Resources for Graduate Students
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 Graduate Catalog.
Medieval Institute Resources
Richard Rawlinson Center
Medieval Studies students 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 (these holdings are separate from those of the University Libraries and can be searched using a separate catalog). Additionally, students who have successfully completed at least 12 graduate-level credits of coursework in the master's program in medieval studies are eligible to apply for the RRC's Tashjian Study Fellowship, which provides support for a student who has demonstrated interest in the culture and history of early medieval England or manuscript research to conduct research at a major library, take appropriate courses in a recognized program or pursue an organized plan of study or travel during the summer of any given year.
Patrick O'Sullivan Reading Room
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
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." Workshops are listed on the Student News and Events page.
Medieval Research Group
The Medieval Research Group is a voluntary association of medieval studies students, staff and affiliated faculty to share research and foster collegiality. It is open to graduate students in other departments who share interests in medieval studies. It meets occasionally during term time, sometimes on campus and sometimes off campus depending on the nature of the event. Members are encouraged to present research in progress or drafts of conference papers for feedback, and there are also occasional workshops on topics such as writing an abstract or paper proposal. Meetings are listed on the Student News and Events page.
Want to present at Medieval Research Group? Contact Marjorie Harrington.
Goliardic Society
The Goliardic Society is a social organization of the graduate students of the Medieval Institute. The mission of the society is to facilitate camaraderie among students, faculty and friends while enhancing the academic environment of the institute through various donations, volunteer work and scholarly activities. Follow the Goliardic Society on Twitter!
Graduate College Resources
The Graduate College at Western Michigan University also offers a variety of resources for graduate students, including a Graduate Student Online orientation, events and workshops, writing and teaching support and more.
Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is the student government representing Western Michigan University's graduate students. The Association offers a variety of funding opportunities, interdisciplinary events and graduate student resources. The GSA also sponsors "The Hilltop Review," a peer-reviewed journal of graduate student research and creative work that awards scholarships to three article authors, an artist and a creative writer each issue.
Library Resources
The University Libraries include Waldo Library, Swain Library (in Sangren Hall) and Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
Waldo Library
The main campus library, Waldo Library, has late-night hours; a café; knowledgeable librarians who can help you with research; and a variety of spaces and technologies available to students, 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 students, including individual and group study rooms and computer stations with a wide variety of software.
Zhang Legacy Collections Center
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 open hours or can make an appointment to make sure that the materials they would like to consult are ready when they arrive.
University Resources
The Invisible Need Project works to support WMU students with unmet basic needs.
See this list of WMU Services for Graduate Students for more information.