Opportunities for GSAS Students

Freshman Proctors
Freshman Proctors serve as advisors to first-year undergraduates, providing "guidance...in all aspects of their exploration of Harvard and Radcliffe." Proctors live in and around Harvard Yard in freshman dormitory rooms or suites assigned by the office of the Dean of Freshmen. Proctors are encouraged to eat up to 250 meals per term in Annenberg Hall (the freshman dining hall) with their students.

The role of the Proctor is threefold: to provide academic information and guidance, to serve as a personal and social counselor, and to provide discipline. Proctors have a real opportunity and responsibility to help students adjust to life in the college community.

Proctors must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent and be enrolled as a degree-seeking candidate in a Harvard graduate or professional school (or be employed at a minimum of half time in the University at the Officer's level). At the time of appointment, Proctors are normally expected to be able to serve for two or more years. Applicants should be knowledgeable of the academic and curricular opportunities available to first-year students; those holding the Bachelor's degree from another institution are rarely appointed Proctor during their first year at Harvard.

Applications may be picked up at the Freshman Dean's Office, at 6 Prescott Street. The application for Freshman Proctor is quite extensive and asks for thorough written responses, biographical information, and three letters of recommendation. Those selected as finalists will be interviewed during February and March, with appointment offers being made at the end of April.

Resident and Non-Resident House Tutors
Undergraduate Houses employ both resident and non-resident Tutors "to provide a presence and be intellectual role models for undergraduates." Although specific responsibilities vary between Houses, all Tutors participate in House life. They organize language tables and discussion groups, get involved in House sports and art, and represent their department or field. Tutors should be accessible to students for both academic and personal counseling.

Resident Tutors are compensated with housing and meals and live among the undergraduates in the House. Non-resident Tutors generally receive a number of meals per week to enable them to interact with students on a regular basis, even though they live elsewhere.

Prospective Tutors should apply to the Houses in which they are interested individually, though copies of the same Information Form may be submitted to different Houses. The application requires a letter of intent, a resume and the Information Form. If an applicant wishes to receive recognition by a department, the Head Tutor in that department must receive a copy of the Information Form.

Application deadlines vary by House, but an early submission is encouraged, because most Houses make appointments for the subsequent academic year during March and April. Information Forms are available from the GSAS Dean's and Student Services Offices, department offices, and House Offices.

Resident Advisors
Resident Advisors (RAs) are graduate students employed by the GSAS Office of Student Affairs to fulfill various responsibilities in the four GSAS residence halls. RAs live on each floor of the residence halls in order to better assist students, handle emergencies, act as liaisons, plan social events for the floor, and fulfill other obligations. Graduate students in good academic standing who have lived in a GSAS residence hall for at least one term are eligible to apply. Compensation is equivalent to the cost of a small room (or large room for Perkins Hall RAs), plus five lunches and five dinners at Dudley Cafe per week.

Applications will be available in January, 2002 from the GSAS Office of Student Services, located in Dudley House. They are also available at the GSAS Office of Student Affairs in Byerly Hall. For more information, consult the GSAS Bulletin or contact the Director of Student Services, Ellen Fox (see GSAS Administrators and Staff).