Advising
The MFA Program Representative is available from 12:00pm to 8:30pm Monday thru Thursday, and 8:00-5:00 on Fridays to assist students with any aspect of their program. A private office is provided to facilitate candid discussions. Michelle can be contacted at (760) 834-0926 or at michelle.harding@ucr.edu.
Association of Writing Programs (AWP)
More than any other literary organization, AWP has helped North America to develop a literature as diverse as the continent’s peoples. Students receive a complimentary issue of The Writers Chronicle quarterly, access to the Online Job List, contest information and many other benefits. We are a major sponsor of the AWP Conference, as a result the conference fee is waived for students who attend.
Copy Machines
Each student is assigned a copy code and provided 300 copies per quarter. If the student goes over this 300 copy limit they are charged $0.10 per copy. Students have access to three Lanier Copiers. Two copiers are located in the A Building, one directly across from the Student Lounge and one on the first floor near the Administrative Services Office. The third copier is located on the 2nd Floor of the University or “B” Building next to the computer labs.
Computer Support Services
The campus is wireless. You will need your NetID to access the wireless connection. Technical support is available on campus and acts as liaison with main campus computing services. MFA students are provided support in the evenings as well.
Career Services
The Career Center provides a variety of services for those entering the academic job market. Under the Graduate drop down menu at the Career Center website careers.ucr.edu you will find the Reference Files link. You will need your NetID to login.
Enrollment
Students enroll in classes via the GROWL system at ucribm.ucr.edu/Paws/PAWS.html. You will need your Student ID and PERM Pin number (these are on your admissions letter or you can contact me and I will provide them). You will add/drop/change grading each quarter via this system.
Event Planning
The Event Manager and event staff are available to assist students with special event planning.
Food Services
We have one vending machine, one soda machine, and one coffee machine near the computer labs on the 2nd floor of the University or “B” Building. There is also a small lounge adjacent to these vending machines for eating or study.
Gym Membership
MFA students are not charged a Recreation fee as part of their UCR fees, but are able to purchase a Palm Desert Athletic Club membership at a discounted rate.
Library
The Palm Desert Campus Library is located in room B207 and our librarian, Shirley Bigna can be contacted via email at shirley.bigna@ucr.edu or by telephone at (760) 834-0595. The library is a virtual library with over one hundred databases at your disposal. The Library hours of operation are 9:00-5:00 Monday thru Friday. You can access the intercampus call service at the main campus website www.library.ucr.edu and delivery to
our campus occurs every Monday/Wednesday/Friday.
a. Browsing Literary Journals OnLine.pdf
b. Browsing Publishers Weekly Online.pdf
Mailboxes
Each student has a mailbox located in a small room adjacent to the A Building Lounge. Please check these regularly. There is also a refrigerator in this room.
Parking
Paul Murie is the Palm Desert Graduate Center Parking Manager and he will assist you with the purchase of your quarterly parking pass. His contact information is (760) 834-0577 or paul.murie@ucr.edu. You may also telephone Transportation and Parking Services directly at (951) 827-8277 and pay via credit card over the telephone. Your pass will then be mailed to you or you can pick it up on the main campus. There are two large, easily accessed lots with ample parking that are well lighted for students attending evening classes.
Security
A full time security guard is employed to patrol the campus twenty-four hours a day. The guard is available to escort students to their cars and in case of emergency.
Student Health
Students at the Palm Desert Graduate Center are not covered by Student Health Services (GSHIP) and should NOT request a waiver.
Student ID Cards
Pictures are taken on campus and emailed to the Card Operations Supervisor on the main campus. Students are also given the option of bringing in a personal photograph, such as a passport photo, and having it mailed to the main campus for processing. The UCR Card Office mails completed Student ID’s to us for distribution and charges student accounts on the next billing cycle. Fees are the same for both locations.
Student Lounge
We have a designated Student Lounge area on the 2nd floor of the Heckmann Building. Students may use this space to host meetings, study sessions, etc. We have three workstations in the lounge, two with individual computers. There is a small secured room within the lounge that houses student mailboxes. Wipe boards, lockers, and a refrigerator are provided.
UCR NetID
Your UCR NetID is sent to your current mailing address once you have completed the Student Intent to Register Form and Online Residency form. You will need your NetID to access iLearn (the campus Blackboard system) and many other UCR student systems.