Student Resources – MIT Department of Chemistry

There are many resources available for the MIT Community and a comprehensive list is available here. The current edition of The Mind and Hand Book is the official guide to MIT’s expectations of all undergraduate and graduate students and also includes a number of useful resources. We have included some specific resources below that graduate students may find especially useful.

The Institute Community and Equity Office and MindHandHeart have compiled a list of MIT support offices and their responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. Focused on health and wellbeing, diversity, equity, and inclusion, finances, and academics, these offices are working hard to keep MIT services and programs going in our new virtual landscape.

The Chemistry Education Office is also here to help!

General Information

Safety

MIT is committed to the safety and well-being of all members of the community. To report an emergency dial 100 from any campus phone or 617-253-1212 from all other phones. Other important information about safety and security is included below:

MIT ALERT is the Institute’s emergency notification program, designed to provide information and advisories via a number of communication channels including Institute voicemail, email, and text message, for the safety and security of the MIT community. All MIT students, faculty, and staff should review their MIT Alert settings on the MIT Alert page (you will need an MIT Certificate).
Extensive information about emergency preparedness is also available online here.
Information about emergencies, including closures due to weather, is available online here.

Office of Graduate Education (OGE)

Staff in the Office of Graduate Education provide advice and counsel on a variety of issues including faculty/student relationships, changing your advisor, conflict negotiation, funding, academic progress, interpersonal concerns, and a student’s rights and responsibilities. They can also help with excused absences and provide clarification about Graduate Policies and Procedures.

The following Deans are available meet with students:

Associate Dean Suraiya Baluch
Assistant Dean Cathleen Collins
Assistant Dean Gaurav Jashnani
Senior Associate Dean Blanche Staton

To schedule appointments, please email gradsupport@mit.edu or call (617) 253-4860.

MIT Ombuds Office

The MIT Ombuds Office is a confidential* and independent resource for all members of the MIT community, including students, faculty, employees, alumni, and employees of Lincoln Lab, to constructively manage concerns and conflicts related to your experience at MIT. They support your success in work and studies by helping you to analyze concerns, clarify policies and procedures, and identify options to constructively manage conflicts. They also provide systemic feedback to strengthen MIT and promote a fair and respectful culture.

Room 10-213, 617-253-5921

The Ombuds Office is currently scheduling appointments by phone or Zoom. To set-up a time please email Kalina Schloneger or call 617-253-5921. You can also email Judi Segall and Nick Diehl directly.

*The only exceptions to this pledge of confidentiality are situations that present a risk of serious and immediate harm to yourself or others.

ChemREFS (Resources for Easing Friction and Stress)

MIT ChemREFS is a group of Chemistry graduate students who are trained and certified in conflict resolution and mediation. Their mission is to improve the graduate student experience in MIT Chemistry by serving as a confidential resource for chemistry graduate students, faculty, and staff. They’re here to listen and talk through possible solutions if you have a problem—big or small, in lab or at home. They are available to meet one-on-one and also host a weekly “office hour” through our ChemConvos program. Learn more about connecting with one of the ChemREFS.

Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response (IDHR) Office

Violence Prevention & Response (VPR)

VPR is MIT’s primary, on-campus resource for preventing and responding to interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and sexual harassment. Their prevention specialists work with the entire campus to educate and raise awareness. Their hotline is available 24 hours a day to support survivors in deciding what to do next. All of their services are free and confidential.

24/7 Hotline: 617-253-2300
Questions about advocacy services: VPRadvocate@mit.edu
Questions about education or outreach: VPReducation@mit.edu

International Students Office (ISO)

Graduate Student Council (GSC)

The Graduate Student Council exists to enhance the overall graduate experience at MIT by promoting the general welfare and concerns of the graduate student body, creating new programs and initiatives to provide opportunities for growth and interaction, and communicating with the MIT Administration and Faculty on behalf of graduate students. The GSC is led by the Executive Committee and has various committees and boards to address graduate student issues.

