Guidelines for the Allocation of Graduate Student Desk Space
Dept. of Natural Resources and the Environment
The guidelines outline a strategy for allocating graduate student desk space that accommodates the needs of both incoming and continuing graduate students in the Graduate Field of Natural Resources and the Environment. As part of the annual review process that all students participate in, continuing students will be queried regarding their need for desk space for the upcoming academic year. Students will be asked to think critically about their desk space needs and status for the upcoming year, keeping in mind that space is limited and we want to insure that all incoming graduate students have space. Students will communicate about space needs with the GFA. The following guidelines will be used to allocate desk space to graduate students in the Field of Natural Resources.
TIME LIMITS ON DESK SPACE
Graduate students are guaranteed space (if needed) for 2 years for an MS degree, 4 years for a PhD degree, and 5 years for MS/PhD degree. The Department and Graduate Field will attempt to accommodate students beyond this time frame but there is no guarantee that desk space will be available.
Students on “Leave of Absence (LOA)” or “In Absentia (IA)” will be asked to relinquish their desk space during this time. Upon returning to active status, desk space will be provided.
MPS students share a space in Fernow Hall.
ALLOCATION OF DESK SPACE
Incoming students will be prioritized desk space on the 3rd floor of Fernow (48 spaces).
Graduate students who don’t require a permanent desk full-time will be given the option of “swing space.” “Swing space” is a set of desks in a private office on the 3rd floor of Fernow that will be shared by multiple students (7 students for 3 desks, for example). There are bookshelves where students using “swing space” can store their belongings.
Students can voluntarily opt to share their desk space. This option may useful for students who have desk space elsewhere (Bradfield, Lab of O., etc.) and do not plan to use their Fernow desk space regularly.
The Graduate Field encourages all students to be engaged in the field and co-location of desk space for students is one way to facilitate communication and interaction. Decisions about desk space for incoming students of secondary field members (field members not in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment) will be made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the student and the availability of space in Fernow.
If needed, the Bruckner B20 office space will be used to house graduate students beyond the allocated time limits or who prefer an isolated desk space (4 spaces in Bruckner Hall).