University Policies | Geology Dept. Policies and Degree Requirements
Geology Grad Student Handbook | Faculty | Courses | Dept. Home
Financial support comes in the following forms.
Some students from overseas or industry are supported by their home country or their company. Some students receive a tuition waiver since they are employed by the Illinois State Geological Survey while they pursue a degree. In general, the department does not admit students who have no support, and does not provide "tuition-waiver only" support.
Most students are on 50% appointments, which means that they should expect to work about 20 hours per week for their assistantship.
The Admissions Committee coordinates department financial support. All requests for TA support from the Department are contingent upon satisfactory TA and/or academic performance. The committee reviews the performance of all teaching assistants and fellowship recipients early in the spring semester each year. Criteria that are used include: Student evaluation scores (compiled from student evaluation forms filled out each semester under the instructor and course evaluation system, or ICES), written comments from course instructors, grade point averages, and progress toward a degree. RAs must be offered by individual faculty, or agencies. The individual granting an RA has full control of whether or not an RA will be continued.
Fellowship students must maintain a 3.5 (A/B) grade point average and complete make significant progress in their research to maintain their fellowships.
The following are norms for the amount of time a typical student will be supported by the department:
Support for an additional year may be obtained if justified. Requests to the Admissions Committee for further support must be accompanied by a letter of justification from the student and advisor. Typically the department will not provide support for more than one year beyond the norms given above.
The Graduate College is in the process of formulating a policy on this subject, so students should check the Handbook for Graduate Students and Advisors for the latest policy. Generally speaking, the professor to whom the teaching or research assistant reports determines the responsibilities of the student and is the main source of information and feedback to the student and to the department about the student. TA's assigned to classes where Ann Long is involved, especially Geology 100, should consider her their primary contact and supervisor. TA's can also obtain additional information from Barb Elmore about room assignments, exam schedules, etc. and of course by asking some of the more senior TA's.
Lab or Discussion-Section TA's
Limited funds are available from the university for graduate student support (e.g. travel grants to attend conferences) which can partially defray the costs of travel to professional meetings for those students who do not have other funding. See the chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee for details.
Graduate students are eligible for a number of prizes administered by the Department or University. These include:
University Policies | Geology Dept. Policies and Degree Requirements
Geology Grad Student Handbook | Faculty | Courses | Dept. Home