CHAPTER 1

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The University
of WisconsinMadison
Chapter Editor: Caroline J. Langendorfer
Contributor: Jake Miller
The University of WisconsinMadison ,
C
ONGRATULATIONS! You are now an official graduate student at
UWMadison. Now what do you do? Many new grad students have only
been here for a relatively short time and could use some advice about life
as a UW student and about daily living in Madison. This chapter contains useful
information about the university and the Graduate School.
UWMadison History
In achievement and prestige, the University of
WisconsinMadison has long been recognized
as one of Americas great universities. A pub-
lic, land-grant institution, UWMadison
offers a complete spectrum of liberal arts
studies, professional programs, and student
activities. Many of its programs are hailed as
world leaders in instruction, research and
public service.
ORIGINS
The university traces its roots to a clause in
the Wisconsin Constitution, which decreed
that the state should have a prominent public
university. In 1848, Nelson Dewey,
Wisconsins first governor, signed the act that
formally created the university, and its first
class, with 17 students, met in a Madison
school building on February 5, 1849.
From those humble beginnings, the univer-
sity has grown into a large, diverse communi-
ty, with about 40,000 students enrolled each
year. These students represent every state in
the nation, as well as countries from around
the globe, making for a truly international
population.
MISSION
UWMadison is the oldest and largest cam-
pus in the University of Wisconsin System, a
statewide network of 13 comprehensive uni-
versities, 13 freshman-sophomore transfer col-
leges and an extension service. One of two
doctorate-granting universities in the system,
UWMadisons specific mission is to provide
a learning environment in which faculty, staff
and students can discover, examine critically,
preserve and transmit the knowledge, wisdom
and values that will help insure the survival of
this and future generations and improve the
quality of life for all.
The university achieves these ends through
innovative programs of research, teaching,
and public service. Throughout its history,
UWMadison has sought to bring the power
of learning into the daily lives of its students
through innovations such as residential learn-
ing communities and service-learning oppor-
tunities. Students also participate freely in
research, which has led to life-improving
inventionsfrom more fuel-efficient engines
to cutting-edge genetic therapies.
THE WISCONSIN IDEA
Students, faculty, and staff are motivated by a
tradition known as the Wisconsin Idea,
described by university President Charles Van
Hise in 1904 as the compelling need to carry
the beneficent influence of the university
to every home in the state. The Wisconsin
Idea permeates the universitys work and helps
forge close working relationships among uni-
versity faculty and students and the states
industries and government.
There is a vibrancy and atmosphere
of learning and living that washes over
the entire campus, and makes it a truly
special place to attend school.
Jake Miller,
La Follette School
of Public Affairs
The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison :c
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tion you need, and make the campus
and surrounding area easier for you
to navigate. You can reach them by
phone (608-2632400); by e-mail
(askbucky@uwmad.wisc.edu); by
stopping in one of two visitor centers
(the Campus Information Center
in the historic Red Gym at
716 Langdon Street, or the new
Welcome Center at 21 N. Park
Street); or by visiting the Web site
(http://www.vip.wisc.edu/).
VIP also coordinates
UWMadisons Campus Area
Housing Listing Service. You can visit
this useful Web site (http://
campusareahousing.wisc.edu/) to find
a comprehensive and up-to-date
online listing of private housing
Getting Started
THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
Visit the Graduate School Web site
(http://www.grad.wisc.edu) for all your infor-
mation about academic programs, graduate
school policies and procedures, deadlines,
professional development opportunities,
forms, publications, upcoming workshops
and events, funding opportunities, and more.
The Graduate School
217 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706
http://www.grad.wisc.edu
VISITOR & INFORMATION
PROGRAMS
The Visitor & Information Programs (VIP) is
your central source for information pertaining
to UWMadison and the surrounding com-
munity. Friendly and enthusiastic staff mem-
bers answer your questions, find the informa-
vacanciesincluding apartments,
houses, roommate situations, and
co-operative living arrangements.
Finally, learn more about UWMadisons
rich history and traditions by taking a
General Campus Walking Tour. Tours leave
from the Campus Information Center in the
Red Gym and are offered Monday through
Friday at 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at
noon. (Note: There are no tours on holidays
or football Saturdays.)
