Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies
 Student Handbook
 2023-2024
 Last revision: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 1L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 2Contents
 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 9
 1.1 Degrees Offered .................................................................................................................................. 9
 1.2 Department Personnel ..................................................................................................................... 10
 1.3 University Policies and Expectations .......................................................................................... 10
 1.4 The Academic Calendar .................................................................................................................. 11
 1.5 Carnegie Mellon University Statement of Assurance ............................................................. 11
 1.6 The Carnegie Mellon Code ............................................................................................................. 12
 2 The Language Technologies Institute ......................................................................................... 12
 2.1 Pittsburgh Campus Location ......................................................................................................... 12
 2.2 Office Space ........................................................................................................................................ 13
 2.3 Mailboxes and Office Supplies ...................................................................................................... 13
 2.4 Photocopies and Printers ................................................................................................................ 13
 2.5 Computers for LTI Ph.D. Students ............................................................................................... 13
 3 Standard Degree Requirements & Degree Certification ....................................................... 14
 3.1 LTI Ph.D. Degree Requirements ................................................................................................... 14
 3.1.1 Course Requirements ............................................................................................................. 14
 3.1.2 Grade Requirements ............................................................................................................... 15
 3.1.3 Proficiency Requirements ...................................................................................................... 15
 3.1.4 The Ph.D. Dissertation ............................................................................................................ 16
 3.1.5 Research Speaking Requirement ......................................................................................... 17
 3.2 Advising .............................................................................................................................................. 17
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 33.3 LTI Orientation ................................................................................................................................. 18
 3.4 End of Semester Evaluation............................................................................................................ 18
 3.5 Electives Outside of SCS ................................................................................................................. 19
 3.6 Completing an M.S. Degree Enroute to a Ph.D. ........................................................................ 19
 3.7 Grading and Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 20
 3.7.1 University Policy on Grades ................................................................................................. 20
 3.7.2 University Policy on Grades for Transfer Courses ......................................................... 20
 3.8 Academic Integrity ........................................................................................................................... 21
 3.9 Withdrawal of a Degree ................................................................................................................. 22
 3.10 Employment Eligibility Verification ........................................................................................... 22
 3.11 Additional Guidance for Students ............................................................................................... 22
 3.11.1 Program of Study ..................................................................................................................... 23
 3.11.2 Financial Aid and Student Account ................................................................................... 23
 3.11.3 International Students ........................................................................................................... 23
 4 Ph.D. Academic Policies ................................................................................................................. 23
 4.1 Duration of Study ............................................................................................................................ 23
 4.1.1 Department Policy on Double Counting Courses .......................................................... 24
 4.1.2 External Internships .............................................................................................................. 24
 4.1.3 Maximum Courseload ........................................................................................................... 25
 4.1.4 Pass/Fail Grades ...................................................................................................................... 25
 4.1.5 Transfer Credit ........................................................................................................................ 25
 4.1.6 Residency Requirements ...................................................................................................... 25
 4.1.7 Transferring Into the Ph.D. Program .................................................................................. 26
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 44.1.8 Transferring Out of the Ph.D. Program ............................................................................. 26
 4.2 LTI Academic Policies .................................................................................................................... 26
 4.2.1 “Grandfather” Policy .............................................................................................................. 26
 4.2.2 Definition of Transfer Credit vs. Course Exemption ...................................................... 26
 4.2.3 External Employment/Consulting...................................................................................... 26
 4.2.4 Leave of Absence ..................................................................................................................... 27
 4.2.5 Satisfactory Progress .............................................................................................................. 27
 4.2.6 Time Away from Academic Responsibilities ................................................................... 27
 4.3 CMU Academic Policies ................................................................................................................ 27
 4.3.1 Drop/Add/Withdraw Procedures ....................................................................................... 27
 4.3.2 Doctoral Student Status ........................................................................................................ 28
 4.3.3 ABD versus ABD in Absentia (ABS) ................................................................................... 28
 4.3.4 Statute of Limitations: Time to Degree.............................................................................. 28
 4.3.5 University Financial Aid ....................................................................................................... 29
 4.3.6 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities ..................................................................... 29
 4.3.7 Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures ............................ 29
 4.3.8 Sexual Misconduct Policy..................................................................................................... 29
 4.3.9 Gestational and Parental Accommodations ..................................................................... 30
 4.3.10 Accommodations for Gestational Parents ........................................................................ 30
 4.3.11 Parental Accommodation for Doctoral Students ............................................................. 31
 4.3.12 Financial Assistance for Student Parents .......................................................................... 31
 4.3.13 Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate Students .... 32
 5 Financial Support ............................................................................................................................. 32
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 55.1 Graduate Student Funding ........................................................................................................... 32
 5.2 Conference Travel Funding ........................................................................................................... 32
 5.3 Research Funding ............................................................................................................................ 33
 5.4 Office of the Dean of Students Emergency Support Funding ............................................... 33
 5.5 Health Insurance .............................................................................................................................. 33
 6 Additional University Resources ................................................................................................. 33
 6.1 The HUB Student Services Center .............................................................................................. 33
 6.2 Student Information Online (SIO) .............................................................................................. 34
 6.3 ID Cards ............................................................................................................................................. 34
 6.4 Transcripts ........................................................................................................................................ 35
 6.5 Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) and Cross-registration ...................... 35
 6.6 Student Privacy Rights and FERPA ............................................................................................ 35
 6.7 Professional Development ............................................................................................................. 36
 6.8 University Libraries ........................................................................................................................ 36
 6.9 Computing Services ........................................................................................................................ 37
 6.10 Family and Dependents Resources ............................................................................................. 37
 6.11 Domestic Partner Registration ..................................................................................................... 37
 6.12 Housing .............................................................................................................................................. 37
 6.13 Dining ................................................................................................................................................. 38
 6.14 Parking and Transportation .......................................................................................................... 38
 6.15 Copying, Printing, and Mailing Services ................................................................................... 38
 6.16 University Center ............................................................................................................................ 38
 6.17 Athletic/Fitness Facilities .............................................................................................................. 39
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 66.18 CMU Alert ......................................................................................................................................... 39
 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................................ 40
 A.1 Key Resources for Graduate Student Support .......................................................................... 41
 A.1.1 Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs ..................................................................... 41
 A.1.2 Office of the Dean of Students .............................................................................................. 41
 A.1.3 The Division of Student Affairs ........................................................................................... 42
 A.1.4 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion ........................................................................ 42
 A.1.5 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities ..................................................................... 43
 A.1.6 Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation ........................... 43
 A.1.7 Graduate Student Assembly ................................................................................................ 44
 A.1.8 Office of International Education (OIE) ........................................................................... 44
 A.1.9 Veterans and Military Community .................................................................................... 44
 A.1.10 Carnegie Mellon Ethics Hotline .......................................................................................... 45
 A.1.11 Policy Against Retaliation .................................................................................................... 45
 A.2 Key Offices for Academic & Research Support ....................................................................... 45
 A.2.1 Computing and Information Resources ............................................................................ 45
 A.2.2 Student Academic Success Center ..................................................................................... 46
 A.2.3 University Libraries ................................................................................................................ 46
 A.2.4 Research at CMU .................................................................................................................... 47
 A.2.5 Office of Research Integrity & Compliance ..................................................................... 47
 A.3 Key Offices for Health, Wellness & Safety ............................................................................... 47
 A.3.1 Counseling & Psychological Services ................................................................................ 47
 A.3.2 Health Services ........................................................................................................................ 47
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 7A.3.3 Campus Wellness ................................................................................................................... 48
 A.3.4 Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives (RSLI) ................................................................ 48
 A.3.5 University Police ..................................................................................................................... 48
 A.3.6 Shuttle and Escort Services .................................................................................................. 49
 A.4 The WORD ....................................................................................................................................... 49
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 8
 
 1 Introduction
 Welcome to the Language Technologies Institute, a graduate department in the School of
 Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. You have joined a Ph.D. program that focuses
 on excellence, creativity, and training the next generation of research leaders. While the next few
 years will be a time of hard work and intense concentration, we hope that your time at the LTI
 will also be rewarding professionally and personally.
 Obtaining a Ph.D. is a long and often intense journey. A healthy work-life balance helps to keep it
 in perspective. Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, a city with a rich industrial and labor
 heritage. In the past, it was the heart of the U.S. steel industry, a source for quality packaged foods,
 an important financial hub, and an early pioneer in railroads, radio, and nuclear power. This is a
 city where people worked hard and made things that changed the world. Today, Pittsburgh has
 reinvented itself as a leader in Computer Science and medicine, but it is still a place where people
 work hard and make things that change the world. It is also an informal city, where people don’t
 take themselves too seriously and remember to have fun. It is home to excellent museums,
 competitive professional sports teams, inexpensive magic shows, and free music during the
 summer, with skiing and magnificent state parks nearby. Your stay here will be more rewarding
 if you make time for exploring the many activities that Pittsburgh and Southwest Pennsylvania
 have to offer.
 There are significant differences between CMU's different departments and degree programs in
 philosophical approach, procedures, policies, and regulations. Each department issues a
 handbook that informs graduate students of their program requirements and procedures and
 ensures that students have written access to standard information. This handbook describes the
 policies, procedures, and requirements for the Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies.
 All policies not explicitly described in this document conform to School of Computer Science
 (SCS) policies and university policies. For information about Carnegie Mellon requirements and
 policies, please see the university’s handbook The Word, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral
 Affairs web page, the Office of the Dean of Students web page, and other resources contained in
 Appendix A of this handbook.
 Welcome! We hope that your time here is a life-changing experience.
 
 1.1 Degrees Offered
 The Language Technologies Institute offers two Ph.D. programs and four Master degrees.
 • Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies (LTI Ph.D.)
 • Dual-Degree Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies (CMU-PT Ph.D.)
 • Masters in Language Technologies (MLT)
 • Master of Science in Intelligent Information Systems (MIIS)
 • Master of Computational Data Science (MCDS)
 • Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation (MSAII)
 
 This handbook applies to the LTI Ph.D.
 The Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies (LTI Ph.D.) is focused on understanding
 and extending the state of the art in computational linguistics, natural language processing,
 dialogue systems, information retrieval, machine translation, speech processing, video
 understanding, multimodal systems, automated reasoning, and other topics related to analysis
 and understanding of unstructured information (e.g., machine learning, and software engineering
 of intelligent systems).
