Background Info: This document should clarify what graduate students are entitled to and should expect from their advisor(s) and the IB department. It applies to all graduate students who are advised or co-advised by a faculty member with an IB affiliation. We have limited this Bill of Rights to items that are within advisor(s) and/or the IB department’s control. For example, given that wages, disability accommodations, and maternity/paternity leave are rights that are determined by the University, they are beyond the scope of this Bill. Furthermore, determining how item 10) will be carried out and whom students should contact to report a violation is also beyond the scope of graduate student input and will be left up to the faculty to determine.
The IB Graduate Student Bill of Rights serves to provide additional department-level rights not directly specified in the Graduate Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities passed by the Graduate Student Assembly in 2015.
G.R. 15 (S) 1- Endorsement of the Graduate Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities
(1) The right to be treated without bias with respect to (but not limited to) gender, race, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability, religious or political affiliations, family status, country of origin, mental/physical health, and citizenship. Refer to CNS Diversity and Inclusivity Policy and GSA Bill of Rights.
(2) The right to a clear understanding of the responsibilities of a graduate student to their advisor(s).
(3) The right to mentoring investment from their advisor(s) that supports and advances the student’s academic and professional goals. The right to explore or pursue a career outside academia without penalty.
(4) The right to know and discuss clear, concrete requirements for graduation with thesis committee (masters or PhD). Refer to Annual Reviews distributed by the Graduate Coordinator.
(5) The right to meet the standard hourly TA and/or RA contract and to stay within this contract. This does not apply to the student’s dissertation work. Refer to CNS Dean’s Office TA Workload Guidelines.
(6) The right to take courses that promote a student’s career goals and to access professional training courses and seminars as needed. The student has the right to financial support for conferences and workshops required by the advisor.
(7) The right to fair/accurate representation of a student’s work and contributions.
(8) The right to have a student representative to advocate and represent graduate student interests at faculty meetings.
(9) The right to be informed of these rights upon enrollment, and to be free of reprisals for exercising these rights. Refer to GSA Bill of Rights.
(10) The right to a non-biased arbitration process if and when seeking to resolve a violation of these rights. Official academic grievance procedures designed and administered by the University and the Graduate School are beyond the scope of this document. Supplementary, less-formal complaint procedures should be clearly specified by the IB department and by the graduate programs, and clearly communicated to graduate students at the time of entry. Students may initiate this grievance process by contacting any of the individuals listed below.