New funding gives fellowships to all first-year graduate students

New spending approved by the University Board of Trustees Jan. 27 will provide all first year Ph.D. students in science and engineering with fellowships in place of research grants or teaching assignments.

Students entering the graduate school traditionally have been required to apply for entrance to a particular laboratory and subsequently apply for grants to cover costs. Under the new program, students will be assured funding prior to joining a lab and selecting an area of research.

"The advantage for graduate students is that they will be able to learn about the department before they get paired with a research adviser or tied to a specific lab. They will have a chance to get their feet on the ground," said Provost Jeremiah Ostriker in a press release.

President Shapiro, during a press conference in Nassau Hall Jan. 27, said the new program will have benefits for the University as well.

"It has important educational benefits to have a full year's education here without having to decide which kind of research they want to enter," he said. "It gives us a year and them a year to evaluate who would perform well in what capacit."

The University Board of Trustees has allocated $4.2 million of the $57 million in new endowment spending to cover the costs of the fellowship program. Additional funding of $1.8 million has also been set aside to promote changes in other programs.

The $6 million allocated for graduate student programs is part of the 2001-2002 University operating budget of $760 million. Endowment spending accounts for 37 percent of the annual budget.

Dean of the Graduate School Jonathan Wilson explained that the new funding will affect all graduate students. Students in the humanities and social sciences — who already receive first-year fellowships — will now receive support to continue their research during the summer.

Funds will also be allocated to a teaching assistant program, which will increase graduate student stipends to attract more graduate students to teach at the University.

Shapiro said the additional funds will attract the best graduate students to teaching and benefit many undergraduate departments.

Spending will also address student concerns regarding housing and welfare. Trustees followed several recommendations made by graduate students in a survey and graduate student members of the Council of the Princeton University Community.

The University has committed to building additional graduate student housing and extending more medical benefits to students. Only 70 percent of the graduate student body currently resides on campus, while others seek housing in the community.

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Wilson said these new programs will provide students with additional incentives to attend Princeton and challenge other graduate schools to consider similar programs.

"I think this initiative with respect to fellowships for all entering doctoral students in science and engineering really sets a new standard," Wilson said. "We hope we challenge the institutions we compete with. It's a marvelous new initiative."

Chair of the Graduate Student Government Lauren Hale GS said, "This initiative was not expected at all. We are very pleased that the University was able to do this. We are excited that this will attract even better grad students. This plan is also good for the current students. It will make Princeton a very successful and appealing place for grad students."