Resources for Graduate Students

Along with the Graduate Student Handbook, we have a number of resources available for our graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s, divided into the following categories: 

Graduate Handbook

The Graduate Handbook in medieval studies provides the requirements for graduate degrees as well as advice and guidance about how to proceed through the program. For the formal rules for graduate degrees consult the .

Annual Self-Reporting

Each year, current graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s are required to fill out a self-reporting form to encourage Â鶹´«Ã½s to reflect upon their progress in the program and to enable the director to better mentor them. Students self-report their progress by means of this online form (due Jan. 15 for first-year Â鶹´«Ã½s and Feb. 1 for second- and subsequent-year Â鶹´«Ã½s).  

Medieval Institute Resources

Medieval Studies Â鶹´«Ã½s may use the reference library of the Richard Rawlinson Center (RRC), which has holdings of over 6,000 books, offprints and electronic resources, for research and study during business hours. More information can be found here.

The Patrick O'Sullivan Reading Room is available for informal meetings and gatherings. Students also have shelves in the Reading Room reserved for their personal use. Please go to the main office of the Medieval Institute for access during business hours.

Workshops on pedagogy, professional development and the field of medieval studies are offered throughout the semester. Topics have ranged from "Grading" and "Developing syllabi" to "What is medieval studies?" and "Internet medievalism." Upcoming workshops are listed on the Events page.

The Medieval Research Group is a voluntary association of medieval studies Â鶹´«Ã½s, staff and affiliated faculty to share research and foster collegiality. It is open to graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s in other departments who share interests in medieval studies. More information about MRG can be found here.  

Graduate Student Resources

The Goliardic Society is an independent social organization run by the graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s of the Medieval Institute. The mission of the society is to facilitate camaraderie among Â鶹´«Ã½s, faculty and friends while enhancing the academic environment of the Institute and the medievalist community of Kalamazoo through various donations, volunteer work and scholarly activities. It is open to any graduate Â鶹´«Ã½ with an interest in medieval studies, including but not limited to Â鶹´«Ã½s at the Institute, the English department and the History department. Reach out with any questions to @email.

The Graduate College at Â鶹´«Ã½ also offers a variety of resources for graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s, including a , events and workshops, writing and teaching support and more.

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the Â鶹´«Ã½ government representing Â鶹´«Ã½'s graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s. The Association offers a variety of funding Â鶹´«Ã½, interdisciplinary events and graduate Â鶹´«Ã½ resources. The GSA also sponsors "The Hilltop Review," a peer-reviewed journal of graduate Â鶹´«Ã½ research and creative work that awards scholarships to three article authors, an artist and a creative writer each issue.

Library Resources

The main campus library, Waldo Library, has ; a ³¦²¹´Úé; knowledgeable librarians who can help you with research; and a variety of spaces and technologies available to Â鶹´«Ã½s, including research carrels that can be reserved for one academic year. Computers, printers, copiers, scanners and microfilm scanners are all available at Waldo Library. Students can borrow items from outside the WMU libraries through Interlibrary Loan (a network of 70,000 libraries worldwide) and MeL (Michigan eLibrary, a network of libraries in Michigan). Waldo Library is also home to the Graduate Student Commons, a space reserved exclusively for the use of graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s, including individual and group study rooms and computer stations with a wide variety of software.

Zhang Legacy Collections Center is located south of Walwood Hall on Oakland Drive and is home to WMU Archives, Regional History Collection and Special Collections, including WMU's medieval and early modern collections. Students can visit Zhang any time during its or can make an appointment to make sure that the materials they would like to consult are ready when they arrive.

University Resources

Essential Needs works to support WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s with unmet basic needs.

See this list of WMU Services for Graduate Students for more information.