Resources

There are many campus offices, centers, and services at UMass to help you succeed as a graduate student.

Student Support and Services

  • The Dean of Students Office assists students with personal or academic challenges. Use the Single-Stop Resource Page to find information on Student Legal Services, academic support, emergency loans, food security, and a variety of other student services. A Graduate Student Case Manager is available to speak with graduate students one-on-one and connect them with a wide array of student support resources.
  • University Health Services provides comprehensive medical care to a diverse population of UMass Amherst constituents and promotes campus health. The cost to access health care through University Health Services depends on your individual insurance coverage. UHS also handles enrollment in and questions regarding the Student Health Benefit Plan. 
  • The Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) offers a community of care to UMass Amherst students to help them cope with stress or anxiety, find strategies to overcome challenges, promote mental wellbeing, and succeed in college life and beyond.
  • The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) is a student-led, elected governance body that advocates on behalf of graduate students and offers programming, events, and resources. 
  • The Graduate Employee Union (GEO) is the union for graduate employees at UMass Amherst.
  • Financial Aid Services assists students with university costs and information about the different types of aid available to fund graduate education.
  • The Office of the Bursar manages student accounts and bills.
  • The Office of Equity and Inclusion offers resources to develop and maintain a diverse and inclusive campus community. Several centers on campus advance advocacy, inclusion, and support initiatives by enhancing services for underrepresented students and creating impactful intersectional partnerships.
  • Disability Services provides direct support to students with all types of disabilities and information for instructors on appropriate accommodations.  
  • The International Programs Office (IPO) provides support and resources to international students enrolled at UMass, as well as graduate students seeking to study or do research abroad.  
  • The many Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs) provide opportunities to connect with other graduate students around similar interests.
  • The Career Development and Professional Connections hub is your gateway to career services support at UMass. Check with your UMass school/college Career Development office for additional resources that may be available to you as a graduate student. 
  • The Graduate School Office of Professional Development (OPD) supports skill-building in Career Preparation, Communication, Grants & Fellowships, Personal Development, and Teaching to position you for success at UMass and beyond. 
  • The Office of Inclusion and Engagement (OIE) is part of the UMass Amherst Graduate School’s commitment to fostering diversity and a positive campus climate to promote graduate student success. OIE aims to cultivate an inclusive environment through which graduate students from all backgrounds can thrive and succeed at UMass Amherst.
  • The Equal Opportunity Office is committed to ensuring UMass Amherst is free from harassment and discrimination. The Title IX team in particular combats sexual harassment and sexual violence. Allegations of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and other sexual misconduct are taken very seriously and the Title IX team aims to provide fair and prompt investigations, respect for the privacy of the parties, and commitment to due process.  A variety of Title IX Campus Resources and options are available to support members of the campus community.  
  • The Center for Women and Community (CWC) promotes gender equity by building the capacity of the community to interrupt, address, and transcend sexism and its connection to all forms of oppression. The Center is a free, confidential resource for people of all gender identities and expressions and provides crisis services, counseling, and support groups for survivors of sexual and relationship violence and stalking. 
  • The Student Parent Programs office supports students who are parents as they work toward their personal, professional, and educational goals. The office also maintains a list of childcare options and information on how to apply for childcare assistance. 
  • The Stonewall Center is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) Resource Center. Among other resources, the Center has compiled a UMass and Local Trans Resource Guide. 
  • Looking for a place to eat on campus? Dining Services offers meal plans for graduate students to access UMass's award-winning dining halls while retail eateries across campus feature a range of cuisines. 
  • Campus Recreation offers a graduate student membership that allows you to access various campus recreation facilities, including swimming pools, fitness classes, tennis courts, and the Rec Center. Graduate students can also participate in Intramural Sports while Club Sports provide more informal ways to pursue your sporting interests. 

Resources for Resolving Conflicts and Concerns

  • The Graduate School has developed this document on Conflict Resolution for Graduate Students to help your navigate conflict and understand all of the resources and support available to you at UMass.
  • The Ombuds Office can be a good place to start when you have a conflict, a sense of unfairness, or a concern to deal with while you’re at the university. The earlier you identify a problem and look for a solution, the more easily resolution can be achieved.

Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct Resources

The Graduate School is committed to promoting an environment that is free of discrimination and sexual violence. Graduate students who experience harassment, violence, or discrimination have many resources available to them and are encouraged to contact either the Graduate Dean’s office at (413) 545-5271 or the Dean of Students office at (413) 545-2684 for additional information about these resources.

Discrimination

UMass Amherst is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion both in and outside of the classroom. Learn more about these efforts.

Sexual Misconduct

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct (including rape, sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, stalking, and sexual harassment), please consult the university’s Title IX page.

For a detailed list of resources available to those who have experienced sexual misconduct, please consult the university’s guide to Title IX resources.

Report an Incident

If you want to report an incident of discrimination or bias, please consult the Bias Reporting & Crisis Support page.

Research and Engagement

The Office of Research and Engagement administers the campus’s research enterprise, encompassing two broad areas: research administration and compliance, and research development and engagement. These units work in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that benefit society and create opportunity for students, faculty, and the public.

Public Disclosure / Student Consumer Information

Right-to-Know: Amendments to the U.S. Higher Education Act require institutions participating in federally funded financial aid programs to make information about the institution available to current and prospective students.

University Policies and Regulations

Code of Student Conduct

All students are responsible for complying with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures contained in the Code of Student Conduct, as well as those in other official university publications and announcements that may be issued from time to time.

Academic Honesty Policy and Appeal Procedure

The Academic Honesty Policy applies to all students and instructors and other instructional staff participating in academic classes, programs, and research projects offered at UMass Amherst, i.e., all graduate, undergraduate, Stockbridge, and Continuing and Professional Education programs, including all online/distance learning courses.

Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) Guidelines for the Release and Disclosure of Information from Student Records

FERPA allows present or former students at educational institutions access to educational records kept on them, as well as basic protections of privacy of their records. Applicants seeking admission to the university are not covered by FERPA. The law applies to educational records, which are defined as those records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency or institution.

University Alcohol and Drug Policies

The university’s alcohol and other drug policies conform to state and federal laws, and enhance the health, safety, property, and educational interests of our community. Students are responsible for obtaining and adhering to these policies.

Although Massachusetts voters approved MA Ballot Measure 4, permitting the possession and recreational use of marijuana, federal laws prohibit the use, possession, and/or cultivation of marijuana at educational institutions. The use, possession, or cultivation of marijuana is therefore not allowed in any university property.

Land Use Policy

Students organizing programs, activities, and events on university property must adhere to the Land Use Policy.  

Students hosting events on university property should review and follow the guidelines for event planning/management as outlined in Student Activities & Involvement’s Lead Times for Event Procedures.