CONTACTING DEPARTMENTS
As a graduate student, your department will
be the center of your universe. Your depart-
ment office is usually the best place to find
information on anything relating to your aca-
demic career. Most departments offer orienta-
tion activities to help you acclimate to the
department and campus. To get the contact
information for your department, call
Campus Directory Information at
608-2621234, or visit http://www.wisc.
edu/grad/education/acadprogs.html, the
online list of all graduate programs and
contact information.
The University of WisconsinMadison ::
Beyond your department office, the
Graduate School (http://www.grad.wisc.edu)
is the hub of information for grad students on
campus. The Graduate Office of Admissions
and Academic Services
(http://grad.wisc.edu/admin/
academicservices/) acts as the Deans Office
for all graduate students. They help students,
staff, and faculty understand and follow
Graduate School policies for satisfactory
progress toward graduate degrees; manage the
official records for all graduate students; and
coordinate fellowships programs. If you have
a question that your department cannot
answer, go to the Graduate School. For exam-
ple, this is also where you turn in your disser-
tation when you are finishing your doctorate.
While you are there, visit the Graduate
Student Collaborative in 408 Bascom Hall.
Call, e-mail, or stop by regarding any ques-
tions you might have!
ACTIVATING YOUR
MY UWMADISON NETID
One of the first things you should do even
before you arrive on campus is activate your
free My UWMadison NetID and e-mail
account. The university uses your campus
e-mail account to notify you of important
information. Additionally, you must register
for classes online via the My UWMadison
portal, which requires log-in using your
NetID.
To activate your NetID, go to
http://my.wisc.edu, choose the Activate your
NetID link, and follow the instructions. You
will then receive your NetID and campus
e-mail address. For more information on acti-
vating your My UWMadison NetID and
UWMadison e-mail account, visit http://
www.doit.wisc.edu/students/activate.asp.
More information about My UWMadison
features can be found under the Computing
at UWMadison section.
WISCARD PHOTO ID
Your Wiscard photo identification (ID) will
be your official form of identification on cam-
pus. It will give you access to libraries, recre-
ation facilities, and other campus services,
including a student discount on food pur-
chases at several campus eateries. You should
obtain your photo ID after you have enrolled
for classes. The Photo ID Office is located in
B109 Union South (in the lower level). For
more information, call 608-2623258 or visit
their Web site at http://www.union.wisc.edu/
photoid/.
Students must present a form of identifica-
tion (valid drivers license, passport, or state
ID) to receive their initial card at no cost.
Lost, stolen, or misplaced cards will be
replaced at a cost of $15.
ENROLLING FOR CLASSES
Enroll for classes by using My UWMadison
(http://my.wisc.edu). Click on the Student
Center link for course enrollment.
To enroll for classes you need a NetID and
password. New or returning students must
activate their NetID before signing on to My
UWMadison. If you are unsure of your
NetID and password, call the Department of
Information Technology (DoIT) Help Desk
at 6082644357. Some departments or pro-
grams may require that you meet with your
advisor before you enroll. Check with the
graduate coordinator in your department. The
UW Timetable, which lists all course offer-
ings, also includes directions and information
on enrolling. The Timetable is only available
online at http://registrar.wisc.edu/timetable/.
You can also call Enrollment Services at
6082655000.
How Do I Know What Courses to Take?
Once again, the first place to start is in your
department.
Your advisor should have some suggestions.
Talk to continuing students in your program.
The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison ::
The earlier you find the people in your
department with similar interests, the sooner
you can learn from their experiences. Most
grad students are willing to share their opin-
ions on courses they have taken. Be sure to
ask specific questions relating to what you
hope to get out of the class, since everyone
has different expectations and interests.
Keep in mind that some programs have a
very rigid program of study, while others are
more flexible. Make sure that you understand
the requirements of your program before you
enroll.
STUDENT ACCOUNTS
Office of the Registrar
The Office of the Registrar is available to pro-
vide you with your official transcript, enroll-
ment verifications, diplomas, grade reporting,
course enrollment deadlines, information
regarding the release and withholding of pri-
vate information under the Federal Education
rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and more.