 
 1.2 Department Personnel
 The people responsible for administering the LTI Ph.D. degree are:
 Jamie Callan Stacey Young
 Ph.D. Program Director Ph.D. Academic Program Manager
 Professor LTI Graduate Program Manager
 GHC 5419 GHC 6415
 callan@cs.cmu.edu staceyy@cs.cmu.edu
 412-268-4525 412-268-2623
 Mona Diab
 LTI Director
 Professor
 GHC 5723
 mdiab@andrew.cmu.edu
 412-268-3669
 Joan Axelson Julie Nys
 Office Manager Employment Processes Manger
 GHC 5405 GHC 5405
 jaxelson@andrew.cmu.edu jnys@andrew.cmu.edu
 412-268-7517 412-268-3515
 1.3 University Policies and Expectations
 It is the responsibility of each member of the Carnegie Mellon community to be familiar with
 university policies and guidelines. In addition to this departmental graduate student handbook,
 the following resources are available to assist you in understanding community expectations.
 • The Word/Student Handbook:
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword//index.html
 • Academic Integrity Policy:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and- student-life/academic-
 integrity.html
 University Policies Website:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/
 • Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs:
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/policies/index.html
 Due to the changing nature of conditions and expectations surrounding public health and safety
 requirements please visit https://www.cmu.edu/coronavirus/ for the most up to date information.
 Please see Appendix A for additional information about The Word and University
 resources.
 1.4 The Academic Calendar
 The Academic calendar can be found at https://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar/index.html and
 provides information on all deadlines, including registration dates, class start dates, add/drop
 deadlines, exam dates, and more.
 Some doctoral course-sections follow a separate Academic Calendar.
 1.5 Carnegie Mellon University Statement of Assurance
 Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration
 of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap or disability,
 age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, ancestry, belief, veteran status, or genetic
 information. Furthermore, Carnegie Mellon University does not discriminate and is required not
 to discriminate in violation of federal, state, or local laws or executive orders.
 Inquiries concerning the application of a compliance with this statement should be directed to
 the university ombudsperson, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
 15213 (412-268-1018). Obtain general information about Carnegie Mellon University by calling
 412-268-2000.
 Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety report describing
 the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety policies, and containing
 statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on campus, and the number and cause
 of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding three years. You can obtain a copy by
 contacting the Carnegie Mellon Police Department at 412-268-2323. The annual security and fire
 safety report also is available online at www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports .
 Information regarding the applicable grievance procedures for alleged violations
 of the Statement of Assurance is available at
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/forms-and-documents/soa-violations.pdf.
 The Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX may be reached at 412-268-7125
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 11or institutionalequity@cmu.edu.
 1.6 The Carnegie Mellon Code
 Students at Carnegie Mellon, because they are members of an academic community dedicated to
 the achievement of excellence, are expected to meet the highest standards of personal, ethical, and
 moral conduct possible.
 These standards require personal integrity, a commitment to honesty without compromise, as
 well as truth without equivocation and a willingness to place the good of the community above
 the good of the self. Obligations once undertaken must be met, commitments kept.
 As members of the Carnegie Mellon community, individuals are expected to uphold the standards
 of the community in addition to holding others accountable for said standards. It is rare that the
 life of a student in an academic community can be so private that it will not affect the community
 as a whole or that the above standards do not apply.
 The discovery, advancement and communication of knowledge are not possible without a
 commitment to these standards. Creativity cannot exist without acknowledgment of the
 creativity of others. New knowledge cannot be developed without credit for prior knowledge.
 Without the ability to trust that these principles will be observed, an academic community
 cannot exist.
 The commitment of its faculty, staff and students to these standards contributes to the high
 respect in which the Carnegie Mellon degree is held. Students must not destroy that respect by
 their failure to meet these standards. Students who cannot meet them should voluntarily
 withdraw from the university.
 The Carnegie Mellon Code can also be found here: https://www.cmu.edu/student-
 affairs/theword/.
 2 The Language Technologies Institute
 2.1 Pittsburgh Campus Location
 The Language Technologies Institute is located primarily on the 5th and 6th floors of the Gates
 Hillman Complex (GHC) on Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus. The address and contact
 information of the LTI are shown below.
 Language Technologies Institute
 Carnegie Mellon University
 5000 Forbes Avenue
 Gates Hillman Complex
 Pittsburgh, PA 15241-3891
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 12412-268-6298 (fax)
 http://www.lti.cs.cmu.edu/
 Office locations for faculty, staff, and Ph.D. students can be found on the LTI website.
 2.2 Office Space
 Most Ph.D. students in residence on the Pittsburgh campus are given an office in which to study
 and do research. Typically, offices are shared with other Ph.D. students, but they may also be
 shared with staff, visitors, or other members of the LTI.
 Offices are assigned by the LTI’s Office Manager (see Section 1.2, Department Personnel, for
 contact information).
 2.3 Mailboxes and Office Supplies
 Mailboxes and office supplies are in GHC 5404.
 2.4 Photocopies and Printers
 Printers and photocopies are available to LTI students. The use of a photocopier or printer
 requires you to log in with your CMU ID card. LTI students may use printers/photocopiers
 scattered throughout the School of Computer Science buildings, but the machines in GHC 5404
 and GHC 6604 are the most convenient. The SCS Computing Facilities publishes a list of printers
 online at https://computing.cs.cmu.edu/desktop/printer-list.
 2.5 Computers for LTI Ph.D. Students
 Ph.D. students are responsible for having their own laptop computers to support their education
 and research. Students are free to choose their own operating system (e.g., Linux, MacOs,
 Windows).
 Many Ph.D. advisors also provide access to computer clusters, cloud computing, or other
 resources to support computationally-intense research.
 Ph.D. students are given access to the LTI’s computer cluster on an as-needed basis, to be used for
 course assignments, directed study projects, and/or capstone projects. The LTI cluster provides
 storage and computation for projects involving large datasets and/or lengthy computation.
 Ph.D. students receive two types of user ids: An Andrew id and a CS id. All CMU students have
 an Andrew id. Computer Science students also have a CS id that provides access to SCS-specific
 resources (e.g., computer clusters). CS ids are being phased out very slowly, so it is likely that you
 will need both types of user id.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 13The School of Computer Science has a Help Center in GHC 4201. It can be contacted at
 help@cs.cmu.edu , extension 8-4231 from a campus phone, or 412-268-4231 from an outside line
 (M-F, 9am-5pm).
 3 Standard Degree Requirements & Degree Certification
 3.1 LTI Ph.D. Degree Requirements
 To complete the Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies degree, the student must satisfy
 the following requirements:
 • Pass at least 96 units of graduate level courses, with additional requirements detailed
 below;
 • Satisfy proficiencies in Writing, Presentation, Programming, and Teaching;
 • Propose, write, and defend a Ph.D. dissertation (thesis);
 • Attend the LTI Colloquium (11-700) each semester; and
 • Satisfy the Research Speaking Requirement.
 The sections below provide more detail about each of these requirements.
 3.1.1 Course Requirements
 To complete the course requirements for the Ph.D. in Language and Information Technologies
 degree, the student must pass 96 or more course units of graduate courses, and meet the following
 criteria:
 • At least 72 units of “LTI” courses and 24 units of “SCS” courses,
 • At least one class in each “LTI Focus Area”, and
 • At least two labs, in two different research areas.
 For definitions of quoted terms, see the section on “Definitions of LTI Terminology”.
 Unless approved by the Program Director in advance, the course requirements must be satisfied
 by actual classroom courses, not credit given for research or independent study.
 An “LTI course” is any 12-unit course with a number of 11-XXX; a 6-unit course with 11-XXX
 counts as one-half of an LTI course. Unless otherwise specified, "course" means an actual
 classroom course, not credit given for research or independent study. Note that the LTI allows
 any one MLD (10-XXX) graduate course to count as an "LTI course".
 An “SCS course” is any 12-unit course with a course number indicating a unit of the School of
 Computer Science (including LTI); a 6-unit course with such a number counts as one-half of an
 SCS course. Unless otherwise specified, "course" means an actual classroom course, not credit
 given for research or independent study. Note: Recommended electives that are technically
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 14outside of the SCS now count towards this requirement; for example, Digital Signal Processing in
 ECE. Please see the Program Director for approval of electives as “SCS.”
 “LTI Focus Areas” are sets of courses defined on the LTI course webpage under “Course
 Categories.” If a student believes a new course should be added to a Focus Area, they should make
 a request to the Ph.D. Program Director. They will decide, with advice from faculty in the
 appropriate area, whether it should be in the Focus Area. If approved, it will be added to the LTI
 Focus Area webpage.
 A “Task-Orientation Focus Course” is a course belonging to that LTI Focus Area, as listed on
 the LTI’s “Course Categories” webpage.
 An LTI “lab course” is a course in the list of lab courses defined on the LTI’s “Course Categories”
 webpage.
 3.1.2 Grade Requirements
 Students must demonstrate their mastery of material taught in courses and their success in
 applying their skills in directed study by satisfying the following grade requirements.
 Minimum grade: Only courses with a grade of B (3.0) or higher are counted as satisfying a degree
 requirement.
 Pass/fail: Pass/fail grades are not permitted for courses and projects used to satisfy a degree
 requirement.
 3.1.3 Proficiency Requirements
 The LTI Ph.D. does not require any Qualifying Exams. Instead, a LTI Ph.D. student is required to
 demonstrate proficiency in the following four areas.
 • Writing: This is satisfied by producing a peer-reviewed conference paper, or the
 equivalent (a written report that at least two SCS faculty certify as being of conference-
 paper quality).
 • Presentation: This is satisfied by the oral presentation of a conference paper, or the
 equivalent (an oral presentation that at least two SCS faculty certify as being of
 conference-talk quality).
 • Programming: This is satisfied by demonstrating competence in computer programming
 of language technology; this is normally satisfied in the course of the student's research
 and/or project work.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 15• Teaching: This is satisfied by two (2) successful Teaching Assistantships (TA-ships), as
 determined by the faculty member for whom the student serves as TA. Typically, one of
 these will be for an undergraduate class, and one for a graduate-level class. One of the two
 TA-ships may be in some form of pre-approved "alternate service", such as an SCS “v-unit.”
 The Program Coordinator must be notified in advance of a TA-ship, or it may not be accepted.
 Graduate students are required to have a certain level of fluency in English before they can instruct
 in Pennsylvania, as required by the English Fluency in Higher Education Act of 1990. Through this
 Act, all institutions of higher education in the state are required to evaluate and certify the English
 fluency of all instructional personnel, including teaching assistants and interns. The full university
 policy can be reviewed at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/faculty/evaluation-certification-english-fluency-instructors.html
 The fluency of all instructional personnel will be rated by Language Support in the Student
 Academic Success Center to determine at what level of responsibility the student can TA.
