Deans’ Offices and Roles

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The Graduate School

J. Scott Whitaker

Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of the Graduate School

As Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Scott Whitaker provides leadership in three key areas: graduate education, research, and academic and research facilities and space management.

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Biography
J. Scott Whitaker,
Associate Dean

The Graduate School, Dean’s Office
705 Commonwealth Avenue, Room 115
Phone: 617-353-2696
E-mail: grs@bu.edu

J. Scott Whitaker
Associate Dean
Phone: 617-353-2690
E-mail: scott@bu.edu

Geraldine Montgomery
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 617-353-2690
E-mail: gmonty@bu.edu

Graduate Education

The Associate Dean for the Graduate School is the lead contact and facilitator for all matters related to curriculum, policies, procedures, and budget development for the Graduate School and graduate programs. The Associate Dean:

  • Resolves academic conduct issues; staffs and leads the Committee on Graduate Academic Standards and Conduct
  • Reviews graduate student petitions and complaints: extension of time to complete degree requirements, transfer of credits, exceptional grade changes, and departmental or faculty actions
  • Resolves issues related to graduate student finances: financial aid, GRASP, tuition complaints, or requests for exceptions
  • Oversees graduate fellowships: CAS/GRS teaching fellowships, dean's and presidential fellowships; Martin Luther King and Whitney Young Fellowships; and externally funded fellowships (e.g., NSF, Fulbright, Fulbright Hays, Krell)
  • Oversees Teaching Fellow training
  • Approves appointments of (some) Visiting Scholars and Research Fellows
  • Oversees graduate life
  • Reviews faculty foreign travel support requests

Supporting Research in Arts & Sciences

The Associate Dean of the Graduate School is the lead contact and facilitator for all matters related to sponsored and other research and for coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) and the Associate Provost and Vice President for Research. The Associate Dean:

  • Reviews all proposals, IPAS, and other requests for extensions, etc.
  • Aids and advises on responses to Requests for Proposals, development of new programs, and pursuit of grant opportunities
  • Administers training grants
  • Coordinates with Provost's Office on cost-sharing requests
  • Coordinates Responsible Conduct of Research training program and handles research conduct questions

Academic and Research Facilities and Space Management

The Associate Dean of the Graduate School is a main contact for facilities and space management issues related to research and laboratory facilities and works closely with Associate Dean for Finance and Administration Juliana Walsh Kaiser and Space Project Manager Lisa Doherty.