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INFOSEC at GWU; CSIA
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Questions and Answers

Administrivia

  1. Whom do I ask for help with administrative issues, such as registering for a Leave of Absence or doing a late registration?
    You should ask the office staff in the Department -- they know what the procedures are and will tell you exactly what to do. Follow those instructions precisely.
  2. What are "office hours"?
    Office hours are the times set aside by professors to see students. Students may drop by to see a professor during his or her office hours without an appointment. This is a great way to get advising or assistance without having to schedule an appointment. Find out what a professor's office hours for a semester by calling the department. The office hours will be different for each semester due to teaching schedule changes.
  3. What's the difference between faculty and staff?
    Faculty are responsible for the academic content and quality. They teach the classes, advise students academically, do research, and write papers. Generally speaking, faculty have little practical knowledge of how to navigate the bureaucracy of the University but are more focused on their academic area of expertise.

    Staff run the day to day business processes. They are the ones who can help you with registration problems, process paperwork, and point you in the right direction in dealing with the University.
  4. What are my rights as a student?
    GWU publishes a guide to student rights and responsibilities -- you should read it carefully.
  5. I don't like my adviser. Can I get a new one?
    Yes, you may. But not just anyone you pick -- the new adviser must agree and the change must be approved by the Department Chair. There is a form that you can fill out to start this process; get a copy in the Department reception area.
  6. How long should I wait for someone to answer my email or telephone call?
    It depends on whom you are trying to contact. If it is a staff member that you are dealing with in order to resolve some administrative issues, you should receive a reply within 24 hours. If you do not, you should try again.
    If it is a faculty member, you may never get a reply. If you really need to talk with that faculty member, you should drop by during their office hours (see Q1 above).

Culture

  1. What is the proper way to address my professor?
    Unless the professor tells you to call him or her by some specific name or title, the preferred method of address is by title and last name. So for instance, the preferred method of addressing an assistant professor named Julie Ryan would be, "Professor Ryan." The next preferred method would be by degree attained, or "Dr. Ryan."
  2. Should I bring gifts to my professors or to the staff?
    No. While some cultures are based on gift giving, the practice is not common in the United States and in fact may cause the intended recipient to be very uncomfortable. If you feel that you simply must bring a gift to your professor or a staff member, make it very simple, very small, and very inexpensive. If you really want to give your professor or a staff member something nice, please wait to present it until after you graduate.
  3. Should I invite my professors to my home?
    Generally speaking, it is considered to be very intimate to invite someone into your home in the United States. You should refrain from inviting your professors into your home unless your professor has invited you to his or her home.
  4. Is it okay to talk about religion or politics?
    In the DC metropolitan area, most people avoid talking about both religion and politics. Unless someone else brings up either subject, you should refrain from discussing these issues with people other than friends. In other metropolitan regions, such as New York City, there are different attitudes towards these topics. The best thing to do is to avoid the topics until someone else brings them into the conversation.

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