Disability and Access Services (DAS)

Disability and Access Services (DAS) models best practices for access, enabling people of diverse abilities to engage with MIT. Disability and Access Services (DAS) enables an accessible campus experience at MIT by:

Ensuring access for qualified students with disabilities
Consulting on digital accessibility, assistive technology, and user experience

Students with disability & access needs: das-student@mit.edu, Room 5-104

Registrar's Office

Finances

Fellowships

Student Financial Services

Financial Concerns & Food Insecurity

The Office of Graduate Education lists a number of resources available for students with financial concerns. This includes SwipeShare, a program for students who experience food insecurity to access dining hall swipes. Graduate students who wish to receive donated meal swipes should email Naomi Carton. Students with families who are experiencing food insecurity may apply for a Family Food Grant. The ARM Coalition (Accessing Resources at MIT) also provides information and resources.

Paystubs & Payroll Options

As Teaching Assistants, Research Assistants, or fellows paid by MIT, graduate students are considered MIT employees and can access financial information relating to their stipend online via Atlas (MIT certificates required). Through Atlas students can download/print pay stubs, update tax withholding information, enter direct deposit information, and retrieve electronic copies of W2s (annual earning form, used for filing federal and state tax returns).

iGrad Financial Literacy Portal

Student Life

Housing & Residential Services

MIT Work-Life Center

The MIT Work-Life Center is here to meet the personal and professional needs of our diverse, global community — whatever they may be. Whether you are a member of the faculty or staff, a student or postdoctoral associate or postdoctoral fellow, call on them whenever you need a solution, big or small. Whatever your phase of life, whatever your challenge, they are here to lend support and connect you to resources and support systems, no matter where you are located. In addition to one-on-one consultations, they offer a wide range of programs that address specific life issues and events. NE49-5000, 617-253-1592, worklife@mit.edu

LBGTQ@MIT: An Intercultural Resource for Diverse Gender, Romantic, and Sexual Identities

LBGTQ+ Services supports numerous student, employee, and alumni groups as well as other departments and initiatives on campus aiming to foster equity, intersectionality, and the continuum of social justice. From individual student support to organizational development and institutional policy advocacy, LBGTQ+ Services’ support, programming, and educational endeavors aim to enhance the experiences of MIT’s LBGTQ+ community. LGBTQ@MIT: 617-253-5440, lgbt@mit.edu

MIT Rainbow Lounge, Walker Memorial Second Floor (50-250) [Temporarily Closed, Information about online programs and services is available here.

Office of Multicultural Programs

The Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP) plans a variety of programs and events that seek to celebrate culture and educate others in areas related to social justice and how to carry out inclusive practices in the MIT Community. They collaborate with campus partners, student organizations, and community resources to plan these events. All programs and events are free to MIT students.

Nina DeAgrela, Assistant Dean – Office of Multicultural Programs, ( 617) 253-0225  tonina@mit.edu
SPXCE Intercultural Center, W31-110, Du Pont Athletic Gymnasium)

SPXCE: Social Justice Programming & Cross-Cultural Engagement

With a student-centered approach, the Social Justice Programming & Cross Cultural Engagement Intercultural Center (SPXCE, pronounced “space”) works to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and affirming MIT campus climate. As a collaborative initiative between the Office of Multicultural Programs and LBGTQ@MIT, the SPXCE provides intersectional social justice education, support, community-building, and leadership development. The SPXCE serves as a place where students can feel at home and exist in their wholeness while exploring all of their identities authentically with compassion and care.

Aside from the staff offices for OMP and LBGTQ@MIT, the SPXCE also offers a social lounge, study space, chalk wall, kitchenette, computer lab, all-gender restroom, a projector and screens, moveable white boards, and information on additional campus and local resources.

The SPXCE is open Monday through Friday from 10am – 8pm and is in Building W31, Suite 110. [Temporarily Closed]

Spiritual Support

Comprised of over 20 chaplains and 40 student groups, the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life (ORSEL) reflects the diversity of the institute’s community. Through regular opportunities for worship, meditation, prayer, and study, the office is a resource for students, faculty, and staff, of all faith traditions and belief systems. The chaplains provide religious, spiritual, and educational programming, as well as confidential* counseling and crisis support.
*Chaplains who are ordained clergy within their religious traditions are confidential resources for members of the community.

Religious Activity Center, W11, 617-253-7707

GAIN (Graduate Assistance and Information Network)

Health and Wellness

MIT Medical

MIT Medical provides routine and urgent medical care as well as mental health and counseling services for the MIT community, including students.
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, walk-in service for Urgent Care has been suspended. All patients must call first to be seen. (617-253-1311, 24-hour assistance at 617-253-4481).
Currently Primary Care Service is available for telehealth visits and certain in-person visits, including same-day visits and chronic disease follow-ups by appointment only (617-258-9355).

