Graduate Student Grievance Procedures

The Clinical Program encourages all students to talk with the program director (Sbarra), program Ombudsperson (Bootzin), and the department head (Kaszniak), as well as with their student representative, about any concern they may have. For complaints that are not remediable by the department, a grievance procedure is available at the Graduate College to graduate students who believe that they have been treated unfairly by a faculty member or the department. Note, however, that complaints that cannot be addressed through this procedure are allegations of gender (including sexual harassment), racial, ethnic, religious and sexual orientation discrimination, which must be dealt with by the Affirmative Action Office; grade appeals and graduate examination appeals, procedures for which are set out in the Graduate Catalog; and complaints against University employees and students that are covered by provisions of the University Handbook for Appointed Personnel ("UHAP"), the Staff Personnel Policy Manual ("SPPM"), and the Student Code of Conduct. The Associate Dean of the Graduate College or other delegate of the Dean of the Graduate College (hereinafter "Associate Dean") shall determine whether a complaint is within the decision-making jurisdiction of the Graduate College.

Most problems can be readily resolved within the college, where faculty members and administrators are more knowledgeable about department and college policies, procedures, and practices. If a student believes that his/her complaint is not otherwise remediable and is within the jurisdiction of the Graduate College, a written request for a meeting may be submitted to the Associate Dean of the Graduate College who shall arrange a meeting within 10 working days.

After this meeting, the Associate Dean may consult the academic college dean, the department head, and any faculty member involved and attempt to resolve the issue informally. If the matter cannot be resolved, the Associate Dean shall determine whether the matter is not otherwise remediable and is within the decision-making jurisdiction of the Graduate College. If so, the Associate Dean shall then ask the Dean of the Graduate College to appoint a review committee as follows, and so advise all parties:

• One faculty member from the student's department, as recommended by the department head;
• Two faculty members who serve on the Graduate Council, one of whom will serve as chair;
• One faculty member at large or graduate program coordinator; and
• One full-time graduate student from the student's college, who may be the college representative from the Graduate and Professional Student Council.

The committee shall design its own procedures. At a minimum, such procedures must include adequate written notice of meetings at which parties shall be afforded an opportunity to present their position. The committee shall also establish time periods within which the individuals involved must respond to requests for information and other requests by the committee; failure to comply within the time allowed may result in a final decision adverse to the noncompliant individual. Failure to appear for a scheduled meeting may also result in a final decision adverse to the individual who fails to appear. The committee may choose to meet separately with the student, faculty member, department head, or any other individual having relevant information, or it may request short written statements from any or all parties.

     The committee shall provide a written report with recommendations to the Dean of the Graduate College who shall make the final decision and recommendation. The decision shall be provided to the student, the faulty member, the department head, and the dean(s) of the college(s) involved.