University of Pittsburgh's Homepage

Dissertation Writing and Graduate Study Rooms (Hillman Library 401, 402, and 403)

The purpose of the Dissertation Writing and Graduate Study Rooms is to provide a quiet environment for PhD students and graduate students to pursue research and writing in support of the program degree. The rooms are available to those students who are approved to access the space with a valid Pitt ID.

Graduate Students:

Access to the Dissertation Writing and Graduate Study Rooms is available for current academic year to University of Pittsburgh graduate students with a valid Pitt ID. Request room access by completing the online request form. You’ll be notified via email when access is completed, generally within 24 hours, Monday-Friday.

  • Access to room is for graduate students who have completed the permission request only.
  • Access to the room is available through the end of the Spring term (second week of May), at which time the room will be unavailable until the second week of June when continuing graduate students can re-apply for access.
  • Meetings are not to be held in the room.
  • PhD carrels noted as “assigned” in the Dissertation Writing and Graduate Study Rooms may be used by graduate students when PhD carrel assignees are not present.

Dissertation Writing PhD Students:

Carrels are available for students who have passed their comprehensive exams, are currently taking dissertation credits, and are pursuing dissertation research and/or the writing phase of their program to work in a quiet environment. To request a carrel, review the following details and complete and have your school’s Graduate Program Director sign the PhD Writing Room Eligibility Form.  Return the completed form to the Hillman Library Donald S. Wood Service Desk.

  • Assigned PhD Carrels are available on a first come, first served basis to University of Pittsburgh PhD program candidates with a valid Pitt ID Card, who passed their comprehensive exams, and are currently taking dissertation credits.
  • Carrels are assigned for an academic year, with the option to renew if available.
  • If PhD carrels are not available, requests will be waitlisted in the order they are received.
  • There will be a $40.00 charge for any lost keys to your assigned carrel lockers. Failure to return key at end of assignment will result in a $40.00 charge.
  • Assigned PhD carrels may be used by graduate students when PhD carrel assignee is not present. For this reason carrel assignees are not permitted to leave out any materials on the carrel table or attach signs, papers, flyers, etc. to the carrels.
  • Library materials in carrel lockers must be checked out to your Pitt ID Card.
  • Due to high demand, assignments to the PhD carrels are not available to students from the schools of Health Sciences or Law.