Editor's Note: This announcement was originally published on March 13, 2020. An update was made on March 19, 2020.
Should oral examinations for master’s and doctoral students proceed as scheduled?
Yes. Thesis and dissertation final oral exams, comprehensive oral exams (if required by your program), and non-thesis final projects are requirements of the Graduate College.
Am I required to have my oral exam in-person?
No. Students and faculty should conduct oral exams remotely. All participants may determine their preferred option for participation. For more information see the Modification of Oral Exams announcement.
How should paperwork requiring faculty signatures be handled?
The Office of Graduate Studies will accept signed forms by email attachment or by regular mail. The Office of Graduate Studies is closed and cannot accept in-person deliveries.
Electronic signatures are acceptable. Hand-signed and scanned documents are acceptable. Individually signed forms from each committee member are acceptable (in other words, all signatures are NOT required to be on the same page). Forms are located at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/academics/degrees.
- Master’s Program Forms: Students and committee members should submit signed forms to Terri Eastin at teastin1@unl.edu (402-472-8665). After review and approval of “Final Examination Report” forms, Terri will send an email to the student, the committee chair, and support staff with further instructions.
- Doctoral Program Forms: Students and committee members should submit signed forms to Kelsey Sims at kelsey@unl.edu (402-472-2876). After review and approval of “Application of Final Oral Examination” forms, Kelsey will send an email to the student, the committee chair, and support staff with further instructions.
Check or money order payable to “University of Nebraska-Lincoln” should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies, 1100 Seaton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0619. Use either U.S. mail or campus mail. Fee amount is described at https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/academics/degrees
How is my visa affected?
For questions regarding visa status, contact the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO).
Will research activities continue?
We will make every effort to ensure that our important research and creative activity mission continues and that faculty, staff and students engaged in this mission will be able to continue their work safely. More information is available through our Office of Research and Economic Development.
Some suggestions:
- Faculty advisors/supervisors should explore ways for graduate students to conduct work that does not require physical presence at the work site. Staying productive can take many different forms.
- Consider schedules that would allow people to work in shifts or on alternate days to accomplish necessary research tasks while reducing density in your research workspace.
- Individuals who must share research workspace should be allowed to arrange personal interactions so they maintain a comfortable, six-foot distance from each other. If they have to be in the research space at the same time, perhaps they can separate themselves in some way and keep total laboratory or workspace time and density to a minimum.
- Faculty advisors/supervisors should conduct individual meetings and group lab meetings remotely whenever possible.
Graduate students who currently have an assistantship should consult with their advisor(s) to determine the best course of action for continuing their work. Departments are contractually obligated to continue paying the stipend through the end date stated in the student’s letter of offer.