Student Status

RESIDENT STATUS

In the fall term, a few days before the beginning of classes, students must complete a formal registration procedure. Please visit the GSAS Important Dates or International Student Orientation links for more information.

Study Cards
On Study Card Day, one week after classes begin, students will enroll in classes or research and teaching categories. In the first and second years, students fill in the course and instructor numbers (in the back of the History of Art and Architecture section of the Courses of Instruction) for courses listed and approved on the Plan of Study submitted to the Department (including HAA 300 "Reading and Research"). Students who need to fill the fourth slot on the Study Card can select either Time-C for course-related work, with a catalog number 8899, or Time-R for acting as a research assistant, with a catalog number 7700. In later years, those primarily engaged in work on the dissertation can select HAA 399 "Direction of Doctoral Dissertations" (catalog number 6575). Teaching Fellows can select Time-T (catalog number 8811) and would list this for as many sections or tutorials as they are teaching (i.e., if teaching two sections of a course, a student would list Time-T twice and HAA 300 or HAA399 twice).

NON-RESIDENT STATUS
Students who will reside outside the state for one term or longer must file a form declaring non-resident status as a Traveling Scholar or on a Leave of Absence. The application deadlines are August 1st for the fall term or the full academic year, and January 1st for the spring term. Afterwards, there is a late fee of $50, plus $5 for each subsequent week.

Completing the Application
Students in the third or fourth year are still subject to reduced tuition and can opt to pay tuition, particularly if they have an award from Harvard to cover that sum. Those who have met the required two-year payment of reduced tuition can either choose to pay a Facilities Fee or an Active File Fee.

The $4,574 Facilities Fee covers health insurance, including access to
University Health Services (UHS), Blue Cross/Blue Shield emergency coverage (which may be waived with proof of other health insurance) and access to the libraries (including Hollis and e-resources). Full-time Harvard employees, or those not needing access to UHS and the libraries, may choose to pay the $300 Active File Fee.

The non-resident application should be submitted to the Coordinator for the appropriate departmental signature.

Traveling Scholar
After the General Examination, students may spend one term or an academic year away from Cambridge to conduct research. In these cases, students planning to devote at least fifty percent of their time towards dissertation work should file a non-resident application as a Traveling Scholar for the term or terms away.
Traveling Scholars still have official student status for loans and tuition assistance from outside funding bodies, but will be required by Massachusetts state law to be covered by health insurance through the University, unless they can prove insurance coverage by another source. If planning to pursue non-dissertation activities, students should file a non-resident application for a Leave of Absence. Guaranteed teaching and funding may not be deferred.

Leave of Absence
Before the General Examination, students may file to take a one-year Leave of Absence. After passing the examination, students with formal employment at Harvard (or another company or institution) in an administrative capacity should also apply for a Leave of Absence. Students must always discuss plans with an advisor first. Multiple consecutive years on Leave of Absence are not usually granted and funding or teaching guarantees ordinarily may not be deferred.

Library Privileges
After two years of residence, students count as University alumni and can receive library privileges even when out of residence. Widener Library defines alumni as those who have finished two terms of work at any of the constituent schools or faculties. Alumni status will permit access to Widener stacks and entrance to the Library without payment six times a year to borrow six books (even if only paying an active file fee). The Special Borrower Card fee for a year of full library privileges is $100. The summer access fee is $25.

International Students
Immigration regulations require F-1 or J-1 visa holders to maintain full-time registered student status while in the United States. Students holding F-1 or J-1 visas who are considering applying for non-resident status should consult Ivana Hrga-Griggs in the International Office in Holyoke Center, Room 858, before applying.

G-10 RULE AND WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM
In 1994, the Graduate School announced that students at G11 or beyond will not be allowed to continue to register. This policy took effect in the 1994-95 academic year. Any student who has reached their tenth year and has not completed the dissertation may reapply when sufficient progress has been made to ensure that their dissertation will be finished during one academic year. An exception will be made for one year only (in the eleventh year) if a student plans to complete their degree during that year. A letter from your adviser suggesting readmission to the department is necessary; it should be sent to Rise Shepsle (6-5275) in Byerly Hall who will then send you the application for readmission. Students who are not registered are eligible for both borrowing and stack access privileges at Widener and other libraries as alumni. Arrangements may be made with the library privileges desk at Widener for a nominal fee. Unregistered students will be billed for individual coverage by Massachusetts Blue Cross-Blue Shield at a higher rate than that of students, but this provides continuous coverage until other arrangements can be made.