The Graduate School encourages resolutions of problems at the level most closely related to the origin of the specific dispute. Generally, graduate students are expected to seek resolution of concerns within the applicable program, department or unit as the first step when pursuing formal processes.
To resolve an issue, graduate students can take the following steps:
When a graduate student's concern relates to multiple policies or processes, the university reserves the right to decide which process applies to avoid duplicative and potentially conflicting processes and decisions and the order in which processes are enacted.
Graduate students may appeal decisions made by a program, unit, department, college or the Graduate School affecting a graduate student's academic performance or failure to satisfy academic requirements. The Graduate Council Appeals Committee considers appeals only for issues that are not resolved at the program, department or college levels. The Graduate Council Appeals Committee also reviews appeals for reinstatement after academic dismissal or discontinuation from an academic program.
Graduate students may appeal a final course grade issued by an instructor on record for a graduate-level course. View the Procedures for Appealing Allegedly Capricious Course Grades of Graduate-Level Students
Alleged incidents of academic misconduct, including cheating and plagiarism, are adjudicated through procedures described in the Graduate Catalog and the Student Code of Conduct.
As graduate students pursue research and scholarly activities, including thesis and dissertation research, they are expected to adhere to the legal, regulatory and ethical requirements established by the university, regulatory agencies, funding agencies and professional organizations. Procedures for investigations of allegations of research misconduct are administered by the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety.
The Civil Rights Office is responsible for responding to reports and investigating complaints involving allegations of unethical conduct, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation. File a Complaint or Report
Matters concerning employment such as student employment and graduate assistantship employment, including determinations of eligibility, hiring processes and termination procedures, are governed by policies and procedures administered by Human Resource Service and the Graduate School.
Graduate students may file a formal student grievance if they believe a university employee has engaged in unprofessional or inappropriate acts or decisions which adversely affected them in an academic or educational setting. A formal student grievance is not a substitute for other grievance, appeals or complaint procedures available, including but not limited to those noted above. View Formal Student Grievance
If a complaint cannot be resolved by the university, a graduate student may file it with an external organization.
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