Graduate Student Affairs

Student Support and Community at the Center of BU in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Graduate Affairs has endless opportunities and resources for students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Whatever your needs may be, you can find everything you need to get involved, be successful, and find fulfillment in your academic and social lives. GRS is here to help make sure you have everything you need to succeed!

Resources

Are you looking for a confidential or private resource? There are a lot to choose from at BU!

Confidential resources are those that have restrictions on when and if information is shared. If information is requested to be shared beyond the resource, you will be asked to disclose in writing or sign a release agreement before anything is shared.

Who are the confidential resources on campus?

Private resources are those that in order to get the best outcome, they will share information with more appropriate resources. This means that they will share a student’s name and situation as appropriate to ensure that the student is well connected.

Who are the private resources on campus?

Unsure which resource to utilize?

If you aren’t sure which is the best office for your situation, email grsgs@bu.edu, and we can help direct you!

Information will never be shared with other students/family members unless absolutely for the safety of the student. Parents/family members cannot request GRS share information on a student unless a student has allowed information to be shared per FERPA.

Leave of Absence

At GRS, we encourage students who are struggling to take a leave of absence and return to their studies when they are in a better place. There are two types of leave; personal and medical.

A personal leave can be used to pause your studies for any reason. There is a limit to two semesters of personal leave during your BU career. Students who take any kind of leave should be in contact with their department when they plan on returning to their program.

A medical leave could mean having a medical procedure done, taking care of a declining family member, or being in therapy until you are ready to return. Medical leaves are unlimited semesters, and those who take a medical leave must be in contact with Student Health Services prior to returning to their studies, in addition to their department.

Personal and medical leaves can be filed with this form with GRS’ Record Manager at grsrec@bu.edu.

If you have questions about taking a leave of absence, please contact Assistant Director of Graduate Affairs and Student Support Kristen Shannon O’Connor to talk through your situation and whether a leave is the right avenue for your situation.

Meet the Staff

	Abby Raspallo Director of Graduate Affairs araspall@bu.edu
	Kristen Shannon O’Connor Assistant Director of Graduate Affairs & Student Support ksoc@bu.edu
	Tyler Wasson Records Manager grsrec@bu.edu
	Erin Murphy Graduate Services & Programs Associate grsgs@bu.edu