Below is a list of links to various resources (departments, student organizations, tech hubs, etc.) on campus; they all provide useful information and services to you during your time at IU.
IMPORTANT- IU Mobile App: If you have a smartphone, be sure to download the IU Mobile app. This is where you can access much of the information provided below via your mobile device. You can find and download the IU Mobile app by searching for “IU Mobile” in the Apple App or Google Play store depending on your device.
Academic
The University Graduate School
This is the centralized hub for all information related to graduate education at IU. This includes information on policies, admissions, financial aid/grant resources, thesis/dissertation requirements and formatting, opportunities, information on self-care and family resources (such as childcare), and timelines for degrees, funding more.
The UGS is there to support you in all your academic endeavors—to create a learning environment where you can soar, and to maintain a set of standards that guarantee the value of your degree from IU.
Here you will also find the Graduate Student Bulletin. This is updated yearly, with the most recent version posted in the fall.
Your one-stop-shop for almost all IU-related apps (such as bus tracking, Student Center – where you can enroll for courses, Kuali Time – where you clock in and out if you have an hourly position, Canvas, Zoom). Can be opened on any web browser.
Since ASP is part of the College of Arts and Sciences, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with information related to “The College”/COAS/COLL, as it is widely known. Here you can easily check out other degree options within the College (for minors, dual PhDs, MAs etc.) and read about College-specific policies and more.
IU Office of International Student Services
The main information hub for resources for international students. This includes visa and travel information, tips on living in the US, life at IU, social events and more!
The mission of the GMC is to provide graduate students mentorship through various programs and events that support their successful degree completion and entry into the professoriate and/or other professions.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
The hub for all things related to COVID-19. This includes up-to-date policy information, test scheduling, vaccine information, and more. If you have any questions related to IU’s COVID policies and practices, start here.
Link to IU’s campus health center. They provide a variety of services including, pharmacy, annual care, women’s health, sick visits, radiology, PT, travel clinic, mental health services, and more. Be sure to check if your insurance covers the services you are seeking. While the IU Health Center has many options for subsidized care and most health insurance plans issued to AI/GA contracted graduate students largely cover Health Center services, care is not free. Be sure to check their website for their most up-to-date COVID-19 related policies (such as virtual telehealth) and options for care.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Counseling and mental health-related services are provided through the IU Health Center. All students are entitled to two free counseling sessions per semester. CAPS also offers a range of group therapy sessions and workshops, many of which are free. Keep an eye out for graduate student-specific events and workshops.
Office for Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy
An overview of IU’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Victim Advocacy programs and policies. This includes links to IU’s trained Confidential Victim Advocates (CVAs) who can confidentially help address any safety, academic, or other university-related concerns and assist you in making a report, if you choose. This site also links to the Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) office that is a division of Counseling and Psychological Services. SACS is “staffed by counselors who specialize in working with students who have experienced sexual violence. All services are free, including crisis consultation, individual and group counseling, and assistance with referrals for medical care.”
More detailed overview of IU’s sexual violence programs and policies. This includes a link where you can submit a report about an incidence of sexual violence that you, a graduate colleague, or undergraduate student experienced. This site also has an overview of your obligations as an IU employee (if applicable) to report incidences of sexual violence.
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of yourself, your graduate student peers, and/or undergraduate students, you can submit a CARE report to the Division of Student Affairs so that they can share the appropriate resources and/or help you or the individual you are concerned about receiving the proper university support. This form can be submitted anonymously if desired.
A general guide to various health and wellness information and resources offered through their entity and others across campus. Check out their fantastic workshops.
Crimson Cupboard offers free healthy food to IU Bloomington students who are struggling with food insecurity.
Accessible Educational Services
The office is responsible for providing resources and support for students with disabilities of all kinds. You can request academic accommodations, campus transportation, document your disability, and more. ODSS helps students deal with both permanent and temporary disabilities that need accommodation. Additionally, ODSS provides information and guidance for instructors on how to provide the necessary accommodations for any of your students who have registered with them.
Equity, Legal & More
A place where all IU students can go to seek free advice on legal matters.
