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Procedure 9.190, applicable to review of quasi-judicial decisions of an administrative body not subject
to the Administrative Procedure Act, by filing a petition for certiorari review within thirty (30) days
of the final university decision.
(e) The Office of the Ombuds (Ombuds)was established to assist students in resolving
problems and conflicts of an academic nature. This office provides an unbiased, informal
avenue of redress for students' grievances which arise in the course of interacting with the
institution. The Ombuds is available to offer assistance after a student has exhausted
all college appeals. The Ombuds works to achieve a fair resolution and works to
protect the rights of all parties involved.
Grievance policy
A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction when a resident believes that any decision, act or condition
affecting his or her program of study is arbitrary, illegal, unjust or creates unnecessary hardship. Such
grievance may concern, but is not limited to, the following: academic progress, mistreatment by any
university employee or student, wrongful assessment of fees, records and registration errors, discipline
(other than nonrenewal or dismissal) and discrimination because of race, national origin, sex, marital
status, religion, age, veteran's status, or disability, subject to the exception that complaints of sexual
harassment will be reviewed by the appropriate supervisory authority.
(a) Prior to invoking the grievance procedures described herein, the resident is strongly encouraged to
discuss his or her grievance with the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance. The discussion
should be held as soon as the resident becomes aware of the act or a condition that is the basis for
the grievance. In addition, or alternatively, the resident may wish to present his or her grievance in
writing to the person(s) alleged to have caused the grievance. In either situation, the person(s)
alleged to have caused the grievance might respond orally or in writing to the resident.
(b) If a resident decides against discussing the grievance with the person(s) alleged to have caused
such, or if the resident is not satisfied with the response, he or she may present the grievance to the
program director or departmental chair. If, after discussion, the grievances cannot be resolved, the
resident may contact the associate dean. The associate dean will meet with the resident and will
review the grievance. The decision of the associate dean will be communicated in writing to the
resident and constitute the final action.
GRADUATE DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS
It is the responsibility of the graduate student to become informed and to observe all regulations, critical dates,
and procedures required by the program the student is pursuing. The student must be familiar with those
sections of the Graduate Catalog that outline general regulations and requirements, specific degree program
requirements, and the offerings and requirements of the major department. Ignorance of a rule does not
constitute a basis for waiving that rule. Any exceptions to the policies stated in the Graduate Catalog must be
approved by the Dean of the Graduate School.
After admission to the Graduate School, but before the first registration, the student should consult the college
and/or the graduate coordinator in the major department concerning courses and degree requirements,
deficiencies if any, and special regulations of the department. The dean of the college in which the degree program
is located or a representative must approve all registrations. Once a supervisory committee has been appointed,
registration approval should be the responsibility of the chair.
Graduate students are subject to the same rules of behavior that govern undergraduates. The student conduct
code is described hereafter.
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