Failure to Complete Assigned Graduate Assistantship Duties

In order to resolve an issue regarding a graduate student’s failure to complete an assigned teaching or research assistantship duty, the following steps shall be taken.  The faculty shall meet with the graduate student and attempt to resolve the issue.  Before or after the meeting, the faculty member has the discretion of issuing the following:

• Written warning:  A written warning (in the form of an email or some other document) must detail the graduate student’s non-performance or mal-performance.  The written warning must be dated and submitted to the graduate student and a copy sent to the Graduate Coordinator.
• Formal Grievance:  A grievance will be construed as a more serious form of non-performance or mal-performance.  The faculty member must complete the formal grievance form.  The grievance must be dated and submitted to the graduate student and a coy sent to the Graduate Coordinator.  If the faculty member files a grievance, the Graduate Coordinator shall schedule a meeting with the faculty member and graduate student.  The Graduate Coordinator may use any of the following of a combination thereof:
  • Dismiss the Grievance:  If the Graduate Coordinator finds insufficient evidence of non-performance or mal-performance, or does not believe a grievance is warranted, the Graduate Coordinator may dismiss the grievance.  The Graduate Coordinator must provide reasons for his/her decision in writing to the faculty member and graduate student.
  • Reassign the Graduate Student:  The Graduate Coordinator may reassign the graduate student to another faculty member.  The Graduate Coordinator must provide reasons for his/her decision in writing to the faculty member and graduate student.
  • Place the Graduate Student on Probation:  If the Graduate Coordinator finds sufficient evidence of non-performance or mal-performance, the Graduate Coordinator may place the graduate student on probation.  The duration of the probation and reasons for the Graduate Coordinator’s decision must be submitted in writing to the faculty member and graduate student.
  • Recommendation of Termination:  For repeated and/or gross non-performance or mal-performance, the Graduate Coordinator may recommend to the Dean of the Graduate College termination of the graduate student’s assistantship.  The Graduate Coordinator must provide reasons for his/her decision in writing to the School Director, faculty member, and graduate student.