory facilities and computing support to undergraduate and graduate students within FAS and to students enrolled in computer-based courses in the Extension and Summer Schools. Student services include Internet access, UNIX accounts, e-mail, and a computer support model based on “students helping students.” Except for a small fee for network laser printing, computer services are provided to students at no cost. Students have access to the FAS Network through the computer labs in the basement of the Science Center, residential labs, and numerous computer kiosks around campus. They may also connect personal computers (Macintosh or PC-compatible) to the FAS Network directly from their room, if they reside in Child Hall, Conant Hall, Perkins Hall, or Richards Hall. For computer questions, students are encouraged to contact the Service Desk in Science Center B-13 in person, via phone (617-495-9000), or via e-mail ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Walk-in assistance with personal computer problems with viruses, networking, software, and operating system issues is provided through the Personal Computer Clinic, Science Center 225. Limited in-room support for networking and desktop computer issues in Child, Conant, Perkins, and Richards is dispatched via the Service Desk.

The Multimedia Showcase (Science Center 209) is an advanced multimedia facility offering state-of-the-art audio and video computing tools. The Showcase is available to FAS students and faculty wishing to incorporate multimedia and advanced technologies in their academic endeavors. The showcase features equipment for scanning, video capture and editing, DVD writing, and digital photography.

For additional information about FAS Information Technology, please visit the website. 

University Information Systems (UIS) is Harvard University’s central information technology (IT) organization whose mission is to provide effective and efficient IT services to the University community. .

The Technology Services group within UIS manages vendor partnerships including Apple, Lenovo, GovConnection, Microsoft and Adobe, and serves as facilitator, on behalf of the University, to ensure vendor compliance to contracts and timely commu­nications about product or program changes.

Computer Hardware and Software Sales

617-495-5450
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Technology Services sells Apple computers and related peripherals, accessories, and Apple software and Microsoft and Adobe software which can be purchased at the online store, through telephone sales (617-495-5450) and over­the-counter at the Computer Product & Repair Center (located at the Science Center, One Oxford St.). Technology Services is an authorized Apple reseller at Harvard and maintains a large inventory of Apple products. Lenovo personal computers are available direct through Lenovo at aggressive price discounts exclusive to the Harvard community. Lenovo products are shipped direct from Lenovo to you; an inventory of product is not maintained at Harvard. To access the Lenovo website for Harvard, visit www.computers.harvard.edu. Additional peripherals, accessories, and other technology products are available through GovConnection, a subsidiary of PC Connection. GovConnection offers educational pricing, free ground shipping to personal purchasers and a flexible return policy. To access the GovConnection website visit www.computers.harvard.edu. Apple and Lenovo computers are available to view and demo at the Computer Product & Repair Center located in the Science Center, One Oxford St. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm and Wednesday 10:00 am–5:00 pm. Computers can also be dropped off at this location for repair. Technology Services telesales is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–5:00 pm and can be reached by calling 617-495-5450. Orders placed online or via telesales can be picked at 219 Western Avenue in Allston (on the corner of North Harvard Street and Western Avenue next to the Harvard stadium) and the hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm. Repairs are also taken at this location; free parking is available. 

Computer Repair

617-496-TECH (8324)

The Repair Services group at Technology Services offers in-warranty and post-warranty hardware support on Apple and Lenovo computers and HP laser printers, whether they are purchased at Harvard or not. It is recommended that when purchasing a new computer that an extended warranty be purchased; Apple offers “AppleCare” and Lenovo offers “ThinkPad Protection,” both of which are a great value. Located at 219 Western Avenue in Allston and at the Computer Product & Repair Center in the Science Center, One Oxford St., hours are: 219 Western Ave. Monday-Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm and Computer Product & Repair Center, One Oxford St., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am–5:00 pm and Wednesday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS GROUP

Wireless Communications
617-495-0332

Wireless Communications offers the Harvard community significantly discounted rates on cellular phones and pagers, both for personal or departmental use. Programs vary. Call for more information. 

OTHER COMPUTING FACILITIES

Several Harvard departments have computer systems used primarily for research purposes. The Computer Science facility in the Engineering Sciences Laboratory is centered around a variety of UNIX workstations. Additional Sun, Macintosh, and DEC workstations, computer vision equipment, and robotics hardware are located in Cruft Laboratory. In addition to research use, these machines are used for undergraduate courses in computer graphics, VLSI design, and advanced areas of artificial intelligence.

The Mathematics Department Computer Facility consists of a network of desktop Macintosh computers located throughout the four floors of the Mathematics Department, with Sun, Linux, Apple Macintosh and Network Appliance servers for infrastructure support and computational research. William James Hall Computer Services, located on the thirteenth floor of William James Hall, operates several UNIX servers, mostly Sun, for UNIX services and stats processing for the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology. Labs with PC and Macintosh computers and user support are also available. The High Energy Physics group has a variety of VAX-class computers running the VMS operating system. Students who would like more information on these installations should contact the local system managers.

