FUNDING, POLICIES, AND ASSOCIATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS

STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIPS

1. All students should recognize that appointments on research or teaching assistantships are made for specific time periods. Reappointments are based on performance of assigned duties and reasonable progress on graduate studies. Make sure you retain a signed copy of your appointment form.

2. Thesis or dissertation subject matter for those students on research assistantships must be in the research area for which funds are being provided.

3. The undertaking of employment in addition to an assistantship is up to the student and the student's advisor. Students should recognize, however, that they will be responsible for meeting all requirements mandated by their assistantship and the Department.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Most students are supported by funds awarded to individual faculty members by granting agencies, such as NIH, NSF or USDA, by the Agricultural Experiment Station (Hatch and Regional Research funds for agricultural research, McIntire-Stennis funds for forestry research), or from the College of Natural Resources and the Environment (teaching assistantships). Students interested in applying for a teaching assistantship should consult the Department Chair.

Dr. Frank R. Shaw Fund
This award is designed to encourage new entomology students and stimulate their interest in entomology by giving students a current Annual Review of Entomology or other literature appropriate to their interests. Administered by the Department Chair, with recommendations from the Awards Committee.

Harry A. Rosenfeld Research Award in Economic Entomology
A $500 award (possibly less, depending on interest rates) for the outstanding graduate student in economic entomology. This fund also provides periodic awards for undergraduates and is administered by the Departmental Awards Committee.

Dr. Guy C. Crampton Fund
This fund provides for publication of morphological and taxonomic studies. Administered by the University Crampton Fund Committee.

University Fellowships
The University Fellowship currently provides $10,000 to $12,000 above any other financial support. Up to two nominees are selected by the Department, with recommendations for the nominees submitted by the student's advisor and Graduate Program Director to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Competition is University-wide and the number of fellowships is limited, but Entomology graduate
students have been very successful in obtaining these fellowships. Nominations occur early in the spring semester.

Additional Summer Support
During two months of the summer, the major advisor may utilize funds not originating from the Agricultural Experiment Station or Cooperative Extension to supplement the salary base of the research assistantship from ½ time, or 20 hours/week, up to the equivalent of full-time, or 40 hours/week.

Other funds are available from various sources, e.g., NSF Minority Graduate Fellowships, Connecticut Graduate Scholarships Program, etc. Students are encouraged to scan the Community of Science web site http://fundingopps2.cos.com for funding opportunities

EXIT POLICY FOR THE ENTOMOLOGY DIVISION

Candidates who leave the University prior to the completion of all degree requirements may be required to complete and file the Entomology Division Exit Policy form (last page of this handbook) with the thesis/dissertation advisor.

VOUCHER SPECIMENS

All students completing degrees in systematics, or with research programs where the correct identification of species is difficult or crucial, must deposit voucher specimens in the Department Insect Collection. Clarification on the necessity for voucher specimens will be provided by the Curator of the Collection, Dr. Normark. A copy of the Voucher Specimen Policy is available in the Departmental Office. Consultation with Dr. Normark, concerning the necessity for voucher specimens, or the number of specimens, method of mounting, and labeling should be done prior to initiating your research program.

FERNALD CLUB

The Fernald Club is a professional graduate student organization whose activities include participation in Graduate Student activities of the Entomological Society of America, involvement in the seminar program of invited scientists, involvement in the development and operation of one-credit graduate seminars (ENT 792A), publication of the biennial Fernald Club Yearbook, the discussion and representation at Departmental Meeting of graduate student concerns, and the organization of social events. Graduate students, at the discretion of the faculty and selected by the Fernald Club, may have a voting representative on Departmental Committees, including the Awards Committee and the Computer Committee. Student participation in the Fernald Club is strongly encouraged.

WEEKLY SEMINAR PROGRAM

The department brings in notable scientists to interact with faculty and students. We give this great importance and strongly urge all available students to meet with the seminar speaker for scheduled lunches, the pre-seminar cookie and coffee mixer, and post-seminar get-togethers. Note also that all Ph.D. candidates, prior to exiting the Department, are required to present a seminar in this weekly seminar program. The seminar series is established at a regularly scheduled time each week during the semester (most often Monday at 3:30 p.m.). All students are expected to attend these seminars unless they have class conflicts.

ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (ESA)

The ESA is a national organization promoting all aspects of our discipline. All students in our department are encouraged to join the ESA, participate in ESA student activities and, in particular, attend and give papers at the annual Eastern Branch and National Meetings. Our department is noted for its high level of participation at the National meetings and has done well at regional and national "Linnaean Games" competitions. The faculty advisors usually provide funds for students desiring to travel to these meetings to present papers.

USE OF LABORATORY AND DEPARTMENTAL VEHICLES

You must have a valid driver's license from some state within the United States to operate a departmental vehicle; it is illegal to do otherwise. All trips out of state must be covered by a travel authorization filed in advance--otherwise insurance coverage will not apply. All drivers of the vehicle must be University employees and the vehicle must not be used for personal business (i.e., spouses, friends, children, and pets are not to be passengers). Additional restrictions may apply--check with the departmental office or your major advisor to be certain that you are in compliance with travel regulations. On return, the interiors of vehicles are to be cleaned of excess dirt and rubbish. Off-road travel should only occur with vehicles suitable for such usage, such as pickup trucks or four-wheel drive vehicles. Mileage sheets are maintained for each vehicle and should be updated daily.

Regarding use of the Department Vehicles, sign-up sheets and additional forms must be completed and filed prior to use. The last person to use the Departmental Vehicle will be responsible for making sure the gas tank is full, the car is clean inside and outside, and it will be the responsibility of this person (or laboratory group) to pay for any damage to the vehicle. For this reason, it is important to thoroughly check the vehicle for any damage before leaving on a trip. The departmental vehicle is not to be used for field research, and normally should not be checked-out for more than 3 days at a time without prior permission from the Department Chair.