 In addition to administering the International Teaching Assistant (ITA) Test (a mandatory
 screening test for any non-native speaker of English), Language Support in the Student Academic
 Success Center helps teaching assistants who are non-native English speakers develop fluency
 and cultural understanding to teach successfully at Carnegie Mellon. Visit the Student Academic
 Success Center website for additional information:
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/
 3.1.4 The Ph.D. Dissertation
 The Ph.D. dissertation is the defining feature of a Ph.D. degree. The process of completing a Ph.D.
 dissertation has three important milestones.
 • Thesis Topic: During the Ph.D. student’s third year, the student should be working hard
 to find a thesis topic. The thesis topic typically develops from the directed research that
 the student has been carrying out with the student’s advisor. The topic is a well-defined
 research problem that is interesting and unsolved, and for which the student has a
 believable proposed solution. When the dissertation is finished, there will be a “thesis
 statement” that describes the claimed solution to the research problem that is the thesis
 topic.
 • Thesis Proposal: Near the end of the student’s third year, the student will compose a
 dissertation proposal. In this document, the student will specify the problem the research
 addresses (the thesis topic); the significance of the problem and expected scientific
 contributions; other relevant research, including competing approaches; some preliminary
 results; the work that still must be completed; evaluation metrics for that work; and a
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 16projected timeline for completion. Before presenting the proposal, the student will also
 secure approval for a dissertation committee, which consists of the student’s advisor, at
 least two other SCS faculty members working in language technologies, and at least one
 external member.
 University rules require that the time and place of the proposal presentation be publicly
 announced at least one week before the presentation. The student should coordinate this
 with the Ph.D. Program Coordinator. The public thesis proposal protects the student by
 guaranteeing that the proposed research is interesting to the larger scientific community
 and demonstrating that the student will finish the program if the work is completed as
 outlined.
 • Thesis Defense: The dissertation document itself, normally expected at the end of the fifth
 year, will include a detailed description of all the work done, including a clear evaluation
 and a discussion of its scientific contributions. There are no fixed style or document length
 guidelines or requirements; the only format requirement is that the title page should be
 suitable to be issued as an LTI Technical Report. The dissertation defense is a public
 presentation and defense of the dissertation results.
 Note: University rules again require that the time and place of the dissertation defense be
 publicly announced at least one week prior to the defense. This should also be coordinated
 with Ph.D. Program Coordinator.
 Note: At the time of the public announcement, a draft of the thesis document must be
 made available online.
 3.1.5 Research Speaking Requirement
 To emphasize student research, improve public speaking skills and increase internal awareness
 of LTI work, all LTI Ph.D. students must complete an oral presentation at the LTI each year (by
 the end of May). The presentation should consist of a 20-minute talk plus time for discussion. It
 must be advertised to the LTI mailing lists at least one week before your presentation, and the
 public will be invited. (The thesis proposal and defense each count towards this requirement.)
 At least two LTI faculty members will attend the presentation, including the research advisor.
 After the presentation, these faculty members will convene and provide written feedback to both
 the student and the Program Director of graduate programs (the form for this is available on the
 LTI website). This feedback will help the student refine speaking skills with respect to talk
 structure, content, and delivery.
 3.2 Advising
 Each student has a faculty advisor charged with guiding the education and monitoring the
 progress of the student through the program. The advisor also supervises the student's directed
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 17study projects. This personal student-advisor relationship ensures that every student receives the
 necessary faculty mentoring. The advisor also provides the student with career advice.
 How and when the advisor is selected (The Matching Process): Advisors are selected during
 the first month of the program. Students are expected to attend the LTI's Orientation lectures,
 (Section 3.3) in which faculty describe their interests and areas of expertise, and to be proactive
 about meeting individually with potential advisors. After meeting with several potential advisors,
 each student will be asked to indicate a first, second and third choice for advisor. Meanwhile, the
 potential advisors determine how many new students they can take and indicate their
 preferences. Finally, the entire LTI faculty meets as a "Matching Committee" to determine the best
 set of matches.
 Until a student finds a specific advisor, the Program Director of the LTI graduate programs serves
 as the advisor.
 How to change advisors: The initial advisor selection should be made carefully. However, it is
 possible to change advisors. To do so, the student should find another faculty member willing to
 serve as an advisor, and then make a request to the Program Director to switch advisors. The LTI
 follows the long-standing SCS policy that both the new and old advisors need to agree to the
 change; typically, this is not a problem (assuming the new advisor has agreed in advance, as
 described here). It is to the student's advantage to avoid switching advisors, especially late in their
 graduate studies, because forging a strong student-advisor relationship takes time.
 3.3 LTI Orientation
 At the beginning of each Fall semester, the LTI provides 2-3 weeks of lectures and talks to help
 students learn about the work done by CMU faculty and to provide an opportunity for advisors
 to recruit new students. Students are expected to attend them and treat them as seriously as a
 standard course, because they provide a good introduction to the broad range of research done at
 the LTI. Students do not register for the LTI Orientation, nor do they receive a grade; however,
 the department is serious about its expectation that new students will attend these talks.
 For many years, these talks were called "the Immigration Course (IC)." The intuition behind this
 name is that the talks help orient newly-arrived students – immigrants into the CMU
 environment. As a result, some students understood the name to indicate that the talks would be
 about US immigration and visa requirements. The older name has been retired; however, people
 who have been at CMU a long time may occasionally use the older name.
 3.4 End of Semester Evaluation
 Near the end of each semester, the student must prepare a statement that describes his or her
 achievements in the current semester and plans for the next semester.
 At the end of the semester, the faculty evaluates each student's academic progress. The student's
 advisor serves as the student's advocate in this process. The result of the evaluation is a letter from
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 18the faculty to the student that indicates whether the student is making satisfactory progress
 towards completing the degree.
 A good letter typically indicates that the student is making satisfactory progress. If the student is
 doing exceptionally good work, a stronger adjective such as excellent might be used, but this is
 unusual.
 If a student seems to be having trouble, the faculty determines whether it believes that the student
 can finish the degree, and if so, what needs to be accomplished to get back on track. This type of
 letter should be considered a serious warning. It is not a permanent "black mark" on the student's
 record; if the student begins making satisfactory progress again, there is no official record of the
 letter in the student's transcript.
 In the most serious cases, the faculty gives the student an “N-1” letter that specifies a list of
 conditions that the student must satisfy by specific deadlines. Failure to meet all the specified
 conditions may result in the student's termination from the program.
 3.5 Electives Outside of SCS
 Students may take elective courses outside the SCS, at Carnegie Mellon or cross-registered at the
 University of Pittsburgh, as long as the student fulfills the requirements of their program as
 described above. The student should discuss any such electives in advance with their advisor.
 Typical choices might include ECE courses for Speech students, Pitt Linguistics courses, or
 Statistics courses.
 Students interested in taking recommended electives outside the SCS should pay particular
 attention to the following issues.
 • Recommended electives outside of the SCS count towards the “SCS” course requirement.
 Please see the Program Director for approval of an elective as an “SCS course”.
 • Students need advance approval for any courses not covered by their normal tuition (e.g.,
 summer courses).
 • The grading of outside courses is the responsibility of the department offering the course;
 however, the LTI's Minimum Course Grade Policy described above still applies (“B” is the
 minimum for Ph.D.).
 3.6 Completing an M.S. Degree Enroute to a Ph.D.
 Courses that satisfy LTI Ph.D. degree requirements may also be used to satisfy requirements for
 one M.S. degree. The most common choice is the LTI’s Master of Language Technologies (MLT)
 degree because its requirements are similar (but not identical) to the Ph.D. requirements. Other
 M.S. degrees within the LTI and outside of the LTI are also possible.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 19Students interested in an M.S. degree other than the MLT degree should discuss their plans with
 their Ph.D. advisor due to the additional courses and project work that may be involved.
 3.7 Grading and Evaluation
 3.7.1 University Policy on Grades
 Carnegie Mellon’s Grading policy offers details concerning university grading principles for
 students taking courses and covers the specifics of assigning and changing grades, grading
 options, drop/withdrawals, and course repeats. It also defines the undergraduate and graduate
 grading standards.
 Process for Appealing Final Grades
 Final grades will be changed only in exceptional circumstances and only with the approval of the
 instructor and the department, unit, or program.
 Grading is a matter of sound discretion of the instructor and final grades are rarely changed
 without the consent of the instructor who assigned the grade. The following circumstances are
 the unusual exceptions that may warrant a grade appeal: (a) the final grade assigned for a course
 is based on manifest error (e.g., a clear error such as arithmetic error in computing a grade or
 failure to grade one of the answers on an exam), or (b) the faculty or staff member who assigned
 the grade did so in violation of a university policy.
 See the university’s Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures web page
 for more information. https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/academic/appeal-of-
 grades-and-academic-actions.html
 3.7.2 University Policy on Grades for Transfer Courses
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/transfer-credit-
 evaluation-and-assignment.html
 Carnegie Mellon University offers students the opportunity to take courses for credit through a
 cross-registration program (see Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) and Cross-
 registration below) and through the receipt of transfer credit from other accredited institutions.
 The Carnegie Mellon University transcript will include information on such courses as follows:
 Carnegie Mellon courses and courses taken through the university's cross-registration program
 will have grades recorded on the transcript and be factored into the QPA. All other courses will
 be recorded on this transcript indicating where the course was taken, but without grade. Such
 courses will not be taken into account for academic actions, honors or QPA calculations.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 203.8 Academic Integrity
 In the midst of self-exploration, the high demands of a challenging academic environment can
 create situations where some students have difficulty exercising good judgment. Academic
 challenges can provide many opportunities for high standards to evolve if students actively reflect
 on these challenges and if the community supports discussions to aid in this process. It is the
 responsibility of the entire community to establish and maintain the integrity of our university.
 Carnegie Mellon University educates its students to become professionals who will serve society
 with integrity. The university also creates and disseminates new knowledge and expressions of
 knowledge in ways that benefit society.
 Carnegie Mellon strives to serve the changing needs of society through the three primary goals
 outlined in its mission statement: To create and disseminate knowledge and art through research
 and artistic expression, teaching and learning and transfer to society; to serve students by
 teaching them leadership, problem- solving skills, and the values of quality, ethical behavior,
 responsibility to society and commitments to work; and to pursue the advantages provided by a
 diverse community, open to the exchange of ideas, where discovery and artistic creativity can
 flourish.
