The

The Department Shank is what makes the GradRat the GradRat, it sets it appart from any other Brass Rat. This shank maintains basic elements from the Bras Rat, but brings in customizations that are unique to the Graduate Student. The prominent G in the center of shank features an icon of the owner's department. All the icons are listed in the Icons page.

Department Shank Elements

	MIT Dome The dome of Building 10 is a renowned icon of MIT, and it is featured in the GradRat department side.
	Year The plaque that in real-life has the year MIT moved to Cambridge can instead have your graduation year, or it can feature the original date if you would prefer.
	Oak & Laurel Oak and Laurel under the dome are classic icons of graduate school.
	Column The column at the base of the department shank is another clasical icon of graduate school (it is the logo of the GSC!)
	G The G represents that letter that follows us throughout our time at MIT as graduate students on everything (for example, a "finger" query to our student records or when our names are published in the MIT related papers). This G features a large area that is filled with an icon that represents your department. Be sure to check the icons page for a full description.
	Degree The department icon also features the degree you will obtain from MIT. You an choose from all the official MIT degrees granted by MIT. The degrees page provides full details.