Advisors
The Director of Graduate Studies advises students in their first year. From the beginning of the second year, students move to an advisor of their choice, who will help them with the selection of a major field. Once this choice is made, not later than the spring of the third year, students move to the specialist advisor who will direct the major field exam and dissertation (and head a committee, generally of three faculty).
Students have as much access to their advisors as they need. This will vary, according to the rhythms of work and personal circumstances. The Department's aim is that there should be good, strong working relationships between all advisors and advisees at every stage. These, like any other relationships, need work and commitment from those involved. Any problems should be referred to the Director of Graduate Studies, on a confidential basis. We recommend that important agreements, such as the timing and scope of the major field exam, should be put in writing - email is a useful medium here - to ensure clarity of communication. Students are entitled to frequent contact with their advisors, to a reasonable quick return of written work, and to all due support.
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