 In any presentation, creative, artistic or research, it is the ethical responsibility of each student to
 identify the conceptual sources of the work submitted. Failure to do so is dishonest and is the
 basis for a charge of cheating or plagiarism, which is subject to disciplinary action.
 Please review the University Policy on Academic Integrity.
 The policy includes the University expectations around academic integrity and provides
 definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized assistance.
 A review of the University’s Academic Disciplinary Actions procedures is also recommended.
 Important note: The LTI implements the above policy’s option of “conven[ing] a disciplinary
 hearing according to the procedures of the department/program.” Our procedure is as follows: A
 first violation is grounds for dismissal from the graduate program. If we decide not to immediately
 dismiss, the first violation will result in the student being on disciplinary probation.
 If the student commits a second violation while on probation, the penalty is dismissal from the
 graduate program.
 These procedures outline the process for investigating, reporting, and adjudicating violations of
 the University Policy on Academic Integrity. The procedures also outline the appeal process.
 Please see the Appeals of Course Level Action section of The Word and the Office of Community
 Standards & Integrity web page for more information.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 213.9 Withdrawal of a Degree
 The University reserves the right to withdraw a degree even though it has been granted should
 there be discovery that the work upon which it was based or the academic records in support of
 it had been falsified. In such a case, withdrawal of the degree will occur promptly upon discovery
 of the falsification. See the university’s Withdrawal of a Degree policy for more information.
 3.10 Employment Eligibility Verification
 If you are receiving a stipend, are a TA, or are planning to have a position with CMU then
 Employment Eligibility Verification is required. Form I-9 must be completed within 3 business
 days of beginning work for any type of compensation (stipend or employment). Additional details
 are highlighted below. To ensure compliance with federal law, Carnegie Mellon University
 maintains the Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9) Policy [pdf] covering the university’s
 I-9 and E-Verify requirements:
 • Every individual receiving a stipend from CMU or employed by CMU must comply with
 the I-9 Policy by completing the Form I-9 within three business days following the first
 day of stipend start date/employment.
 • Individuals who expect to work on a federally funded project are further responsible for
 submitting an E-Verify Processing Request Form to the Office of Human Resources if
 required.
 • For more information, please see CMU’s Guidance for Completing the Form I-9 and E-
 Verify Requirements at CMU [pdf], or visit the Human Resources Service website to
 learn more about Form I-9 and E-Verify and to schedule an appointment to complete the
 Form I-9.
 • Students who fail to complete the Form I-9 in a timely manner may have stipend payments
 suspended. If employed by the university, an individual who fails to timely complete the
 Form I-9 may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of
 employment.
 For more information:
 • See CMU’s Guidance for Completing the Form I-9 and E-Verify Requirements at CMU,
 or
 • Visit the Human Resources Service website to learn more about Form I-9 and E-Verify
 and to schedule an appointment to complete the Form I-9.”
 3.11 Additional Guidance for Students
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 223.11.1 Program of Study
 Students seeking guidance about their program of study and degree requirements should consult
 with their academic advisor and/or appropriate associate dean.
 3.11.2 Financial Aid and Student Account
 Students are expected to make normal progress toward their degree in order to graduate within
 the standard timeframe for their program of study. Under U.S. Federal Title IV regulations,
 student eligibility for federal financial aid is contingent upon enrollment in and successful
 completion of courses that are counted as credit toward their current degree program. To receive
 the maximum amount of federal financial aid for which they may be eligible, students must enroll
 each semester in at least 36 units that count toward their current degree level. (See separate
 guidance regarding integrated degree completion.)
 Students should consult with their designated college liaison in The HUB regarding billing and
 financial aid, particularly for early completion, longer-than-standard completion, or integrated
 undergraduate and master’s degree programs.
 3.11.3 International Students
 Immigration status for students in F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant status is tied to making normal
 progress toward completing degree requirements. Therefore, F-1 and J-1 students who are
 considering completing their degree requirements early, anticipating longer-than-standard
 completion, or moving from an undergraduate to a graduate student classification (integrated
 undergraduate-graduate study) should consult with their designated advisor in the Office of
 International Education (OIE) to ensure compliance with immigration regulations.
 4 Ph.D. Academic Policies
 4.1 Duration of Study
 The target duration of the LTI Ph.D. is five years, although six years is also common.
 Carnegie Mellon graduate students are expected to complete their degree requirements within
 the standard length of time for their program of study as outlined in this Graduate Student
 Handbook. Upon completion of the graduate program degree requirements, the degree will be
 certified by the student’s academic program in the semester in which the student completes the
 requirements.
 Early Completion
 The Ph.D. is granted when all degree requirements are satisfied. Some students complete the
 program in fewer than five years.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 23Extended or Longer-than-Standard Competition
 Longer-than-standard degree completion may occur due to academic interruptions in making
 progress toward the degree as defined by the academic program, interruptions of full-time study
 or progress towards the degree due to serious, documented medical issues, or other unusual or
 unforeseen circumstances.
 Doctoral students who require an extended period to complete their degree requirements must
 consult with their academic program and are subject to the CMU Policy on Doctoral Student
 Status (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/doctoral-student-status.html),
 specifically the “Time to Degree.”
 4.1.1 Department Policy on Double Counting Courses
 An LTI Ph.D. student who uses courses taken as a Master’s degree student (at Carnegie Mellon
 or elsewhere) toward their program requirements cannot use those same courses toward any
 other Master’s degree offered by the school. The LTI (like other SCS units) allows its Ph.D.
 students who have passed the requirements for an LTI Master’s degree to receive the master’s
 degree without any additional work. Any other sharing of coursework by an LTI student between
 more than one CMU degree (e.g., receiving an MLD Master’s degree that includes courses taken
 as an LTI Ph.D. student) must be explicitly approved by the LTI, on a case-by-case basis, in
 advance.
 4.1.2 External Internships
 The LTI provides summer support for its Ph.D. students, so Ph.D. students are expected to do
 research at Carnegie Mellon during the summer. However, outside experience can be a valuable
 educational experience, Ph.D. students in good standing are allowed to do an external internship.
 Some students may benefit from more than one internship, especially if they require access to
 proprietary data for their work, thus, with the approval of the student’s advisor, a student can intern up
 to four (4) times during their Ph.D. degree. Interning more than four (4) times requires approval
 from the Ph.D. Program Director.
 Any internship must be planned in consultation with the student’s advisor and the LTI Ph.D.
 Coordinator. If an internship is part of a fully-funded external fellowship (e.g., Microsoft Research
 Fellowship), the student does not need prior LTI approval, but should still coordinate with their
 advisor. International students must consult with Office of International Education (OIE) for
 eligibility before seeking an internship or signing an offer contract.
 Internships are typically scheduled during the summer. In certain cases, it is possible to schedule
 an internship during the fall or spring semester; the details are complex, especially for
 international students, so the student should discuss this as early as possible with the Ph.D.
 Program Director. International students must coordinate carefully with the LTI in any event, due
 to visa restrictions.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 24Note that self-funded Ph.D. students (e.g., those registered for five units while on semester
 internship) are not permitted to receive a partial stipend for the semester of their internship, while
 full-time LTI-sponsored students are eligible for a partial stipend.
 All students are cautioned to be aware of potential intellectual property (IP) problems with
 internships, and to review any IP agreements with their advisors before signing them. It is possible
 to lose ownership of your ideas.
 If the student is to receive academic credit for the internship, it must have deliverables from the
 student commensurate with the number of units, they are taking. This can be in the form of
 interim and final reports on the experience, presentations in the following semester regarding the
 experience, assessments of their experience as it relates to their course of study, etc.
 4.1.3 Maximum Courseload
 Ph.D. students are permitted to register for a maximum of 54 units of coursework per semester.
 4.1.4 Pass/Fail Grades
 Pass/fail grades are not permitted for courses used to satisfy a degree requirement.
 Graduate students who are required to take additional undergraduate courses to build up the core
 foundations of computer science may not elect the pass/fail option for these courses.
 4.1.5 Transfer Credit
 An equivalent graduate course previously completed at another institution may be permitted to
 satisfy one of the Ph.D. course requirements. The decision on whether a course may be transferred
 is made by the Ph.D. Program Director.
 Typically, the student will provide the Program Director with the syllabus of the external course,
 and the Program Director will use that and the student’s transcript to make the decision.
 See the section on “Definition of transfer credit versus course exemption.”
 A student may not receive transfer credit for more than four courses.
 4.1.6 Residency Requirements
 The university requires Ph.D.s to spend at least one year of residency at Carnegie Mellon.
 The SCS requires that all Ph.D. students must take at Carnegie Mellon a minimum of 48 units of
 the total coursework required by their respective programs.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 254.1.7 Transferring Into the Ph.D. Program
 The LTI does not allow direct transfers from its master’s programs into its Ph.D. program. The
 student must apply for the Ph.D. at the usual time. However, students that are already enrolled in
 an LTI degree program are not required to retake GRE and TOEFL exams or to produce new
 transcripts from other universities.
 4.1.8 Transferring Out of the Ph.D. Program
 The Ph.D. program does not prevent students from transferring to another degree program. A
 student who is interested in transferring out of the Ph.D. degree program should consult the
 handbook and Program Director of the desired degree program to learn whether transfers are
 permitted, and if so, how, and when to request such a transfer.
 4.2 LTI Academic Policies
 4.2.1 “Grandfather” Policy
 A student can graduate under the policies in effect at the time that the student entered the
 program; or, at the student's choice, the student can graduate under policies that are adopted after
 the student entered the program. If it is not realistic to follow a particular policy exactly, the
 department may approximate the policy as closely as possible; this situation is rare and typically
 arises only when a student is enrolled in the program for an extended period of time.
 4.2.2 Definition of Transfer Credit vs. Course Exemption
 The LTI may grant transfer credit or issue an exemption for equivalent graduate courses previously
 completed at another institution. This decision rests with the director of the particular program.
 If a student is exempt from a required course due to prior courses or experience, the student can
 replace that course with an open elective. The student does not receive credit for the external
 course but can take any course that could normally count toward the degree in its place.
 If a student receives credit for prior coursework completed at CMU or elsewhere, the student
 receives that many units of credit, and the total amount of required coursework is reduced by that
 amount.
