Department of Linguistics
Linguistics Department Admissions Procedures and Guidelines for the Visiting Researcher (Scholar) Program and Affiliation with the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
The Visiting Researcher program at Georgetown University has been established to accommodate a limited number of scholars who wish to use the faculty and facilities of Georgetown University for research purposes. The University extends its resources on a selective basis in the spirit of institutional collegiality and to foster the further development of knowledge. Preference is given to senior scholars and researchers, with permission granted occasionally to junior faculty or advanced graduate students from other institutions pursuing dissertation research.
In Linguistics, applicants must first identify an academic contact in our department related to their research. The University directory can be consulted for faculty names, areas of expertise, and research interests. The outside scholar must then apply to the Department Chair, outlining the proposed research, indicating possible faculty sponsors and requested period of visit and providing a curriculum vitae. The Chair will determine whether or not a liaison is possible and provide the applicant with the necessary documents to initiate the Visiting Researcher status.
In collaboration with the Office of International Programs at Georgetown, researchers are ultimately provided with a University identification card, the use of the Georgetown University library system, a GU e-mail account and internet access through the University's system. Because of limited space, neither offices nor computers are made available. However, the library does have computers that are available on a limited time basis. It is strongly recommended that the visitor bring his/her own laptop.
Because Georgetown faculty and physical resources are already in heavy demand, the University must be selective in granting access to its facilities. A per-semester fee is charged for this privilege and it is determined by the academic unit with which the Visiting Researcher will be affiliated. The fees are as follows:
Department of Linguistics: $1,000.00 per semester (Fall and Spring only. Departmental sponsoring not usually available during the Summer semester.)
Graduate School: $250.00 per semester for University affiliation (Including Summer semester if visiting researcher remains in the United States and requires affiliation during the Summer months.)
Payment of the fee is expected in the form of a check or money order, made out to Georgetown University, and paid in full to the Linguistics Department before the beginning of the Visiting Researcher's affiliation.
Those Visiting Researchers who wish to audit courses on a formal basis or who wish to take any course for credit must make formal application for Special Student status to the Graduate School. This application involves completing a standard Georgetown University Graduate School admissions application, submitting all required documentation such as undergraduate transcripts, letters of recommendations and, if appropriate, TOEFL scores, and paying the then current admissions application fee. Because it is assumed that the primary object of the Visiting Researcher affiliation is research, it is anticipated that such requests will be rare.
Those primarily interested in pursuing non-degree course work at Georgetown should contact our School for Continuing Studies. Those Visiting Researchers who formally audit courses or who take courses for credit must pay the current per-credit charge in addition to the Visiting Researcher fee. The charge for enrolled courses is currently $1,392 per academic credit (2007-2008 Academic Year).
Visiting Research Application Procedure:
All requests for Visiting Researcher status in the Department of Linguistics should be directed to the Department Chair, Dr. Deborah Schiffrin. Applicants must provide the following information:
1. An outline of the applicant's proposed research.
2. The period of time during which the applicant plans to be in and affiliated with Georgetown University. Specific arrival and departure dates must be provided as soon as they are known. This period will be converted into semesters (see definition below) for fee-billing purposes.
3. U.S. Social Security number, if available.
4. If known, the name of one or more Georgetown faculty member(s) who might be willing to serve as faculty contact/sponsor in the relevant discipline.
5. A complete curriculum vitae, relevant letters of recommendation, and, when appropriate, graduate transcripts. If the applicant is a graduate student doing dissertation research, a supporting letter from the student's Department Chair or Dean is also required.
For visa purposes, non-U.S. applicants should provide the following additional information:
1. Date, city, and country of birth.
2. Dates of arrival in and departure from the United States.
3. Source of funding while in this country.
4. Name of any family members who will accompany the Researcher.
When all materials from the applicant are received, the Graduate School, in consultation with the academic department, make a decision on acceptance of the applicant. The Graduate School and the academic department, will designate academic contact for accepted Researchers. The Office of International Programs will work with accepted Visiting Researchers on visa matters.
All of the information requested above must be provided to the sponsoring Department a minimum of three months before the Researcher wishes to arrive on campus. Requests for further information should be directed to: The Graduate School, Attention: Visiting Researcher Program, Intercultural Center, Room 302, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, (202) 687-5794.
Communication with the Linguistics Department should be directed to the Chair, Linguistics Department, ICC 480, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057-1051. The department's main telephone number is (202) 687-5956, and our fax number is (202) 687-6174.
For Visiting Researcher purposes, the semesters are as follows:
Fall: From the first day of Fall registration (usually in late August) to the Friday preceding Spring registration (usually in mid-January).
Spring: From the first day of Spring registration (usually in mid-January) to June 1.
Summer From June 1 to the Friday preceding Fall registration (usually in late August).
Arrival on Campus:
Upon arrival on the Georgetown University campus, Visiting Researchers should report to the Administration Office of their host department*, to confirm arrival, to fill out necessary affiliation forms, and to pay the fees. After registration, the Department's Administrator will arrange for the Visiting Researcher to meet the Chair and the faculty sponsor. The Researcher will also be informed of how to obtain an identification card from the Public Safety Office, in Village C, Room 116, for which a processing fee is charged.
* For Linguistics Department, please contact Manela Diez.
Housing:
Housing in the Washington, DC area is in high demand. The University does not provide Visiting Researchers with housing accommodations. Those wishing to obtain housing in the area should begin to make arrangements well in advance of their arrival. One source of information is the "Off Campus Housing" web site, at http://och.georgetown.edu/. Additional apartment rentals can be found on the websites of The Washington Post, Craig's List and The Washington City Paper. The Department of Linguistics is also willing to post something on our bulletin boards on your behalf. You can send us your posting request by e-mailing Manela Diez, the department's administrator. Another possible source of information is the International Advisor in the Office of International Programs, 2nd Floor, Poulton Hall, Washington, DC 20057-1013; telephone (202) 687-5867.
Athletic Facilities:
For an additional fee, Visiting Researchers are eligible to use the University's athletic facilities located in Yates Field House.
Library:
Upon presentation of the University identification card, Visiting Researchers are permitted use and borrowing privileges within the Georgetown University Library system. Priority for the use of library research carrels is given to Georgetown faculty and graduate students. There are not enough carrels to accommodate Visiting Researchers.
Parking:
Available parking spaces at the University are in heavy demand. There is usually a waiting list. Visiting Researchers who wish to purchase parking privileges should inquire at the Office of Transportation Management (OTM). The OTM Department will require the Visiting Researcher's appointment letter and a University I.D. to approve any purchase of parking privileges.