NOTE: Please refer to the updated set of Graduate School FAQs, as this page is no longer current.
The Graduate School staff is available to help you through the completion of the semester. Contact us at gradinfo@colorado.edu with your questions and concerns that are not already addressed on this page or on CU Boulder’s coronavirus updates and resources page.
This information page is being updated and refreshed as the situation on campus continues to evolve.
Research
Suspension of all non-essential research activities on campus; additional guidance
Click here for research frequently asked questions and updates by topic.
Graduate research: Faculty advisors are the best resource for graduate and undergraduate researchers who have questions or may need to adjust research-related protocols or operations. The Graduate School and the Research and Innovation Office (RIO) are working on additional guidance regarding any academic and financial impacts related to the research restrictions now in place.
Academic and Graduation Processes
Per campus guidance related to remote instruction, comprehensive, final examination, and thesis defense meetings must be held remotely. The Graduate School recommends Zoom or an equivalent platform be utilized. Use these OIT links as a resource:
The Graduate School is accepting May graduation paperwork via email. Please work closely with your graduate program assistant and faculty advisor to submit forms appropriately.
- Examination forms, late candidacy applications, or other forms: Graduate programs should send to graduate.school@colorado.edu from a colorado.edu account.
- Thesis/dissertation signature pages: Students or graduate programs should send to gradinfo@colorado.edu from a colorado.edu account. Students can use a fillable form available on our website, or can create a signature page via word.
Forms listed above may be signed in the following ways:
- Adobe pdf signatures (exam forms on our website are already created with signature tags)
- Docusign signatures (please route and then mail final pdf to the Graduate School)
- Scanned (if signatures had previously been obtained)
- If absolutely necessary, the graduate program assistant may collect e-mail correspondence from committee members to certify that they have voted satisfactory on the exam. Each e-mail must come from the faculty member’s colorado.edu e-mail address (external members excepted) and one document with all e-mails of approval should be sent together as a pdf.
Professional Development and Writing Support
For graduate students looking for structure and community, join us for online seminars. Be sure to self-register on Canvas. All programming will continue during Spring Break. Contact Sarah Tynen with any questions.
- Graduate student write-ins will be held online via the Academic Writing and Publishing page of Scribophile every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 12 pm. Students can post writing progress updates, questions, or other comments on the Group Discussion Forum page. Sarah Tynen will post and update discussion forums for this purpose each week.
- Writing consultants will continue to hold weekly one-on-one appointments via Zoom during the write-in on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. The consultants still have many spots available for the rest of the semester. Sign up for a writing consultant appointment following the links here.
- Professional development workshops will be conducted on-line; check the professional development calendar for updates and details.
- Grad+ and Endurance PhD seminars will be moved to an on-line format using Canvas as of March 16.
- Click on the appropriate link below according to your chosen seminar to activate/enroll in your Canvas page. Zoom meeting links have been posted in the Canvas announcements for each seminar.
- Build Your Base (first year)
- Fuel (second year)
- Climb (third year)
- Belt Buckle (last year)
- Click on the appropriate link below according to your chosen seminar to activate/enroll in your Canvas page. Zoom meeting links have been posted in the Canvas announcements for each seminar.
- Access a library of online resources from job searching to writing.
- Meet with Sarah Tynen virtually for help with writing and time management. She can read papers and go over a plan for working from home.
- Contact Sarah Tynen with any questions or concerns.
- All graduate Writing Center sessions will be conducted online. Appointment times and weekly hours will remain the same. Contact Eric Klinger, with specific questions.
Graduate Student Career Services (online)
Individual advising sessions are available via Zoom, phone or email. Please schedule through Handshake, and wait for your career services advisor to then reach out to arrange details for connecting remotely.
Travel
- Be sure to follow the university’s guidance related to CU sponsored and personal travel and study abroad.
- Applications for the Graduate School travel grants have been postponed until further notice.
International Students
For information regarding international students related to online classes, registration, or travel, visit International Student and Scholar Services or contact an ISSS advisor with specific questions. Information on COVID-19 related updates may be found in ISSS News.
Housing and Food
Information for those living in graduate student housing may be found on the housing site: https://www.colorado.edu/coronavirus/on-campus-living
Information that was created for food assistance: https://www.colorado.edu/volunteer/food-assistance/campus-resources
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Comprehensive list of support resources for students, faculty and staff.
- Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) will continue to provide ongoing support and services for students, with a few operation changes to ensure the health and well-being of our campus community. CAPS will transition services to be over the phone and online. Please call 303-492-2277 and follow the instructions on the voicemail. They will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- CAPS will continue to provide individual therapy and psychiatric follow-up appointments online based on provider availability. At this time all groups and workshops are cancelled.
- Please continue to check the website for updates as the situation evolves, or contact the CAPS office at 303-492-2277.
Emergency Funding
- The Student Crisis Support Fund was created to provide support for CU Boulder students who are experiencing a crisis that could adversely affect their academic year.
- Graduate Student Emergency Aid Fund - Intended to help meet the financial needs of Boulder graduate students who encounter an emergency situation resulting in unforeseen expenses during their degree program. Please submit any questions or applications to graduate.contest@colorado.edu.
- Medical Expense Assistance Fund - The Student Health Board’s Medical Expense Assistance Fund (MEAF) is designed to financially assist students who are unable to pay incurred medical bills or prescription costs.
- ISSS Emergency Financial Grant.- For International students, grants vary according to available funds and demonstrated need.
- The CU Boulder Student Relief Fund Emergency Grant is designed to assist enrolled students with a financial emergency in the current term that is impacting their ability to stay on track towards graduation.
Other Information
A list of health and support resources are available for members of the CU Boulder community experiencing personal impacts due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
New Student and Family Programs has set up a call center devoted to helping students, families, staff, faculty with questions that relate to COVID-19 and the impacts of the COVID-19-related changes/decisions: 303.735.1616.