 4.2.3 External Employment/Consulting
 Students funded by LTI research projects are expected to work primarily for those projects. Since
 consulting provides useful experience, students are generally permitted to consult at most one
 day per seven-day week, with the advisor's consent. International students must also have
 approval in advance from the Office of International Education (OIE); otherwise, they may be in
 violation of their visa status. See also External Internships.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 264.2.4 Leave of Absence
 The LTI discourages Leaves of Absence (LOA), since students usually do not return, despite good
 intentions. However, a student in good standing may be granted a LOA of at most 1 year, upon
 written request to the Ph.D. Program Director and with consent of the student's advisor. It is the
 responsibility of the student on LOA to contact the LTI to initiate a return to the program.
 Students taking or returning from a leave of absence must follow the university’s leave of absence
 process.
 4.2.5 Satisfactory Progress
 If a student does not make satisfactory progress each semester toward completing the degree, the
 LTI may remove them from the program. See section on “End of Semester Evaluation.”
 4.2.6 Time Away from Academic Responsibilities
 Ph.D. students that are supported by sponsored research, fellowships, or scholarships are
 expected to remain on campus and work fulltime on their education and research throughout the
 year, regardless of whether classes are in session or not. 40 hours per week is a common level of
 effort.
 Ordinarily, students are not expected to work during official university holidays, however
 students may need to consult their advisor about expectations and alternate arrangements if there
 are challenges with taking time off during a university holiday, for example, if an experiment
 requires continuous monitoring. In such situations, the student and their advisor may agree for
 the student to take an equal number of days off at another time.
 Students with fulltime financial support are entitled to four weeks per year of paid vacation,
 which must be scheduled in consultation with their advisor.
 4.3 CMU Academic Policies
 4.3.1 Drop/Add/Withdraw Procedures
 Add, drop, withdrawals, and pass/no pass election procedures and deadlines are described on a
 Hub web page. Note that the deadlines for doctoral courses may differ slightly; see the deadlines
 for doctoral course sections in the Academic Calendar.
 Doctoral students, visiting/non-degree students, and certificate students do not receive vouchers
 and do not participate in the voucher process.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 274.3.2 Doctoral Student Status
 Carnegie Mellon’s Policy for Doctoral Student Status covers time limits on doctoral degree
 student status, a definition of All But Dissertation status, a definition of In Residence (ABD) and In
 Absentia (ABS) status for doctoral students and the tuition and fees charged for students In
 Residence and students In Absentia.
 4.3.3 ABD versus ABD in Absentia (ABS)
 Following university policy, an LTI Ph.D. student is considered "All-But-Dissertation" (ABD)
 when they have completed all requirements for the LTI's Ph.D. degree except for the thesis defense
 (in particular, the student has had a thesis proposal accepted). Note that ABD status is different
 from ABD in absentia (ABS) status. A student in ABS status cannot receive any support from the
 university (including any research projects within the university), cannot use most university
 facilities, and does not pay any tuition until they are ready to defend their thesis. ABS students
 must register for five (5) units of dissertation research in the semester they defend; in keeping
 with university policy, the LTI (and its projects and faculty) cannot pay for these five units. The
 student can (and should) register for these five units only after they defend; just in case the defense
 date slips to the next semester.
 Students entering ABD or ABS status must complete the All But Dissertations Status Agreement.
 4.3.4 Statute of Limitations: Time to Degree
 As outlined in the Doctoral Student Status Policy, students will complete all requirements for the
 Ph.D. degree within a maximum of ten years from original matriculation as a doctoral student, or
 less if required by a more restrictive department or college policy. Once this time-to-degree limit
 has lapsed, the person may resume work towards a doctoral degree only if newly admitted to a
 currently offered doctoral degree program under criteria determined by that program. Under
 extraordinary circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service, family or
 parental leave, or temporary disability, a school or college may, upon the relevant department's
 recommendation and with the written approval of the dean, defer the lapse of All But Dissertation
 status for a period commensurate with the duration of that interruption. Students, who are
 pursuing the Ph.D. degree as part-time students for all semesters of their program, as approved by
 their program, may also appeal to their program or department for extension of the time to degree
 limit.
 Under extraordinary circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service, family or
 parental leave, or temporary disability, a school or college may, upon the relevant department’s
 recommendation and with the written approval of the dean, defer the lapse of All But Dissertation
 status for a period commensurate with the duration of that interruption.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 28Students, who are pursuing the Ph.D. degree as part-time students for all semesters of their
 program, as approved by their program, may also appeal to their program or department for
 extension of the time to degree limit.
 4.3.5 University Financial Aid
 Graduate students should consult the graduate student financial aid information found on The
 HUB website. Students will find the Graduate Financial Aid Guide, information about funding
 options and how to apply for financial aid and other helpful links.
 4.3.6 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
 The Office of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University has a continued mission to
 provide physical, digital, and programmatic access to ensure that students with disabilities have
 equal access to their educational experience. We work to ensure that qualified individuals receive
 reasonable accommodations as guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who would like to receive
 accommodations can begin the process through Disability Resources' secure online portal
 (https://rainier.accessiblelearning.com/cmu/) or email access@andrew.cmu.edu to begin the
 interactive accommodation process. Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional
 disabilities are encouraged to self-identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request
 needed accommodations. Any questions about the process can be directed to
 access@andrew.cmu.edu , or call (412) 268-6121.
 4.3.7 Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures
 Graduate students will find the Summary of Graduate Student Appeal and Grievance Procedures
 on the Graduate Education Resource webpage. This document summarizes processes available to
 graduate students who seek review of academic and non-academic issues. Generally, graduate
 students are expected to seek informal resolution of all concerns within the applicable
 department, unit, or program before invoking formal processes. When an informal resolution
 cannot be reached, however, a graduate student who seeks further review of the matter is to
 follow the formal procedures outlined here. These appeal and grievance procedures shall apply to
 students in all graduate programs of the University. Students should refer to the department
 specific information in this handbook for department and college information about the
 administration and academic policies of the program.
 4.3.8 Sexual Misconduct Policy
 The University prohibits sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/
 domestic violence, and stalking. The University also prohibits retaliation against individuals who
 bring forward such concerns or allegations in good faith.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 29The University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy is available at
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/sexual-misconduct/index.html
 The University’s Policy Against Retaliation is available at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/whistleblower.html
 If you have been impacted by any of these issues, you are encouraged to make contact with any of
 the following resources:
 • Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX: 412-268-7125,
 institutionalequity@cmu.edu
 • On campus resources for institutional equity and Title IX
 • University Police: 412-268-2323
 Additional resources and information can be found at: https://www.cmu.edu/title-ix/resources-
 and-information/index.html
 4.3.9 Gestational and Parental Accommodations
 Providing holistic student support is a top priority at Carnegie Mellon. The protocols described
 at https://www.cmu.edu/graduate/programs-services/maternity-accommodation-protocol.html
 are designed to support the parental needs of students and their families.
 Students seeking any of the Parental Accommodations described below must register with
 the Office of the Dean of Students by contacting the office for an appointment by calling 412-
 268-2075.
 Students are encouraged to register with the Office of the Dean of Students ninety (90) days in
 advance of the anticipated arrival of the child as applicable in the individual circumstance. At the
 time of registering, students will have the opportunity to consult about resources, procedures,
 funding options and preparation for discussing academic accommodations with the student’s
 academic department. Students should also consult with their academic advisors either before or
 in conjunction with registering with the Office of the Dean of Students.
 4.3.10 Accommodations for Gestational Parents
 The birth of a child is a significant life event that may require time away from academic pursuits
 for delivery and recovery from delivery of a newly born child. Students whose anticipated delivery
 date is during the course of a semester may need to take time away from their academic
 responsibilities. Carnegie Mellon students seeking time away are afforded two options as possible
 accommodation:
 • Short-Term Accommodation for Gestational Parents – A short term absence from
 academic responsibilities up to a maximum of six (6) weeks. Short-Term Accommodation
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 30may be extended by two (2) weeks, for a total of eight (8) weeks, where a longer absence
 is medically necessary. Prior to the absence students must work with relevant university
 faculty and staff to adjust their course work, research, teaching and other academic
 responsibilities during the period of absence. This may include extensions of time to
 complete assignments, incomplete grades, and/or dropping courses, shifting research
 responsibilities and adjusting TA assignments. Students who take a Short-Term
 Accommodation will remain enrolled.
 • Formal Leave of Absence– A formal leave of absence under the Student Leave Policy.
 Generally, the Student Leave Policy permits students to take a leave of absence for a full-
 semester, mini-semester, or for the time remaining in the semester during which the leave
 is taken. Students who take a Formal Leave of Absence
 (https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/student-leave.html) drop all
 remaining courses for the semester and are unenrolled for the semester. International
 students must consult with the Office of International Education
 (https://www.cmu.edu/oie/) before considering this option due to visa implications.
 4.3.11 Parental Accommodation for Doctoral Students
 The university offers a Parental Accommodation for qualifying doctoral student parents to include
 up to four (4) weeks of time away from academic responsibilities with continued stipend support.
 This accommodation can be utilized within six months of the birth or placement of a child
 through adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. Gestational parents may utilize both the
 Short-Term Accommodation for Gestational Parents and the parental accommodation.
 Careful planning and consultation is necessary given the unique contexts and requirements of
 each student’s situation. Students will remain fully enrolled and will receive assistance in
 navigating the necessary planning and consultation processes.
 4.3.12 Financial Assistance for Student Parents
 Carnegie Mellon also offers the following options for financial assistance to students who become
 parents while enrolled:
 Interest Free Loan – Any student who becomes a parent is eligible to apply for an interest-
 free parental loan (https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/dean/loans/) from the Office of the Dean
 of Students.
 Doctoral Stipend Continuation (Gestational Parents) – Doctoral students who are the
 gestational parent and who receive an academic stipend funded by Carnegie Mellon are eligible
 to continue to receive stipend funding for up to six (6) weeks during a Short-Term
 Accommodation for Gestational Parents or during a Formal Leave of Absence. Continued
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 31academic stipend funding may be extended by two (2) weeks, for a total of eight (8) weeks, if an
 absence longer than six weeks is medically necessary.
 Doctoral Stipend Continuation (Non-gestational Parents) – Doctoral students who receive an
 academic stipend funded by Carnegie Mellon and are becoming a parent by adoption, birth, or
 through guardianship are eligible to continue to receive stipend funding for up to four (4) weeks
 during a Short-Term Parental Accommodation.