Visit the Office of the Registrars Web site at
http://registrar.wisc.edu/ for more informa-
tion on services, or visit the office in person at
21 N. Park Street, Suite 7223.
Your Addresses
Keep your addresses current through the
Student Record tab in My UWMadison
(http://my. wisc.edu). Most university mail
will either be sent to your UW e-mail address
or to a U.S. post mailing address. If you
already have an e-mail provider like Yahoo or
Hotmail, you may forward that e-mail to
your UW e-mail address. You may specify dif-
ferent U.S. post mailing addresses of MAIL-
ING, HOME, and BILLING. Student
account invoices will be sent to your
BILLING address. Refunds and other com-
munication will be sent to your MAILING
address.
To withhold your address information from
public release, complete a withhold form at
the registrars office. To authorize the release
of information to others, complete an aca-
demic information release form at the regis-
trars office, 21 N. Park Street, Suite 7223
(6082623811).
Student Account Invoices
All enrolled students are sent student account
invoices via first-class U.S. mail. The invoices
include instructions for payment. Student
account invoices are sent in late August for
fall term, early January for spring term, and
late May for summer term. Students who ini-
tially enroll after the first mailing can expect
to receive an invoice shortly after they enroll.
More information about tuition, funding,
and employment is provided in Chapter 5.
FREE ASM BUS PASS
As a student at the UWMadison, you are
entitled to an ASM Student Bus Pass. ASM
(Associated Students of Madison) is the uni-
versitys student government organization.
The bus pass allows you unlimited rides on
the city bus system, Madison Metro. Your bus
pass is good seven days a week, whenever the
buses are running. It allows you to get around
Madison, to grocery stores, shopping malls,
various businesses, and restaurants throughout
the city. Bus passes can be picked up at
Memorial Union and Union South starting
just before classes begin in the fall and spring.
Check the ASM Web site at http://www.asm.
wisc.edu/cms/content/view/87/158/ for more
specific information about bus pass distribu-
tion. Madison Metro route and schedule
information is available by calling the
Metro Info Line at 6082664466, or at
http://www.cityofmadison.com/metro/.
COMPUTING AT UWMADISON
The Division of Information Technology
(DoIT) Tech Store is located at 1210 W.
Dayton Street, next to Union South. Hours
The University of WisconsinMadison :,
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are 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Students may also browse the online
catalog and make purchases online at
http://techstore.doit.wisc.edu/. For campus
computing information, see
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/students or contact
the Tech Store Showroom at 6082657469
or showroom@doit.wisc.edu.
My UWMadison
MyUW is a popular and helpful homepage
on many graduate students computers. It
caters to your interests and needs as a student.
My UWMadison content includes:
WiscMail, WisCal, announcements,
UWMadison headlines, weather, the campus
phone book, tech help, academic information,
campus online library catalogs, information
on campus life, financial statements, and your
student record. It is also the online access
point for enrolling in classes and updating
your account information. For the latest
information about My UWMadison
and related computing resources, see
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/students.
My WebSpace
My WebSpace provides 200 megabytes of disk
space for each student to store files and post
personal Web pages. Use this space to publish
a personal home page; store important files
such as homework, notes, papers, theses, dis-
sertations, and graphic images; or do team
projects online. You can retrieve and store
files at any time from any computer with
Internet access. For details go to
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/mywebspace/
or visit http://mywebspace.wisc.edu to start
using your free account.
Appropriate Use and Safe Computing
Devices connected to the University of
WisconsinMadison network by any means
must run up-to-date antivirus software, when
available, and keep all operating system soft-
ware, device firmware, application software
and other software current with the latest
security-related patches from the vendor.
DoIT provides a bundled suite of security
software, called the Security Starter Software,
free to UWMadison students. See
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/students for infor-
The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison :
Appropriate Use and Safe Computing
Access to electronic mail, the Internet,
databases, computers and other infor-
mation technology (IT) resources is
essential to the mission of the
UWMadison (to create, integrate, trans-
fer and apply knowledge), and the
achievement of excellence requires their
effective use by all members of the
University community. Use of informa-
tion technology must be consistent with
the Universitys mission and with its role
as a public agency. Each member of the
University community is expected to pro-
tect the integrity of these resources and
to know and adhere to University rules,
regulations and guidelines for their
appropriate use. Regulations that gov-
ern personal conduct and use of
University facilities also apply to the use
of IT resources.
