Student Evaluations
Graduate students are expected to complete their degree programs in a timely manner. After the first semester, each graduate student’s progress is monitored each term and categorized as satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory. For students making satisfactory progress, no further action is taken. If marginal or unsatisfactory progress is noted, the student will receive written documentation that: 1) describes the deficiency; 2) lists what will be required to rectify the deficiency; and 3) includes a deadline for satisfactorily addressing the deficiency. Whenever possible, students will also be provided with information about relevant resources that could be helpful in completing this goal.
I. Evaluation of Graduate Student Progress:
A. The first evaluation will occur at the conclusion of a student’s first semester and will continue every semester thereafter.
B. The program’s steering committee will evaluate the progress of each student.
C. The assessment will include teaching evaluations (where appropriate), semester evaluations submitted by the major faculty advisor, progress and competence in coursework, and any student conduct issues.
D. Each student’s progress will be rated as satisfactory, marginal, or unsatisfactory.
E. All students will be notified in writing of their progress in the following term. For students not receiving a satisfactory rating, the letter will be written by the program’s steering committee in conjunction with the student’s faculty advisor(s).
F. Students making marginal or unsatisfactory progress are informed of:
i. What they need to do to make satisfactory progress and the timeframe for doing so.
ii. Repercussions if these tasks are not accomplished.
iii.The requirement to sign, date and return the letter to the program’s administrative office, acknowledging understanding of the expectations.
G. Receipt of the first unsatisfactory or marginal rating may result in the student being formally evaluated during the summer period.
H. Dismissal from the program or revocation of graduate assistantship may be recommended if the student receives:
i. Two consecutive unsatisfactory ratings
ii. Two marginal ratings and one unsatisfactory rating (consecutive)
II. Dismissal and Petition for Exception
If a student is recommended for dismissal, then they may submit a Petition for Exception (see director for process), which the program faculty steering committee will review. The petition must include a contract that lists the student’s and major faculty advisor’s responsibilities and a timeline of corrective actions. This contract must also include the signatures of the student and major faculty advisor(s). If the student makes a convincing case in the Petition, the committee may recommend that the student be given another semester to demonstrate satisfactory progress. If the committee does not approve of the petition, or if the student does not file a petition, then the program will recommend to the Graduate College that the student be dismissed from the program.
III. Unsatisfactory Rating
Students who receive an unsatisfactory rating and do not submit their signed evaluation to the program’s administrative office by the stipulated date may lose their assistantship or be recommended for dismissal.
IV. Marginal and/or unsatisfactory progress may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Failure to identify a major professor with whom to conduct dissertation research with (by the conclusion of the second semester)
- Student is without a major professor for a period of more than four weeks (after the second semester)
- Student fails to establish a graduate committee by the conclusion of the second semester
- Poor performance in research or lack of effort towards research
- Minimal contact with major faculty advisor
- Failure to meet with supervisory committee at least annually
- Thesis/dissertation draft not approved
- Limited progress toward courses and/or program requirements
- Poor performance in teaching (as assigned)
- Violation of University’s Statement of Shared Values
- Failure to regularly attend program seminars
- Overall grade point below 3.0
- Failure of preliminary or comprehensive exams
- Unsafe laboratory practices
- Unprofessional conduct
- Failure to submit Semester Review Form in a timely manner