 4.3.13 Consensual Intimate Relationship Policy Regarding Undergraduate
 Students
 This policy addresses the circumstances in which romantic, sexual or amorous
 relationships/interactions with undergraduate students, even if consensual, are inappropriate and
 prohibited. The purpose of this policy is to assure healthy professional relationships. This policy
 is not intended to discourage consensual intimate relationships unless there is a conflicting
 professional relationship in which one party has authority over the other as in the policy.
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/consensual-relationships.html
 5 Financial Support
 5.1 Graduate Student Funding
 For all LTI Ph.D. students, full funding (tuition plus stipend) is guaranteed for the first year. This
 support is normally continued for at least 5 years, with possibility of further continuance, subject
 to continuing satisfactory progress and availability of funding. The fellowship includes full tuition
 and fees, and a monthly Ph.D. stipend that is fixed across SCS. In addition, the LTI pays a
 dependency allowance of 10% of the student's monthly stipend to any student with a child, unless
 they have a spouse who earns more than $200 per month.
 The impact of outside fellowships and scholarships on departmental support-decrease by the
 amount, added bonus, etc.
 If a Ph.D. student receives an outside graduate fellowship (e.g., NSF, Fulbright), the student is
 expected to accept it in place of the LTI’s graduate fellowship. As an extra incentive to do so, the
 LTI will supplement the award so that the student will receive full tuition and a combined stipend
 10 percent higher than that of the standard LTI graduate fellowship.
 Students are required to inform the LTI about any external funding that they receive.
 See also the section on “ABD versus ABD in Absentia (ABS)” (Section 4.3.3).
 5.2 Conference Travel Funding
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 32Students funded by research projects receive travel funding according to policies set by the
 individual projects. Students who have no project funding may be provided with partial funding,
 with a larger amount available for travel to present a refereed conference paper. There is an LTI
 form that must be filled out in advance.
 5.3 Research Funding
 GuSH Research Funding is a source of small research grant funds provided by the Graduate
 Student Assembly (GSA) and the Provost’s Office and managed by the Office of Graduate and
 Postdoc Affairs. See the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs Research Grant Support page
 for information about the application process and deadlines.
 5.4 Office of the Dean of Students Emergency Support Funding
 Graduate students who find themselves in need of immediate funds for emergency situations
 should contact the Office of the Dean of Students. All students, regardless of their program, are
 eligible for the Emergency Student Loan, which is an interest-free and emergency-based loan
 repayable within 30 days. It is available through the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs; students
 may apply for the loan by visiting the Office of the Dean of Students, located in Warner Hall 321
 during business hours, by email at sa-esl@andrew.cmu.edu or by calling (412) 268-2075 for an
 appointment.
 5.5 Health Insurance
 Carnegie Mellon has a Student Health Insurance policy requiring full-time, degree seeking
 students to carry adequate medical insurance. Students must either purchase the plan offered by
 the University or an application for a waiver can be made if the student is “enrolled as the
 dependent, partner/spouse or principal in an employer or government-sponsored insurance
 plan.”(See the Carnegie Mellon University Student Health Insurance Policy (SHIP)).
 It is the responsibility of each student to make arrangements with Student Health Services to
 either pay for their insurance at the beginning of the semester or elect a payment plan over the
 course of the academic year. More information is available at the Student Health Services Web
 site.
 6 Additional University Resources
 6.1 The HUB Student Services Center
 thehub@andrew.cmu.edu and http://www.cmu.edu/hub/
 The HUB is located in Warner Hall, Lower Level. The HUB staff delivers comprehensive service
 and counsel to students and families regarding financial aid, billing and payment, ID cards, and
 registration and academic records. The Assistant Directors in The HUB serve as contacts for
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 33specific colleges and assist enrolled students with key aspects of the enrollment process. Student
 can find their assigned HUB Assistant Director on their Student Information Online (SIO)
 Resource page. Questions that need specialized, in-depth attention can be directed to the
 student's assigned Assistant Director. For general questions and information, students may email
 The HUB or call 412-268-8186.
 6.2 Student Information Online (SIO)
 Student Information Online (SIO) is a secure site where students can find important,
 personalized information, including E-Bills and student account information, financial aid status
 and eligibility, grades and QPA, and course schedules. Students can update their and their spouses
 or domestic partner's contact information, sign up for E-Check & E-Refund, authorize their
 spouses, domestic partners or other individual to receive a copy of their E-Bill, request
 verifications, view their housing and meal plan assignments, and much more. Students can log on
 to SIO by going to www.cmu.edu/hub/sio and entering their Andrew User ID and password.
 On SIO, students are encouraged to keep their current local address up to date. This supports a
 university initiative to have accurate living information for students for official
 program/department/college/university notices, the ability to facilitate wellness checks, ensure
 international students are in compliance with visa requirements.
 It will designate an emergency contact address of a relative or family friend to be contacted in the
 case of an emergency. If students do not want their name and address published in the campus
 directory, they must notify the HUB in writing.
 6.3 ID Cards
 Graduate students can obtain their ID card from The HUB once they have been entered into SIO
 for the semester. These cards identify their holders as members of the campus community. Student
 cards are deactivated upon the cardholder’s separation from the university.
 Affiliate ID Cards are available for spouses and partners of graduate students that allow them to
 access Carnegie Mellon’s campus. These cards are available through The HUB to spouses and
 partners of graduate students who are enrolled for the current academic year in a full-time
 graduate degree program. The card is valid for one year. For information about domestic partner
 registration, visit the Office of the Dean of Students webpage: https://www.cmu.edu/student-
 affairs/dean/domestic-partner/ .
 For more information about student and affiliate ID cards (spouse, domestic partners and
 dependent children), please visit: http://www.cmu.edu/idplus/idcards/sponsored.html.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 346.4 Transcripts
 All units required for the Ph.D. degree, whether earned in residence or transferred from another
 institution, must be recorded on the transcript within ten years of the date on which the student
 enrolled in the program (CMU policy), or less if required by a more restrictive department, school,
 or college policy. This statutory period can be extended by the SCS Associate Dean for Graduate
 Education for special circumstances that do not make it possible for the student to complete the
 requirements within the statutory period. Any request for a waiver of the statute of limitations
 for the Ph.D. degree must be approved by the Department Head and by the SCS Associate Dean
 for Graduate Education. The waiver request must explain the exceptional circumstances that
 warrant an extension. For cases in which a waiver is granted, the waiver will cover specific
 courses and will specify a time period for completion of the program.
 See also the ‘Duration of Study’ policy.
 Information about and instructions for ordering transcripts are available at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/hub/registrar/student-records/transcripts/index.html
 Transcript questions may be directed to cmuregistrar@andrew.cmu.edu.
 6.5 Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) and Cross-registration
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/cross-college-university-
 registration.html
 Cross-registration provides an opportunity for enriched educational programs by permitting full-
 time graduate students to cross-register for courses (usually no more than one per semester) at a
 Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) Institution.
 Full-time Carnegie Mellon degree students are eligible and the PCHE course may not count
 towards full-time status unless the student is enrolled in an inter-university program. Students
 interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should be familiar with the Policy on Grades
 for Transfer Courses already outlined previously in this handbook.
 6.6 Student Privacy Rights and FERPA
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/privacy-rights-students.html
 This university policy notifies students of their rights under the federal Family Educational
 Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). According to FERPA, students have the right to:
 • inspect and review their education records
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 35• request an amendment to their education record if they believe they are inaccurate or
 misleading
 • request a hearing if their request for an amendment is not resolved to their satisfaction
 • consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information from their education records,
 except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent
 • file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Family Policy Compliance Office
 if they believe their rights under FERPA have been violated
 For questions about Student Privacy Rights, FERPA or filing a complaint, contact John
 Papinchak, University Registrar, jp7p@andrew.cmu.edu, in Enrollment Services.
 6.7 Professional Development
 The Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC) at Carnegie Mellon is a centralized
 career center staffed by a team of seasoned and highly-educated professionals who orchestrate the
 career exploration, experiential learning, and career networking needs of students and alumni.
 CMU's career and professional development model is grounded in discipline-specific career
 development, experiential learning, and employer relations shaped by strong connections with
 the university's seven academic colleges. The center's success is founded upon a solid
 understanding of career and professional development theory, integration of technology, and an
 unwavering commitment to providing personalized attention towards meeting the unique
 individual needs of students, alumni, and employers. The CDPC is located on the Lower Level of
 the University Center, 412-268-2064.
 The Office of the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Education (AVPGE) offers a robust
 schedule of professional development opportunities. Some are geared towards a specific
 population (master’s students, Ph.D. students at the beginning of their program, graduate
 students seeking tenure track positions, etc.) and others are open to all graduate students (time
 management, balancing, staying healthy). A full schedule of programs can be found at:
 http://www.cmu.edu/graduate/.
 6.8 University Libraries
 http://search.library.cmu.edu
 There are three main libraries at Carnegie Mellon: Hunt Library, Mellon Library, and the Sorrells
 Library with the combined mission of providing access and help to graduate students in finding
 the information needed, teaching graduate students to evaluate available information and use
 reliable sources. The libraries’ digital resources and services, including off-campus/ wireless
 access to databases and e-journals, offer online access. There are also two neighboring libraries
 open to Carnegie Mellon graduate students: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and University of
 Pittsburgh Libraries. Visit the University Libraries website for information about all mentioned
 library locations and hours, on-line resources, and FAQ’s.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 366.9 Computing Services
 Computing Services is located in Cyert Hall – Room 285. Computing Services develops,
 maintains, and supports the computing infrastructure for Carnegie Mellon students, faculty
 members and staff members. This includes the campus wired and wireless networks, public
 computer labs or “clusters,” cable television and telephone services, computing related
 documentation and support through the Help Center. In addition, Computing Services provides
 standard classroom technologies for over 100 lecture halls, classrooms, and seminar rooms across
 campus. The website contains addition information regarding The Help Center hours, location
 and contact information, computing cluster hours and location, the Carnegie Mellon web portal,
 computing security and policies and guidelines. Students can email the Help Center at it-
 help@cmu.edu or call 412-268-4357 (HELP) with questions and for assistance.
 6.10 Family and Dependents Resources
 The Graduate Student Assembly website maintains a resource page for spouses, domestic
 partners and families of graduate students: https://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/Resources-for-
 Graduate-Students/index.html , including The Student Parent Association, new mother rooms,
 and links to resources around campus and the Pittsburgh area.
 Affiliate ID Cards are available for spouses and domestic partners of graduate students that allow
 them to access Carnegie Mellon’s campus. These cards are available through The HUB to spouses
 and partners of graduate students who are enrolled for the current academic year in a full-time
 graduate degree program. The card is valid for one year. For more information about student and
 affiliate ID cards, please visit: http://www.cmu.edu/idplus/idcards/sponsored.html.