Department of Information
Technology (DoIT)
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/security/
policies/appropriate_use.asp
mation on how to get a copy. In cases where
it is not possible to update software or
firmware, the device must be protected by
other means, such as a dedicated firewall or
limited network access.
To ensure the security of campus comput-
ing resources, all faculty, staff, and students
must follow these rules:
All users must protect their account IDs
and passwords, may not let others use their
account, and are prohibited from using
accounts or passwords that have not been
assigned to them.
Incidental personal use is acceptable, but
use of university IT resources for commer-
cial, political or extensive personal matters
is prohibited.
Distribution of copyrighted music or video
is illegal. For more information on copy-
right and your responsibilities, see http://
www.doit.wisc.edu/security/copyrights.asp.
Violation of these rules can result in sus-
pension from network access and other
appropriate penalties. For more information
from the Office of Campus Information
Security, see the Web site at
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/security/policies/.
INTERNET CONNECTION OPTIONS
With your activated NetID, you can do all the
things mentioned above using the Internet
connection of your choice. When on campus
without a computer, you can use any of the 14
campus computer labs. You can also stop at a
computer kiosk or check out a wireless laptop
from several of the labs. See the section on
Computer Labs, Laptops, & Kiosks.
From your personal computer you have
several connection options that will meet your
preferences, capabilities, and price range. You
can use a 56K modem, Ethernet (ResNet if
you live in Eagle Heights or University
Houses), the wireless network (connect with-
out cables in most campus buildings), or a
commercial service like DSL (digital sub-
scriber line) or cable modem. For a brief com-
parison of each of these options, see Getting
Connected at http://www.doit.wisc.edu/
students/.
To connect to the wireless network on cam-
pus, you will need to authenticate your
UWMadison status by typing in your
NetID. If you have questions about Internet
connection options, contact the DoIT Tech
Store Showroom at 6082657469 or
showroom@doit.wisc.edu.
Madison also has a citywide wireless
service throughout the downtown area that is
The University of WisconsinMadison :,
available for a small fee (student rates are
available). It covers a ten-mile area of the
Isthmus, near east and west sides, the airport,
and the Alliant Energy Center, and plans
are in place to expand this coverage.
More information can be found at
http://www.madcitybroadband.com.
COMPUTERS, SOFTWARE, & REPAIR
Before purchasing any hardware or software,
check out the variety of services and resources
available to you. Go to http://www.doit.wisc.
edu/students/buying.asp or contact the Tech
Store Showroom at 6082657469 or e-mail
showroom@doit.wisc.edu with any questions.
The showroom provides free expert advice
and product information to help you make
wise computing decisions. They also provide a
demonstration facility where you can try out
a variety of computing products.
You can buy the most popular software
packages at greatly reduced prices through the
Tech Store. If you need to upgrade your com-
puter, DoIT also sells memory, cables, Ethernet
cards, hubs and routers, modems, hard drives,
flash drives, video cards, motherboards, and
many other parts at competitive prices.
For more information, go to http://www.
doit.wisc.edu/students/ and click on Buying
Advice and Info or contact the DoIT Tech
Store Showroom at 6082657469 or
showroom@doit.wisc.edu.
Several service plans and warranties provide
a convenient, efficient, and economical way
to keep computer systems in good operation
with a minimum of down time. For details,
see Equipment Service and Warranties on
http://www.doit.wisc.edu/students/.
COMPUTER LABS, LAPTOPS,
AND KIOSKS
Youre never far from a computer on campus.
More than 1,000 computers are available in
the 14 campus computer labs, called
InfoLabs, conveniently located across campus.
Even if you have your own computer, you can
use the printers, scanners, CD burning and
digital editing resources available in the
InfoLabs; see http://www.doit.wisc.edu/
computerlabs/. Wireless laptop computers
are available for short-term student checkout
at many of the labs; see http://www.doit.
wisc.edu/laptops/. Over 50 campus computer
kiosks also provide Internet access in 18
campus locations; see http://www.doit.
wisc.edu/kiosks/.
