University Policy on Academic Complaints
Graduate students have the right to seek redress of any grievance related to their academic affairs. Every effort should be made to resolve grievance informally between the student and the faculty member most directly involved or, such efforts failing, by the Graduate Adviser, the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee, and/or the Department Chair.
The University has numerous policies protecting the rights of students, all covered in the General Information Catalog.
Relevant policy statements include:
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 employees (TAs, AIs, etc.) who have grievances should refer to the policies in the Handbook of Operating Procedures.
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 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. All assistance provided is confidential and available by phone or in person. Seeking assistance from the Student Ombuds Services office is most appropriate if remedies within the student’s area/program, Department office, and Graduate School have been unsatisfactory.
The University, in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, states that no otherwise qualified student shall be excluded solely on the basis of the disability from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any academic program or activity. A student with a disability may be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and be eligible for a reasonable accommodation that will provide an equal opportunity to meet the academic criteria related to professional behavior and scholastic performance.
Any otherwise qualified student with a protected disability who wishes to request a reasonable accommodation must notify the Services for Students with Disabilities office and provide documentation as needed. Services for Students with Disabilities makes recommendations for accommodations and sends official verifications to appropriate parties so special accommodations can be made.
Areas and programs in Educational Psychology will review academic performance criteria in light of individual student circumstances to explore issues of appropriateness and accommodation. An initial assessment, subsequent plan, use of outside experts (including the Office of Students with Disabilities), and periodic checks between the area/program faculty and the student are appropriate courses of action in making accommodations.
A graduate student has the right to seek redress of any grievance related to his or her academic affairs.
Every effort should be made to resolve grievances informally between the student and the faculty member most directly involved or, such efforts failing, by the Graduate Adviser, the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee (GSC), and/or the Chair of the Department.
When serious issues cannot be resolved informally, the graduate student will 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. Each student must initiate his or her 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
Second Level of Adjudication: Office of the Vice President and Dean of Graduate Studies
Third Level of Adjudication: Office of the President
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.