Following a successful two-year trial, the College recently decided to renew the Graduate Associate in Residence program for the next year and continue to investigate its expansion.
The program, which is currently in five residential clusters, allows a graduate student to live in a College residence hall, help with programming and advise students. The College started the program in 1993.
A review committee, co-chaired by Dean of Residential Life Mary Turco and Dean of Graduate Studies Edward Berger, decided this term to renew the program for next year.
But the committee has not made any decisions yet about the long-term status or the possible expansion of the program, Turco said.
In the Winter term, the committee sent questionnaires to GAs and undergraduates to gather information.
Based on the initial results of the study, Turco said she feels the trial program was a successful experience for both the undergraduates and the GAs.
"So far, the feedback from the students has been positive. They've benefited from the presence of the Graduate Associate," Turco said.
"They've been folded into the life and the culture of the undergraduate College."
Assistant Dean of Residential Life Alison Keefe, who is in charge of the program, said the program enables undergraduates to use the GAs as a source of information about graduate programs and as an academic resource.
Keefe said the GAs were also able to help many upperclassmen with personal problems and provide support for students who may not feel connected to their Undergraduate Advisor.
Despite the positive feedback, Turco said a few areas still need improvement.
In particular, Turco said the role of the Graduate Associate needs to be better defined and awareness of their presence needs to be increased.
Keefe said the review committee needs more information before making recommendations to Dean of the College Lee Pelton about expanding the program.
"Once we feel confident that we've done a thorough evaluation and that the program is succeeding, we may consider expanding the program," she said.
Turco said the review committee plans to conduct focus group studies in the GA clusters sometime this week.