For more information, including schedules
and locations, see the URLs listed above.
DOIT HELP DESK
Help Desk phones are staffed 24 hours a day,
seven days a week at 6082644357 (HELP).
The Help Desk can assist you in diagnosing
computing problems ranging from e-mail to
software or hardware. You can go to the walk-
in Help Desk at 1210 Dayton Street, Monday
through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. You
can also use the Help Desks online knowl-
edgebase to find answers to most common
computing questions or to send a request
for more assistance to the Help Desk. To
access DoITs knowledgebase, go to
http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/. Send e-mail
requests for help to help@doit.wisc.edu.
FREE COMPUTER TRAINING
Take advantage of free computer training
opportunities. Classes vary from basic desktop
applications to advanced Web design. DoIT
also offers online training courses. You can
pick up a training schedule at the InfoLabs,
campus libraries, and the DoIT Tech Store.
Schedules and other program details are also
available on the Software Training for
Students Web site at http://www.doit.wisc.
edu/training/student/.
The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison :o
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Studying at UWMadison
The university and the city of Madison offer a
variety of environments for studying and
research. Below, we have listed the
UWMadison and city libraries. If you prefer
a more relaxed setting for studying, you can
refer to a list of many of Madisons coffee
shops and cafes in Chapter 9.
Many departments have lounges for their
grad students. These can be great areas for
group meetings or for interacting with other
students in your program. If you are looking
for a quick place to study between classes or
meetings, an empty classroom always works.
Both Memorial Union and Union South have
study lounges as well.
CAMPUS LIBRARIES
UWMadisons electronic library
provides easy access to information
in one of the nations largest library
systems. Users may locate a book or
journal and determine if it is checked
out from more than 40 campus
locationsall in a matter of seconds.
The libraries Web site
(http://www.library.wisc.edu/)
provides a gateway to catalogs and
archives worldwide. In addition,
students can ask e-mail or chat refer-
ence questions through campus library
links.
Despite technological resources,
books and journals remain the bedrock
of the libraries on campus. The collec-
tions of the UWMadison libraries
include more than 7 million volumes
representing human inquiry through all
of history. In addition, the libraries
house more than 6 million microfilm
items and more than 7 million items in
other formats, including government
documents, maps, musical scores,
and more.
The UWMadison libraries also emphasize
service. The library staff takes an active inter-
est in teaching people how to use information
resources. Nearly 27,000 students, staff, and
faculty attend library seminars and instruction
programs annually. The programs include
tours and hands-on classes about how to use
the computer catalog and how to find special-
ized information. In addition, subject librari-
ans serve as liaisons to departments in order
to provide specialized assistance with subject-
specific research needs. To find your depart-
ments subject librarian, visit
http://www.library.wisc.edu/directory/
directory/liaisons.
Many smaller, specialized libraries and
reading rooms serve the campus community.
The University of WisconsinMadison :;
For more information, contact the Memorial
Library Information Desk at 6082623193,
or see http://www.library.wisc.edu/.
Memorial Library
728 State Street, 6082623193
http://memorial.library.wisc.edu/
Memorial Library houses the largest single
library collection in the state of Wisconsin
with more than 3.25 million volumes. During
the past year alone, patrons worldwide have
made more than one million visits to the
library. It serves as the principal research facil-
ity on campus for the humanities and social
sciences. Memorial Library also houses an
extensive periodical collection, a large selec-
tion of domestic and foreign newspapers, the
university archives, late-night study halls, a
112-station campus computer lab, an outpost
of the Writing Center, and a copy center.
After their first year of studies, grad students
can apply to use a free study carrel (common-
ly known as cages) in Memorial Library.
For more information about locker and carrel
rentals, visit: http://memorial.library.wisc.
edu/lockers.htm. Picture identification is
required to enter Memorial Library.
College Library
Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park Street, 6082623245
http://college.library.wisc.edu/
Specialized collections
include a college catalog col-
lection, womens and minority
materials, art slides, music and
literature tapes, and recreation-
al reading paperbacks. The
library also houses a GUTS
tutoring lounge. Primarily
used by undergraduate stu-
dents but popular with all stu-
dents for late-night studying
since it is open 24 hours a day
during the week.
