Student Resources

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 sign up on the MIT Alert sign up 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.

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

The following Deans are available meet with students:

Senior Associate Dean Blanche Staton, contact Patricia Glidden for appointments, 617-253-9464

Assistant Dean Jason McKnight, 617-253-5427

Assistant Dean Suraiya Baluch, 617-258-0304

The MIT Ombuds Office helps people express concerns, resolve disputes, manage conflicts, and learn more productive ways of communicating. The Ombuds Office serves as an independent, confidential*, neutral, and informal resource to the diverse MIT community. Room 10-359 (Temporary Location until November 2018), Room 10-213 (Permanent Location), 617-253-5921

*The only exception to this pledge of confidentiality is where the Ombuds determines that there is an imminent risk of serious harm.

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. Learn more about connecting with one of the ChemREFS.

Conflict Management@MIT offers conflict coaching, mediation, facilitation, and restorative justice by seasoned professionals.  Conflict coaching is a confidential service; all other are private; the full privacy policy is listed on their website.  They also offer training and workshops. Room W20-507, 617-253-3276, conflictmanagement@mit.edu

Contact T9BR Office for more information about resources and reporting options for bias incidences related but not limited to race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and gender, including sexual harassment and sexual assault.

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 specialist work with the entire campus to educate and raise awareness.  Their advocates are available 24 hours a day to support survivors in deciding what to do next. 24-Hour Hotline: 617-253-2300, VPRadvocate@med.mit.edu

The ISO serves all incoming and currently enrolled international students at the Institute. The ISO assists students in maintaining their legal status in the United States, provides support for their dependents, and promotes interaction with and integration into the MIT community at large. Chemistry ISO Advisor: Ms. Janka Moss, ISO Office: E18-219, 617-253-3795, iso-help@mit.edu

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.

The Registrar’s Office facilitates enrollment, registration and graduation and also manages all aspects of student academic records. This also includes the academic calendar, enrollment certifications, and loan deferment letters. Suites 5-115 and 5-117, Monday-Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, registrar-www@mit.edu

The Office of Graduate Education provides information on various fellowship aid resources. If you receive a fellowship, please make sure you contact Rebecca Teixeira with all information about your fellowship.

Student Financial Services provides financial aid, collects payments, coordinates jobs, and advises on financial literacy. They provide information geared towards graduate students, as well as helpful information about viewing and paying your bill. Main Contact: Room 11-120, MWF 9:00am – 5:00pm, TR: 10:00am – 5:00pm, 617-258-8600, sfs@mit.edu, 

The Office of Graduate Education lists a number of initiatives available to reduce food insecurity. 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.

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).

The iGrad Financial Literacy Portal is customized for MIT with videos, articles, games, job board, searchable scholarship database, and interactive modules on a wide range of topics, including emergency-funding, credit card management, identity protection, spending-smarts, etc.

Housing & Residential Services offers many resources related to Graduate & Family Housing. Get information about applying for graduate housing, graduate residences, and off-campus housing. W59-200, 617-253-2811, graduatehousing@mit.edu, offcampus@mit.edu

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+ 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)

The Office of Multicultural Programs seeks to foster an inclusive and affirming campus climate. They provide oversight for the Black Student Union and the Latin Cultural Center. They advise the approximately seventy culturally-focused student clubs and organizations. They serve as a safe space for students to develop connections and broaden their scope. They exist to help students be successful, while providing advocacy, support services, trainings, workshops, leadership development and culturally based programs. They provide students with opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue and activities that will assist them in becoming change agents at MIT and beyond. SPXCE Intercultural Center, W31-110, Du Pont Athletic Gymnasium, Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm)

Comprised of over 20 chaplains and 40 student groups, the Office of Religious Life 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

MIT/GAIN is a free, 24/7 confidential service that can make life easier for students and their families. One call puts you in touch with work-life experts who can provide personalized resources and referrals across a wide range of topics: Legal; Work & Career; Parenting; Financial; Home & Daily Living; Wellness. 844-MIT-GAIN, info@mitgain.com

MIT Medical provides routine and urgent medical care as well as mental health and counseling services for the MIT community, including students. MIT Medical’s walk-in Urgent Care Service is open from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day (last patient check-in, 7:30 p.m.) for urgent, but non-life-threatening emergencies. Building E23, 617-253-4481

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 urgent issues, a mental health clinician is on call and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  There are walk-in urgent hours weekday afternoons from 2:00-4:00pm.

Building E23 – 3^rd Floor, 617-253-2916 (Appointments and Urgent Concerns on Weekdays), 617-253-4481 (Urgent Concerns on Nights and Weekends

Student’s health insurance fee 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.

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 lost their existing dental insurance or experience a qualifying life event.

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; Notice & Respond Workshops; 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

AODS addresses issues including alcohol and other drug use, physical and relational aggression, sexual and dating violence, hazing, social support and stress. 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. Building W20-507, 617-258-6499

Career Advising & Professional Development guides all students as they explore and prepare for careers, global opportunities and health professions. Building E17-294, capd@mit.edu

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.

Research guide and expert librarian to support research in chemistry. Howard Silver, Interim, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Librarian. Building 14S-134, 617-253-9319

The Teaching + Learning Lab (TLL) collaborates with faculty, teaching assistants, and students to promote excellence in teaching and learning throughout the Institute. TLL offers courses, programs, and reference materials related to teaching and learning that graduate students may find useful.

MIT Spouses & Partners Connect is a dedicated network for the significant others of MIT students, postdocs, staff and faculty who have relocated to the Boston area. They organize activities that help you meet people, discover work and career opportunities, improve your English, share experiences and passions, and get information about living and parenting in Boston.

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.

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.