Office of the Dean of Students

The Student Services Building (SSB) houses the Office of the Dean of Students, which offers many services for students. Below are some of the services offered:

Student Protections

University Policy on Academic Complaints

Graduate students have the right to seek redress of any grievance related to their academic affairs.  Students may seek to to resolve grievances informally between the student and the faculty member most directly involved or, such efforts failing, with the Graduate Adviser, the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, and/or the Department Chair. Formal grievance policies are detailed below.

Petitions

A student in the Department of Educational Psychology has the right to petition the GSC, through the GSC Executive Committee, on matters relating to their academic progress, including requests for a leave of absence, waiver of degree requirements, etc.  To file a petition, you should first work with your program Area Chair, who will need to obtain support of your request from the Graduate Adviser, who will then petition the GSC Executive Committee if the request is supported.

Students may also petition the Graduate Dean, through the EDP Graduate Adviser, on matters related to Graduate School rules and policies. To file a petition, first work with your program Area Chair, who will need to obtain support of your request from the Graduate Adviser, who may then petition the Dean of Graduate Studies on your behalf, or may suggest an alternative resolution.  

When serious issues cannot be resolved informally, the graduate student will have recourse to further formal grievance procedures.

University Policies Protecting Students

The University has numerous policies protecting the rights of students, all covered in the General Information Catalog.

Relevant policy statements include:

  • Equal educational opportunity
  • Prohibition of sexual harassment of students
  • Prohibition of racial harassment of students
  • Prohibition of sexual assault
  • Policy on AIDS and HIV infection
  • Residency regulations
  • Scholastic dishonesty (under Institutional Rules)

Student Grievance Procedure for Non-academic Complaints

Complaints related to non-academic issues (such as sexual or racial harassment or sexual assault) are handled by the Office of the Dean of Students.

Student Employee Grievances

Student employees (TAs, AIs, etc.) who have grievances should refer to the policies in the Handbook of Operating Procedures.

Student Ombuds Services

The Student Ombuds Services office serves as a neutral third party providing assistance to students who have University-related complaints of a non-legal nature. The Ombuds office is authorized to investigate grievances involving both academic and nonacademic concerns and recommend corrective measures. Any case considered inappropriate may be declined by the Ombudsperson. Seeking assistance from the Student Ombuds Services office is most appropriate if remedies within the student’s area/program, Department, and Graduate School have been unsatisfactory.


Adjudicating Grievances of Graduate Students

When serious issues cannot be resolved informally, graduate students have recourse to a formal grievance procedure conducted as outlined below. It should be noted that the precise procedure to be followed in adjudicating a given grievance will depend on the particular circumstances surrounding the case. Each graduate student may express a grievance through the following procedures with the assurance of timely and thorough consideration. Grievants are assured freedom from reprisals for the filing of their grievances. A student must initiate the complaint within six months of the acquisition of knowledge of the grievance. All complaints must be submitted in writing.

First Level of Adjudication (if attempts described above do not bring resolution): Graduate Studies Committee 

  • The first level of consideration is the GSC. If the GSC Chair cannot resolve the matter, they will seek the advice of the GSC, or an executive sub-committee of the GSC. 
  • If the issue cannot be resolved by the GSC or sub-committee, the GSC Chair will convene an ad hoc panel consisting of members of the GSC to review the complaint. The student will be granted the right to exclude one person from the panel. 
  • Findings of the panel will be reported to the student and faculty member in writing. A copy of the findings will be retained in the files of the GSC Chair. 

Second Level of Adjudication: Office of the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies 

  • If the issue cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties concerned at the level of the GSC, the grievance will be forwarded to the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies, who may convene an ad hoc committee to review the case. 
  • The Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies will review the facts of the case, including any recommendations received from an ad hoc committee, and render a ruling which will be sent to the student, the GSC Chair, and the chair of the ad hoc committee. 

Third Level of Adjudication: Office of the President 

  • The decision of the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies may be appealed in writing to the President for final decision.  

In addition, complaints alleging sexual or racial harassment or sexual assault should be addressed in accordance with the policies and procedures published in the General Information Catalog. 

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