ARTS & HUMANITIES LIBRARIES
Memorial Library
The primary resource library in the
humanities, see above.
Kohler Art Library
160 Chazen Museum of Art
800 University Avenue, 6082632258
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Art/
Art, architecture, design, decorative arts,
graphic arts, and photography.
Mills Music Library
B162 Memorial Library
728 State Street
6082631884
http://music.library.wisc.edu/
Music books and journals, scores,
recordings, and videocassettes.
LIFE SCIENCES LIBRARIES
Biology Library
B164 Birge Hall
430 Lincoln Drive, 6082622740
http://www.library.wisc.edu/libraries/Biology/
Biology, botany, ecology, natural history,
and zoology.
Ebling Library (Health Sciences)
Health Sciences Learning Center
750 Highland Avenue, 6082622020
http://ebling.library.wisc.edu/
Basic and clinical biomedical sciences,
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The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison :
neurosciences, biotechnology, history of the
health sciences, nursing, pharmacy, pharma-
cology, toxicology, allied health and health
administration.
Jacobsen Library
(Wisconsin Primate Research Center)
1220 Capitol Court, Rm. 210,
6082633512
http://library.primate.wisc.edu/
Primatology, reproductive physiology,
behavior, animal welfare, neuroscience, and
stem cell research.
Steenbock Memorial Library
550 Babcock Drive, 6082629635
http://steenbock.library.wisc.edu/
This library collects materials in agricul-
ture, life sciences, veterinary medicine, family
studies, and human ecology. It also offers
instructional programs, reserve reading, and
photocopy services. Facilities include group
study rooms, an audiovisual center, and a
66-station campus computer lab.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES LIBRARIES
Astronomy Library (Woodman)
6521 Sterling Hall
475 N. Charter Street, 6082621320
http://astronomy.library.wisc.edu/
Astronomy and astrophysics.
Chemistry Library
2361 Chemistry Building
1101 University Avenue, 6082622942
http://chemistry.library.wisc.edu/
Analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry,
organic chemistry, materials chemistry, physi-
cal chemistry, and theoretical chemistry.
Geology and Geophysics Library
440 Weeks Hall
1215 W. Dayton Street, 6082628956
http://www.geology.wisc.edu/library/
Math Library (Kleene)
B224 Van Vleck Hall
480 Lincoln Drive, 6082623596
http://math.library.wisc.edu/
Pure and applied mathematics, as well as
some statistics and computer science
information.
Physics Library
4220 Chamberlin Hall
1150 University Avenue, 6082629500
http://physics.library.wisc.edu/
Wendt Library
215 N. Randall Avenue, 6082623493
http://wendt.library.wisc.edu/
This is the primary library for engineering,
meteorology, and computer science.
Collections also include statistics, atmospheric
and oceanic sciences, and U.S. Patent Office
and Technical Reports Center data.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The Madison Public Library is an additional
library resource available to UWMadison
students. Contact the Madison Public Central
Library or see the Web site
(http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org) for the
branch location nearest you. The Madison
Public Library is a member of the South
Central Library System, which serves south
central Wisconsin and whose members
include various libraries in Adams, Columbia,
Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk, and Wood
Counties.
Madison Public Central Library
201 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI 53703
6082666300
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org
The University of WisconsinMadison :,
Planning Ahead
Once you get settled into life as a graduate
student, its a good idea to start planning
ahead. Believe it or not, you wont be a stu-
dent forever! Take advantage of the many
opportunities offered on campus to better
prepare you for the future.
GRADUATE STUDENT PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Professional development is an ongoing, con-
tinual process. In addition to opportunities
provided by your department and discipline-
specific professional organizations, the
Graduate Student Collaborative and the
Office of Outreach and Graduate Student
Professional Development (OGSPD), which
oversees the GSC, provide many options for
advancing your professional development.
The OGSPD puts on programs, collects
resources, and distributes information to
graduate students. The office is committed to
graduate student professional development,
including the enhancement of GSC, in order
to add to and promote the opportunities
available to graduate students on campus.
The OGSPD provides professional devel-
opment opportunities intended to broaden
the educational experiences of graduate stu-
dents. The office also serves as a resource for
faculty and campus personnel who work with
grad students.
