Additional Department Policies
Ombudsperson and Grievances
Rea Freeland serves as ombudsperson for graduate students to assist with difficult academic or personal situations where a confidential sounding board and/or an intermediary can be helpful. Examples of situations where students are encouraged to seek advice or assistance include:
- Difficulty in communications with advisor, particularly when those difficulties may lead to potentially changing advisors or leaving the program
- Conflict with other group members that is difficult to resolve within the group
- Issues related to diversity or the departmental climate for those groups who are historically underrepresented in science
- Personal concerns that interfere significantly with the ability to make timely progress in research or program requirements. These might be due to health, family or financial challenges.
Upon the student's request, conversations will be kept in confidence. Should additional help be enlisted, the student would be asked before sharing information. More about departmental ombudspersons can be found in the Policy on Ombudspersons for Graduate Affairs the MCS Faculty Handbook.
In the event that a difficulty cannot be resolved within the department, Rea Freeland in the capacity of ombudsperson for all MCS graduate students can also assist with following the MCS grievance procedures that enlist the Dean's office in resolving difficult matters.