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) provides free computing facilities to all students in GSAS who have not waived their annual GSC fee. A networked Mac and PC are located in the Dudley House Library in Dudley House, the graduate student center (Lehman Hall). Students who present proper identification and sign up for time may print academic materials for free.

While Harvard makes no requirement or recommendation that students purchase personal computers, it operates a facility at which students may purchase certain computers and software at discounted prices. Technology Services, University Infor­mation Systems (617-495-5450), located at 219 Western Avenue, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. The center sells computers from Apple and software for students from Microsoft. IBM personal computers, peripherals, and accessories are sold direct through vendor partners (see “Technology Services”).

DEPARTMENTS OF INSTRUCTIONAL MEDIA SERVICES AND THE LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTER

The Department of Instructional Media Services (IMS) consists of two divisions that provide instructional media resources for graduate and undergraduate course instruction within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).

Media and Technology Services (MTS) provides data, film, overhead, slide and video projection; classroom computers; audio recording; sound reinforcement systems; video recording/editing; video conferencing; film, DVD and videotape rentals for FAS courses, assistive listening systems; and a reservable screening room/video conference suite. Please call MTS a minimum of two weeks in advance to arrange for services. Some of our services include technician assistance, equipment rental, and testing specific non-standard software or non-commercially produced CDs or DVDs for compatibility with our computer equipment or players. Training or MTS technicians’ assistance will be required for certain types of equipment. Instructors are also free to request MTS assistance with any equipment for one, several or all of a course’s class meetings. Please note that fees will be charged for after-hours, weekend or holiday assistance and for non-course instruction requests. Classrooms must be reserved through the FAS Classrooms Office or the appropriate departments. MTS does not reserve or schedule classrooms. Information on permanently installed classroom equipment and photographs of classrooms can be found on the IMS website.

MTS supports FAS and the Extension and Summer Schools. The MTS Main Office supports classes and events that take place in FAS buildings except for the CGIS buildings, the Northwest building, the Science Center and Sever Hall. The Main Office is located in the Science Center Room B-02 (617-495-9460). The MTS CGIS Office supports classes and events that take place in the Center for Government and International Studies (CGIS) buildings. The CGIS Office is located in CGIS South Building Room S053 (617-495-9807). The MTS Northwest Building Office supports classes and events that take place in the Northwest Building. The Northwest Office is located in Northwest Building Room B-111 (617-495-5775). The MTS Sever Hall Office supports classes and events that take place in Sever Hall. The Sever Office is located in Sever Hall Room 301 (617-495-9470). For assistance with classes or events in the Science Center, please contact Science Center Lecture Multimedia Services located at the Science Center Room B-01 (617-495-5357).

The Media Production Center (MPC) is located at the rear of Rosovsky Hall at 59 Plympton Street (617-495-9440; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The MPC provides audio and video production and duplication services. Audio services include recording and preparation for CD, CD-ROM and web delivery of audio content. Recordings can be made in our MPC studio or on location. Video services include DVD authoring, inter­national standards conversion, and basic editing. Videoconferencing facilities are also available. CD, DVD, cassette tape and VHS duplication is available with graphics and packaging. Please inquire about additional technical services available.

The Department of the Language Resource Center is located in Lamont Library on the fourth level (617-495-9448). The LRC offers multimedia resources to FAS foreign language courses and to other FAS courses using foreign language media. Our high-bandwidth media server provides full-screen materials in 43 languages. Our satellite feed provides international news and a variety of television programs. We also offer CD-quality digital audio of textbook practice materials, as well as providing for the use of VHS and cassette tapes. There are two screening rooms available for small-group foreign language instruction.

Wheelchair accessible.

OFFICE OF ANIMAL RESOURCES

Dr. Arthur Lage, director
Biological Laboratories, 617-496-9989

1414 Massachusetts Avenue, Second Floor
Jane Calhoun, senior research officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 617-495-5459
Elizabeth Bowie, research officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 617-496-6087
Rachel Krebs, research officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 617-496-1185
Emiko Saito, research officer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 617-496-2618
Betsy Draper, protocol coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 617-496-3137
Professor Alfonso Caramazza, committee chair
William James Hall 930

The Standing Committee on the Use of Human Subjects in Research, one of Harvard’s federally mandated Institutional Review Boards, is responsible for reviewing proposed studies. Applications must be submitted two weeks prior to committee meetings, which are held monthly throughout the academic year. Judging from the information provided on the application, the committee determines whether the proposed procedures will adequately safeguard the rights and welfare of the subjects. The committee also aims to insure appropriate recruiting practices, permis­sions, and student time commitments. Some projects may not require full committee review; others may be exempt from review altogether. Students planning research projects should contact a committee research officer to determine whether review is required. Forms, meeting schedules, and reference material are available on the Web.

VETERANS’ BENEFITS

Questions about eligibility for veterans’ benefits should be directed to the Department of Veteran Affairs at 888-442-4551. Students eligible for veterans’ benefits should apply online at the Department of Veterans Affairs website at vaben­efits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. After having received a letter of eligibility, students should bring it to the Student Receivables office at 953 Holyoke Center, 617-495-1992.