Office of Institutional Equity
IU’s Office of Institutional Equity oversees university
Where all IU students, faculty, and staff can go to report incidences of discrimination or harassment that threaten the wellbeing of individual IU community members as well as the community at large. These reports can be left anonymously.
Logistics
IU’s course learning module platform. This is where you go to get all your information (syllabi, readings, modules, recordings etc.) for whatever courses you are enrolled in. Most professors communicate directly with their seminar students through Canvas. If you are teaching an undergraduate course, this is where you will go to organize and communicate with your own class.
Follow the links to the “iGPS” or “Search Schedule of Classes/Courses” functions to browse all course offerings for each semester.
This is where the most up-to-date information about tuition and fees will be posted. Check this frequently to ensure you are aware of any additional/mandatory fees associated with your program of study.
The hub for all things IU! This is where you can find information on the registrar, bursar billing, official calendars, grade reports, transcripts etc.
**Your student ID is the Crimson Card. On their website, you can request a new or replacement card, add money (for discounts on-campus dining), check your print balance, etc.
Another hub to find information on schedules of classes, official calendars, quick links to grade reports and transcript requests, etc.
Where you go to pay your bills (tuition, fees, etc.) Be sure to check this regularly to ensure that your payments are up to date and to ensure you are only being charged for what you owe. Mistakes do happen, so always keep an eye on your bursar bill. Also, be sure that you pay your bills in a timely manner to avoid late fees and holds on your account.
Office of Student Financial Assistance
Information on IU financial assistance. This includes information on applying for FAFSA (federal aid). Just remember that a lot of language on this site is geared towards undergraduate students who are eligible for various undergraduate student scholarship programs. However, this site and office are still very useful in helping graduate students navigate various aspects of financial aid.
Research, Mentoring & Related Resources
The IU Wells Library hub. This is where you can access digital sources and databases, search books through IUCAT, renew your books online, request interlibrary loans etc. Information will also be posted here for events hosted by various centers and entities within the library. Remember, we have an African Studies Collection-specific librarian, Mireille Djenno, who is more than happy to help you with your specific research needs.
Social Science Research Commons
A center located in Woodburn Hall that has lots of resources, materials, and workshops dedicated to social sciences research. This includes computers with qualitative analysis software, recording equipment to be checked out etc.
Information on grant opportunities for grad students, grant writing workshops and other grant-related resources.
“The GMC take a holistic approach to programs and services in order to provide graduate students informal and formal mentorship through mentors, workshops, the Innovators and Trailblazers speaker series, and interactions with peers, faculty, and staff. Our programs and services focus on five tenets that address the personal and professional growth and well-being of students: Balance, Community, Culture, Community, Mentorship, and Scholarship. Our goal: To graduate whole and successful scholars who will engage in innovative and transformative research.” - The GMC is a great place for all graduate students to learn what it means to be a supportive mentor and to advocate for health mentorships for yourself. Additionally, the GMC offers several programs designed specifically for underrepresented minority students.
Graduate and Professional Student Government GPSG)
Your dedicated group of graduate students committed to working for the benefit of all graduate students. Check out their website to see current and past statements, areas of advocacy, social events, award opportunities, and more.
Center for the Study of Global Change
A center housed in the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies is dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of global change. The Center hosts the Global Studies Graduate Group which “serves graduate students in their global and interdisciplinary research endeavors by connecting them to fellow students and resources that will enable their growth as scholars.” Sign up for their listserv to stay up to date about opportunities for writing groups, conference opportunities, special graduate student-oriented panels, and more.
Transportation
An interactive map of IUB’s (very large!) campus that can help you find buildings and other geographical features of campus (such as ADA parking spots and walking paths).
Parking Operations, Transportation, Campus Map, and Bicycle Information
Where you can go to view parking maps, buy parking and bike passes, pay parking citations, and more. Be forewarned that parking is very limited across IU’s campus and enforcement is very strict. Be sure to familiarize yourself with IU’s parking policies before you begin parking on campus. Also, bicycles must be registered with Parking Operations or they will be confiscated. Many people do not realize this and are left wondering what happened to their bicycle when they get out of class and find it to be missing (of course, some theft does happen).**
Information on IU Campus bus schedules. Campus busses are free for IU students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Information on Bloomington bus routes; many of which go past campus and to/from popular student housing areas. Bloomington busses are free to IU students if you show your student ID.
