Policy Statement
The Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies' child accommodation policy is designed to assist a graduate student, who is the primary child-care provider, immediately following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy does not intend to replace communication between the student and their advisor, but rather serves to establish a uniform and supportive guideline for graduate students.
Under the child accommodation policy, a full-time stipend-supported graduate student is eligible for up to twelve weeks of accommodation from their graduate program. Under most circumstances, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies will provide up to six weeks of support and the student's department will provide up to six weeks of support during this period. If a student is supported by a funding mechanism that is incompatible with this accommodation policy, or if a student's program is unable to provide matching support, the Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies will provide up to twelve weeks of support.
If both parents are full-time graduate students at Dartmouth, each will receive their own benefit. They will generally be permitted to take the leave concurrently or separately. Leave is usually approved as one continuous absence. However, leave may be taken intermittently, or on a reduced schedule basis. Intermittent leave can be taken in no less than one day increments.
During this period of accommodation, the graduate student will continue to be enrolled and will receive their full level of stipend support and health benefits. In addition, an automatic one-term extension will be granted to complete their degree. The Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies requires the graduate student to discuss their plans for accommodation with the Assistant Dean and their advisors as soon as possible, but, in any case, in advance of the leave in order to allow adequate planning.