 6.11 Domestic Partner Registration
 Carnegie Mellon extends certain benefits to domestic partners of students. Eligible students may
 elect benefits for their domestic partners through the registration process orchestrated by the
 Office of the Dean of Students, Warner Hall, room 321. Information regarding the benefits avail-
 able for domestic partners, eligibility for domestic partner benefits, registration instructions and
 forms can be located at: https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/dean/domestic-
 partner/index.html.
 6.12 Housing
 The university does not currently offer housing to graduate students. The Office of Housing and
 Dining Services does provide community housing information to assist graduate students who are
 seeking housing in the communities surrounding the university, including information on the
 legal aspects of renting an apartment, moving checklists and the off-campus housing database.
 This information can be located at: https://www.cmu.edu/housing/our-communities/index.html.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 376.13 Dining
 www.cmu.edu/dining/
 Dining services and operations are offered through the Office of Housing and Dining Services. The
 office operates dining locations open in and around campus. These locations offer flexible hours
 with options from the early morning through late night. The Dining Service website contains
 information about dining locations, hours of operation, graduate student dining plans forms,
 nutritional information, and daily specials for dining locations.’
 6.14 Parking and Transportation
 www.cmu.edu/parking/
 Graduate students will find information about parking and availability, parking policies,
 transportation options and Port Authority Transit usage with a valid university ID on the Parking
 and Transportation Services site. The Parking and Transportation Services office is located in the
 East Campus Garage (by Forbes Avenue entrance). There is limited parking on campus and the
 varying permit rates can be found on the website. All parking areas of campus are either by permit,
 metered or by the hour in the garage. Parking and Transportation Services will ticket any car
 parked in a permit area without a permit or at an expired meter. The city monitors the metered
 parking along Margaret Morrison, Frew and Tech Streets and will ticket at expired meters as
 well.
 The university offers shuttle and escort services operates in the evening/overnight and provides
 free transportation from campus to within a block of your home in the Oakland, Squirrel Hill, and
 Shadyside neighborhoods, as well as to university sites located outside of the main campus. The
 Escort Service offers vehicle routes within a radius of campus between 6:30 pm-4:15 am daily. You
 must show your CMU ID to board.
 Information regarding up-to-date shuttle and escort schedules, pick-up/drop-off locations, routes
 and usage policies can be found at: https://www.cmu.edu/parking/transport/escort.html .
 6.15 Copying, Printing, and Mailing Services
 Tartan Ink offers community members easy access to UPS services, copy centers, printing and
 mailing services, and postal services. Tartan Ink is located on the Lower Level of the Cohon
 University Center. More information regarding these services, business hours, locations and
 contact information can be found on the Office of Tartan Ink website at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/tartanink/aboutus/index.html.
 6.16 University Center
 www.cmu.edu/university-center
 The Jared L. Cohon University Center is a centerpiece of the campus that provides a space for
 special events, physical fitness, student organizations and various activities, as well as
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 38accommodating retail and dining services. As the campus crossroads, the University Center
 functions as a place for students to interact, get involved and enjoy new experiences. Visit the
 University Center website for information about campus eateries, ATMs and PNC Bank, fitness
 rooms and schedules, retail stores, scheduling University Center space, the public prayer room,
 student organizations, and the Wright-Rogal Chapel.
 The University Center Information Desk (first floor of the Cohon Center next to Wean Commons
 and Kirr Commons) is the location if you want to know about upcoming campus events or have
 questions about Carnegie Mellon in general, call the Information Desk at 412-268-2107. The
 Information Desk not only provides information about campus events, but also sells postage
 stamps, makes copies, sends faxes, distributes campus maps, manages a lost & found, and has
 information brochures about Pittsburgh and the campus.
 6.17 Athletic/Fitness Facilities
 www.cmu.edu/athletics
 For the participant or the spectator, Carnegie Mellon offers intercollegiate athletics, intramural
 sports, physical education classes and club sports. The Athletics Department also offers aerobics
 classes in the University Center as well as occasional workshops and instruction related to fitness
 and health. The administrative offices are located in the Cohon University Fitness Center.
 The University Center’s recreational facilities include an eight-lane pool, racquetball and squash
 courts, aerobics room, fitness center and gym for basketball and volleyball. With renovations to
 Skibo Gym and the new Highmark Center for Health, Wellness, and Athletics scheduled for
 completion in 2024, the strength and conditioning facility has been temporarily placed on the
 lawn next to the outdoor basketball court close to the Donner locker rooms, Gesling Stadium, and
 Weigand Gymnasium. All users must present a valid CMU ID to use these facilities.
 6.18 CMU Alert
 www.cmu.edu/alert
 CMU Alert sends voice and/or text messages to registered phones in the event of a campus
 emergency that threatens public safety or during tests of the system in the spring and fall
 semesters. Students are automatically registered for CMU-Alert using the current contact
 information that has been entered into the Student Information Online (SIO):
 https://www.cmu.edu/hub/sio/about.html.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 39Appendix A
 2023-2024
 Highlighted University Resources for Graduate Students
 Note: The following pages are meant to broadly include only some of the resources available to
 graduate students. It is not an exhaustive appendix of resources, and students are strongly
 encouraged to visit the various websites linked below for the most up-to-date information.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 40A.1 Key Resources for Graduate Student Support
 A.1.1 Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs
 https://www.cmu.edu/graduate graded@cmu.edu
 The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs provides university-wide support for all graduate
 students and academic programs, with a focus on supporting graduate student success at
 Carnegie Mellon. Examples of resources offered through the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral
 Affairs include, but are not limited to:
 • Website with university resources, contact information for CMU
 programs and services, possible financial assistance and potential funding
 opportunities, and various procedural and policy information
 • Newsletter to all graduate students with information on activities,
 resources, and opportunities
 • Professional development seminars and workshops, and various
 programming and events for the graduate student community
 •
 The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs also works directly with the colleges and
 departments on issues related to graduate students and serve as a resource for developing policy
 and procedures. The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs partners with many other offices
 and organizations, such as the Graduate Student Assembly, to support the holistic graduate
 student educational experience.
 A.1.2 Office of the Dean of Students
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/dean/
 The Office of the Dean of Students provides central leadership of the metacurricular experience
 at Carnegie Mellon including the coordination of student support. Graduate students will find
 the enrollment information for Domestic Partner Registration and Parental Accommodations in
 the Office of the Dean of Students or on their website. This Office also manages the Student
 Emergency Support Funding process. There are currently three forms of support funding for
 enrolled students: emergency student loans, student parental loans, and the Tartan Emergency
 Support Fund. Inquiring students will be provided with additional information about the various
 types of funding during a consultation meeting with a member of the Dean of Students team.
 Tuition costs are not eligible for Student Emergency Support funding.
 College Liaisons and the Student Support Resources team serve as additional resources for
 graduate students. College Liaisons are senior members of the Division of Student Affairs who
 work with departments and colleges addressing student concerns across a wide range of issues.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 41College Liaisons are identified on the Important Contacts list in Student Information Online
 (SIO). The Student Support Resources team offers an additional level of support for students who
 are navigating a wide range of life events. Student Support Resources staff members work in
 partnership with campus and community resources to provide coordination of care and support
 appropriate to each student’s situation.
 A.1.3 The Division of Student Affairs
 The Division of Student Affairs includes (not an exhaustive list):
 • Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation
 • Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
 • Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion
 • Cohon University Center
 • Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS)
 • Dining Services
 • Office of Community Standards and Integrity (OCSI)
 • Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Civic Engagement (SLICE)
 • University Health Services (UHS)
 • Wellness Initiatives
 A.1.4 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-diversity/
 Diversity and inclusion have a singular place among the values of Carnegie Mellon University. The
 Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion actively cultivates a strong, diverse and inclusive
 community capable of living out these values and advancing research, creativity, learning and
 development that changes the world.
 The Center offers resources to enhance an inclusive and transformative student experience in
 dimensions such as access, success, campus climate and intergroup dialogue. Additionally, the
 Center supports and connects historically underrepresented students and those who are first in
 their family to attend college in a setting where students’ differences and talents are appreciated
 and reinforced, both at the graduate and undergraduate level. Initiatives coordinated by the
 Center include, but are not limited to:
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 42• First generation/first in family to attend college programs
 • LGBTQ+ Initiatives
 • Race and ethnically focused programs, including Inter-University Graduate Students of
 Color Series (SOC) and PhD SOC Network
 • Women’s empowerment programs, including Graduate Women’s
 Gatherings (GWGs)
 A.1.5 Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
 https://www.cmu.edu/disability-resources/
 The Office of Disability Resources at Carnegie Mellon University has a continued mission to
 provide physical, digital, and programmatic access to ensure that students with disabilities have
 equal access to their educational experience. The Office works to ensure that qualified individuals
 receive reasonable accommodations as guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who would like to receive
 accommodations can begin the process through Disability Resources' secure online portal or
 email access@andrew.cmu.edu to begin the interactive accommodation Process.
 Students with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional disabilities are encouraged to self-
 identify with the Office of Disability Resources and request needed accommodations. Any
 questions about the process can be directed to access@andrew.cmu.edu, or call (412) 268- 6121.
 A.1.6 Eberly Center for Teaching Excellence & Educational Innovation
 https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/
 The Eberly Center offers a wide variety of confidential, consultation services and professional
 development programs to support graduate students as teaching assistants or instructors of
 record during their time at Carnegie Mellon University and as future faculty members at other
 institutions. Regardless of one's current or future teaching context and duties, Eberly’s goal is to
 disseminate evidence-based teaching strategies in ways that are accessible and actionable.
 Programs and services include campus-wide Graduate Student Instructor Orientation events and
 our Future Faculty Program, both of which are designed to help participants be effective and
 efficient in their teaching roles. The Eberly Center also assists departments in creating and
 conducting customized programs to meet the specific needs of their graduate student instructors.
 Specific information about Eberly Center support for graduate students is found at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/graduatestudentsupport/
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 43A.1.7 Graduate Student Assembly
 https://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/
 The Graduate Student Assembly (GSA) is the branch of Carnegie Mellon Student Government
 that represents and advocates for the diverse interests of all graduate students at CMU. GSA is
 composed of representatives from the different graduate programs and departments who want to
 improve the graduate student experience at the different levels of the university. GSA is funded
 by the Student Activities Fee from all graduate students. GSA passes legislation, allocates student
 activities funding, advocates for legislative action locally and in Washington D.C. on behalf of
 graduate student issues and needs, and otherwise acts on behalf of all graduate student interests.
