Dear Students:
I greet you at the beginning of the spring term. As you’ve heard, I will
be the DGS this spring and I look forward to working with you. Some
years ago, I served as DGS for three years, so many of the procedures
are familiar, though some are new to me. Please bear with me as I get up
to speed. I’ll be sending you a few memos in the coming days on a
variety of topics, including an invitation to have coffee with me and
introduce yourself. (You can do that of course without coffee; I’m in my
office, McCosh 53, most afternoons and would be happy to chat there.)
It’s important to me to know who you are and we’re a small enough
program to make that possible.
The first piece of business, though is a happy one: with Claudia Johnson
and Vance Smith leading the way, the department has newly allocated
funds to offer support to students who elect DCE status. Below you will find
the new policy and procedures. We have opted to distribute these funds
as widely as possible, hoping to reach each non-supported student in the
cohort. Please get in touch if you have questions.
We’re convinced that all our post-fifth year students are deserving; our
hope is that this support will ease your burdens and assist you in the
completion of your degree requirements.
Very best,
Starry Schor
Annan Dissertation Fellowship
General: The Annan Dissertation Fellowship will be granted to DCE students for one semester during their sixth year and, if necessary, for one additional semester during their seventh year. The award provides full tuition and health insurance costs at the DCE rate for that semester. Normally, students with Annan Dissertation Fellowships will be permitted to teach no more than two precepts.
Eligibility: Whether they elect to teach for the department or not, all DCE students are eligible for Annan Dissertation Fellowships except those who already have other fellowships or those who have outside academic appointments covering health care. Seventh year DCE students are eligible only if they have shown substantial progress in their dissertations (determined on the basis of students’ self-assessments and advisors’ reports).
Payment: Students electing to receive support without undertaking additional precepting will have their health care and tuition fees sent directly to the Graduate School by the English Department. Students opting to teach while receiving Annan support will receive the fellowship award in a lump sum from the English Department at the beginning of the semester. NB: Because the Annan is a fellowship, no taxes will be taken out of it. Students are responsible for reporting the fellowship award when they pay their taxes.
Allocation: In order to provide for an even distribution of Annan Fellowship awards over Fall and Spring term, the semester of students’ awards will be determined by lottery. Students are permitted to trade amongst themselves, however. Should a trade occur, the students must notify the department as soon as possible.
The Fellowships will commence with Fall Term, 2008.
1/08
