The Graduate College Handbook for Students, Faculty and Staff
Chapter IX: Problem Solving
C. Conflict Resolution
The University has systems in place to provide assistance to students experiencing conflict, including offices such as the Office of the Dean of Students, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.
The Student Code contains specific procedures for student grievances alleging discrimination, including harassment by reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, unfavorable discharge from the military, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, and other forms of invidious discrimination not prohibited by law.
Information on capricious grading and the departmental procedures for investigating capricious grading complaints, can be found in the Student Code, Part 1 of Article 3. Students may also find assistance at the Office of Campus Conduct or the Office of the Dean of Students.
Jurisdiction of the University discipline system is outlined in Part 3 of Article 1 of the Student Code. The Subcommittee on Graduate Student Conduct of the Senate Committee on Student Discipline has the right to impose sanctions including, but not limited to dismissal, suspension, conduct probation, censure, and reprimand. More detailed information concerning the operation of the procedures in the Student Code may be obtained from the Office for Student Conflict Resolution at 333-3680.
Academic conflict may be addressed through informal processes or through a formal grievance process. Some graduate programs have established grievance procedures and students should be aware of whether their program has such a procedure in place. The Graduate College has a grievance policy and procedure in place to assist students and graduate programs. Students are recommended to first explore the option of informally resolving an academic conflict. A student who believes he or she has an academic grievance should first discuss it with his or her adviser. If discussion with the adviser is inappropriate or unfruitful, discussion with a senior faculty member, director of graduate study, or a department or unit head is recommended.
A student may elect to file a formal grievance within the unit in which a problem has arisen if the department has a written grievance procedure approved by the Graduate College. The student may also choose to file the grievance directly with the Graduate College. Students should be aware of differences between the Graduate College and departmental grievance policies, as well as what types of grievances are appropriately addressed by these policies. More information and resources related to grievance policies and procedures can be found on the Graduate College Web site.
Course work-based charges of academic integrity infractions against graduate students will be handled according to applicable procedures in the Student Code. Charges of academic integrity infractions against graduate students that involve research and/or publication will follow procedures contained within the Bylaws of the Graduate College and the University of Illinois Policy and Procedures on Academic Integrity in Research and Publication.
The resources for students experiencing employment related conflict include the following:
- the Graduate College policy entitled Graduate Student Assistantship Conflict Mediation and Appointment Termination Policies and Procedures,
- the Policy and Procedures for Addressing Discrimination and Harassment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
- the Agreement (PDF) by and between The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) (for graduate assistants that are covered); with respect to any complaint alleging a violation of the Agreement (PDF), and
- the Academic Human Resources Office.
