Student Bill of Rights

1. Be provided accurate, timely, and clear information in writing at the time of entry into the academic program concerning (a) general academic requirements for establishing and maintaining an acceptable academic standing, (b) the student’s academic relationship with the University and the details of any special conditions that may apply, and (c) graduation requirements for the student’s academic program.
2. Be provided academic evaluations that represent the course instructor’s good faith judgments of performance. Course grades shall represent the instructor’s professional and objective evaluation of the student’s academic performance. The student shall have the right to know all course requirements, including grading criteria, and course procedures at the beginning of the course.
3. Pursue activities, collaboration, research, and publications pertaining to their thesis work and to increasing academic and/or professional development.
4. To petition for a change in thesis advisor or thesis committee membership at any point in their academic career without incurring any undue future negative academic/social consequences as a result of this change, with the exception of academic scheduling.
5. Have and participate in a community atmosphere where all members, including faculty, staff, and students, are treated with dignity and respect, and where discourse and interaction are professional, cooperative and constructive even when there is disagreement.
6. Be treated with courtesy in discussions between faculty, administration, and other students, and not be subjected to adverse discussion beyond the purview of departmental and university policies and law.
7. Refuse activities that are unrelated to academic pursuit or professional development, particularly those that do not have a direct benefit to the completion of defined thesis or dissertation or professional development, without adverse conduct from their academic advisor or member of department faculty and/or staff.
   
   

Rights Regarding Professional Development. The University recognizes that professional development is an essential aspect of graduate students’ present and future professional lives. Graduate student rights regarding professional development include, but are not limited to:

1. To be respected as individuals and as developing professionals.
2. Matriculate through the degree programs in a timely fashion.
3. Receive professional and academic guidance from their advisor.
4. Seek professional and academic guidance from faculty and staff besides their advisor, including but not limited to thesis advisor and thesis chair.
5. Ownership and access to their intellectual property.
6. Authorship and acknowledgment on scholarly publications commensurate with their contribution to such works.
7. To have progress towards their degree objectively evaluated by the appropriate faculty members.
8. Take part in activities to foster their professional development including, but not limited to, internships, relevant conferences, volunteer experience, workshops, and courses.
9. Not have their progress hindered by the University/professors/advisors/administrators as long as the student is within good standing with their department.
10. Change their faculty advisor.
11. Collaborate with students, faculty, and staff for their professional and academic development.
12. All funding as outlined in their contract as long as they have abided by the terms of the contract and maintained good academic standing in their department.
    
    

Rights Regarding Information and Privacy. The University recognizes the importance of student privacy and access to pertinent and essential information to continue their academic and professional process smoothly. Graduate student rights regarding information and privacy include but are not limited to:

1. Graduate and Professional Students shall have the right to information, including the right to:

   1. Be informed of their rights and responsibilities; R&R.
   2. Be included in any decision-making regarding services and policies pertaining to their well-being.
   3. Clear, written information on the degree program pertaining to degree requirements, departmental requirements, expectations of students, and the expected timeline for academic progress.
   4. Have their plan of academic progress reviewed and approved by their advisor annually.
   5. Adhere to the plan of academic progress and not be hindered by the University/professors/advisors/administrators.
   6. Written communication of any changes made to department expectations on degree requirements, academic progress, and funding requirements.
   7. Be informed in advance of any changes to the University’s health insurance policy as they pertain to the primary insured and dependents.
   8. Inquire about, discuss, and contest contractual provisions relating to family leave, sick leave, departmental service requirements, definition of working hours.
      
      
2. Graduate and Professional Students under an assistantship of any kind shall also have the right to:
   1. Know the minimum departmental stipend within their own department prior to signing a contract.
   2. Clearly outlined time and role expectations of their assistantship through a signed contract at the beginning of their funding period.
   3. Be informed in advance and in writing of any changes made to their assistantship contracts.
   4. Be informed of the schedule of stipend payments and the right to immediate recourse if that schedule is violated.
   5. Be informed in advance and in writing termination of their contract and be reasonably allowed to make other accommodations.
      
      
3. Graduate Students shall have the right to privacy including the right to:
   1. Keep any activity not involving the University private.
   2. Keep any accommodation under Section 4 of this document private.
      
      

1. Conduct research, learn, teach, participate in University programs and activities, and access to healthcare free of discrimination and/or adverse conduct.
2. Due process regarding unfair treatment or reports of assault.
3. Reasonable accommodation for any disability that a Graduate Student already has upon receiving University status or that emerges after receiving University status, and that is protected by University rules and/or applicable law; and develop a reasonable accommodation plan with the University Disability Services Office.
   
   

1. To learn and demonstrate mastery of the content and skills of a course of study, while participating actively in the course’s intellectual community, according to standards of performance established by the faculty.
2. To make satisfactory progress in their studies and are responsible for meeting the University and program specific requirements associated with their degree.
3. Inform themselves of University, college, department, and school requirements as stated in the student handbook and in the University catalog. In planning to meet such requirements, students are responsible for consulting with their academic advisors.
4. To conduct themselves in a manner befitting their professional area of study.
5. To observe professional standards and academic honesty in coursework, examinations, research and written reports, as well as with professional behavior towards students, staff and faculty, and in the professional treatment of the students, and laboratory animals they may encounter in the process of their graduate education.
6. To follow all University policies and procedures when conducting research, including those specified by the Institutional Review Board and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
7. To acknowledge the contributions of faculty members in their scholarly presentations and publications.
8. To familiarize themselves with the University and college level student codes of conduct.
   
   

Shared. The student and the faculty share the responsibility for maintaining professional relationships based on mutual trust and civility.