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Information for Current Students
In addition to the policies discussed below, students must follow University of Utah policies and regulations, as outlined in the following resources:
Safety and Wellness
Safety
Your safety and well-being are our top priority. In an emergency, dial 911 or seek a nearby emergency phone (throughout campus). Report any crimes or suspicious people to 801-585-COPS(2677); this number will dispatch an officer at the University of Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS). In addition, if you would like to be escorted by a security officer to or from areas on campus at any time, DPS will help — just give a call.
Counseling and Support Services
The University of Utah seeks to provide a safe and healthy experience for students, employees, and others who make use of campus facilities. In support of this goal, the University has established confidential resources and support services to assist students who may have been affected by harassment, abusive relationships, or sexual misconduct. A detailed listing of University Resources for campus safety can be found at https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/campussafety.php
Your well-being is key to your personal safety. If you are in crisis, call 801-587-3000; help is close. The university has additional excellent resources to promote emotional and physical wellness, including the Counseling Center, the Wellness Center, and the Women’s Resource Center. Counselors and advocates in these centers can help guide you to other resources to address a range of issues, including substance abuse and addiction. Here is a list of support services available on campus:
- American Indian Resource Center: 801-581-7019
- Black Cultural Center: 801-213-1441
- Center for Ethnic Student Affairs (CESA): 801-581-8151
- Center for Student Wellness (victim-survivor advocates, bystander intervention training): 801-581-7776
- Dream Center: 801-213-3697
- Employee Assistance Program(staff): 801-587-9319 or 800-926-9619
- Independent Review Committee: complaints about public safety personnel may be reported to the Independent Review Committee at utah.edu
- LGBT Resource Center: 801-587-7973
- Office for Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX: 801-581-8365
- Office of the Dean of Students: 801-581-7066
- Resiliency Center: 801-213-3403
- University Counseling Center (students only): 801-581-6826
- University Crisis Center: 801-587-3000
- University Neuropsychiatric Institute crisis line (available 24/7): 801-587-3000
- Women’s Resource Center: 801-581-8030
COVID-19 Resources
If you are experiencing general fear and anxiety regarding COVID-19, or any other distress, the University of Utah provides many free resources for students, including crisis and counseling services (listed above). Additional information on COVID-19, including the latest updates on campus testing programs, current health guidelines, self-reporting forms and hotlines for any other COVID-19 related questions can be found here: https://dps.utah.edu/coronavirus/.
Tuition and Health Insurance
Tuition
The Department of Oncological Sciences is committed to providing financial compensation to students throughout their tenure in the department. In addition to tuition benefits (for a required minimum number of credit hours and at least a 3.0 GPA), the faculty advisor pays a stipend to each student according to the recommended levels set by the interdepartmental programs.
Students are expected to devote their full effort toward graduate studies while enrolled in the program. It is not permissible for a student to work another job or be enrolled in another educational program. A variety of student loans are available to ameliorate cases of severe financial hardship.
From the Graduate School website concerning Summer Semester tuition coverage for students on Tuition Benefit: "Tuition benefit support is available for all graduate students during summer semester, no matter their source of pay. Summer TBP covers only 3 credit hours and students must register for 3 credits to be eligible. Summer semester does not count against the total number of semesters that a student is eligible for."
Health Insurance
To ensure appropriate medical insurance coverage for graduate students and their families, the Department of Oncological Sciences will cover medical insurance in one of three ways:
- Single students are covered by payment of health insurance premiums by the department.
- Married students whose spouses are covered through their employment may be covered as above, or the student can be covered through the spouse's insurance.
- Married students (with and without children) whose spouses (and families) cannot be covered by outside employers, can have their family's health insurance covered through the department*.
*Note that this additional family policy is only a trial at this point, and we cannot guarantee it will be continued indefinitely. Contact the department office for enrollment information.
Travel Support
Graduate School Travel Overview
Graduate students whose research or creative project has been accepted for presentation at a professional meeting can apply for travel support from the Graduate School. This assistance is contingent upon the applicant presenting at the meeting. Applications must be received in the graduate school prior to travel dates. Requests are considered up to a maximum of $500 and must be supported with a dollar-for-dollar match from university funds. Matching support must be from university funding sources, such as development, operation, service, and research. One award only will be made during each fiscal year (July 1–June 30) to any graduate student. Student travel assistance funding can reimburse airfare/car mileage, ground transportation fares, lodging, abstract fees, and conference registration fees. The assistance will not reimburse meals, per diem, society memberships, or poster preparation fees. For a complete process overview and the link for application, please visit the Graduate School site.
Department of Oncological Sciences Travel Overview
Applications for department travel assistance are invited from current department students in good standing whose research or creative project has been accepted for presentation at a professional meeting. This assistance is contingent upon the applicant presenting at the meeting. Applications must be received in the department office and approved by the graduate committee prior to travel dates. Requests are considered up to a maximum of $500. The department will determine total funds available for each month; funding is granted on a first come, first serve basis until funds for the month are exhausted.
John H. Weis Memorial Graduate Student Award
"The Award will be given on a competitive basis, with selection by a committee of faculty members in the Molecular Biology Program. This Award will recognize outstanding graduate achievement by a student who exemplifies John’s creative and original approach to science and life at the University of Utah. It will provide either stipend support for research by an outstanding Ph.D. or M.D. student, or one or more travel awards to support student participation in a scientific meeting." Notifications of the application dates and guidelines are emailed annually.
Vacation Policy
Students may take up to two weeks of vacation per calendar year. All vacations must be discussed in advance with the graduate advisor. Vacation time over two weeks must be approved by the graduate advisor in advance.
Parental Leave Policy
The Department of Oncological Sciences (“Department”) policy is intended to supplement existing University regulations related to parental leaves of absence. In the event of any conflict between this policy and any University Policy or other regulation, the University Policy or other regulation shall govern.