Building E23, 617-253-4481

Student Mental Health & Counseling

MIT Medical’s Student Mental Health and Counseling Services works with students to identify, understand, and solve problems, and to help transform that understanding into positive action. MIT Mental Health is available to anyone in the MIT community with problems, questions, or concerns.

For Fall 2020, MIT Medical’s Student Mental Health and Counseling Services will be available for same-day telephonic visits only. Future telemedicine visits are planned. Let’s Chat hotline: 617-253-2916. General: 617-253-2916 (days), 617-253-4481 (nights and weekends).

MIT Student Health Insurance

The health insurance fee for Chemistry graduate students will be paid by the Chemistry Department if they do not have alternate health insurance coverage that meets the Massachusetts guidelines. Students are automatically enrolled in the MIT Extended Student Health Plan, which provides for routine and emergency medical care. Please contact the Health Plans Office for more details about student coverage. Student may also buy health insurance coverage for family members (spouse, partner and/or children) as well as waive health insurance if they have existing coverage elsewhere. There are specific wavier deadlines each year and you will need to waive every year.

Enrollment Questions: Health Plans Office, E23-308, 617-253-4371, Phone Hours: M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm, stuplan@med.mit.edu
Coverage Questions: Member Services, E-23, 3rd Floor, 617-253-5979, Phone Hours: M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm, mservices@med.mit.edu

Graduate Student Dental Plan

The MIT Graduate Student Dental Plan is offered by MIT through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. It is available to all MIT graduate students enrolled in a degree-granting program. Spouses/partners and dependent child(ren) of MIT graduate students may enroll only if the graduate student is also enrolled. It is separate from the MIT student health plans. This coverage is optional and enrollment is not automatic. Dental insurance is not required by law, and students are responsible for premiums and any dental bills they incur. Students may only enroll between September 1 and September 15, unless they lose their existing dental insurance or experience a qualifying life event. Other dental plans with different enrollment periods may be available through the Massachusetts Health Connector or University Health Plans.

Community Wellness

Community Wellness at MIT Medical works with the entire MIT community to provide the resources and programs that can help you make healthy choices. Their offerings include: Exercise and Fitness; Spouses & Partners Connect; Sleep; Stress Reduction, Mindfulness, and Relaxation; Sexual Health; Health and Wellness Coaching; Eating Healthfully; Family Support; MedLinks; and MindHandHeart. They work with all members of the MIT community. Room E23-3^rd Floor, 617-253-1316

Alcohol & Other Drug Services (AODS)

Alcohol & Other Drug Services (Alcohol & Other Drug Services (AODS) is committed to preventing high-risk behaviors and promoting a healthy, safe environment at MIT. They work with students, alumni and staff to develop and sustain prevention programming, provide early intervention services, and build coalitions to address MIT-related health issues. Their website includes information about getting help and support, programs and resources, weekends@MIT, and policies. Building W20-507, 617-258-6499

Academics & Professional Development

MIT Career Advising & Professional Development

Writing and Communication Center (WCC @ MIT)

The WCC @ MIT offers free professional advice to MIT undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, faculty, lecturers, staff members, spouses, alums, visiting scientists and scholars. The WCC is staffed completely by communication experts. The WCC also provides specialized help to those for whom English is a second language and offers practice in pronunciation and conversation. Register or Schedule an Appointment Online. E18-233, 617-253-3090, writing-center@mit.edu.

Chemistry Library Guide

Teaching + Learning Lab

Spouses, Partners, and Families

Spouses & Partners Connect

Childbirth Accommodation and Parental Leave

As of September 1, 2018, MIT graduate students have access (according to eligibility) to two different leaves when they give birth or undertake significant responsibilities for a newborn child or a child newly placed with them: Childbirth Accommodation and/or Parental Leave. Students must initiate planning with their department; the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) provides final review and approval. Please review the full details about the policy, including eligibility information.

Child Care & Parenting

The MIT Work-Life Center offers a comprehensive network of resources to assist MIT community members in finding or using child care services for children of all ages, as well as an internationally recognized program of services to support those in the community who are raising children, including biological and adoptive parents, step-parents, guardians, grandparents, extended family, foster parents, and others responsible for children’s care.