 GSA’s recent accomplishments are a testament to their making a difference, and steps to
 implementing the vision laid out by the strategic plan.
 https://www.cmu.edu/stugov/gsa/about-the-gsa/strategic-plan.html
 GSA offers an expanding suite of social programming on and off-campus to bring graduate
 students from different departments together and build a sense of community. GSA is the host of
 the Graduate Student Lounge on the 3rd floor of the Cohon University Center. GSA also maintains
 a website of graduate student resources on and off-campus. GSA continues to rely on student
 feedback to improve the graduate student experience at CMU. Feel free to contact them at
 gsa@cmu.edu to get involved, stop by their office in the Cohon University Center Room 304 or
 become a representative for your department.
 A.1.8 Office of International Education (OIE)
 https://www.cmu.edu/oie/
 Carnegie Mellon hosts international graduate and undergraduate students who come from more
 than 90 countries. The Office of International Education (OIE) is the liaison to the University for
 all non-immigrant students and scholars, as well the repository for study abroad opportunities.
 OIE provides many services including: advising on personal, immigration, study abroad, academic,
 and social and acculturation issues; presenting programs of interest such as international career
 workshops, tax workshops, and cross-cultural and immigration workshops; international
 education and statistics on international students in the United States; posting pertinent
 information to students through email and the OIE website and conducting orientation and pre-
 departure programs.
 A.1.9 Veterans and Military Community
 https://www.cmu.edu/veterans/
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 44Military veterans are a vital part of the Carnegie Mellon University community. Graduate
 students can find information on applying for veteran education benefits, campus services,
 veteran’s groups at CMU, and non-educational resources through the Veterans and Military
 Community website. There are also links and connections to veteran resource in the Pittsburgh
 community. The ROTC and Veteran Affairs Coordinator can be reached at
 urovaedbenefits@andrew.cmu.edu or 412-268-8747.
 A.1.10 Carnegie Mellon Ethics Hotline
 https://www.cmu.edu/hr/resources/ethics-hotline.html
 The health, safety and well-being of the university community are top priorities at Carnegie
 Mellon University. CMU provides a hotline that all members of the university community should
 use to confidentially report suspected unethical activity, violations of university policy, or
 violations of law. Students, faculty and staff can anonymously file a report by calling 1-844-587-
 0793 or visiting https://cmu.ethicspoint.com/. All submissions are reported to appropriate university
 personnel and handled discreetly.
 The hotline is NOT an emergency service. For emergencies, call University
 Police at 412-268-2323.
 A.1.11 Policy Against Retaliation
 It is the policy of Carnegie Mellon University to protect from retaliation any individual who
 makes a good faith report of a suspected violation of any applicable law or regulation, university
 Policy or procedure, any contractual obligation of the university, and any report made pursuant
 to the Carnegie Mellon University Code of Business Ethics and Conduct.
 Additional details regarding the Policy Against Retaliation are available at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/policies/administrative-and-governance/whistleblower.html
 A.2 Key Offices for Academic & Research Support
 A.2.1 Computing and Information Resources
 https://www.cmu.edu/computing/
 Computing Services maintains and supports computing resources for the campus community,
 including the campus wired and wireless networks, printing, computer labs, file storage, email
 and software catalog. As members of this community, we are all responsible for the security of
 these shared resources. Be sure to review the Safe Computing
 (https://www.cmu.edu/computing/safe/) section and the University Computing Policy
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 45(https://www.cmu.edu/policies/information-technology/computing.html)
 Visit the Computing Services website (https://www.cmu.edu/computing/) to learn more. For
 assistance the Computing Services Help Center is available at 412-268-4357 (HELP) or
 ithelp@cmu.edu.
 A.2.2 Student Academic Success Center
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/
 The Student Academic Success Center’s (SASC) work to support success focuses on creating
 spaces for students to engage in their coursework and approach to learning through many group
 and individual program options. SASC supports student success by providing academic coaching,
 subject-specific tutoring, effective communication strategies, accommodations for students with
 disabilities, and language support for multilingual learners. SASC engages with faculty and staff
 to improve the coordination and professional development for academic advisors. Visit the SASC
 website for more information about services offered in areas such as communication and language
 support; language and cross-cultural support; and learning support.
 A.2.3 University Libraries
 https://www.library.cmu.edu/
 The University Libraries offers a wide range of information, resources, and services supporting
 graduate students in coursework, research, teaching, and publishing. The library licenses and
 purchases books, journals, media, and other needed materials in various formats. Library
 liaisons, consultants, and information specialists provide in-depth and professional assistance
 and advice in all-things information, including:
 • Locating and obtaining specific resources
 • Providing specialized research support
 • Advanced training in the use and management of data
 Sign up for workshops and hands-on topic-specific sessions such as data visualization with
 Tableau, cleaning data with OpenRefine, and getting started with Zotero. Weekly drop-in hours
 for Digital Humanities and for Research Data Research Management are scheduled during the
 academic year. Start at the library home page to find the books, journals, and databases you need;
 to identify and reach out to the library liaison in your field; to sign up for scheduled workshops;
 and to connect with consultants in scholarly publishing, research data management, and digital
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 46humanities.
 A.2.4 Research at CMU
 https://www.cmu.edu/research/
 The primary purpose of research at the university is the advancement of knowledge in all fields in
 which the university is active. Research is regarded as one of the university’s major contributions
 to society and as an essential element in education, particularly at the graduate level and in faculty
 development. Research activities are governed by several university policies. Guidance and more
 general information are found by visiting the Research at Carnegie Mellon website.
 A.2.5 Office of Research Integrity & Compliance
 https://www.cmu.edu/research-compliance/
 The Office of Research Integrity & Compliance (ORIC) is designed to support research at
 Carnegie Mellon University. The staff work with researchers to ensure research is conducted with
 integrity and in accordance with federal and Pennsylvania regulation. ORIC assists researchers
 with human subject research, conflicts of interest, responsible conduct of research, export
 controls, and institutional animal care & use. ORIC also provides consultation, advice, and review
 of allegations of research misconduct.
 A.3 Key Offices for Health, Wellness & Safety
 A.3.1 Counseling & Psychological Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/counseling/
 Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS) affords the opportunity for students to talk privately
 about academic and personal concerns in a safe, confidential setting. An initial consultation at
 CaPS can help clarify the nature of the concern, provide immediate support, and explore further
 options if needed. These may include a referral for counseling within CaPS, to another resource at
 Carnegie Mellon, or to another resource within the larger Pittsburgh community. CaPS also
 provides workshops and group sessions on mental health related topics specifically for graduate
 students on campus. CaPS services are provided at no cost. Appointments can be made in person,
 or by telephone at 412-268-2922.
 A.3.2 Health Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/HealthServices/
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 47University Health Services (UHS) is staffed by physicians, advanced practice clinicians and
 registered nurses who provide general medical care, allergy injections, first aid, gynecological care,
 and contraception as well as on-site pharmaceuticals. The CMU Student Insurance Plan covers
 most visit fees to see the physicians and advanced practice clinicians & nurse visits. Fees for
 prescription medications, laboratory tests, diagnostic procedures and referral to the emergency
 room or specialists are the student’s responsibility and students should review the UHS website
 and their insurance plan for detailed information about the university health insurance
 requirement and fees.
 UHS also has a registered dietician and health promotion specialists on staff to assist students in
 addressing nutrition, drug and alcohol and other healthy lifestyle issues. In addition to providing
 direct health care, UHS administers the Student Health Insurance Program. The Student Health
 Insurance plan offers a high level of coverage in a wide network of health care providers and
 hospitals. Appointments can be made by visiting UHS’s website, walk-in, or by telephone, 412-
 268-2157.
 A.3.3 Campus Wellness
 https://www.cmu.edu/wellness/
 At Carnegie Mellon, we believe our individual and collective well-being is rooted in healthy
 connections to each other and to campus resources. The university provides a wide variety of
 wellness, mindfulness and connectedness initiatives and resources designed to help students
 thrive inside and outside the classroom.
 A.3.4 Religious and Spiritual Life Initiatives (RSLI)
 https://www.cmu.edu/wellbeing/resources/religious-spiritual/index.html
 Carnegie Mellon is committed to the holistic growth of our students, including creating
 opportunities for spiritual and religious practice and exploration. RSLI has relationships with
 local houses of worship from various traditions and many of these groups are members of CMU’s
 Council of Religious Advisors. They also offer programs and initiatives that cross traditional
 religious boundaries in order to increase knowledge of and appreciation for the full diversity of
 the worldview traditions. RSLI staff are available to support students across the spectrum of
 religious and spiritual practice and would be more than happy to help you make a connection into
 a community of faith during your time at CMU.
 A.3.5 University Police
 https://www.cmu.edu/police/ x2323
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 48The University Police Department is located at 4551 Filmore Street. The department’s services
 include police patrols and call response, criminal investigations, fixed officer and foot officer
 patrols, event security, and crime prevention and education programming as well as bicycle and
 laptop registration. Visit the department’s website for additional information about the staff,
 emergency phone locations, crime prevention, lost and found, fingerprint services, and annual
 statistic reports. Carnegie Mellon University publishes an annual campus security and fire safety
 report describing the university’s security, alcohol and drug, sexual assault, and fire safety
 policies. The report also contains statistics about the number and type of crimes committed on
 the campus and the number and cause of fires in campus residence facilities during the preceding
 three years. Graduate students can obtain a copy by contacting the University Police Department
 at x2323. The annual security and fire safety report is also available online at:
 https://www.cmu.edu/police/annualreports/
 A.3.6 Shuttle and Escort Services
 https://www.cmu.edu/parking/transport/
 Parking and Transportation coordinates the Shuttle Service and Escort Service provided for CMU
 students, faculty, and community. The Shuttle & Escort website has full information about these
 services, stops, routes, tracking and schedules.
 A.4 The WORD
 https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/
 The WORD is Carnegie Mellon University’s online student handbook and serves as the
 foundation for the department (and sometimes college) handbook. The WORD contains
 university-wide academic policy information and resources, community policies and resources,
 and describes the university level procedures used to review possible violations of these
 standards. It is designed to provide all students with the tools, guidance, and insights to help you
 achieve your full potential as a member of the Carnegie Mellon community. Graduate students are
 encouraged to bookmark this site and refer to it often. University policies can also be found in full
 text at: https://www.cmu.edu/policies/.
 L TI Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook Page 49