For more information on professional
development and other helpful resources for
graduate students, visit the OGSPD online
resource page at http://grad.wisc.edu/admin/
outreach/gspd/resources.html.
THE WRITING CENTER
6171 Helen C. White Hall
6082631992
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/
writing@wisc.edu
The Writing Center provides assistance to
hundreds of graduate and professional stu-
dents every semester, as well as undergrads.
Masters and doctoral candidates working on
theses and dissertations can sign up for a per-
manent appointment for individual instruc-
tion or take classes to help with the thesis/dis-
sertation process. Teaching assistants can also
get assistance with integrating writing into the
classes they teach.
Writing Center Classes
The Writing Center offers free noncredit
classes throughout the semester. Some classes
meet just a single time; others meet once a
week for a few weeks. Each class will give you
the chance to pick up valuable writing skills
in a supportive, small-group environment.
These short-term classes are not, however,
substitutes for regular semester-long writing
courses. They do not provide the sustained
practice with writing and the critical response
that good writing courses do. Rather, they
briefly review general principles about writing
and give students opportunities to read and
discuss models of particular types of academic
writing.
If you cannot find a class to fit your needs,
let the staff know. If you arent sure which
class is right for you, or if you have questions
about a specific class, send an e-mail, call, or
stop by the center.
Writing Center courses designed for grad
students include: A Dissertators Primer,
Writing Critiques of Research Articles and
Reviews of Literature, Writing Graduate
Research Proposals, Developing and
Delivering Conference Papers, and many
more. For an up-to-date schedule of the
current semesters courses, visit:
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Classes/index.
html
PROGRAM IN WRITING ACROSS
THE CURRICULUM
The Letters and Science Writing-Across-the-
Curriculum (WAC) program helps faculty,
instructional staff, students, and teaching
assistants in all disciplines to develop writing
The Guide to Graduate Student Life at UWMadison :c
assignments that help students learn the sub-
ject matter of a course. To that end, the WAC
program staff sponsors cross-disciplinary
workshops on designing effective assignments
and responding efficiently to student writing,
develops workshops for departments, and
consults individually with instructors about
the writing component of their courses.
Over 300 faculty and teaching assistants
have attended WAC-sponsored workshops.
The WAC program also helps departments
and individual instructors design courses that
are designated as Communications-B or
Writing-Intensive, and the WAC program
leads the training sessions required for new
teaching assistants in Communications-B
courses.
In addition to workshops and consulting,
the WAC program maintains a library of
sample assignments and articles about writing
assignments in different disciplines. The
WAC staff also publishes a sourcebook of
teaching materials and a newsletter; both the
sourcebook and the newsletter are available to
all interested instructors. For more informa-
tion, check out their Web site at http://
mendota.english.wisc.edu/~WAC/.
RESOURCES FOR DISSERTATORS
The publishing industry has discovered a
strong market for books aimed at helping
Ph.D. candidates overcome writers block.
The rate of publication is so rapid that choos-
ing from among the advice books has become
the subject of much online debate. A request
for recommendations set off a lively, lengthy
discussion on the e-mail list of the Modern
Language Associations Graduate Student
Caucus. Several students recommended
Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and
Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article by Howard
Becker; or David Sternbergs book, How to
Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation.
Texts such as Writing Your Dissertation in
Fifteen Minutes a Day by Joan Bolker focus on
creating a writing regimen and appeal to stu-
dents who are looking for structure. Another
helpful publication for all graduate students is
Robert Peters Getting What You Came For:
The Smart Students Guide to Earning a
Masters or Ph.D. Its packed with practical
advice ranging from choosing a school to
finding a job. Chapters on the dissertation
deal with the committee, topic, proposal,
writing, and defense.
Graduate Schools Thesis
and Dissertation Guides
http://www.grad.wisc.edu/admin/pubs.html
Dissertation Databases
http://www.library.wisc.edu/databases/
dissinfo.htm
Browse through entire dissertations
and dissertation abstracts completed at
UWMadison and other institutions.
Association for Support
of Graduate Students
http://www.asgs.org/
Includes archives of Thesis News, a bulletin
for students writing masters theses or doctoral
dissertations.
The University of WisconsinMadison ::