FOR STUDENTS IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (GSAS)

Associate Dean for GSAS Student Affairs: Garth McCavana has general responsibility for the welfare of graduate students and monitors students’ academic status, progress, and discipline. He is available to discuss any problems that may arise including sexual harassment complaints. Dean McCavana will refer students to additional sources of assistance if necessary. Offices: Holyoke Center 350, 617-495-1814; Dudley House, third floor, 617-496-3362; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Director of GSAS Student Services: Ellen Fox is the primary resource for all GSAS students about any academic or personal concerns including policies regarding sexual harassment. She serves in an advisory role and provides support and information about counseling and other services for GSAS students. In serving as an advocate for students and providing support, her role is similar to that of an ombudsperson. Ellen also supervises the resident advisors, one of whom resides on each floor of the GSAS residence halls. Office: Dudley House, Room B-2; 617-495-5005; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

IN COMMON

617-384-TALK (8255)
Sunday–Thursday, 8:00 p.m.–midnight, excluding Harvard holidays

In Common is the peer counseling hotline for Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. In Common offers support and acts as a referral service for students who are dealing with a wide range of issues such as loneliness and alienation, uncertainty about careers, academic or financial problems, or difficulties in relationships. No issue is too big or too small.

In Common is staffed by current Harvard graduate and professional school students. The line is open throughout the academic year. Calls are anonymous and confidential; caller ID is not used. Student volunteers are trained and supervised by professionals from Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) and the Bureau of Study Counsel. Volunteers are recruited each fall; e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 384-TALK for information.

 

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ACADEMIC COUNSELING

7 Linden Street, 2nd floor
617-496-2053
Paul J. Barreira, MD, director
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Academic Counseling (BHAC) at Harvard University Health Services unites the Office of Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Bureau of Study Counsel, Mental Health Service, and Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response in one department to better coordinate student-focused services. Below are descriptions of the services provided by each of these units.

 

OFFICE OF ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUG SERVICES

7 Linden Street, 2nd Floor
617-496-0133
Ryan Travia, MEd, director
Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and by appointment

The Office of Alcohol & Other Drug Services (AODS) is a multidimensional resource for students, faculty, staff, and members of the larger Harvard University community, offering a wide range of programs and services aimed at reducing the negative consequences associated with heavy, episodic drinking and substance abuse. AODS collaborates with students and staff throughout the University to create a comprehensive program focused on the health and safety of Harvard students. For more information, please visit huhs.harvard.edu.

 

BUREAU OF STUDY COUNSEL

Center for Academic and Personal Development
5 Linden Street, 617-495-2581
Abigail Lipson, PhD, director
M. Suzanne Renna, EdD, associate director
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Summer Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Bureau of Study Counsel offers academic, personal, and consultative services for graduate students to help them thrive in their work, education, and personal development at Harvard. Services include: academic and personal counseling; dissertation support groups and other groups/workshops on issues related to student life and learning; academic peer tutoring in specific courses; peer consultation for conversational and cultural skills related to English as a Second Language (ESL); the Harvard Course in Reading and Study Strategies; and professional consultation for teaching fellows and residents tutors/proctors on issues related to their work with undergraduates. See pp. 312 and visit our Website for more information.

 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Main Clinic

HUHS at Holyoke Center, 75 Mt. Auburn St., 4th Floor
617-495-2042
Richard Kadison, MD, chief of Mental Health Services
for hours of operation please visit huhs.harvard.edu

Satellite Clinics

Mental health services are also offered at satellite health clinics on the Harvard Law School, Business School, and Longwood Medical Area campuses. For locations and hours of operation please visit huhs.harvard.edu.

The Mental Health Service provides 24/7/365 coverage to students, offering
counseling for a wide variety of concerns, including:
• bereavement

• transitional issues and adjustment difficulties

• depression, anxiety, or stress

• concerns interfering with work or relationships

• sexual concerns

• high-risk behaviors around food, alcohol and/or other substances

Treatment options include individual psychotherapy, medication management, biofeedback, group and couples therapy. All visits are confidential and mental health records are held separately from the rest of the medical record, except for information on medications and hospitalizations. Appointments may be made weekdays during business hours by phone or in person, and are scheduled within 24 to 48 hours of initial contact. Cancellations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of a scheduled appointment, or the student will incur a charge. For more urgent concerns, same-day appointments are available during regular hours of operation, and mental health clinicians are on call evenings, weekends and holidays. Students needing to renew prescriptions are advised to call their provider at least 48 hours in advance to allow time to process the request. For further information, please contact the Mental Health Service or visit huhs.harvard.edu.

