Coronavirus Information | Graduate School FAQ
As we maneuver through an unprecedented set of challenges as a result of COVID-19,
the Graduate School is working hard to anticipate the foreseeable issues specific
to graduate students and graduate school functions. As we receive information, we
will continue to update these FAQs below.
For the latest on returning to campus and the workplace, please visit
Stony Brook’s
Coming Back Safe and Strong website.
General Operations
Records & Admissions
Thesis/Dissertation, Defense & Graduation
Financial Concerns
Research and Research Grants
Teaching
International Graduate Students
Professional Development
Graduate Student Housing
Health and Safety
General Operations
Will the Graduate School be open?
Yes, our office is open. However, out of concern for our staff and student employees
we will limit the foot traffic to the office and our front office door will be closed
most of the time. We are asking that you please email us with any questions that you
have and the appropriate staff member will respond to your request. The email addresses
are posted in next FAQ below.
How can I get in touch with the Graduate School?
The best way to reach the Graduate School staff during this time is via email. Addresses
for each of our units are included below:
I need to drop off a form for approval and processing. How can I do that?
We are only accepting forms electronically. Please email the forms to
gradrecords@stonybrook.edu. We are requesting that official transcripts be sent electronically when possible.
For items that the Graduate School requested to be dropped off at our office, please
place them in the lock box outside of our front office suite door. Please note that
time sensitive items should not be placed there without first being granted permission
as the documents placed in this box will only be retrieved intermittently.
For general information about COVID19-related health questions or HR questions
Call the campus’ general telephone information line at 631-632-5000.
Additional information can be found on Stony Brook’s
Coming Back Safe and Strong website
.
Records & Admissions
I need to drop off a form for approval and processing. How can I do that?
We are only accepting forms electronically. Please email the forms to
gradrecords@stonybrook.edu. We are requesting that official transcripts be sent electronically when possible.
For items that the Graduate School requested to be dropped off at our office, please
place them in the lock box outside of our front office suite door. Please note that
time sensitive items should not be placed there without first being granted permission
as the documents placed in this box will only be retrieved intermittently.
I cannot get a copy of my official transcript. What are my options?
For Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 admissions, unofficial transcripts and degree verifications/diplomas
will be accepted for those students who are unable to obtain a copy of their official
transcript or degree verification. A one semester hold will be placed on your record
that will prevent you from enrolling after the Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 term until
you provide us with an official copy.
What English language proficiency tests are you currently accepting for 2020 and 2021
admissions?
We are currently accepting TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo. More information on English
language proficiency and scoring requirements can be found in the
Graduate Bulletin.
I am unable to take the GRE exam and/or GMAT, etc which is required for my program.
What do I do?
Please confirm that the GRE is required for your program. If it is, please contact
the program you have been accepted to and request a waiver. Your program will then
notify the Graduate School.
Can I withdraw myself from all my courses via SOLAR?
For registration dates and deadlines, please refer to the
Academic Calendar.
Will the Graduate School be running the academic probation/dismissal report for the
fall 2020 semester?
Yes, the Graduate School will be running Academic Standing for fall 2020.
Thesis/
Dissertation, Defense & Graduation
How will the Graduate School accommodate students that are defending their thesis/dissertation
during the remainder of the fall 2020?
All thesis/dissertation defenses for the fall 2020 semester can be held through video
conferencing. Each committee member, and the student, is approved to video conference
for the defense. You do not need to fill out revision forms for any committees that
have already been submitted. We will be working from the assumption that all defenses
will be conducted through video conferencing for the spring and summer semesters.
Electronic signatures will be accepted on all signature pages.
I would like to have the format on my thesis/dissertation reviewed. How can I do that
for the rest of the semester?
Our priority is to protect the health of our students, staff, faculty and community.
To assist us in helping to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus we are asking students
who want their thesis/dissertation to be checked for formatting issues prior to submitting
to ProQuest to send their thesis/dissertation to
gradgraduation@stonybrook.edu as a pdf.
Financial Concerns
Will I get reimbursed for travel when events/conferences have been cancelled due to
COVID-19?
Reimbursement guidelines for COVID-19 impacted travel are on the
travel website. The university is reimbursing expenses for graduate student travelers when their
conferences/events are canceled due to the coronavirus.
I am experiencing an acute financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 that is impacting
my academic progress. Where can I go for emergency financial assistance?
The Student Emergency Support Fund* is meant to provide direct and/or indirect resources
to matriculated Stony Brook undergraduate and graduate students who are experiencing
an acute crisis that has or could adversely impact their ability to make continued
progress toward attaining their degree. Examples where resources may be required to
support a student in crisis include:
-
Housing Insecurity (homelessness or imminent risk of homelessness)
-
Food Insecurity (lack of resources to sustain daily dietary and nutritional needs)
-
Unexpected financial distress of a short term nature, adversely impacting the student’s
ability to continue as a student at Stony Brook
-
Unmet need required to acquire educational materials and resources necessary to be
successful in the academic environment
*
Please be advised, as of 6/23/2020, the Student Emergency Support Fund
application
is temporarily unavailable. While new applicants will not be accepted at this time,
the
Student Support Team
continues to be an available resource. If you would like to speak to a member of
the Student Support Team, please contact student_supportteam@stonybrook.edu or call
631-632-7320
Are graduate students with guaranteed TA/GA/RA positions for 2020-21 assured of employment
as per their offers?