Cultural/Identity Centers on Campus
Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center
“The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center (NMBCC), a unit of the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, strives to create and consistently facilitate activities and programming that challenges, supports, and contributes to the continued development and success of Black students within the Indiana University community. We also seek to be an agent of cultural education and cross-cultural engagement for the broader community.” - The NMBCC cultivates an incredibly supportive community space for Black students (graduate, professional, and undergraduate) and allies through various educational and community-building programs. Be sure to follow them on their social media platforms and sign up for their listserv to stay up to date with how you can get involved.
African American Arts Institute
“Since 1974, the African American Arts Institute (AAAI) is the nation’s only credit- bearing university program dedicated to the performance and promotion of Black music and dance. The AAAI is made up of three performing ensembles offered as courses in IU’s Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.” - A GREAT place to explore, make, celebrate, and enjoy Black music and dance. Graduate students are eligible to audition for (and participate in!) AAAI’s ensembles. There are also several AI/GA opportunities offered through AAAI every year. Be sure to check out AAAI’s many performances throughout the year.
“The Asian Culture Center (ACC) aims to promote awareness, understanding, and acceptance of Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures, history, and issues as an integral part of the fabric of American life in the United States. The ACC, a program of the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, accomplishes this through advocacy, institutional resources, cultural and educational support, and community outreach activities that promote participation and dialogue with students, faculty, staff, and residents of Indiana. One does not have to be of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage to be involved with the ACC. Everyone is welcome.” - Check out the ACC for lots of incredible programming.
“Through the LGBTQ+ Culture Center, students will find a safe and welcoming learning environment that provides resources and support to help students successfully reach their educational goals. The Center, which is a program of the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (OVPDEMA), works in partnership with other diversity efforts on campus. We actively foster the academic and personal success of LGBTQ+ students through programming, services, and support, while enhancing the campus community’s understanding and appreciation of LGBTQ+ people and issues.” - A great resource for LGBTQ+ students and allies about queer life at IU.
La Casa/Latino Cultural Center
“La Casa/Latino Cultural Center is designed to foster a sense of belonging and pride for Latino students at IU Bloomington. The center is an integral part of the educational experience at IU Bloomington. Students are able to learn about their own heritage and history, the cultures of other people, receive the resources they need to succeed in their education, find mentors, and much more.” - La Casa is a very vibrant cultural center on campus.
Student Organizations
Graduate Students in African Studies (GSAS)
The organizing group for graduate students in African Studies. GSAS provides opportunities for professional development through the organization of panels, symposium, and guest lectures that cover topics that are selected by ASP grad students. GSAS also presents an opportunity for graduate students in ASP to advocate for their personal, academic, and professional goals to the ASP faculty and staff. GSAS is only as active as the level of graduate student participation so, GET INVOLVED! There are several leadership positions open every year if you are looking to get experience in an academic leadership role.
African Students Association (ASA)
A student organization that seeks to celebrate and support IU’s African students. While this organization/club is largely run by undergraduate students, there are lots of opportunities for graduate students to get involved and ASA organizes lots of fun social, cultural, and activist events throughout the year to help foster community amongst IU’s many African students.
African Language and Culture Club
“The African Language and Cultures Club acts as a gathering organization for students currently studying African Languages and to provide outreach about the languages and cultures of Africa to the wider campus. As an organization, we host the African Language Festival and also smaller club events such as showing African language movies and discussing specific cultural regions of Africa.” - This club is a fantastic way for graduate and undergraduate students studying and teaching African languages to connect with each other and to get experience with campus and community outreach.
Muslim Student Association (MSA)
A student organization that seeks to serve the Muslim student community at IUB. They are very active and host a wide range of social, cultural, and religious events that are open to all students.
* Don’t see a club or organization that meets your needs? You can establish your own!
This graduate handbook is meant to be a living document, updated continually to meet your needs. We value your feedback. If there is information or resources you feel we should add, please let us know. Contact: afrist@iu.edu. Updated 7/2024