 

OFFICE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE

731 Holyoke Center; 24-hour response line: 617-495-9100
Sarah Rankin, director

The Office of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (OSAPR) provides confidential, 24-hour information, assistance, and support for those who have experienced sexual assault and related forms of interpersonal violence, including sexual harassment and relationship abuse. Services provided by HUHS and OSAPR include:
• Transportation to Harvard-affiliated hospitals and coordination of follow-up care
as appropriate

• Assistance with resource referrals

• Explanation of options for medical and mental health care, reporting, and adjudication

• Consultation and support for friends, partners, and other relations of sexual assault
survivors

• Educating the Harvard community about sexual assault, its prevention, and its impact

Students may access these services by calling or visiting the Office. All communications and services are completely confidential and no information about the victim will be reported to the police unless the victim requests it.

 

AIDS SUPPORT GROUP

This discussion group is not currently meeting. Students who are interested should call Barbara Gilmore, APRN, Mental Health Services, 617-495-2042.

 

SPECIAL SUPPORT: LIFE RAFT

Life Raft is a weekly bereavement support group for students, faculty, and staff facing life-threatening illness or death, or the death of a loved one; it is also available to their family members and friends. Life Raft offers free, confidential contact by phone or in drop-in meetings every Wednesday from noon to 2:00 p.m. in the ground-floor conference room of Memorial Church. The Life Raft group includes members of various ages from all areas of the community; discussions are ongoing and there is no obligation for continuous attendance. For more information, please call the Life Raft Coordinator, Barbara Gilmore, APRN, Mental Health Services, 617-495-2042.

 

HARVARD CHAPLAINS

Memorial Church, 617-495-5529

Harvard Chaplains is the umbrella organization of 38 chaplains representing 26 of the world’s religious (and one non-religious) traditions, united in their commitment to serving Harvard’s diverse student communities. Chaplains are available to meet and talk about spiritual concerns, and ethical and personal matters. Visit the Website for complete up-to-date information, news and events, and a full description of groups and worship services.

 

ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION OFFICE

Louise H. Russell, director
617-496-8707 (voice); 617-496-3720 (sign language services)

Services for qualified students who have physical, learning, mental, or health conditions and have registered with AEO may include readers; reformatted academic materials for students with learning disabilities, visual impairments, or for students requiring reformatting due to disease or medication side effects; sign language interpreters, real-time captioning, and note-takers for students who are deaf or hearing impaired; and typists/scribes for students with manual impairments. AEO also authorizes access to accessible transportation, housing, and to the Adaptive Technology Lab. For information about accessible residence hall housing, contact GSAS Housing Services at 617-495-5060; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

DEREK BOK CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING

Science Center 318, 617-495-4869
James Wilkinson, director

The Derek Bok Center coordinates a variety of activities to help those who teach at Harvard improve teaching skills. (See Chapter XI.)

 

OFFICE OF CAREER SERVICES (OCS)

54 Dunster Street, 617-495-2595
William Wright-Swadel, director
Robin Mount, associate director for PhD advising
Laura Malisheski, assistant director for PhD advising
Sharon Belden, assistant director for PhD advising

The Office of Career Services assists GSAS students and alumni in preparing for their professional future. Through individual counseling, workshops, guest speakers, work groups, and extensive library and alumni resources, OCS provides information about career opportunities and instruction in the process of self-assessment, career exploration, and the job search. Academic and nonacademic job search panels and workshops are held both at OCS and at Dudley House. Mock practice interviews are also available for students at the interview phase of the job search process. An online OCS Dossier Service, for keeping letters of recommendation from professors on file and sending them out on request, is available to all GSAS students and alumni applying for academic positions, postdoctoral positions or fellowships. To make an individual appointment with a counselor please call 617-495-2595.

Chapter XIV information was compiled from various sources, including the Bureau of Study Counsel and Mental Health Services.