Yes. Graduate students who are funded for the coming 20-21 academic year can plan
to be funded as per their offer. For those who are unable to travel to campus, faculty
advisors would have to understand in what capacity the student could do their TA/GA/RA
position, and work with them to either defer their appointment until they can be on-site
or work remotely.
For supported international PhD students who cannot enter or return to the US, the
Graduate School is prepared to provide a graduate tuition scholarship exception. Should
students continue to study at Stony Brook without being able to work, the Graduate
School will continue to honor their tuition scholarship offers. This would mean that
first-year doctoral students could begin their course of study, if the program can
make it available online, until the student would be able to be on campus. Per policy,
students would still be required to register full-time by Day 15 of classes (also
referred to as Snapshot).
I am a supported student and my efforts to establish NY state residency were disrupted
by COVID-19. How will my Graduate Tuition Scholarship (GTS) be affected?
For Spring 2021, out-of-state graduate students whose efforts to establish New York
State residency were interrupted by COVID-19 will receive another one-semester extension
for their out-of-state tuition scholarships.
As soon as they are able, students should continue to make all efforts to establish
residency. Residency application instructions and deadlines can be
found here.
What if my work has been deemed critical to university operations, but I don’t feel
comfortable coming to campus?
For TAs, GAs, and RAs whose work needs to be performed on campus but who are concerned
about coming to campus because of their particular situation or are experiencing symptoms,
should reach out to COVID-19 Telephone Information Line at
(631) 632-5000 (on campus 2-5000)
for guidance.
Additionally, graduate student workers should talk with their supervisor about any
work-related questions/concerns.
Research and Research Grants
Will research activities resume?
The latest resources for research can be
found here
on Stony Brook’s
Coming Back Safe and Strong
website. Graduate students and postdocs should talk with their supervisors/advisors
about plans and options for resuming research.
What if my work has been deemed critical to university operations, but I don’t feel
comfortable coming to campus?
For TAs, GAs, and RAs whose work needs to be performed on campus but who are concerned
about coming to campus because of their particular situation or are experiencing symptoms,
should reach out to COVID-19 Telephone Information Line at (631) 632-5000 (on campus
2-5000) for guidance.
Additionally, graduate student workers should talk with their supervisor about any
work-related questions/concerns.
Teaching
I’m a TA and I have questions about my continuing responsibilities to my class?
TAs should talk with the main instructor for their class and/or their department chair.
Guidance on instruction and curricular delivery comes from the college Deans and the
Provost.
What if my TA work has been deemed critical to university operations, but I don’t
feel comfortable coming to campus?
For TAs, GAs, and RAs whose work needs to be performed on campus but who are concerned
about coming to campus because of their particular situation or are experiencing symptoms,
should reach out to COVID-19 Telephone Information Line at (631) 632-5000 (on campus
2-5000) for guidance.
Additionally, graduate student workers should talk with their supervisor about any
work-related questions/concerns.
International Graduate Students
I’m an international graduate student and have questions concerning my visa status
for Fall 2020/ Spring 2021. Who do I contact?
If you have any questions, please email vis@stonybrook.edu. To schedule an appointment
with an International Student Advisor, visit this
website or call (631) 632-4685. Additionally, please review the Visa and Immigration Services
Covid-19 FAQ page as a resource.
Professional Development
Will Professional Development workshops and activities continue during the pandemic?
Yes, professional development workshops and events will continue in a virtual capacity.
Check the
Graduate School calendar for the status of any of our upcoming events.
Graduate Student Housing
Who do I contact about graduate student housing?
For student housing questions, please email
reside@stonybrook.edu
or call (631) 632-6750.
I'll be living on campus during the Spring. What steps do I need to take in preparation?
All resident and commuter students are required to obtain a negative COVID PCR test
prior to arrival, among other expectations. Please click on the link below that applies
to you.
-
If you are living on campus this spring, click
HERE
for information about spring semester move-in requirements, COVID symptom screening,
quarantine, testing requirements, campus resources, and more.
-
If you are commuting to campus this spring, click
HERE
for information about COVID symptom screening, quarantine, testing requirements, campus
resources, and more.
Health and Safety
Are resident and commuter students required to obtain a negative COVID PCR test prior
to campus arrival?
Yes. All resident and commuter students are required to obtain a negative COVID PCR
test prior to arrival, among other expectations. Please click on the link below that
applies to you.
-
If you are living on campus this spring, click
HERE for information about spring semester move-in requirements, COVID symptom screening,
quarantine, testing requirements, campus resources, and more.
-
If you are commuting to campus this spring, click
HERE for information about COVID symptom screening, quarantine, testing requirements,
campus resources, and more.
-
If you are studying fully remotely this spring, click
HERE for information about COVID precautions, campus resources, and more.
For general information about COVID19-related health questions or HR questions
Call the campus’ general telephone information line at 631-632-5000.
Additional information can be found on Stony Brook’s
Coming Back Safe and Strong website.
Where can I find resources to help me manage stress and anxiety over the outbreak?
Counseling and Preventive Services (CAPS) has a
24 hour hotline that is available for students and for postdocs if you need to talk to someone now.
To register for a Let’s Talk session, visit
http://tinyurl.com/virtualletstalk
. To speak to the Survivor Advocate, call (631) 457-9981 24/7.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) has a page on
COVID-19 specific resources, including tips for supporting our mental health during an outbreak, as well as guidance
on
finding and working with a therapist.
|